Gallery: Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

Gallery: Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz CLS shooting brake in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 caught playing in the rain originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy Shots: Next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy Shots: 2011 CLS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Audi's version of the VW Passat CC, the A5 Sportback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We've been seeing camouflaged test mules of an updated Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class sedans driving around for some time now, but the German automaker apparently can't keep it under wraps anymore. On Saturday the online motoring press worldwide lit up with two pictures of the facelifted "four-door coupe", reportedly leaked by someone inside Mercedes ahead of its intended debut.

The pictures show an updated top-of-the-line CLS 63 AMG. What we can tell from the images is that the newest AMG rocket gets a new grille split in three sections instead of four; upgraded wheels from 18 to 19 inches, with a style similar to those on the Porsche 911 Turbo; led tail-lights; a carbon fiber rear spoiler; a new rear diffuser; and updated exhaust outlets.

Whether any mechanical changes have been made has yet to be revealed, but we'll be sure to keep you posted. A shot of the rear is included after the jump.

[Sources: Carscoop and Motor Authority]

Continue reading Leaked: facelift for Mercedes CLS

Leaked: facelift for Mercedes CLS originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy shots: Volkswagen Passat CC "coupe" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mercedes' plans for '08: It's gonna be a busy year! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One more 'Official' rendering for your perusal: Audi A7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy shots: BMW X6 mule caught with its hatch open originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Jul 2007 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Any way you look at it, Maybach has not been the success DaimlerChrysler had hoped for when it revived the old super-luxury badge a few years back. Industry sources - and by industry sources, we mean our magic 8-ball and cabinet of stuffed-animal advisors - all seem to agree that the uber-Mercedes brand is going to need some new models to supplement the 57 and 62 limousines if Maybach is going to live to see another sunrise. The question remains, however, what those new models might constitute.

Earlier reports suggested the possible addition of convertible versions of both Maybach sedans, drawing on the concept previewed by the Mercedes Ocean Drive to revive the "parade car" segment. Another suggestion was the production of a Maybach sport-ute, based on the full-size Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV, but luxed-up and blinged out to the max to make for a super-premium truck destined for the Aspen slopes, Arabian dunes and Hollywood hills.

Newer reports suggest that the next Maybach model could take the form of an ultra-premium four-door coupe to take after its corporate cousin the Mercedes CLS, only positioned significantly higher in anticipation of the arrival of the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera. This uber-CLS would slot in the range below the current Maybach 57, but above the Mercedes CLS and S-Class.

(More after the jump...)

Continue reading ˙ber-CLS may be next from Maybach

˙ber-CLS may be next from Maybach originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mercedes has some hot-selling models in the SL, SLK and CLS, but the German automaker isn't about to sit around twiddling its thumbs. Instead they're working on facelifts for all three, poised to hit the market around this time next year.

The changes to the three models are expected to be mostly cosmetic, with little mechanical differences over the versions currently available. But of the three, the SL is tipped to get the most substantial face-lift, with insiders deriving from the spy shots that the new SL will do away with the circular headlamps in favor of the boomerang-shaped lights borrowed from the CLS.

Its little brother, meanwhile, is also getting a minor update, details of which we brought you just last week.

In advance of an anticipated onslaught from competitors entering the segment, the CLS four-door coupe is getting what appears to be a little butt-lift and a new grille borrowed from the CL coupe.

If the sources are correct and the SL adopts the headlights from the CLS, it could become a new corporate styling element across Mercedes' coupe and convertible range.

[Source: Car magazine]

Spy Shots: Mercedes CLS, SL and SLK originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This disguised test mule was caught undergoing cold weather testing somewhere in Europe. We can see the from the photo that the updated CLS will get a new grille mimicking that of its big-coupe counterpart, the CL, plus a new set of taillights and a new rear bumper around back. It'd also be safe to assume some changes will be made to the interior, and some new rims should round out the package. The arguably least attractive element of the design, the strangely-shaped headlights, will evidently carry over unchanged, though.

The revised CLS-Class should be hitting the market sometime in 2008, ready to hold its own against the onslaught of future competitors in the four-door coupe niche market. Click the Read link to check out additional uncropped spy shots of the next MB CLS.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shot: Mercedes CLS facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Now that's more like it. The best Renault could seem to offer their driving ace Fernando Alonso was a Renaultsport Megane after winning two back-to-back world championships. But now that the defending champ has switched over the McLaren-Mercedes, his patrons have awarded him more suitable wheels: the 650-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722, a special edition of the supercar of which only 150 are being made. This, apparently, comes as a special treat in addition to the beautiful Mercedes CLS four-door coupe which will reportedly serve as Fernando's daily driver. Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.

No word yet on what Ferrari will give their new wonderboy Kimi Raikkonen, but it'd be a blast to see Kimi in a 599 GTB square off against Fernando in his SLR McLaren. Oh well, we'll just have to watch them duke it out in Formula One race cars instead. This should be an interesting season.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Alonso's new wheels: McLaren SLR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Despite the spy shots we see now and then, carmakers often manage to keep a tight lid on some of the projects they're working on, only giving us the occasional glimpse. Their cover is at least partially blown at times when they file for a trademark on a name. Once they've filed, the name is published for opposition, in case a competitor is already using it, giving us a chance to guess at what they might be up to.

Mercedes-Benz, it's been revealed, has filed for a trademark for the name CLC-Class. Based on their formulaic nomenclature, speculation has ensued over what that could be. One possibility bouncing around is a two-door version of the current CLS four-door coupe. Another is a convertible version of the CL, the two-door version of the S-Class sedan. While it'd seem an unlikely name to use for this application, DaimlerChrysler may have taken the name to use should they green-light the Ocean Drive concept (pictured) we'll be seeing in a couple weeks' time in Detroit.

Of course we have to take this all with a large grain of salt, remembering that just because a large company like DCX has filed for a trademark on a name doesn't necessarily mean they'll be using it on a production automobile. Interesting, though, that along with the Class 012 trademark for automobiles, Mercedes has also filed a Class 028 trademark for toy model vehicles on the CLC-Class name.

[Source: Paul Tan]

Mercedes registers CLC-Class name originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

What you see here are renderings of what project designer and automotive illustrator Mark Hsieh feels the future of Mercedes-Benz might hold. The ideas are drawn on a future model from MB called the CLR 600 sporting a 600-bhp version of the 5.6 liter V8. Hsieh has decided that this vehicle will be a CLS coupe and has designed a racing version with styling cues taken from both the old and new schools of racecar design. The grille and front fascia has bits and pieces from old school 'Benz models while the rear of the car, especially the NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow"-inspired rear spoiler, clearly comes from an entirely new school of thought.

Not a bad looking car, but does it hint at a new era in Mercedes styling? Mr. Hsieh thinks that the new direction will be much more sinister that the current cars. We're just not sure if this is the direction "more sinister" should go. Thoughts?

See a couple more renderings after the jump

[Source: Car Body Design]

Continue reading Mercedes Benz CLR 600 concept

Mercedes Benz CLR 600 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading VIDEO: Record breaking Brabus Rocket

VIDEO: Record breaking Brabus Rocket originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Nov 2006 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy Shots: BMW X6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Nov 2006 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The four-door coupe is a trend that only seems to be growing. Mercedes, of course, was the first (and remains the only) company to get one on the market with the CLS. Volkswagen and Audi are working on their own. Porsche's upcoming Panamera will take a similar approach. Aston Martin showed us its Rapide concept. Even Bugatti is rumored to be considering an exclusive four-door coupe as a follow-up to the Veyron. Now BMW is next in line.

BMW is said to have abandoned the idea of rear-hinged "suicide" doors in the back (like they put on the Rolls Royce Phantom) in favor of conventional doors. Previous reports speculated that, based on test mules seen running around the Nurburgring, BMW's new model would take more of a crossover/SUV shape, melding an M6 with an X5, though more recent reports suggest it will be more sedan/coupe-like.

Insiders predict the BMW four-door coupe will hit the market as a 2009 model.

[Source: The Car Connection]

BMW's CLS-fighter for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Circle the wagons: Mercedes-Benz CLS/E-Class wagon hybrid

Circle the wagons: Mercedes-Benz CLS/E-Class wagon hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Sep 2006 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.