Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break

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Preview of the 2011 CLS with a possible new body version
Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break
Stretching the coupé looks into new functional dimensions

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: New design with the bonnet separated from the radiator grille.

New design with the bonnet separated from the radiator grille.

22 April 2010 - When Mercedes-Benz launched its four-door CLS coupé in October 2004 (on the basis of the previous E-Class generation), it revived the four-door coupé concept.

Now, the German brand is taking the 2010 (11th) Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2010, public days from 27 April to 2 May) as an opportunity to show another dimension of a four-door coupé concept, but in an estate formula (touring, station wagon, break), in the guise of the Concept Shooting Break.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: Four-door coupé with more volumetric capabilities.

Four-door coupé with more volumetric capabilities.

On top of that, the Concept Shooting Break does not only explore the reactions for a potential new production model. It is also a preview of the next generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, expected for the Paris motor show this autumn, before reaching the markets early next year.

Exterior

That is why Mercedes-Benz says that the Concept Shooting Break is a "further insight by Mercedes designers into the possible future development of the Coupé concept", adding that the Concept "also represents a clear indication of the further emotional appeal of the Mercedes design idiom".

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: A steeply-angled estate car rear end.

A steeply-angled estate car rear end.

For the first time, the bonnet is separated from the radiator grille, for better pedestrian protection and, as the brand adds, to improve the focus on the long, sporty bonnet. In any case, that's also a new design orientation for its future models.

Although inspired by the CLS four-door coupé orientation, the Concept Shooting Break features its own proportions, with a coupé-style long bonnet, narrow-look and frameless side windows with a dynamic roof sloping back towards the rear, where it drops away in a coupé fashion.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: Four independent and identically shaped leather seats.

Four independent and identically shaped leather seats.

The wide wrap-around tail lights feature LED technology (see also the LED headlights below). They form a linking element to the steeply-angled estate car rear end with a top-hinged tailgate.

The recessed door handles of the concept car emerge at the touch, thanks to special sensors.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: Large full-length wood console on the transmission tunnel.

Large full-length wood console on the transmission tunnel.

The sporty look is complemented with five-spoke, 20-inch sterling silver wheels. The front wheels are fitted with 255/30 ZR 20 tyres, while the back sits on 285/25 ZR 20 tyres.

Interior

Inside, natural wood and leather material dominate. The four-seat layout gives a clear indication of the generous space and comfort to be expected, while the wooden floor of the luggage compartment highlights the key role of this area for such type of cars.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: cockpit with the "wrap-around" effect.

Cockpit with a wrap-around effect.

The four leather seats are identically shaped, with integrated head restraints. Openings in the upper area of the backrests make it possible to see through the seats. A large full-length wood console on the transmission tunnel offer the occupants large leather-covered armrests as well as controls for the rear-compartment air conditioning.

Since the central screen has been integrated into the upper part of the instrument panel, the cockpit has a "wrap-around" effect, with an analogue clock in the centre.

While on the exterior they are polished to a high-sheen finish, the trim elements of the interior feature a matt finish. The light-coloured roof liner is made of silk cloth and the deep-pile carpet in the footwell is a material used by Maybach Manufaktur.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: Top-hinged tailgate with wide wrap-around LED tail lights.

Top-hinged tailgate with wide wrap-around LED tail lights.

The wooden floor of the luggage compartment has inlaid aluminium protective loading strips, with four leather finished saddle bags along the sides to store small tools. Almost ten square metres of leather have been incorporated into the interior.

Engine

The forerunner to the forthcoming new V-engine generation from Mercedes-Benz is another highlight of the concept. The 3.5-litre V6 has a 60° cylinder angle, with direct gasoline (petrol) injection and produces 225 kW (306 hp, 302 bhp) with a maximum torque of 370 Nm.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: Trunk: wood, aluminium and four leather finished saddle bags.

Trunk: wood, aluminium and four leather finished saddle bags.

The special features of the spray-guided direct injection engine include the latest generation of piezo-electric injection valves which enable multiple injections.

The new generation engine has a start/stop function and features a control system which enables lean-burn operation thanks to load monitoring of the pressure information.

LED headlamps

On another technological level, the Concept Shooting Break features also full LED headlamps (see also the all-new Audi A8 luxury sedan) which offers now the full LED headlights as an option) for the first time at the brand, with LED technology applied for all of the usual dynamic light functions.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Shooting Break: Full LED headlights: three arrow-shaped layers with 71 LEDs.

Full LED headlights: three arrow-shaped layers with 71 LEDs.

The new light system, due to make its debut in series production at Mercedes-Benz this year, features the Intelligent Light System which has already been used in Mercedes models with bi-xenon headlamps.

Mercedes-Benz also combined the new front LED technology with the Adaptive Highbeam Assist. Its five light functions – country lights, motorway lights, enhanced fog lights, active curve lights and cornering lights – have been specifically designed for typical driving or weather conditions.

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Inside, the full LED headlamps are divided into three arrow-shaped layers from top to bottom: the upper layer contains an LED indicator, beneath which is an LED side light offering LED low beam functions. The side light can also be seen when the dipped beam function is switched on, for a separate night-time design. The lowest level of the headlamp houses the main beam and nightview functions. A total of 71 LEDs provide an enhanced view of the road ahead, compared with previous systems.

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