Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class News

The Munich-base carmaker has just unveiled its Gran Coupe concept in China, a swoopy four-door that clearly points to another niche filler for the luxury brand.  More importantly it also has the next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, new Audi A7 and even the Volkswagen Passat CC in its sights. Despite the buzz at the Beijing Auto China show that the Gran Coupe points to a new 8 Series model, it is still officially a showcar.  "At this stage we haven't received anything official from the factory on whether it's going into production," BMW Australia spokesman, Tim James, says. "But clearly there are elements that could appear in future models."  Visually, the Gran Coupe draws on the 2007 Concept CS for inspiration. However, it showcases the brand's future styling direction being pursued by BMW's design boss Adrian Van Hooydonk.  BMW says its newest showcar is faithful to the classic features found in all its coupes. It has a long wheelbase, short overhangs, vaulted bonnet with an aggressive, upright grille, a set-back cabin and coupe-style roofline.  At almost 5m long, the coupe sits between the 5 Series and 7 Series. However it is 100mm lower than a 5 Series. Van Hooydonk has presented a new take on some traditional BMW styling cues, from the kidney grille to the shark nose and a new chrome interpretation of the Hofmeister kink in the rear C-pillar.  Like its German production rivals, the frameless doors allow the window glass to merge seamlessly with the body. The wedge-shape LED headlights are matched by LED daytime running lights in the bumper and deep below-bumper air intakes.  At the rear L-shaped LED tail-lights merge into the bodywork while the quad exhaust outlets are integrated into a rear diffuser. A third LED brake light is positioned at the top of the rear window and illuminates the entire width of the window.  If the Gran Coupe goes into production it could share some of the new engine technology available in the 5 and 7 Series.  This could include BMW's latest direct-injection 3.0-litre turbo petrol and diesel engines, as well as a flagship petrol V8.

The Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept has aired ahead of its debut at Auto China in Beijing. Although Mercedes executives aren't revealing too much, the Shooting Break shows off the future direction if the German carmaker chooses to make a station wagon version of the CLS. With Audi’s A7 hatchback arriving soon and BMW’s recently introduced 5-Series GT, a CLS wagon could be on the cards. Even though the Shooting Break is a concept the long, low and sleek design looks production ready with a roof that tapers towards the rear of the car, providing an almost coupe-like shape. At the front the grille and headlight treatment borrows some cues from the SLS AMG. The grille is flanked by LED headlights on each side - the first time Mercedes has used LED technology to such a dynamic effect. The side profile and shoulder line is sharp and leads down to a Pontoon-style curve above the rear wheel arches at the rear doors. The coupe-like profile is emphasized by the shallow window design. Inside the concept gets plenty of wood and leather and an eye-catching full-length centre console, which dictates that this is a four-seater only. The wooden floor of the luggage area gets contrasting silky oak highlights and aluminium highlights and protective strips. Powering the Merc is one of the next-generation V-engines.

And even before the covers were off the silver sculpture, the fluid lines of the nose betrayed that underneath was something heavily influenced by AMG styling.The somewhat unimaginatively-named ‘Design Sculpture’ is a stunning thing – looking more like it belongs in a modern art museum than a motor show – with a liquid shape highlighted with sweeping character lines.“It gives you an abstract idea of how we at Mercedes-Benz comprehend the theme of ‘distinctive style’,” said the company’s global chairman, Dr Dieter Zetsche. But what does it tell us about future design to come out of Stuttgart?It perhaps hints at the future form of the next Mercedes-Benz CLS -- tipped to be revealed in full concept form in Europe later this year.And perhaps, as their technology does, it may trickle down a great deal of the carmaker’s lines over the coming years.

One has two turbochargers, an eight-speed auto and a sub-5 second sprint time — but it isn't a sports car.The other has a 3.5-litre petrol V6 mated to an electric motor and, at 7.9 litres/100km, will be the cleanest, greenest luxury saloon to hit Australia.The bi-turbo car is BMW's new 7-Series luxury flagship, the 760Li, which arrives here in September with an expected $375,000 pricetag.The flagship gets a new all-aluminium 6-litre V12 engine with direct petrol injection and variable-valve timing and lift — all enough for 400kW at 5250rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1500rpm.BMW claims 13 litres/100km.But Mercedes-Benz almost cuts that consumption in half — and CO2 emissions to a mere 186g/km — with its S-Class hybrid, the S400 Hybrid.This car, one of 10 new S-Class models that may start coming into Australia in September, is the world's first standard production hybrid drive with a lithium-ion battery.The S400 Hybrid's modified 3.5-litre petrol engine has 205kW and the electric motor produces 15kW and has starting torque of 160Nm.Mercedes-Benz claims the major advantages of the lithium-ion batteries over conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density, greater electrical efficiency, compact dimensions and a low battery weight.The S400's boot space remains the same shape and size as that of the S350 donor car.The S-Class range also includes S350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, S350 CDI 4MATIC all-wheel drive; the 4-litre V8 S450 CDI; S350 and S350 4MATIC; the 4.7-litre V8 petrol S450/S450 4MATIC; the S500/S500 4MATIC with 5.5-litre V8s; S600 bi-turbo 5.5-litre V12; and the two AMG versions, the 386kW 6.2-litre V8 S63 AMG and the 450kW 6-litre V12 S65 AMG.Further details of the S-Class range will be revealed next month. 

After successfully combining a four-door sedan with a curvy coupe to create the top selling CLS, the development team at Mercedes-Benz has now rammed a wagon into the back of a two-door coupe.The result is called the ConceptFASCINATION and it's an odds-on bet for a new place in the silver star family.Officially, the radical new two-door is only a 'design study' but it will be under the spotlight at the Paris Motor Show in a fortnight and is likely to be in showrooms within three years.Why? Because Benz can and because it should.The ConceptFASCINATION — another morph — shows there is plenty of life in the old-fashioned British 'shooting brake', originally a luxury sedan modified with a station wagon tail so the upper classes could shoot small, feathered-and-furry creatures.We've seen something similar with the Volvo C30, but the new Benz is much bigger and much more elegant.It also comes at a time when Mercedes-Benz is about to change its name game — the next CLK will be called the E-Class coupe — in a move which clears the way for something new."The ConceptFASCINATION is a vehicle that's pretty much unique," says David McCarthy, the spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Australia."It is only a concept. But if it was to come to market it would be likely to sell very well."You only have to look at the CLS, which was totally new. Since its introduction we've sold over 150,000 worldwide."The ConceptFASCINATION is about the same size as a CLK coupe, but sits much lower with a dramatic sweep from nose to tail.Benz claims it is emotional, practical and elegant and the Paris Show car has a combination of wood, aluminium and smoked glass to give it an upmarket look. As well as a giant sunroof.But don't expect the fridge or cigar humidor in the concept car to make it to showrooms.Instead, the ConceptFASCINATION will combine a four-door coupe cabin with a truly useful luggage space beneath its upright rear hatch."Station wagons are huge in Europe. We are even seeing it here with the take-up on the C-Class wagon," says McCarthy."This concept is a vehicle that is similar to some vehicles in the past, not from us, that have definitely struck a chord with buyers. It's looking at the needs of a particular section of the market."McCarthy says it will be ideal for the cashed-up 20-somethings who have also been fans of Benz's B-Class hatch."The B-Class has been very successful for us in Australia. This is different, of course, and is between C and E in size."Full details will be revealed in Paris but Benz is already wittering about a load space that "develops organically from the exciting and elegant lines of this lifestyle coupe" as well as "elegance, savoir-vivre and exclusivity of the highest level".The design includes a new take on the company's corporate 'face' including the sort of LED running lights which are now commonplace on prestige cars, as well as a tail with a forward sloping glasshouse.But the emotion is obvious and Benz could easily have another winner, particularly as the ConceptionFASCINATION is already being touted for a full-scale AMG makeover if — when — it goes into production. 

It says everything about the ubiquity of such things that the authorities in Baghdad are holding one. What better way to present the image that all's well in this most dangerous of cities than to stick a bunch of cars on stands and charge admission?The realisation that these things are becoming a bit of a yawn has not been lost on the organisers of the British International Motor Show, which has kicked off in London's Docklands.It started with the most memorable pre-launch stunt in recent history, Opel's new Insignia being lowered by a massive crane from atop Tower Bridge. Cute as these things go, but counting for nothing if the show lacked stars and substance.Unlike some other international motor shows, the Brit edition has plenty of both. There are 600 cars running the alphabetical gamut from Alfa Romeo to ZEV (that'd be Zero Emission Vehicles) worth some $100 million.While Britain's biggest consumer exhibition comes close to being all things to all people, it's the 23 models making their debut that is the chief draw for the anticipated 550,000 punters.The show-stealer is undoubtedly the Lotus Evora. The Norfolk marque's first all-new model in 12 years is a mid-engined 2+2 V6, intended to give Porsche something to think about, especially if _ as anticipated _ it combines the brand's trademark lightweight build (just 1350kg) with razor handling.While the Evora represents a significant step forward for Lotus, Jaguar has looked to the past for the XK60, a captivating special edition of the current production coupe to commemorate the unveiling of legendary XK120 sporters in 1948.Powered by the atmo version of the 4.2 V8, the Jag cops enhancements such as 20-inch Senta alloy wheels, alloy gear knob and selector-gate surround, new front spoiler, chrome-finished side vents and special tailpipe finishers. Which is nice.Performance with an eco-conscience? Why not? Mercedes-Benz is showcasing its BlueTEC version of the stylish CLS. Reassuringly for the rev-hungry, there's a Brabus-built Bullit Black Arrow, their V12-engined C-Class.The show's green tinge is evident in the Lightning Car Company's Lightning, a 100 per cent electric GT sports car, and Allied Vehicles' E7 electric taxi, whose lithium-ion batteries imbue the seven-seater with a range of 160km and top speed of 100km/h. Other green gambits include the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic with carbon dioxide emissions of less than 100g/km.While the British blowout is not spoken of in the same breath as the biennial Frankfurt or Paris salons, the lesson for organisers of Australian events are salient.Not least of these is making `events' singular _ just as we have too much government for 21 million people, there are too many annual shows. Oh, and staging it in a venue that's spacious and accessible isn't a bad idea, either. 

Fuel prices and economic uncertainty have not stopped Mercedes-Benz from rolling out a new set of sports stars at the top of its line-up. It has just tweaked the droptop SLK and SL, as well as the four-door CLS coupe, as it applies showroom pressure on BMW, Audi and Lexus rivals.The changes are mainly minor, although the latest SL looks far more aggressive in the nose (and is also $4000 to $8000 more expensive) but Benz is looking closely at the potential for turbodiesel power in the trio.According to president and CEO, Wolfgang Schrempp, the company has shown off such engines in Europe and these are now being evaluated for Australia. The company already delivers more than 20 per cent of its Australian vehicles with turbodiesels.In 2005 it unveiled an SLK 320 CDI tri-turbo concept at the Geneva Motor Show with 213kW and 630Nm and economy of 7.5 litres per 100km. At the same show it displayed a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 diesel SL that could charge to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.In Europe, Mercedes also sells a CLS 320 CDI with a 165kW/540Nm V6 turbodiesel that delivers 7.6 to 8.1 litres per 100km.The newcomers arrive at a time when the luxury car business is tightening, but Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director Horst vonSanden remains bullish. He hopes the Federal Government will give some ground on the planned hike in the luxury car tax but admits it isn't easy.“There's no denying it's giving us some grief,” he says. But von Sanden, like Schrempp, is looking to turbodiesels to give Benz an edge.“We're very happy with our turbodiesel line-up, from the BClass upwards,” he says.Later this year it will introduce a 2.0-litre turbodiesel A180CDI that uses as little as 5.0 litres per 100km. The engine is already fitted to the BClass. For the time being though, the company is focused on the new petrol-engined trio.The three-model SLK range kicks off at $86,780 for the 1.8-litre SLK200 Kompressor, $112,380 for the 3.5-litre V6 SLK 350 and $164,900 for the 5.5-litre V8 SLK 55 AMG.A new six-speed manual transmission is now available in the SLK200K and Mercedes expects the take-up to be about 25per cent with the SLK 350 being the volume seller.Visually, the SLK gains a modest nip and tuck, with four different frontal treatments, tail-lights and improved interior trim.Five distinct SL models are now available. They start at $223,000 for the 232kW/360Nm V6SL 350, which rises to $468,000 for the 450kW/1000Nm V12 SL65 AMG.The three-model CLS range starts at $143,900 for the 200kW/350Nm V6 CLS 350, $182,400 for the 285kW/530Nm V8 CLS 500 and $257,800 for the 378kW/630NmV8 CLS 63 AMG.The three updates are planned to give a worthwhile sales improvement, as last year Mercedes-Benz Australia sold 570 SLKs, 501 CLSs and 104 SLs. 

Mick Doohan worked hard to earn his fun. He spent 11 years putting his body on the line in the cut-throat 500cc World Championship motorcycle racing circus. He amassed an incredible five world titles in the sport's premier class despite receiving terrible injuries that left permanent scars.So it's hard to begrudge him his fun, even when it comes in the form of a $297,990 Mercedes-Benz AMG sports sedan and a helicopter worth $2.9 million. To celebrate that it is almost 10 years since he claimed his final 500cc world title at Phillip Island, he decided to cut loose at the classic grand prix venue in his two favourite toys.Doohan has been an international ambassador for AMG since 1996 and enjoys the perks of the job. Only 55 examples of the IWC Ingenieur were built and only seven came to Australia. Doohan's AMG role helped make sure he was one of the lucky few.After manhandling the world's fastest prototype motorbikes, the Mercedes and the Eurocopter are toys for Doohan. Magnificent and expensive toys, but still toys for a man who won 54 grands prix.The CLS 55 IWC Ingenieur is the result of a collaboration between AMG and Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.As you'd expect from a joint effort between a German car company and a Swiss watchmaker, attention to detail is immaculate.The car is finished in a dark titanium-grey metallic paint. Every exterior element is colour matched in a matt titanium finish, including the radiator grille, fog-light rings, side-window bezels and doorhandle inserts.The car sports 19-inch AMG wheels, also in a titanium finish. The treatment also carries over to the inside. The instrument cluster was redesigned to match the limited-edition IWC Ingenieur AMG watch the company produced as part of the deal.The dashboard gauges are black with silver needles and white lighting and the cluster is ringed with titanium.The seats are finished in dark nappa leather and have matt titanium AMG badging on the backs to continue the theme.Doohan liked the look of the CLS so much he had his Eurocopter specially finished in the same colour. With an imposing 350kW of power and a staggering 700Nm of torque, a racetrack is the only place Doohan can explore the car's limits.The Eurocopter is the AMG's airborne cousin. It is one of the fastest helicopters for sale to the public. With its high-load capacity and high rate of climb, it is an incredibly flexible helicopter and can be used in a wide range of conditions.It is fitted with the latest hi-tech digital engine control system and multi-function dashboard. The instrumentation means that the pilot can glance at the chopper's critical information on a dual LCD screen.“The CLS 55 AMG and the Eurocopter AS350 are a perfect match,” Doohan says. “They're at the high-performance end of their respective spectrums and, as you can see, they're a lot of fun."“They both change direction quickly and accelerate with a fair bit of force. Sure, they're the same colour, but there are more similarities than just their paint finishes.”Doohan is no stranger to aircraft. Since retiring from racing he has established a successful corporate aviation charter business called Global Jet International.But that's business and the Mercedes and Eurocopter are all about fun for one of Australia's most successful motorsport stars. SnapshotMercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG Price: $297,000Body: 5-seat sedanEngine: 5.5L/V8 350kW/700Nm  Eurocopter AS350 B3  Engine: Turbomeca Arriel 2B turbine 623kWTransmission: main gearbox and one in tailPerformance: range: 650km, rate-of-climb 12.1m/sec, top speed 259km/h (140 knots)