Latest in a line of design tangents starting with the CLS, Mercedes will be debuting its Shooting BreakConcept. This is meant to be a closer, more production-ready preview to the next CLS than the FASCINATION. It also rolls on 20's.
First off, the engine is a 3.5 liter V6 previewing the next generation of V-engines from Mercedes that develops 306 horsepower (225 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm). And that's the least interesting part about the car.
Design-wise, it inherits the SLS's "soft nose" with world-premier dynamic full-LED headlamps, "which for the first time offer all of the regular dynamic light functions using LED technology."
They "feature the Intelligent Light System which has already been tried and tested in Mercedes models with bi-xenon headlamps. 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."
The Shooting Break's oak-lined passenger compartment is cool, as long as you like the Panamera's layout. Its floor is lined with Maybach carpet, which is another step in the right direction.
The compartment is divided by an attractive center console ("with inlaid work: curved Mercedes lettering which harks back to the style of the 1920s"), accenting the 4-passenger seating layout and giving everyone their own private bubble to reside in. Also, it prevents anybody from fooling around back there. Damn kids.
The luggage compartment has funky saddlebags lining its sides for extra storage, adding a unique touch to an already-interesting segment. It even has oak lining the compartment floor; so luxury.
The good news is, if there's enough interest, the Shooting Break could spawn a 5-door variant (call it a CLS Wagon). I say a 3-door would be even cooler.
It's Mercedes' take on the 5-Series GT, a sexy grand tourer that looks the part without needing to break the mold. Frankly, this is what the R-Class should evolve into.
By Phil Alex
