Mercedes-Benz CLS brakes the bank

The new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake could cost up to $20,000 more than its four-door counterpart when it arrives Down Under later this year.

Though the sporty wagon version of Benz's four-door 'coupe' demands a modest 1600 Euro premium in its home market, Aussie buyers will be asked to pay up to $20,000 more, depending on engine variant.

Mercedes-Benz Australia (MBAu) will announce pricing for the CLS Shooting Brake at next month’s Australian International Motor Show at Darling Harbour.

However, the company is believed to have already decided to push the Shooting Brake to the top of the CLS tree by significantly optioning the car before it arrives here.

The CLS Shooting Brake will introduce a new 250 CDI four-cylinder turbodiesel to the range as an entry-level offering, but even this model will arrive loaded with a full AMG sport kit treatment and a long list of features that are options in Europe.

MBAu charges a premium of around $7000 in the walk from sedan to Estate in the E-Class range upon which the CLS twins are based. But Aussie CLS Shooting Brakes will also be equipped with an AMG kit which normally costs around $5700 on the CLS four-door, plus the likelihood of Designo upgraded interiors.

Despite the high price tag, the signature American Cherry planked luggage area deck that has grabbed much of the press attention at the car’s launch will not be included as standard on Australian models. Local CLS Brake buyers can expect to pay another $4000 to add the automotive timber amuse-bouche.

Whether that charge includes regenerative oiling of the timber deck each time the engine oil is changed is a question we'll need to wait until next month’s motor show to have answered...

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