Finnish magazine, Tekniikan Maailma, (translated to mean Technology World) asked its readers to help decide who was most deserving of a new vehicle to celebrate their 60th anniversary.  The resounding answer from their readers – the police for traffic control.

Choosing who was deserving was the easy part, choosing what kind of vehicle should be donated took a little more research. It needed to be a car that was fast, performed well in bad weather and was environmentally friendly.  The vehicle finally decided on by Tekniikan Maailma‘s President was none other than the Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI Shooting Brake 4MATIC.  It’s flashy, fast, great in bad weather and gets an average of 6.7 l per 100 km (1.8 gallons per 62 miles)

Check out the video (if you don’t speak Finnish, skip in 36 seconds for the car in action) and photo gallery below for a look at the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake transformation for passenger car to Police vehicle.

HT: Antzo

Italian design house Studiotorino along with six students have unveiled their vision for a shooting brake variant of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class dubbed the Coupetorino 2013. The Coupetorino 2013 is the successor to the Coupetorino 2008, a similar project that was developed in the same way with Istituto di Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD) and Mercedes-Benz Design Center.

The Coupetorino 2013 is a non-profit academic project at  IAAD, it began in September 2012 with six students (Bruno Arena, Michele Bavaro, Riccardo Luigi Cascone, Stefano Manini, Dario Pellegrino and Cristiano Zanot) and one objective, transform the new iconic Mercedes SL into an exclusive Coupe.

StudioTorino SL Shooting Brake

The project SL was envisioned as a one-off special edition or limited series model, the Coupetorino was a realistic work-study project for the students, who also had to integrate engineering feasibility and cost of production in their work. Mercedes’ Head of Advanced Design Steffen Koehl gave three lectures to the students and made himself available to the students for questions throughout the project via email.

StudioTorino SL Shooting Brake

The Coupetorino 2013 1/4 scale model was presented on May 27 at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Como, Italy and given excellent reviews. Whether or not it makes sense for Mercedes-Benz, a shooting brake version of the iconic SL, only time will tell.

Mercedes-Benz and luxury menswear brand Spencer Hart have collaborated with one another to create a special edition CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake that aims to showcase the AMG Performance Studio’s bespoke optioning program.  The lux CLS63 AMG, designed by Nick Hart,, Spencer Hart’s creative director, was unveiled at the end of the Spencer Hart London Collections men show.

The Hart CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is the first UK fashion collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and will be available to order in the near future.  Pricing for the special edition “Nick Hart Midnight Blue” Benz has yet to be announced but with a base price of $95,900 for the 2013 CLS63 AMG, we recommend you start saving now.  Nick Hart has also replaced the traditional Mercedes-Benz chrome accents and wheels with subtle, dark finishes that give an understated feel to the car.

Mercedes CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake by Spencer Hart

On the inside, Spencer Hart drew inspiration from its flagship store in Brooke Street, particularly the walnut paneled personal shopping area, dubbed “The Vault”. The AMG Shooting Brake interior is fitted with dark Chocolate Brown Italian leather seats with contrasting Midnight Blue stitching and the Spencer Hart logo on each headrest and Nick Hart’s signature on the center console.

According to Nick Hart, “It seemed a natural fit to work on a car project with Mercedes-Benz. I have always been a fan of the brand and creating something that was uniquely Spencer Hart and ultimately cool as opposed to commercial, has resulted in something that both Spencer Hart and Mercedes-Benz are proud of”.   Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz UK stated that “Our AMG Performance Studio can create cars as unique as their owners, which is why we decided to show what can be achieved through this collaboration with Spencer Hart”.

Coming off the Detroit International Auto Show, there is no question that the new Mercedes-Benz CLA is one of the most talked about car in the Mercedes lineup. With its frameless doors, the four-door coupe seamlessly carried over the design of the Concept Style Coupe into series production

And while the CLA may look on the small end, it actually comes in at 4,6 m (182 inches) and is bigger than the C-Class. With this said, is it really inconceivable that Mercedes-Benz would offer a shooting brake version of the all new CLA-Class?  While it is unlikely we will see a CLA Shooting Brake anytime soon, the renderings from Theophilus Chin offer us a detailed look at what we could expect if Mercedes were to offer one.  The rendering shows the CLA-Class with the big shooting brake back with bulked up body panels similar to an AMG exterior.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class press release.  Hattip: Jeremy by way of AutoEvolution.

Mercedes-Benz has released two new ads for the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake. The first ad takes direct aim at recent imitators, likely referring to the 6-Series GranCoupe from BMW, the A7 from Audi and the Panamera from Porsche.  The video goes on to state that while others were skeptical of their first four-door coupe, Mercedes still believed in their idea.  Success of the CLS came and with it the first imitators.

We’re still a little confused by Mercedes’ choice for the second ad – one that features golfer Adam Scott.  If you’re unfamiliar with Scott, he’s the golfer that in 2012 led The Open Championship by four strokes with four holes to play, only to suffer a catastrophic meltdown, bogeying the final four and losing by a stroke. Not exactly who we would have chose to promote a brand new model, but that’s just us.

Mercedes may not always get it right with their ads, but they do with their car designs, and the CLS Shooting Brake is no exception.

Last week we brought you the first glimpse of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake, and as promised, we now have the complete details and full photo gallery for you.  Offering the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine with a power output range of from 386 kW (525 hp) to 410 kW (557 hp) and a luggage compartment with a volume of up to 1550 liters, there isn’t much more you could ask for in a wagon.   Also, in addition to the optional extras from the AMG Performance Studio that enhance the driving dynamics, another unique highlight of the AMG Shooting Brake is the designo wooden luggage compartment floor. And for those looking for something extra special, there is the limited-time CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake “Edition 1” that offers an additional 24 kW (32 hp) of power and 100 Nm of torque as well as some particularly exclusive appointment features.

Mercedes-AMG is showing courage and with the new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is presenting a performance trendsetter in a new market segment. The CLS 55 AMG already had no direct competitors back in 2004. The first four-door performance Coupé inspired other automotive manufacturers and over the years has come to be copied many times. The successor model presented in 2006, the CLS 63 AMG with an AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, and the current CLS 63 AMG with the 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine available since 2011, have consistently continued this strategy.

According to Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “After the successes of the CLS 55 AMG and CLS 63 AMG, with the new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake we are consistently pursuing the philosophy of offering our customers unrivalled, exciting high-performance cars. The CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is establishing a completely new, small and select niche sector, and is expected to delight new customers just as much as it will existing AMG enthusiasts. The combination of performance, style and usability is unique.”

AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine producing up to 410 kW (557 hp)

The AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine impresses with a combination of direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion, piezo injectors, biturbocharging, air/water intercooling, generator management and ECO start/stop function.

The eight-cylinder engine is the embodiment of pure dynamism and high efficiency: offering power output and torque levels of 386 kW (525 hp) and 700 Nm respectively, the effortless superiority of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake can be enjoyed by the driver over every single kilometre. In conjunction with the Edition 1 these figures are pushed to 410 kW (557 hp) and 800 Nm. Both variants offer driving performance of the highest calibre: accelerating from zero to 100 km/h takes 4.4 and 4.3 seconds respectively, and the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

Effortlessly superior power delivery, low fuel consumption

Despite offering dynamism similar to that of a sports car, the consumption figures are maintained at a low level. Fuel consumption of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC) corresponds to a CO2 output of 235 g/km and is identical for both power units. The driving experience in the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is characterised by high levels of agility through all engine speed ranges. The absolutely effortlessly superior power delivery can also be heard by the driver too: the sports exhaust system with chrome twin tailpipes emits a sonorous eight-cylinder engine sound typical of AMG.

The key data at a glance:

* Edition 1; ** electronically limited

AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission – individual and flexible

The AMG eight-cylinder engine is not the only highlight – the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission also boasts exciting levels of performance and efficiency. Equipped with four individual transmission modes as well as automatic double declutching and RACE START functions, its power delivery is characterised by responsiveness and maximum variability. In “Controlled Efficiency” (C) mode, the ECO start/stop function is always enabled and switches the eight-cylinder engine off when the vehicle is at a standstill. In “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport plus) and “M” (Manual) transmission modes, the engine and transmission are significantly more responsive: short, precisely defined interruptions of ignition and injection result in faster gear changes under full load.

The suspension, steering and braking system of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake complement the high-tech drive system perfectly. The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, with steel suspension struts on the front axle and air suspension struts on the rear axle, as well as automatic level control, is enhanced further by an electronically controlled damping system; it automatically adjusts the damping characteristics depending on the driving conditions and reduces the roll angle of the body. The effect of this is lightning-fast adjustment between optimum driving comfort and the best possible agility. The driver can switch between the three suspension modes of “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport plus” at the press of a button. The 3-stage -ESP® with SPORT Handling mode also enables three individual control strategies to be selected at the press of a button.

The AMG-specific front and rear axles with greater negative camber and optimised elastokinematics help to provide more stability at higher cornering speeds as well as better contact with the road. The front axle, with a track width which is 56 mm wider, is the optimum match for the electromechanical AMG sports parameter steering. It features a more direct ratio, variable power assistance which adapts according to the suspension mode, and also contributes towards reducing fuel consumption since the steering assistance system only draws power when the vehicle is actually being steered.

Optional AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system

Perfect deceleration even when driving extremely briskly is provided by the AMG high-performance braking system with 360 mm ventilated and perforated brake discs all-round. Particularly resistant, motorsports-tested composite technology is used on the front axle. The optional AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system with yet larger brake discs and specially painted brake callipers with “AMG Carbon Ceramic” lettering ensures an even higher level of braking performance as well as lower unsprung masses. Good contact with the road, meanwhile, comes courtesy of the titanium grey-painted, high-sheen AMG light-alloy wheels featuring a triple-spoke design and fitted with 255/35 R 19 tyres on the front and 285/30 R 19 tyres on the rear.

Distinctive, sporty and dominant: the sensational design

The excitingly elegant design idiom of a sensational vehicle design is combined in the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake with a distinctly sporty sense of dominance. Its high levels of performance are visibly expressed in such elements as the powerful AMG front apron with cross strut finished in high-gloss black, the AMG radiator grille with single slat and the AMG-specific design of the bonnet.

Further dynamic highlights also include the original, broader front wings with “V8 BITURBO” lettering, the AMG-specific rear apron with diffuser look and the AMG sports exhaust system with two chrome twin tailpipes. High-performance LED headlamps including Intelligent Light System and adaptive Highbeam Assist are fitted as standard.

Extensive appointments, exclusive atmosphere

From the quality of materials and workmanship through to the exclusive atmosphere, the interior of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake meets the very highest of standards. AMG sports seats in nappa leather with multicontour seat and memory functions, AMG black piano lacquer trim and the AMG-specific analogue clock featuring an IWC design all help to create a unique aura. The driver is also kept perfectly and fully informed too thanks to the AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu including RACETIMER and AMG start-up screen.

The transmission modes, suspension setup, ESP® functions and the AMG program can all be configured via the AMG DRIVE UNIT with E-SELECT selector lever – a special feature exclusive to AMG – which is integrated into the centre console and angled towards the driver. Visually striking, ergonomic and reassuringly tactile: the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather features a three-spoke design with flattened top and bottom sections, a special shape, perforated leather finish and silver coloured aluminium shift paddles. A newly introduced feature on all AMG vehicles is the chrome-look electronic key with AMG emblem.

Designo wooden luggage compartment floor in American cherry

A highlight among the extensive range of optional extras is the designo wooden luggage compartment floor. This luggage compartment floor is made of open-pore American cherry wood, a decorative fine wood traditionally used in superior interior design work, high-quality furniture and exclusive ship outfitting applications. Selected veneer sheets are glued and pressed together by hand in cross-bonded layers to achieve high dimensional stability. The blanks are milled into their precise shape using a CNC machine, and the surfaces sanded to a smooth finish, waterproofed and oiled to highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

Inlaid work using darker smoked oak, precisely cut into three millimetre strips using laser technology, helps to enhance the design of the wooden floor. The aluminium rails, manufactured using an extrusion moulding process, have a brushed finish as well as rubber inserts, and not only help to protect the wooden floor but also feature anti-slip properties.

Additional optional extras from designo include:

• designo metallic paint finish available in three colours
• designo magno paint finish available in two colours
• designo leather available in ten colours
• designo roof lining in DINAMICA microfibre, available in three colours
• The AMG Performance Studio offers products for even greater driving dynamics and exclusivity

To increase driving dynamics and exclusivity even further, customers can also opt for optional extras from the AMG Performance Studio:

• AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package
• AMG trim elements in carbon fibre/black piano lacquer
• AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system
• AMG rear axle differential lock
• white Illuminated AMG door sill panels at the front
• lightweight forged AMG light-alloy wheels featuring a 5-twin-spoke design, painted in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish, and fitted with 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 tyres at the rear
• AMG light-alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design, painted in matt black with a high-sheen rim flanges, and fitted with 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 tyres at the rear

Also optionally available for the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system with 16-channel DSP amplifier, ICEpower amplifier, total output of 1200 watts and 14 high-end loudspeakers.

“Edition 1” as an aesthetic and very individual model

At the start of its market launch the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake will also be available as an “Edition 1” variant offering even more power and torque: the exceptionally exclusive appointment features of the “Edition 1” highlight the vehicle’s exciting aesthetics and individuality to impressive effect. The special model includes a number of high-quality details:

• designo magno allanite grey paint finish
• increase in power output to 410 kW (557 hp) and torque to 800 Nm
• designo platinum white pearl leather with metallised finish for the AMG sports seats, armrests in the doors, front and rear centre console as well as the door centre panels
• AMG trim elements in carbon fibre/black piano lacquer
• designo roof lining in black DINAMICA microfibre
• velour floor mats with designo leather surround in platinum white pearl and designo metal badges (only in conjunction with designo platinum white pearl leather upholstery)

Also optionally available at no extra cost is the single-tone Exclusive PASSION leather upholstery in black, including dashboard and beltlines finished in nappa leather. This also includes matching designo velour floor mats in black.

The market launches of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake and the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake “Edition 1” will commence in October 2012.

The first photo and video of the Mercedes CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake, as well as complete details, have made their way to the web. This will more than likely mean that we will have a complete photo gallery for you direct from Mercedes shortly.

As we had previously speculated, the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake takes on the same figures as its four-door coupe sibling.  The shooting brake is propelled by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 which produces 557 PS (410 kW / 550 bhp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque with the AMG Performance package while the standard engine configuration is rated at 525 PS (386 kW / 518 bhp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. Running 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds with a top speed that is electronically limited to 155 mph, you can’t ask for much more from a souped up station wagon. The engine of the high-performance CLS63 Shooting Brake is mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission.

For lower fuel consumption, Mercedes equipped the shooting brake with ECO Start-Stop function and is rated to 14.0 liters / 100 km fuel consumption in the city, with a 7.8 liters / 100 km fuel economy on the highway and with 10.1 liters / 100 km in the combined cycle. The CO2 emissions are rated at 235 g/km.

We will no doubt have a complete photo gallery and full press release for you shortly, but for now enjoy the video courtesy of our good German friends at MB Passion.

Hours after the first CLS Shooting Brake photos were leaked, the official press release and nearly 70 photos were released and we have them all here for you. If you are eager to check out the latest offering from Mercedes-Benz, cllick the photo to your left or scroll down to view the entire photo gallery. All photos enlarge for a closer view. Once you’ve had your fill oh photos, read on for a complete look at the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake.

With the new CLS Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz is once again setting an example when it comes to creativity of design, and as such highlighting its leading role in this area: in terms of its proportions, the new CLS is quite clearly a coupé, but with five doors and a roof which continues through to the rear, it promises some remarkable new possibilities. The idea of the four-door coupé – successfully introduced in 2004 with the first CLS and long imitated in the meantime – has now been taken to new heights and to innovative effect. The result is automotive independence at its most beautiful.

According to CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche: “Any memorable machine is equal parts art and science. A car has to first deliver in function – the ticket of entry – and then in fascination: the ticket to real excitement. The CLS Shooting Brake excels on both accounts – unlike any other car in the market”.

The proportions of the CLS Shooting Brake are surprising but clearly those of a coupé, and create a basic stance which makes it look ready for the off: the long bonnet, narrow-look windows with frameless side windows, and dynamic roof sloping back towards the rear. It is only when taking a second look that it becomes clear that the Shooting Break actually has five doors and offers “more” in terms of function.

In essence it represents an unprecedented version of a sports car with five seats and a large tailgate. It is a special proposition for people looking to differentiate themselves from the mainstream, and who do not wish to compromise on either sportiness or stowage space when it comes to travelling in style. The Shooting Brake is a further highlight in the innovative luxury vehicle series from Mercedes-Benz and, like the CLS Coupé, has the potential to become the role model for a new market segment.

“The CLS Shooting Brake is based on the great tradition of stylish sportiness which has always characterised Mercedes, and takes these unique icons an exciting step further”, explains Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes‑Benz. “It stands for the enhanced design idiom of Mercedes-Benz which is oriented towards aesthetic, avant-garde principles”. This is seen in the impressive series of market-defining new vehicle concepts, such as the SLK for example, which in 1996 established a genre as the first Roadster with a retractable steel roof, the M-Class as the first premium SUV in 1998, or the first four-door CLS Coupé in 2004.

Exclusive innovation in the interior: wooden luggage compartment floor

The second generation of the CLS set high standards in terms of the design and quality of the interior: straightforward elegance combined with innovative details and handcrafted perfection. The Shooting Brake also applies this same aspiration in the luggage compartment. It is lined with high-quality carpet, and the hand-stitched material is also incorporated into the sideliners in conjunction with leather appointments. Optional designer loading rails made of aluminium give an even more exclusive look.

Hours after the first CLS Shooting Brake photos were leaked, the official press release and 75 photos were released and we have them all here for you. If you are eager to check out the latest offering from Mercedes-Benz, cllick the photo to your left or scroll down to view the entire photo gallery. All photos enlarge for a closer view. Once you’ve had your fill oh photos, read on for a complete look at the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake.

An extravagant and unique feature for the automotive industry is the designo wooden luggage compartment floor, which serves to underscore the hand-finished nature of the interior. Cherry tree wood is a classic among fine wood species and contrasts perfectly with the inlaid smoked oak and aluminium rails. This affords the luggage compartment a touch of elegance normally found on yachts, combined with the exciting worlds of technology and precision craftsmanship. The wood is characterised by its flexibility and elasticity, as well as its density and fine texture. For the luggage compartment floor made

of American cherry tree wood, selected veneer sheets are glued and pressed together by hand in five cross-bonded layers to achieve high dimensional stability. The blanks are milled into their precise shape using a CNC machine, and the surfaces sanded to a smooth finish and waterproofed to maintain the natural beauty of the wood. Inlaid work using darker smoked oak, precisely cut into three millimetre strips using laser technology, helps to enhance the design of the wooden floor. The lavishly produced aluminium rails have a brushed finish and rubber inserts, and not only help to protect the wooden floor but also feature anti-slip properties.

The CLS coupé already set new standards in interiors with its wide variety of individualisation options. The Shooting Brake also offers five interior colours, five trim designs and also three qualities of leather to choose from. Customers have a choice of three exclusive wood types: high-gloss brown burr walnut, high-gloss black ash and satin-finish light-brown poplar. The interior is given an even more progressive look with the addition of piano lacquer or AMG carbon fibre/black piano lacquer trim elements. A completely new addition comes in the form of porcelain interior appointments which afford both CLS models a sense of luxury normally found in the S-Class. The CLS Shooting Brake also lives up to its role as a design icon thanks to the innovative nature of the materials used. These comprise a mixture of satin and high-gloss finishes used on the metal surfaces.

A new dimension in vehicle concepts: the four-door Shooting Brake

No-one likes to have to compromise: even when the focus is not on the practical elements of the design of the Shooting Brake (length x width x height: 4956 x 1881 x 1413 mm), the new CLS model still has some trump cards up its sleeve. With a load volume of between 590 and 1550 litres, the luggage compartment offers a lot of room despite the flat, sporty lines of the roof, and is easy to use thanks to the automatically opening tailgate fitted as standard. A load compartment cover also protects luggage from prying eyes.

The standard air suspension at the rear helps to ensure optimum road holding at all times. For additional flexibility, the rear seat backrests can be folded down from the luggage compartment as standard. The rear seats themselves provide room for three people, with individual seats on the outsides and a third seat in the middle. The three saddle-type head restraints on the rear seats barely affect the view towards the rear, and can be lowered at the touch of a button by the driver. An optional trailer coupling is also available.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Board Member of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Sales & Marketing, sums it all up: “The new CLS Shooting Brake represents a new dimension in vehicle concepts and offers discerning customers independence at its most beautiful.”

Lightweight construction and aerodynamics: important contributions to efficiency

Intelligent lightweight construction plays a decisive role in bridging the classic conflict between the objectives of low weight and high strength in the CLS Shooting Brake. The model features frameless, all-aluminium doors made from deep-drawn aluminium panels with extruded sections, and in comparison with conventional steel doors, are some 24 kilograms lighter. The tailgate, bonnet, front wings, various support profiles and substantial parts of the suspension and engines are all made of aluminium too.

The aerodynamics also make a significant contribution to the efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. With a frontal area of 2.30 m² and a Cd value of 0.29, the drag area is 0.67 m².

Drive system: powerful and efficient

The CLS Shooting Brake is available with four different engine variants – two diesel engines and two petrol engines. Features common to all engines include the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission as well as the ECO start/stop function. In addition, two models are available with all-wheel drive: the CLS 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY and the CLS 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY.

The entry-level model is the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 150 kW (204 hp). Combined fuel consumption is 5.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, an excellent level for this performance class and equivalent to CO2 emissions of 139 grams per kilometre. Coming in above this are the two six-cylinder models: the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 195 kW (265 hp) and the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY producing 225 kW (306 hp). The top-of-the-range model is the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY with a V8 biturbo engine producing 300 kW (408 hp).

An overview of the engines available for the CLS Shooting Brake:

Efficiency is also increased by the standard electro-mechanical power steering EPS (Electric Power Steering). EPS is a radical move in the relationship between the driver, car and road surface. This is because for the first time, it gives engineers the freedom to choose and programme many of the parameters that influence steering feedback. So they defined a Mercedes-Benz feeling behind the wheel. In addition to fuel economy, the result is a considerable improvement in handling and agility. The electromechanical power steering also enables another innovation to be implemented – Active Park Assist. The CLS Shooting Brake is not only able to detect parking spaces, but can also park automatically.

Another world exclusive: dynamic full LED headlamps

The CLS was the first passenger car in the world to offer optional dynamic full LED High Performance headlamps, which combine the exciting colour elements of LED technology – similar to those of daytime driving lights – with the performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today’s bi-xenon generation. Some 95 percent of all customers have opted for these lights in the CLS Coupé. Of course, as the world’s second car to feature this optional extra, the CLS Shooting Brake also offers the new light system. For the first time ever, it provides the Intelligent Light System already proven in Mercedes models fitted with bi-xenon headlamps in combination with LED technology. The headlamps, with their 71 LED lamps in total, look exciting; and they serve to underline the unmistakable appearance of the CLS. The light specialists from Mercedes-Benz have for the first time been able to use LED technology in the innovative Adaptive Highbeam Assist, resulting in an entirely new quality of illumination when driving at night.

In contrast to the first vehicles equipped with LED headlamps, no compromises are now necessary with respect to the functionality and performance of the lighting technology. There are further arguments for LED-based lighting technology: the average operating life of an LED is around 10,000 hours, around five times longer than that of a xenon light; moreover, LED headlamps most closely approximate to the colour of daylight. This means that LED light is in keeping with the normal human perception patterns and that the driver experiences significantly more brightness on the road at night. Studies have shown that the closer the colour of artificial light comes to daylight, the less the strain on the eyes. With a colour temperature of 5500 kelvin, LED light is closer to daylight (6500 K) than xenon light (4200 K).

More than a dozen driving assistance systems help to prevent traffic accidents and reduce the severity of an accident. Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist are available as part of the Driving Assistance package Plus, in combination with DISTRONIC PLUS, BAS PLUS and the PRE‑SAFE® Brake. Both assistance systems are not only able to detect an unintentional lane change or vehicles in the blind spot, but can also correct the direction of travel by gentle brake intervention if the driver ignores the visual or audible danger warnings.

It’s all in a name: the origins of the name “Shooting Break”

Break, or the homonym Brake, was the name once given to carriages used to “break” in wild horses and also to restrict (or “brake”) their urge to move, so that they could be put to use as work horses. Since the carts could easily be broken as part of this process, people tended not to use ones which they may have urgently needed for other purposes. Where necessary, “Brakes” were often fitted out with variable bodies, which were only really used to carry along anything that may have been necessary for the hunt, for example. Any such vehicle which was used when going out shooting was called a Shooting Brake or Shooting Break. Motorised Shooting Brakes were popular in England in the 60s and 70s – exclusive two-door sports cars, which combined the luxury and style of a coupé with a larger load compartment and large tailgate.

The new 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is scheduled to have its world debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show this September. Today, however, the first official photos and details have hit the web.

So far the car has only been announced for Europe, where it will go on sale in November but it will likely make its way to the U.S. market.

The guts of the Shooting Brake is shared with the CLS four-door coupe, however, the CLS Shooting Brake is completely unique from the windshield back. The car has a slightly longer wheelbase, offering extra legroom to backseat passengers and additional storage space.

Despite being only 16 mm longer than the regular CLS, and 3 mm lower, the CLS Shooting Brake offers 54.7 cubic feet of storage space when the rear seats are folded down. Sat up and around 21 cubic feet of storage is still available.

On the inside, Mercedes is filling the car with the finest finishes, cherry-wood decking for the cargo area and the option of fine porcelain accents in the cabin. But, if this seems a bit too much for you, standard leather and wood trim will also be available.

At the time of its European launch there will only be two versions will be available, both diesel. An entry-level CLS250 CDI with 201 horsepower and a CLS350 CDI with 261 horsepower. Additional variants will likely be announced shortly after the November launch, and should include a high-performance CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake powered by the same 518-horsepower twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 found in the current CLS63 AMG four-door.

Source: AutoExpress

Ahead of its possible debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, we have the final look of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, revealed in patent drawings.

The CLS Shooting Brake is part of Mercedes’ new range of designs created to give Mercedes an image boost. While the front of the car mirrors the standard four-door CLS, the rear of the car is completely unique. In addition to the pronounced rear LED lights, the rear window, roofline and tailgate have been given a sharp design for a sleek profile.

Engine options are likely to include a variety of petrol and diesel options that will also include an AMG variant with twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that is capable of 518 hp (386 kW / 525 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake has been spied once again, and with only minimal coverage on the rear end, we are able to see more of the CLS Shooting Brake styling elements than ever before.

The photos clearly show the Shooting Brake with the same waistline as the saloon and what appear to be identical tail-lights. The roofline slopes downwards at the rear to maintain a CLS coupe styled profile, and we can see a top-mounted wind deflector above the rear windscreen.

The tailgate is bordered by the tail-lights and bumper, and the lower section of the bumper has the same shape as the saloon’s. The only thing left to our imagination is the rear side window, which has been covered by black covering with a dummy window line.

Engine options have yet to be confirmed, however, power will likely be generated from a variety of petrol and diesel engines taken from the CLS with an AMG option down the road. Photos Via: Auto Express

The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake production version was spied today doing cold weather testing. For those of you unfamiliar with the CLS Shooting Brake, it is an estate version (station wagon) of the Mercedes CLS four-door coupe.  For in-depth information, you can visit an old press release here.  Mercedes-benz plans to sell the CLS Shooting Brake with several diesel and petrol engine options. A high-performance CLS63 AMG version of the Shooting Brake is also expected.  The CLS Shooting Brake will go into serial production in 2012, the sporty four-door Coupe with sloping tail end based on the CLS will roll-off the assembly line in the Mercedes-Benz Plant Sindelfingen.