Welcome to the most beautiful wagon in the world. We know that might be hard to read as wagons are seldom thought of as beautiful, but with the new Mercedes-Benz CLS->ke539 Shooting Brake, those thoughts might need some additional pondering.

Unlike the old wagons, or even the current ones for that matter, the CLS Shooting Brake takes some of the four-door coupe design elements and translates them for wagon use. It might seem like an odd concept at first, but perhaps it's genius. Wagons have long provided practicality, but that hasn't exactly helped them fly out the door now has it? So, instead of pushing cargo space, Mercedes->ke187 will be pushing style and that seems to work well in the automotive market place; just look at those terrible creations from BMW called the X6->ke2396 and the recently announced X1->ke2474.

The CLS Shooting Brake arrives eight years after the original CLS was dropped into the market and it borrows most of its elements from the sedan brother, except for its incredible 590 liter trunk capacity. The model will be offered with a choice of four engines - two diesel engines and two petrol engine - with the top version being the CLS 500 powered by a 408 HP V8 engine. How about that for a shooting brake?

UPDATE 07/20/2012: Automotive News reports that the new CLS Shooting Brake won't be available for US customers. The decision was made while taking under consideration the "continued aversion to wagons by U.S. car buyers."

UPDATE 08/21/12: Mercedes has officially released the pricing details for the CLS Shooting Brake. Check out how much it's going to cost your wallet after the jump!

Hit the jump for the full review of the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake.

mercedes-benz-cls-shooting-brake

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: mercedes-benz-cls-shooting-brake
Pros
Cons

2013 - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 408 @ 5000
  • Torque: 442 @ 1600
  • Transmission: 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new CLS Shooting Brake measures 4,956 mm in length, 1,881 mm in width, and 1,413 mm in height, and offers a trunk capacity of 590 liter that can be expanded up to 1550 liters when the rear seats are folded down. Despite these incredible dimensions, the new CLS is a very light car thanks to its intelligent lightweight construction: the doors are made from deep-drawn aluminum panels with extruded sections, and so are the tailgate, bonnet, front wings, various support profiles, and substantial parts of the suspension and engines.

Next to being the first luxury shooting brake, the new model is also the first passenger car in the world to offer optional dynamic full LED High Performance headlamps, which combine the exciting color elements of LED technology.

Interior

For the interior, the new CLS Shooting Brake offers a choice of five colors, five trim designs, and three qualities of leather. There are also three types of wood to choose from: high-gloss brown burr walnut, high-gloss black ash, and satin-finish light-brown poplar.

However, customers have the chance to opt for piano lacquer or AMG carbon fiber/black piano lacquer trim elements or, a completely new addition, porcelain interior appointments.

Engine

Mercedes is offering its clients a choice of four engines: two diesel engines and two petrol engines. The base version is the CLS 250 CDI. It is powered by an inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 204 HP and a peak torque of 368 lb-ft. This version has a fuel economy of 5.3 liter per 100 km, sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 146 mph.

Next in the line-up is the CLS 350 CDI, offered in both standard and 4MATIC versions. This version is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 265 HP and a peak torque of 457 lbs-ft. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph, with a fuel consumption of 6.0 liter per 100 kilometers (6.6 for the 4Matic version).

Then we have the CLS 350, a model that gets a 3.5 liter V6 with 306 HP and a peak torque of 272 lb-ft. The 350 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and up to 155 mph, but unlike the 350 CDI, it has a fuel consumption of 7.3 liters per 100 kilometers.

Finally, our favorite is the CLS 500, also offered in standard and 4MATIC versions. It gets a 4.7 liter V8 biturbo engine that delivers an amazing 408 HP and 442 lb-ft of torque. This version will go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, but unfortunately top speed is still limited to 155 mph. Fuel consumption for this version is 9.8 liters.

All engines will be offered with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission and ECO start/stop function, while the 4MATIC versions will also get all-wheel drive systems.

Prices

The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake will sell for £49,360 ($78,000). Added options are also available, including full LED headlights with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist; AMG bodystyling; sports suspension and brakes; sports steering wheel and pedals; and 19” AMG alloy wheels. All that will set you back an additional £2,995 ($4,700).

Moreover, optional equipment that will come exclusive to the CLS Shooting Brake will include an Easy-Pack load-securing kit with rear sill protector that will cost £255 ($403). There will also be a privacy glass £365 ($462); aluminum rails for £870 ($1,101); a manually folding tow bar for £880; an AirMATIC semi-active air suspension for £1,150 ($1,816); and a designo American Cherry Wood load compartment with black inlays for £4,030 ($6,363).

Competition

In the United States, there is barely any vehicle to compete against the Mercedes. BMW and Audi stopped marketing their wagon versions here because of slow sales and the other automakers have done the same. The only two left are the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon->ke1200 and the Acura TSX Wagon->ke275. The latter is still a concept, but the former is one awesome piece of machinery. The CTS-V Sports Wagon is powered by a 6.2 liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers a total of 556 hp and 551 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine can be coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. We're not wagon-lovers necessarily, but we'd drive the CTS-V Wagon in a heartbeat.