The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake was recently launched in Australia.
Basically there are two model offered, which are $129,000 CLS250 CDI four-cylinder diesel and a $173,000 CLS350 V6 petrol. The CLS250 CDI Shooting Brake features a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, feeding the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox, and the fuel economy is 5.5 liters per 100km makes it the most efficient of the coupe-wagons and CLS350 Shooting Brake in petrol offers a 225kW and 370Nm from its 3.5-litre V6 that is also mated to a seven-speed auto, and the fuel economy is 8.2L/100km. And this helps the whole unit to do a 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds!
Being at 4956mm, the five-door CLS is only 16mm longer than the four-door and is the same width and height. Rear headroom, though, increases from 927mm to 974mm. Kerb weight increases by 65kg to 1865 kilos. Inside the car’s boot is 590 litres in size, expanding to 1550L when the rear seats are folded – via automatic-release levers in the boot. At the rear end, it features a tailgate, which opens and closes at the touch of a button, and self-leveling rear air suspension that maintains a constant ride height even when there’s plenty of luggage in the rear. Interestingly, the Shooting Brake has a wooden luggage compartment floor, which is made from American cherry wood and costs $4900, the car also includes AMG Sports Package, sports suspension and 19-inch AMG alloy wheels. It also features three-spoke steering wheel, Black Ash wood trim and stainless steel pedals.
Mercedes-Benz Australia admits the CLS Shooting Brake isn’t a high-volume model but says it will find enough customers to boost sales from about the 300-400-per-year range for the CLS ‘coupe’ to between 500 and 600 annually for both models.
“We know it is a niche model,” says the company’s general manger of sales, Richard Emery. “It’s for someone who would normally buy an E-Class or CLS (coupe) but with the capacity for storage.
“We think buyers will be previous Mercedes owners mainly, but younger than traditional owners because this is a vehicle for the family. So about 45-55.”
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake will on sale in May 2013, with a price tag in the $270,000-275,000.
Take a look at the pictures and stay tuned for more updates.
