SPY PICS: Mercedes readying its third CLS

Although Maserati makes the same claim with its Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz says it invented the four-door 'coupe' and the next-generation CLS-Class will be aiming to further that statement.

The latest spy photos of the replacement for the current, second-generation CLS show the basic themes – lowered roofline, arched side windows and a tapering rear deck – will remain intact in a premium-class act others have had no choice but to follow.

Those rivals include the Porsche Panamera – a second generation of which is about to arrive Down Under – as well as Audi's A7, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and event Aston Martin's Rapide.

As a bridge between the E-Class and S-Class Benz models, the CLS will almost certainly sit mid-way in terms of dimensions, even though it will use the same versatile MRA platform as the new E-Class.

The MRA platform supports rear and all-wheel drive powertrains, comes with the Benz nine-speed auto transmission and has plug-in hybrid capability.

Drivetrains will almost certainly include petrol and diesel in-line six-cylinder and V8 engines and there’s little doubt there will be some AMG action, including another top-shelf CLS 63 model.

What also appears certain, for obvious reasons as it was not a big seller for Mercedes, is that there will be no wagon, or 'shooting brake', derivative of the next CLS.

Interestingly, some industry observers got a little over-excited with speculation that Mercedes would re-name the CLS as the CLE to reflect its E-Class heritage, but that apparently has not to come to fruition.

The third-generation CLS is mooted to be launched to European buyers in mid-2018, which makes its Australian arrival look more like early 2019 or, at best, late 2018.