Mercedes reveals baby CLS 19 | 04 | 2012
MERCEDES HAS REVEALED first pictures of its baby CLS concept, the Concept Style Coupe (CSC). Due to be officially unveiled at next week's Beijing Motor Show, the four-door Concept Style Coupé is close to being production-ready.
Mercedes boss Dr Dieter Zetsche believes the new model will be strong enough to be a benchmark for other manufacturers to measure themselves against in the compact coupe segment.
How big a benchmark? Well, according to the Mercedes boss: "This is the model against which vehicles in the executive segment will have to measure themselves in the future.”
Mercedes insiders have long trumpeted the newcomer as a junior CLS, and the new CLA — which its believed the production version of the CSC will be badged — will sit below the Mercedes C-class saloon both on price and features in the marque's line-up.
Strangely though, the CSC show car — measuring 4637mm long, 1891mm wide and 1398mm tall — suggests Mercedes’ new entry-level saloon will be 47mm longer, a considerable 121mm wider and 47mm lower than the C-class saloon.
See more official photos of the all-new Mercedes CSC
And these official measurements also make it 345mm longer, the same width and 35mm lower than the new Mercedes A-class, a car with which the CLA shares its platform, chassis and driveline architecture.
The concept comes with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 208bhp — that's the same as a VW Golf GTi — and the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.
While the concept gets a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox which transmits drive to all four wheels, production models will include a standard six-speed manual. There will also be the choice of standard front-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive.
There will also be a comprehensive choice of petrol and diesel powerplants, though the 'halo' model in the range will be a four-wheel-drive 340bhp AMG model.
When it enters Scottish dealerships next year, Mercedes bosses expect the four-seater — effectively a replacement for the CLC coupe — to cost from around £19,000.
Mercedes believe the CLS, which is fitted with four doors and four individual seats, will have a broader appeal than the CLC which was discontinued in the UK in 2010.
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Jim McGill