All-new Mercedes CLS coming next year

Here is the latest batch of spy shots of the next generation Mercedes CLS, which is due for launch in 2018. The car is gradually losing its camouflage.

Design-wise, the change from the current to the new generation is more evolutionary than revolutionary – even though the pronounced hip of the current generation will be eliminated for the new model and the new taillights will be horizontal rather than diagonal. 

More news under the bonnet: out go the known V6 engines and in will be in-line sixes – and the noisy 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesels will be replaced by more refined and less thirsty 2-litre units. Like in the new E-class, drivers of the CLS will be looking at two displays, the one in front of the wheel being a freely programmable one.

Mercedes invented the niche of four-door coupes in 2004. The CLS Shooting Brake of 2012 was an attempt to make the segment even more attractive but lead to a failure. The new generation CLS will therefore be available as a four-door coupe only – an estate is not in the pipeline.