Author:

ROBIN ROBERTS

Mercedes-Benz has the country set in its sights with the introduction of the new CLS Shooting Brake from under £50,000.

A derivative of the original CLS, which was launched in 2004 and mixed coupe style with four door usefulness, the model has since accounted for 170,000 sales around the world.

With the second generation CLS there is yet another bodystyle, half way between a true estate and a coupe. The cynical may say its just a copy of the higher capacity Audi A6 allroad but there is no doubting the fact it is a welcome addition to the MB showrooms from October.

The CLS Shooting Brake is highly specified as standard, the equipment list including visible exhaust pipes; Becker® MAP PILOT (CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Shooting Brake) or COMAND Online multimedia system (CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Shooting Brake and CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake) and DAB; leather upholstery; Parktronic front and rear; metallic paint; Bi-Xenon headlights; and 18” alloy wheels.

For a £2,995 increase, the CLS Shooting Brake AMG Sport offers full LED headlights with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist; AMG bodystyling; sports suspension and brakes; sports steering wheel and pedals; and 19” AMG alloy wheels. From October production, the Coupé version of the CLS will now also feature the AMG Sport replacing the Sport line.

In addition to the various interior colours, multiple trim designs and various types of leather to choose from, there is also a choice of three high-gloss exclusive wood types: brown burr walnut, black ash and light-brown poplar, as well as the use of piano lacquer trim elements.

The CLS Shooting Brake also includes additional standard specification over the CLS Coupé, such as the Easy-Pack Quickfold rear seat adjustment; Easy-Pack load compartment cover; and rear air suspension, helping to ensure optimum road holding at all times. In addition to the five seats, the CLS Shooting Brake also features a cargo space measuring up to 1,550 litres.

The CLS Shooting Brake is available with three different engine variants – two diesel engines and one petrol engine.

Features common to all engines include the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, as well as the ECO start/stop function. The CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Shooting Brake produces 204 hp, with a combined fuel consumption of 53.3 mpg and CO₂ emissions of 139 g/km. The CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Shooting Brake generates 265 hp, combined fuel consumption of 47.1 mpg, and 161 g/km CO₂. The CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake, the only petrol model in the line up, emits 235 g/km CO₂ and offers 28 mpg.

Efficiency is also increased by the standard electro-mechanical power steering EPS (Electric Power Steering). The EPS improves economy and 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.

CLS Shooting Brake pricing for the five models rises from £49,360 to £83,030.

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