The Mercedes CLS sheds some camouflage as it si being prepared for commercial launch
Here is proof the next generation Mercedes CLS, which is due for launch in summer 2018, is currently undergoing extreme testing in various places around Europe.
While it was snapped in the deep frozen northern part of Scandinavia a couple of days ago, the CLS now got caught in Stuttgart and Spain at around the same time – and wearing less camouflage than before. Design-wise, the change from the current to the new generation is more evolution than revolution – even though the pronounced hip of the current generation will be eliminated for the new model and the new taillights will be horizontal rather than diagonal.
More news under the bonnet: out go the known V6 engines, new will be in-line sixes – and the noisy 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesels will be replaced by more refined and less thirsty 2-litre units. Like in the new E-class, drivers of the CLS will be looking at two displays, the one in front of the wheels being a freely programmable one Mercedes had invented the niche of four-door coupes in 2004.
The CLS Shooting Brake of 2012 was an attempt to make the segment even more attractive – but lead to a failure. The new generation CLS will, therefore, be available as a four-door coupe only – an estate is not in the pipeline! The new model will be available at dealers in summer 2018 – about a year after the “real” two-door E-class coupe.