SPY PICS: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake

Merc’s bendy four-door coupe may have been the subject of much consternation among motoring aficionados, but has since its inception in 2004 inspired a wave of similarly proportioned models including the Aston Martin Rapide, Audi A7, Porsche Panamera and Volkswagen Passat CC.

Now, a new take on the CLS sees Mercedes revive an even more unusual body style – the Shooting Brake. 

Spotted on test by spy photographers Carparazzi, the CLS Shooting Brake doesn’t appear to differ greatly from the 2010 CLS Estate concept, speculation saying only mild cosmetic tweaks will grace the five-metre-long production model.

Motivation will likely come from the same range of engines found beneath the bonnet of the regular CLS which means a range of four- and six-cylinder diesel or six- and eight-cylinder petrol units. A hi-po CLS 63 AMG variant is said to be “highly unlikely”.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is expected to go on sale later in 2012. Prices will likely be marginally higher than those of the four-door coupe.

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