Following positive feedback on the Vision CLS concept shown at the Frankfurt Show in September, Mercedes-Benz has decided to put its four-door “coupe” into production, a report says.
Following positive feedback on the Vision CLS concept shown at the Frankfurt Show in September, Mercedes-Benz has decided to put its four-door “coupe” into production, a report says.
In CARtoday.com’s recent report on the CLS, we quoted DaimlerChrysler SA technical specialist Hans Leithgöb as saying that Mercedes-Benz had embarked on this project because there was a demand for that particular type of vehicle, especially on the Japanese and US market. Automotive observers had expected to see a sports derivative of the E-Class ever since the executive saloon range was launched and the CLS should appeal equally to sports saloon buyers and traditional coupé owners.
describes the CLS as “effectively a new-generation CE coupé, with its extra rear doors giving added functionality”. And “while the doors will not allow for the same graceful lines as the pagoda-topped CEs, there are a few neat touches such as flush-fitting glass to give a pillarless look”.
As for the interior, there is a gap of 829 mm between the front and rear seats, which puts the Vision CLS firmly in saloon territory in terms of space. Furthermore, the boot of the Mercedes concept car holds 470 litres (VDA measuring method).
A line-up of engines similar to those in the E-Class can be expected for the CLS when it goes into production in 2005. The concept version (pictured here) was powered by a 195-kW six-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine fitted with a particulate filter. The car could reportedly accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6,4 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).
Adaptive front, window and side airbags, crash-sensing seatbelt pretensioners and belt force limiters, air suspension, seven-speed automatic transmission, SBC brake-by-wire technology, active bi-xenon headlamps and cornering lights, plus the latest automatic climate control systems are all expected to be fitted to the CLS range.
According to , prototype CLS models have already been spotted out testing in America.