Mercedes-Benz’s local line-up grew by yet another new range yesterday when the firm launched its CLS Shooting Brake. Based heavily on the swoopy four-door “coupe” CLS the Shooting Brake boasts an enlarged bu… rump. In taking the CLS’s design principle a step further, Mercedes designers added an elongated roofline and created what is essentially a station wagon version of the four-door model. The frameless doors and slim window line still remain, and overall the car has gained less than 20 mm in length, making it near identical to its sibling.
To my eye, the new design works well when viewed from certain angles, but it looks awkward and ungainly from others. The front end, which is identical to that of the CLS, is aggressive and adds plenty of presence. Viewed from directly behind or in profile there is an elegance but from three-quarter rear the tapering D-pillar and extra (visual) mass beyond the rear axle look odd. But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beer holder…
Ostensibly for people that require more luggage space, but want to do so in style Mercedes offer three variants of the new model, which closely mirrors the CLS’s line-up, bar the diesel model (though I wouldn’t discount that possibility). The luggage area boasts 590 dm3 of space – enough for four golf bags – with the rear backrests in place and van-like 1 550 with them folded. Incidentally the CLS SB has a full bench rear seat and does not feature the twin chairs as in the four-door model.
Unlike many other AMG variants there isn’t the option of a Performance Pack, but Mercedes-Benz SA will be offering increased power on the CLS 63 AMG Edition 1 models (for a price) during the first year of CLS SB production.
For a full driving impression of the model conducted by my colleague Kelly Lodewyks early this year click here.
CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY Shooting Brake R835 000
CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY Shooting Brake R1 044 000
CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake R1 380 000
CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake “Edition 1” R1 525 900
| Model | CLS 350 | CLS 500 | CLS 63 AMG | |
| Engine | V6 | V8 twin-turbo | V8 twin-turbo | |
| Displacement | 3 498 cm3 | 4 633 cm3 | 5 461 cm3 | |
| Max power | 225 kW at 6500 r/min | 300 kW at 5 000 r/min | 386 kW at [410] 5250 – 5750 r/min | |
| Max torque | 370 N.m at 3500 – 5250 r/min |
600 N.m at 1600 – 4750 r/min |
700 N.m at 1750 – 5250 r/min [800 N.m at at 2000 – 4500 r/min] |
|
| Fuel consumption, combined | 8,1 L/100 km | 9,2 L/100 km | 10,1 L/100 km | |
| CO2 emissions, combined | 188 g/km | 214 g/km | 235 g/km | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h |
6,7 sec | 5,3 sec | 4,4 sec [4,3 sec] | |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h | 250 / (300) | |
* figures in brackets refer to Edition 1 model
