New Mercedes-Benz CLS scooped

Mercedes-Benz CLS Photo: Automedia

Mercedes-Benz look set to get aggro with a new, angrier looking CLS. By MATT CAMPBELL.

Our spies have been at it again, this time capturing exclusive new spy pictures of the second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Our images show a new Mercedes-Benz CLS that has adopted a bolder and more aggressive look - perhaps a coup to its position among growing competition in the market for sedans designed to look like coupes.

Several manufacturers are now presenting or finalising their own sports sedans - including Aston Martin's Rapide, Porsche's new Panamera, and Audi's upcoming A7 - this segment of the automotive market seems to be expanding despite a growing emphasis on more environmentally friendly cars.

Mercedes-Benz pioneered this relatively small niche with the release of the original CLS in 2004, and Mercedes-Benz Australia say customers that buy a CLS buy it for a particular reason.

"The CLS is a very important product and when it's replaced it will have the same knock-out effect that the current model had," says David McCarthy, of Mercedes-Benz Australia.

Under the newly styled shell of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, it is set to ride on the new E-Class underpinnings, and may also use the same engine line-up from the E-Class range.

A flagship AMG 6.2-litre variant is likely, and is set to be mated with a new 7-speed gearbox as used in the new E63 AMG.

Pushing the new CLS into an even smaller niche, Mercedes-Benz Australia has puts its hand up for a hybrid version of the car, which is expected to be the BlueHybrid 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine combined with an electric motor/generator as used in the S400 model.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS will house a raft of cosmetic changes, giving the car an edgy new look as our exclusive pictures show.

At the front of the car, the headlights of the new CLS draw on the original shape; however sharper lines look set to dominate, along with a larger Mercedes-Benz badge.

The driving lights on the lower bumper of the current model look set to be replaced with Audi-inspired daytime running lights.

Expect the sharp lines to continue on the CLS's bonnet, as the camouflage tape indicates there will be some new styling being hidden there.

The overseas model of the Mercedes-Benz CLS will be fitted with Speed Limit Assist technology - a camera can be seen inside the car at the top of the windscreen - which reads the speed limit and relays the information to the driver on the dashboard.

Mercedes-Benz Australia could not confirm whether Speed Limit Assist will be available on the locally released CLS; however they say it looks promising.

The status of the system's availability in Australia may be inhibited due to calibration issues with discrepancies in speed limit signs.

Our side-on shot shows the difference the new grille and bonnet make on the profile of the CLS.

A flatter look is expected along the body of the new CLS, and it appears that Mercedes-Benz won't retain the marine-inspired-looking creases that run along the body of the current model.

As a result, the door handles have been moved higher up on the doors. The doors have been flared at the bottom, giving the new model CLS a wider looking stance.

It is expected that the doors will remain pillarless, while the windows are slightly larger than the current model. Newly designed door mirrors from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class have been carried across to the CLS.

Thankfully the camouflage on the CLS in our spy shots can't cover up the fact that Mercedes-Benz has dropped the AU Falcon-style rear tail-light and boot finish.

Also at the rear of the car, the exhaust tips have been incorporated into the rear bumper.

A new range of colours and interior trims are expected, as well as a newly designed range of alloy wheels.

The new Mercedes-Benz's CLS is set to go on sale in Australia in 2011.