The all new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake: The exterior and interior design

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Exclusive new interpretation of the emotional coupé

The CLS Shooting Brake's proportions are surprising yet unequivocally coupé and create a basic stance which makes it look ready for the off: the long bonnet, narrow-look windows with frameless side windows, and dynamic roof sloping back towards the rear. It is only when taking a second look that it becomes clear that the Shooting Brake actually has five doors and offers "more" in terms of function.

The proportions of the CLS Shooting Brake (length x width x height: 4956 x 1881 x 1416 mm) are unequivocally coupé – but in a new and unique guise featuring a long roof line and a seemingly endless roof contour line above the windows. The long sweep of the rear wings further enhances the dynamic appearance.

The sleek rear end places the emphasis on width, with the air flow break-away edge integrated in the roof spoiler extending far down. The tautly drawn-in D-pillars in conjunction with the shoulder muscle over the rear wheel arch present an athletic impression, particularly when the vehicle is viewed from the rear. The light-catching contour of the rear muscle runs over the wide rear lamp up to the luggage compartment joint, thus establishing a link between the sides and rear.

Underneath the star, a long chrome handle strip emphasizes the width of the rear end. The all-round chrome trim strip in the bumper lends the rear end a wide look and provides a counterweight to the handle strip.

The Shooting Brake comes as standard with LED High Performance tail lights which extend far into the sidewall. With their exclusive detailing, they dominate the rear-end design. The rear fog lamp is positioned in the middle under the bumper. This enables the rear lights and indicators to be arranged circularly around the reversing lights. With the white glass area of the reversing lights in the middle, the red tail light conforms to the typical layout of current Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. The brake light maintains the layout of the rear light, boosting the LED output. Intermediate layers with graphic trim lines underscore the contours when the lights are off. In keeping with the external form, both the reflectors and the reversing lights are integrated on the intermediate layer.

In the basic variant, the CLS Shooting Brake features concealed tailpipes. An emphatically sporty bumper with a diffuser-look insert and twin stainless steel exhaust tailpipes is optionally available (standard for the models with V8).

Similarly to the CLS Coupé the CLS Shooting Brake is also defined to a pronounced extent by its side view. A striking feature is the long, chrome-highlighted roof contour line, which merges into a downward-tapering D-pillar. The expressive features of the Shooting Brake's profile include:

- High shoulderline, low side windows

- Flat front- and rear-end design

- Dynamic feature line (dropping line and striking hip muscle)

- Expressive, gently sloping roof contour and roof contour line

Extending well forward, the upright radiator grille highlights the long bonnet. The grille is dominated by the large central star, which underlines the car's kinship with the other coupés of the brand and strengthens the brand identity. The large, dark, wide air intakes with black grilles also indicate athleticism.

Another distinguishing feature comes in the form of the LED High Performance headlamps, which offer all of the regular dynamic light functions using LED technology. Inside, this headlamp is divided into three arrow-shaped layers from top to bottom: the upper layer contains an LED indicator, beneath which is a striking LED side light offering LED low beam functions. The side light can also be seen when the dipped beam function is switched on, thereby creating a separate night-time design as a distinctive look. The lowest level of the headlamp houses the main beam and nightview functions.

Interior: elegance and innovative details

The interior of the CLS Shooting Brake is defined by timeless design combining elegance with innovative details and hand-crafted perfection. An eye-catching feature is the wrap-around effect of the cockpit: a high line sweeps from the driver's door over the instrument panel support and across to the front passenger door. The central display is integrated harmoniously into the upper part of the instrument panel. At the same time, the downward sweeping side line on the doors continues the dynamic dropping line of the exterior.

The CLS Shooting Brake also lives up to its role as a design trend-setter thanks to the innovative nature of the materials used. These comprise a mixture of satin and high-gloss finishes used on the metal surfaces. Highlights here also include matt galvanised air vents, for example, which form the ideal framework for a high-gloss-trimmed analogue clock.

Handcrafted perfection is reflected in details such as the stitched seat covers, the shoulderline extending into the luggage compartment or the so-called sewn covering for the dashboard. For the latter, the individual parts of the leather cover are sewn together by hand in a process which takes several hours, after which they are fitted and upholstered with foam. Prior to this process, the leather is heated up to preshrink it, so that it will retain its shape even after extreme exposure to direct sunlight.

The PASSION leather, a particularly fine, 1.6 millimetre thick semi-aniline leather, has a class feel and appearance. Protected only by gentle pigmentation, the natural pore structure is retained, lending the leather a particularly warm and soft feel.

The copious array of fine trim features also lends a touch of refined sportiness to the interior of the CLS. The trim elements are located on the centre console's instrument panel support and on parts of the door panelling.

Striking, sporty and bold: the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake

The CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake combines the dynamically elegant lines of a striking vehicle design with a bold, sporty character. Its power is manifested in elements such as the imposing AMG front apron with cross strut in high-gloss black, the single-fin AMG radiator grille and the AMG-specific bonnet design.

The distinctive wider front wings with "V8 BITURBO" lettering, the AMG-specific rear apron in diffuser look and the AMG sports exhaust system with two sets of twin chrome tailpipes add dynamic highlights. The Intelligent Light System with LED High-Performance headlamps including Adaptive Highbeam Assist features as standard.

From fine materials through quality workmanship to an exclusive atmosphere – the interior of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake meets the highest standards on all fronts. AMG sports seats in nappa leather with multicontour seat and memory functions, AMG black piano lacquer trim and the AMG-specific analogue clock featuring an IWC design all help to create a unique aura. The driver is also kept informed thanks to the AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu including RACETIMER and AMG start-up screen.

The transmission modes, suspension setup, ESP® functions and the AMG program can all be configured via the AMG DRIVE UNIT with E-SELECT selector lever – a special feature exclusive to AMG – which is integrated into the centre console and angled towards the driver. Visually striking, ergonomic and pleasant to the touch: the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather features a three-spoke design with flattened top and bottom sections, a special shape, perforated leather finish and silver coloured aluminium shift paddles. A newly introduced feature on all AMG vehicles is the chrome-look electronic key with AMG emblem.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Exterior styling - The most progressive design in the compact class

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Standing as much as 18 centimetres lower on the road than the preceding model, the new A-Class communicates design and dynamism at the very first glance. This radical form language, presented and enthusiastically acclaimed around the world with the Concept A-CLASS, was consistently implemented in the series production car. The appearance of the new A-Class reflects this new Mercedes-Benz design strategy. The result is what is known as a two-box design with a distinct character of its own, a sportily emotive exterior and an exceptionally high-quality feel to the interior.

"Translating the new dynamic style of Mercedes-Benz into the compact class was a challenge that was great fun to tackle", explains Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. "No other car in this segment is as progressive as the A-Class. Absolutely typical for Mercedes is the sculptural shape of the A-Class. The character lines, in particular on its sides, lend the A-Class structure and terseness. The new dynamic style is perceptible at first glance in the interior as well."
Defined edges and tautly drawn surfaces mark out the exterior design of the new A-Class. The constant interplay between concave and convex surfaces creates a characteristic play of light, particularly along the sides of the car, which contributes to its unique appearance.

Typical features of the long, sporty front are its pronounced V-shape, the separate headlamps, the radiator grille with central Mercedes star and double slats to either side of the star, as well as the additional air intakes on the sides. The "dropping line" apparent in the side profile dissipates towards the vehicle's front end. The design of the headlamps, together with the configuration of the light functions within them, are a key element of the design concept.

The light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover glass have been arranged in such a way as to create the characteristic "flare effect" for the daytime driving lights and indicators. The so-called "flare" is made up of the feature line within the headlamp, the LED modules for the daytime running lamps and the bulb sets for the indicators. This signature effect gives the car its energetic look and so helps to define a new, youthful face for Mercedes.

The perfect interplay of dynamic design and excellent aerodynamics is nowhere more apparent than in the roof, with its smooth surfaces and taut, arcing curve. The silhouette reveals smooth, flowing lines finishing in a flat edge. The roof spoiler, which conveniently hides all the aerials, provides an extra sporty touch and gives structure to the roof assembly. The beltline rises to the rear to form a pronounced wedge-shape. The side view is distinguished by sensuously moulded sculptural side panels and crisp lines. The front structural edge, above the wing, falls in what is known as a "dropping line" in a gentle arc towards the rear. The powerfully-shaped shoulder muscles above the rear axle serve to emphasise the car's coupé-like character. A further line sweeps up from just in front of the rear wheel arch, then gently fades away. All these lines give depth and dynamism to the car's profile. Dynamic side sill panels provide a final finishing touch towards the bottom of the car, enhancing the appearance of elegant light-footedness.

The broad emphasis of the tail end is revealed in an interplay of convex-concave surfaces and edges. The tail lights continue the line of the muscular shoulders back towards the rear, while their horizontal orientation emphasises the car's powerful breadth. The light functions are provided optionally by fibre-optic cables and LED modules. Here, too, the interaction between design and aerodynamics is very clear: the surface finish of the tail lights is not only an interesting design feature, but also improves the airflow around the vehicle thanks to defined airflow break-away edges in the rear section.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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