2011 Mercedes CLS Prototype Caught

Just a few days ago spy pictures of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS appeared. Not at the best angles admittedly, so today is payback. These photographs show almost every angle of the car, even under heavy camo. The roof is completely bare for all to see and so are the squashed rectangular tailpipes.


Some reports have suggested the four-door coupe CLS will be based on an S-Class platform but it will actually be based on the E-Class. In keeping with its earth eco responsibilities, Mercedes will for the first time, offer a BlueHybrid version of its sporting 2+2 seater using the same engine as the S400 BlueHybrid. Additionally a few engines found in the E-Class should make their way into the CLS engine bay too, meaning petrol and diesel as well as a 400kW / 536hp-plus AMG.

The CLS practically invented its segment when it came into the market in 2004. It gave people with families of about three or four a spacious car with four doors plus the driving characteristics of a two-door sports coupe.

Mercedes E-Class wagon spied

As a follow-up to the official photos of the 2010 Mercedes E-Class sedan that leaked a just over a week ago, the E-Class wagon has been spotted in testing with minimal camouflage. The E-Class' new lines evolve nicely onto the cargo-carrying body, which features a rising body line and a long rear overhang to ensure ample room behind the rear seats. A dual exhaust and smoothly integrated roof rails are also visible in these photos. The taillight shape seems to follow that of the redesigned headlights.

As is generally the case, the E-Class wagon is expected to share powertrains with the sedan series, from the fuel-efficient CDI models to a high-powered AMG edition. U.S. buyers can expect a BlueTec-equipped wagon as well. There's been no word yet as to whether the E-Class wagon will debut at Geneva with the sedan and coupe, or if Mercedes will save it for later.

2010 Mercedes R-Class Facelift

In case you have not seen heavily padded spy photos of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz R-Class severe facelift, we have some fresh ones for you. The large Mercedes luxury sport touring wagon, which is really closer in size to an MPV, had worse sales than Mercedes expected, causing them to cut prices, add another rear seat and offer 4Matic all-wheel-drive system last year.

Even with that pricing adjustment, the R-Class sold 75% fewer vehicles than the 50,000 Mercedes-Benz had expected.

But Mercedes-Benz is not ready to give up on the R-Class, with hopes that the six-seater will carve out its own corner of the market. Previous efforts, like added choice in engine/transmission layout, making the AMG exterior standard, and slashing prices, were to no avail.

Now the company is stepping up efforts by trying again to beautify the giant. We expect the front, hidden completely under padding in these photos, to be nip/tucked into something that does not look so dull. Perhaps they will square off the front a bit more, as the current version has a front end reminiscent of a late-90s Chrysler. Only minor changes are expected at the rear, with new tail lights, tail pipes, and a nicer bumper on its way.

Engine choices were never a problem with this van/wagon (vagon?). The R-Class choices include two 3.0-liter V6 diesels, which get 190 hp and 272 hp. Also available are a 3.5-liter V6 with 272 horses, and a 5.0-liter V8, which cranks out 306 hp. The latter pulls the wagon from 0-100 km/h in just 7.0 seconds. The R63 AMG, which had a 6.2-liter V8 rated at 503 hp, got the axe some time ago.