Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake reveals more of its rakish rump

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Last time we saw the non-AMG skin of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake it was bathed in red paint and caked in Arctic snow and grime. Warmer times have brought new shots of a black car - which we'll christen The Scarab - on standard wheels wearing nothing but a shine and a wisp of camo. Its shape has found a way to divide opinion, as the CLS-Class has always done, and we'll admit that yes, perchance there's something faintly Romulan about it, but we're totally sold on the looks.

Right now, there's nothing left to the imagination but the aft-most sliver of window - that final angle of chrome is an application. We expect all blanks to be filled in come the Paris Motor Show in September, which should see the reveal of the CLS550 and CLS63 AMG versions of the sleekest wagon this side of Rigel 5. The high-res gallery is above, and you should check it out.

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake reveals more of its rakish rump originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren working on MP4-12C shooting brake?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Rumormill, MISC

Anything Ferrari can do, McLaren can do better. At least that's what the boys in Woking seem to believe. After all, McLaren has trounced Ferrari around the Formula One circuit for the past several years now. But while the British team has followed its Italian rival from grand prix racing into building supercars with the McLaren F1, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and (most recently) the MP4-12C, one thing Ferrari does that McLaren doesn't is grand tourers. And with the advent of the FF, shooting brakes.

That could all change, however, if the latest rumors are to be believed. (Which is something which, in this case, we wouldn't take for granted.) According to the rumormongers over at Auto Express, McLaren is preparing a shooting brake based of the MP4-12C (pictured above, flashing its air brake). Now given that the 12C is a mid-engined supercar and not a front-engined GT like the Ferrari Four, we'd say that makes about as much sense as Renault reaching back into its showcar history to build the Espace F1.

The rumors further state that the McLaren shooting brake (fancy-talk for a two-door wagon) would go downmarket to rival the Porsche 911 - which is something we've been expecting McLaren to pursue sometime after the MP4 roadster and the upmarket successor to the original F1 supercar. But something's a little amiss here, so for the time being, we'll take this particular report with a grain of salt that would dwarf Lot's wife. Then again, we did run into McLaren design director Frank Stephenson checking out the Fisker Surf in Paris last year...

McLaren working on MP4-12C shooting brake? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Citroën to roll out sexy Numero 9 concept [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, China, Europe, Hatchback, Citroën, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style

Citroën has finally given the world a closer look at the company's next DS design study. The French automaker is set to introduce the DS line to China this year, and the Numero 9 design study is set to mark the occasion. Citroën will officially unveil the concept at this month's Beijing Auto Show, and the manufacturer says the low-slung hatchback's design hints toward future products, namely a premium c-segment sedan, an SUV (read: crossover) and a larger D-segment four door. All we know is, it looks damn good.

The Numero 9 shooting brake is powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that offers a 31-mile electric range and 295 horsepower. Not too shabby. Scroll down for an artsy video of the concept as well as the full press release. Of course, you can also sink your teeth into the dizzying slew of photos in the gallery above.

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Citroën to roll out sexy Numero 9 concept [w/video]

Pics Aplenty: Citroën to roll out sexy Numero 9 concept [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is the one we want

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

With every new set of spy shots, we become increasingly more excited for the launch of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake (or is that Break?). This tapered wagon version of the shapely CLS is certainly a looker, even in pre-production, camo-clad protype form, and after giving its shockingly quick sedan counterpart high marks for its driving dynamics, we can only assume that the complete Shooting Brake package will be really, really sweet.

Oh yeah, there's an AMG version, too.

Seen here for the first time, the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake takes the same sleek long-roof shape of the CLS550 Shooting Brake prototypes we've seen, but adds all of the bulgy bits fitting of any high-performance Merc. All we can say is, it looks absolutely stunning, and we can't wait to see the finished product.

Power is expected to come from the same twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 found in the CLS63 sedan, sending 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via Mercedes' seven-cog Speedshift transmission. Like the sedan, we expect that Mercedes-Benz will offer an AMG Performance Pack, which boosts power to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft in the sedan. Holy moly.

Wipe the drool from your keyboards and click through our attached high-res image gallery to see the CLS63 Shooting Brake prototype for yourself.

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is the one we want originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Jaguar XF Sportbrake flaunts its beautiful backside

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:14:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Jaguar, Design/Style, Luxury

Ah, Europe: The land of forbidden wagons. Automakers like Cadillac and Acura may have taken a chance and brought out new wagons in the United States over the past few years, but it doesn't mean that the Yankee market will be flooded with useful premium cargo-haulers anytime soon. A shame, too, since Jaguar's new XF Sportbrake is an estate we'd love to see parked at Autoblog Towers. She's pretty.

We love the look of the refreshed-for-2012 XF, and thankfully, none of the cat's sleekness has been tainted with the addition of a larger hind quarters. The car goes on sale in Europe in the third quarter of 2012 with a choice of two diesel engines measuring 2.2 and 3.0 liters. Either powerplant is matched with an eight-speed automatic and sends its power exclusively to the rear wheels.

Take some time to drool over the XF Sportbrake by clicking through our attached high-res image gallery and hit the jump for the details in Jaguar's press release.

Continue reading 2012 Jaguar XF Sportbrake flaunts its beautiful backside

2012 Jaguar XF Sportbrake flaunts its beautiful backside originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake snapped winter testing

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Wagon, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz hasn't exactly been secretive about its desire to offer a five-door hatchback version of its ultra-stylish CLS sedan. After all, the first concept for the latest CLS, which was introduced as a 2012 model, introduced us to the CLS Shooting Break Concept at the Beijing Motor Show in 2010. And yes, MB itself called the car a Shooting Break, not Brake.

Based on that concept, we have a pretty solid idea of how the CLS Shooting Brake will look. Judging by these spy shots that were snapped in Northern Sweden, there won't really be any surprises. And that's totally fine by us.

We'd expect Mercedes-Benz to deliver its super hatch in both CLS550 (with 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8) and CLS63 AMG (with 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8) flavors, which means the biggest question left to answer will be whether the company decides to call it the Shooting Brake or the Shooting Break. We, like pretty much everyone else in the world, vote for Brake.

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake snapped winter testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake reveals its rakish rump

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz

Late last year, Mercedes-Benz confirmed that its seriously pretty CLS Shooting Brake concept would go into production, and our trusty spy photographers have now caught the first test mules out on the road near the automaker's headquarters. Aside from the addition of some shapely new sheetmetal at the car's hind quarters, not much is expected to change from the standard CLS-Class sedan range, and that's just fine with us.

Expect Merc's new twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 to be the base engine at launch, with a CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake (be still our hearts!) coming down the pipeline. When Mercedes-Benz initially confirmed that the five-door CLS would go into production, we were told it would arrive sometime in 2012, and because these test mules appear to be nearly done with the development phase, we wouldn't be surprised if the final car debuts at the Geneva Motor Show next March (if not sooner).

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake reveals its rakish rump originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Surf shooting brake wows Frankfurt Show

Matt Davis — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Wagon, Europe, Specialty, Fisker, Design/Style, Electric

Ahead of its official unveiling at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Fisker Automotive bosses had us up to a studio in Munich for a thorough advance viewing and info download on their second model, a shooting brake called Surf.

The first words out of our mouth was, "The shape is a bit like a Ferrari FF." First thing out of their mouth - as though they were utterly perched to form the words, too - "But with four doors!" Henrik Fisker and COO Bernhard Koehler much prefer hearkening back to the 1970s iconic Lamborghini Espada when talking about the Surf's inspiration.

The Surf is the second model from the Fisker design pool, and it is so-named partly because a Fisker owner can now load a surfboard either in or on it. This joins the Karma sedan on the production line at Valmet Automotive in Finland, and should be ready for deliveries worldwide by July 2012.

Continue reading Fisker Surf shooting brake wows Frankfurt Show

Fisker Surf shooting brake wows Frankfurt Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker bringing Karma shooting brake to Frankfurt

Noah Joseph — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Wagon, Fisker

Look at the Fisker Karma from most angles, and you're bound to be taken by its svelte lines and sumptuous curves. Less so, one might argue, with the split grille that dominates the nose. But that's not the part that celebrated designer Henrik Fisker and his team are reportedly tweaking for the Frankfurt Motor Show. It's the tail.

According to the UK's Car Magazine, Fisker is preparing to unveil a shooting brake (read: station wagon) variant of the Karma at the rapidly approaching German expo. The adaptation of the four-door coupe - which has already been showcased as a convertible - reportedly comes in response to feedback from potential customers who found the trunk on the four-door model too constricted because the plug-in hybrid drivetrain encroaches on luggage space.

Fisker bringing Karma shooting brake to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz confirms second shooting brake model

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style

Wagon enthusiasts, rejoice. Late last year, Mercedes-Benz confirmed that its curvy CLS Shooting Brake concept (pictured) had been approved for production, and now, Automotive News reports that a smaller version is in the works, as well.

Recently, we showed you spy shots of Mercedes' upcoming CLC-Class - a four-door coupe based off of the platform that will underpin the automaker's A- and B-Class vehicles. Like the standard four-door CLC, the shooting brake will be offered with a range of direct-injected, four-cylinder engines (likely with turbochargers), and will be available in both front- and all-wheel drive. Makes sense, since the larger CLS five-door will use the same powertrains from the CLS-Class sedan it is based off of, including the delicious CLS63 AMG version.

Look for the CLC shooting brake to arrive in North America sometime in 2014. The CLC sedan is expected to go on sale sometime in 2013.

Mercedes-Benz confirms second shooting brake model originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar's upcoming Sport Break to include XFR version?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Jaguar, Luxury

2012 Jaguar XFR - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're a fan of the latest design direction at Jaguar and of station wagons, we had some potential good news for you last week. That's when reports indicated that the British automaker was proceeding with plans to make a long-roofed version of its XF sedan. Now it seems the news is only getting better.

In follow-up reports, Jaguar's design director Ian Callum suggests that the wagon - excuse us, "Sport Break" - will include an XFR version (yes, we're hoping Jaguar spells it "Sport Brake," too). That means the same 510-horsepower turbo eight as the XFR sedan and XKR coupe and convertible. And that's some very good news indeed, particularly for those looking to trounce the odd Porsche 911 off the line with the whole family on board.

Jaguar's upcoming Sport Break to include XFR version? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ferrari 612 successor prototype makes the rounds

Zach Bowman — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Ferrari, Luxury

Ferrari 612 successor spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our army of camera-wielding spy shot masters have managed to snag a few tasty photos of what appears to be the most advanced test mule of the expected Ferrari 612 Scaglietti successor that we've seen to date. As you may recall, rumors have cropped up that Ferrari is hard at work on a new shooting brake interpretation of the 612, and given the cladding slathered all over this particular vehicle, it would be easy to believe that the Prancing Horse pictured above is that very creation. Still, we have reason to believe that additional camouflage on this mule is covering up something a little more conventional - a 2+2 coupe bodystyle, though a rakish two-box shape may also be in the cards down the road.

A longer wheelbase is expected to help facilitate a little extra leg room, or possibly the components of a new Ferrari all-wheel drive system. There's also some thinking that points to the next 612 as packing a KERS-type system to help boost fuel economy and power off of the line. Either way, we'll find out more as we get closer to the Geneva Motor Show in March, where the 612 successor is expected to make its debut.

Gallery: Ferrari 612 Spy Shots

[Source: Shawn and Shonna Speer for CarPix]

Spy Shots: Ferrari 612 successor prototype makes the rounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Ferrari to unveil all-wheel-drive shooting brake in Geneva?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari, Rumormill

We're anticipating a new Ferrari to be unveiled in a few months time at the Geneva Motor Show, but just what form - and arguably just as vitally, what technology - the new Prancing Horse will take has been the subject of much rumor and conjecture as of late.

Based on Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo's reported pronouncement that his company is preparing "a very different new Ferrari" for the Swiss salon, initial reports speculated that a production-ready hybrid could be in the cards. But the latest reports seem to call that into question.

So if not a hybrid, what has Maranello got in store for us? Most reports point towards a replacement for the 612 Scaglietti, the company's flagship (if somewhat lackluster) four-seat GT. Others suggest a shooting brake two-door wagon, while yet others report that whatever debuts will incorporate the company's part-time all-wheel drive system, if not necessarily a hybrid drivetrain. The truth probably lies in the combination of several of these reports, if not all of them, but we'll just have to sit tight to see what will lie underneath the veil come March.

[Sources: Le Blog Auto, Eurocarblog]

Rumormill: Ferrari to unveil all-wheel-drive shooting brake in Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes working on B-Class-based CLC Shooting Brake

Noah Joseph — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh, Mercedes. When will you learn that the CLC was just a bad idea? BMW did so with the chopped-trunk 318ti, but Mercedes seems determined to make its counterpart work. To that end, the Silver Star automaker is reportedly working on a new derivative.

Drawing its inspiration from the CLS Shooting Break concept (pictured above) and its underpinnings from the B-Class, the CLC Shooting Brake (hopefully they'll get the spelling right this time) is expected to slot in below the C-Class Estate wagon, but presumably with a svelter roofline.

That doesn't mean they'll get the door count right though: the jury's still out on whether it'll be a proper shooting brake with three doors (like the existing CLC, but longer) or five doors like a conventional wagon. Engine options, meanwhile, are tipped to revolve around turbocharged fours, ranging from 108 horsepower and 1.2 liters to a 272-hp CLC22 AMG with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Sources expect the CLC Shooting Brake to arrive around September 2013.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

Gallery: Beijing 2010: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept

[Sources: Autobild]

Rumormill: Mercedes working on B-Class-based CLC Shooting Brake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Audi RS5 Shooting Brake

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, Audi, Specialty

Audi RS5 Shooting Brake - Click above for high-res image gallery

We just spent the last few days bouncing around Germany driving the 2011 Audi TT and the powertrain-enhanced Q7 (review next week), and between bouts on the autobahn and a few factory tours, we pestered our hosts about some of their Euro-only products and what we can expect in the future.

We dropped a few not-so-subtle hints in an attempt to score some seat time in the RS6 (denied) and the TT RS (achieved, and yes, it's awesome), but the RS5 was something we were aching to drive. Unfortunately, we were short on time and didn't get a crack at the 450-hp coupe, but on more than one occasion we mentioned that a shooting brake version would be the bee's knees. As you'd expect, that's probably not gonna happen, but the rendering wizard Theophilus Chin has answered our prayers in digital form.

Chin, who mocked up the three-door for a Photoshop contest, took some inspiration from past Audi coupes - including the GT - to create a two-door fastback version of the RS5 that's loaded with win. The sloping roofline matches perfectly to the RS5's widened haunches, and while the roof rails wouldn't have been our first choice, we dig how they tie into the brushed aluminum front splitter, rear diffuser, side mirrors and five-spoke wheels. Too bad it probably won't happen, but there's a good chance those of us in the States will get a crack at the standard two-door RS5 in 2012.

Gallery: Audi RS5 Shooting Brake

[Source: TheophilusChin.com]

Rendered Speculation: Audi RS5 Shooting Brake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Krug Champagne reacquires special '79 Rolls-Royce panel van

Noah Joseph — Sun, 02 May 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Hatchback, Rolls-Royce, Specialty, Luxury

1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Krug Champagne panel van - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've seen some interesting Rolls-Royce conversions over the years, from hunting jeeps and hot rods to armored limos and sofas. But this one is surely toast of the town.

Commissioned in 1984 by Krug Champagne - one of the leading brands in the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group - this panel van/shooting brake is based on a 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II. It's got two seats up front for driver and passenger and a pair of refrigerators in the back. Adorned with special Krug livery in white and burgundy with acres of chrome, the attention to detail goes down all the way to the special cork keyfob which you can see in the gallery below.

It was sold by the vineyard a few years back, but has now been reacquired, returning to the House of Krug in Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, France, to serve as a museum piece.

Gallery: 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Krug Champagne panel van

[Source: Autoblog.it via CarScoop]

Krug Champagne reacquires special '79 Rolls-Royce panel van originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 May 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept revealed ahead of Beijing *UPDATED

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz may not have invented the idea of a "four-door coupe" with the original CLS back in 2005, but the German automaker can surely be credited with the recent influx of such designs from automakers as varied and far-ranging as BMW, Jaguar and Hyundai. As such, you can be sure that Mercedes is keenly interested in reinventing the look it made so popular in the first place so as to differentiate itself from its competitors.

As we reported late last month, it seems likely that Mercedes-Benz will use the upcoming Beijing Motor Show to preview its next-gen CLS, along with the introduction of what appears to be a production-ready shooting break design. While the moniker is more often spelled 'shooting brake,' MB is keen to point out that the correct spelling is 'break,' as in breaking a horse that draws a carriage. Whatever the name, we're liking what we see from this concept.

From what we can see in these pictures, which we presume show a conceptual shape that's awfully close to what a future production model will look like, the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break seems to be a much more successful design than that of the BMW 5 Series GT that it will undoubtedly be compared to. We'd also wager that the rear hatchback and flat load floor would prove fairly useful in real life due to a suitably tall roof without too much downward slope.

Powerplants for the next-gen CLS are also previewed by this concept. Expect a turbocharged and direct injected 3.5-liter V6 engine with over 300 horsepower along with an uplevel turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 that puts out around 435 horsepower and over 400 pound-feet of torque. Those engines will reportedly provide a 25-percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the mills they replace and will route power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Not powerful enough for you? Perhaps the 5.5-liter V8, complete with turbocharging and direct injection, in the AMG model will be more to your liking. How does up to 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque sound?

Expect to see a sedan (codenamed C218) in addition to this shooting brake (codenamed X218) when the next-gen CLS is finally ready for production. Either way, it appears buyers will be getting cutting-edge styling along with a nicely appointed and luxurious interior. As always, we suggest you take a peek for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

UPDATED: Official press release added after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept revealed ahead of Beijing *UPDATED

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept revealed ahead of Beijing *UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Touring Superleggera Flying Star is our kind of coachbuilt wunder car

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:08:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Bentley, Luxury

Touring Superleggera Flying Star - Click above for high-res image gallery

The majority of auto journalists are car freaks by nature. One of the many defining characteristics of a car freak is an undying, unadulterated love of any sort of shooting brake. If you're not a car freak, or just don't know the term, a shooting brake is a two-door station wagon. Why is this bodystyle so beloved? Many reasons, but let's just chalk it up to the impracticality of a sports car mixed well with the practicality of a station wagon. What can we say, it's a boat floater.

For Geneva, Italian car maker Touring Superleggera showed us freaks their new, stunning Flying Star. Built at the request of a customer and with the full cooperation of Bentley, the Flying Star is a shooting brake built from the Bentley Continental GTC. Honestly, there's not all that much to tell. Underneath the new skin sits... a Bentley Continental GTC, complete with its 560-horsepower, 479-pound-feet-of-torque twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12. Or, if you insist, Touring Superleggera will build you a GTC Speed-based Flying Star with 610 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Oh, and there's a support structure between the rear shocks that acts as both a hard structure for the new roofline and an integrated roll bar.

The real story, however, is being told by your eyeballs. Many of us have never been all that enthused by the shape of the Continental. But the Flying Star, well, it completes the design. How good? Four of us Autobloggers were gathered around a single laptop ~~gasping at~~ admiring Touring Superleggera's handicraft work. So yes, we think this is a very wonderful looking car. 100-percent picture perfect? No, as the tailgate's not quite... something. But let's not be petty, the Flying Star is fantastic looking.

Useful, too, as you can fit four golf bags in the rear. You might be wondering why a two-seat vehicle would need to carry four golf bags, but if you look closely you'll notice two additional seats in back. They of course fold down, allowing the Flying Star to swallow even more golf bags (no official word on exactly how many).

Besides the Flying Star's overall shooting brakeness, our favorite part has to be the woven leather "boot carpet," i.e. a beautiful material that covers the rear cargo area, the back of the rear seats and the rear floormats. Have we ever been excited about carpet before? No, never. And we doubt we ever will be again. That said, we doubt we'll be seeing any coachbuilt cars that get us as excited as the Flying Star. Now word on price (think: expensive!) but Touring Superleggera will be building just under 20 examples per year. Go car freaks, go. Full press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Touring Superleggera Flying Star

Live Photos: Jonny Lieberman / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Touring Superleggera]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Touring Superleggera Flying Star is our kind of coachbuilt wunder car

Geneva 2010: Touring Superleggera Flying Star is our kind of coachbuilt wunder car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera to launch Bentley Continental shooting brake in Geneva

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Bentley, Specialty, Luxury

Earlier this month, we heard rumors that coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera planned to introduce a new bespoke version of the Bentley Continental GT. Now we've got confirmation that the firm will indeed introduce an shooting brake based on the GT at the Geneva Motor Show early next month.

Only 20 three-door estates are planned, and they'll reportedly be built atop the buyer's choice of a regular Continental GT or an uplevel Continental GT Speed. This will be the company's first product based on a vehicle from Bentley, though past models included the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

We don't have many details other than the teaser sketch above and that the GT will have two rear seats that fold independently, making for what we can only assume will be the World's Most Luxurious Six-Foot Luggage Parcel. An electrically operated folding tailgate is also on the menu.

[Source: Classic Driver]

Coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera to launch Bentley Continental shooting brake in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz CLS shooting brake in the works?

Dan Roth — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Design/Style

Mercedes Benz ConceptFASCINATION - click for high-res gallery

German automakers have apparently all developed kyphosis, as witnessed by the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, the impending Audi A7 Sportback, and the Porsche Panamera. It seems the time is right for humpty-backed automobiles from Deutschland. Mercedes used the ConceptFASCINATION to spearhead the launch of its redesigned E-Class, and while it got everyone all excited during auto show season in 2008, few thought it would amount to anything productiony. That's all changed now. Sure, there are wagons; it's hard to name a more proper Estate Car than the E-Class wagon; but that's not the brass ring everyone seems to be stretching for here.

Expected at the next Paris Motor Show in October 2010, Autointernationaal reports that a new CLS will debut with the expected rakish form - as well as a shooting brake version. While we're all ogling pictures of the fetching three-door concept shown above, the production version is expected to carry four doors and a liftgate. While the show vehicle is fetching with its paucity of points of entry, four doors are apparently important for interesting the Asian market. Don't think of this rumored model as a replacement for anything else utilitarian in the Mercedes lineup; the CLS Brake is unlikely to usurp the R-Class and its unsalability. Rather, it will offer another stylish option in a package that is more car than bus. The world could do with more brakes - shoot on, we say.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

Gallery: Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

[Source: Autointernationaal.nl (Google Translated)]

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.

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