With its E-Class parent just redesigned, this “4-door coupe” gets its own makeover and the same new “driver assistance” features. But, the next CLS-Class won’t seem as startling as the first-generation model did--and it faces stiff competition.

What We Know About the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz has redesigned its E-Class sedans for a U.S. sales kickoff this summer as early 2010 models, so a new version of the related CLS-Class can’t be far off, right? Well, yes and no. The pioneering “4-door coupe” is getting its own stem-to-stern makeover, but it probably won’t reach North America until early 2011 as a 2012 entry.

From what we can tell, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will see fractional gains in length, width and wheelbase versus today’s car--no surprise, seeing that the 2010 E-Class is little larger than the sedan it replaces. Overall height should come down a half-inch or so, while curb weight is likely to go up by at least 140 pounds.

Equally unsurprising, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will share many visual elements with the latest E-Class and S-Class. That means bulging wheelarches, “eyebrow” creases above the rear wheels, a rising bodyside character line, a slightly higher hood (to meet European pedestrian-safety rules), and a more-upright grille flanked by four squarish headlamps instead of twin “hockey-stick” clusters. The roofline remains a graceful arc, but a lower, more-horizontal beltline tones down the familiar “banana” profile while allowing taller side windows that should make for an airier cabin with better visibility. Speaking of the interior, the new CLS-Class reportedly mimics current models in having its own dashboard and door panels, plus mandatory four-passenger seating, higher-grade materials, and a unique palette of colors and finishes.

For North America, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reportedly reprises the current 5.5-liter and high-performance 6.2-liter AMG V8 engines. A 7-speed automatic remains the only transmission, but its console-mount shift lever is replaced by a small steering-column wand, as on the S-Class and 2010 E-Class (SUCKS). Incidentally, Mercedes is rolling out a new family of 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 gasoline engines with efficiency-enhancing direct fuel injection, but they are not coming here for the time being, reportedly because they’re incompatible with higher-sulfur North American fuel. Maybe by 2013, though. What about a diesel? That’s always a possibility for a new Mercedes, but we doubt the image-conscious CLS-Class will offer one in America, though you never can tell.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...s-benz-cls.htm

http://www.carmiddleeast.com/article...s_the_2011_cls

 

Development of the second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is well underway as the production model is set be unveiled during a major car show in late 2010 with sales following in early 2011. According to our sources, a hybrid version of the new CLS will definitely be offered. It will get the same powertrain as the forthcoming S400 Hybrid that will be launched at the end of 2009, which means that the CLS Hybrid will make use of lithium-ion batteries that not only weigh less but also offer more power than the nickel hydride units used in today’s hybrids.

In terms of styling, as the rendering that we found on French car magazine Autoplus reveals, Mercedes-Benz’ 4door-coupe model will retain the basic shape of the current generation model adorned with styling elements from the German automaker’s newest cars.

http://carsportals.com/2008/07/07/ne...benz-cls-2011/



.

 

Thanks for the posts Tom. Although it's still a couple years away, it doesn't look like there is a significant body style change.

 

TopSpeed thread with CLS news stories for CLS.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercede...***/ke539.html




http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...-benz-cls1.htm

 

http://allcarnews.wordpress.com/2008...-benz-cls-cgi/

 

the next CLS, a more upright grille, rectangular headlamps and a notably more solid-looking bumper will all be in place.

From a technological standpoint, Car goes on to list a number of driver assistance systems that will make their way onto the CLS, with highlights including "automatic lane guidance," "a 360-degree camera with in-dash monitor" and a new LCD panel in the main instrument that's "a mix of night vision II and heads-up display."
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Sep08/3...CLS_Class.html

 

not a new CLS but who cares with those wheels !!!


http://www.carzi.com/2008/07/02/hele...enz-cls-sedan/

 

I personally think they butchered the looks with trying to square it off so much.

 

you never know what the final product looks like from a pic, we just have to wait and see.

 

yea.. I dont like the looks of that picture either, but it may look different in Person.. .And still has plenty of time to make changes

 

What I really want to know is if the rumor is true that the 2012 CLS wil be the first application of a twin turbo 5.0 L making 570 h.p.
Or will they conserve cash by using the 6.2L with 571 H.P. from the SLS since BMW is rummored to have a 600 H.P. M5 on the way.


the SLS' with" AMG's 6.2-liter M156 V8 is designated the M159 and puts out 571 hp at 6,800 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/14/m...ails-revealed/

"The big and bad 6.2-liter V8 won't be around much longer. Instead, AMG is turning its focus towards a new, twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 that will produce 570 hp and 665 lb.-ft. of torque, with output possibly reaching 700 hp and 885 lb.-ft. to replace the outgoing 612-hp V12 mill."
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/a...win-turbod-v8/

The key issue pertaining to these rumoured outputs – especially the torque figures - would be the necessity for a new line of gearboxes as the new 7G Tronic automatic would not cope with engines as powerful as AMG is rumoured to be planning.
http://www.wheels24.co.za/Content/Ne...future_for_AMG

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/amg...nsizing-trend/

Other innovations include a new electrically operated direct-drive gearbox that provides faster and more efficient gearshifts than the current range of automatics.
http://www.motorauthority.com/report...mg-v8-v12.html

600H.P. M5 on the way:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/r...0-with-600-hp/
.

 

September issue of Automobile Magazine, page 10 talks about a new 4.6L twin turbo motor making the same power as the 63 motor does now.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We are talking about new V8 units, with lower displacement, direct gasoline injection and twin-turbo technology. The new engines will work together with the 7G-TRONIC transmission and could also be fitted with the START/STOP system. Officials state that, by 2012, via the new technologies, the fuel consumption will be reduced by up to 30 percent, even on the AMG models.

Engine basis: M273 E46
New engine designation: M278 DE55 LA
Output: over 550 BHP
Specifications: 4.6 litres Twin-Turbo V8 with CGI technology(to replace the 63 AMG version)


http://mercedes-benz-blog.blogspot.c...8-engines.html

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CLS55 AMG, 5.5-liter twin-turbo direct-injection V-8, 570 hp; available from mid-2011 onward
http://www.automobilemag.com/new_and...upe/index.html

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It looks like some carmakers could be awarded a partial "get out of jail free" card for the new national greenhouse gas rules announced by the Obama administration in May. The EPA and NHTSA won't issue final rules until later in the fall, but it looks like carmakers that sell less than 400,000 cars a year could catch a break this time around. Apparently, up to one-quarter of the company's fleets would get a four-year exemption. That would allow companies like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz to sell high-powered M, RS and AMG models without it affecting their fleet CO2 emissions numbers.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/07...n-from-co-sub/

Between 2007 and 2008, the U.S. collected $76 million in fines from German auto makers for violating fuel-economy regulations, according to a government report published this year. The German companies say the U.S. rules are unfair, since as makers of sporty, powerful vehicles they cannot offset their most gas-guzzling models with smaller, more fuel-efficient models as easily as can high-volume car manufacturers with broader product ranges.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124873997073285323.html

.

 

The " console-mount shift lever is replaced by a small steering-column wand, as on the S-Class and 2010 E-Class ".

What are they thinking of???? We want a shifter on the console, not an i-drive control.

 

That part also grabbed my attention. That shifter wand on the column would suck on a CLS IMO.

Good stuff Tom keep it coming.