The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake was launched in 2012, two years after the second-generation CLS Coupe arrived in dealerships. The wagon->ke143 was released in a bevy of trim levels and engines, ranging from small-displacement diesels to turbocharged V-8s. Naturally, Mercedes also offered an AMG-prepped model in the shape of the CLS63 AMG. However, the CLS Shooting Brake was never on sale in the United States, although its coupe brother made it Stateside from the very beginning.

That's not likely to change for the 2015 model year, when the facelifted Shooting Brake is scheduled to show up in dealerships around Europe and Asia. The refreshed wagon comes with slightly revised front and rear fascias, an updated interior and two brand-new engines. Although the exact same units are also offered in the 2015 CLS Coupe, which is available in the United States, don't expect the diesels to cross the Pond anytime soon.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake.

Exterior

Just like the rest of the CLS lineup, the 2015 Shooting Brake comes with only minor improvements as far as visuals go. The biggest change to its front end is the brand-new Multibeam LED technology, which changes the way the headlamps look and act. Fitted with 24 LEDs, the units are connected to a camera system that determines what's ahead and enables them to adjust brightness and illumination as to not blind oncoming traffic.

Visually, the front end also benefits from a reshaped bumper and a new grille. The lower fascia sports a more aggressive design enhanced by larger intakes, while the radiator grille screams for attention due to its new "diamond" configuration. Around back, the bumper is smoother around the edges with only two side cutouts disturbing the flat design. Overall, the 2015 CLS Shooting Brake has the same swooping profile and ready-to-go stance.

2015 Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake - Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The first thing that catches the eye while entering the cabin is the brand-new, eight-inch color display mounted on the center area of dashboard. There's also a redesigned, three-spoke steering wheel and a slightly revised center console, which now includes four buttons instead of two.

Just like the coupe, the Shooting Brake benefits from five interior colors and a choice of six trim and leather finishes. These complement the already available soft-touch surfaces and the enormous amount of chrome adorning the dashboard and the center console. After launch, the CLS Shooting Brake will benefit from a host of bespoke materials and individualization packages wearing the AMG print.

Drivetrain

The CLS Shooting Brake benefits from the same powerplants motivating the Coupe. First up is the 2.1-liter turbodiesel rated at 167 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine rolls out with the CLS 220 BlueTec and sits at the bottom of the lineup. Next in line is an uprated version of the same mill, tuned to deliver 201 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of twist. The third and most powerful diesel to move the CLS Shooting Brake is a 3.0-liter V-6. Paired to a coupe of turbochargers, the six-banger comes with 254 horsepower and 457 pound-feet on tap.

Two gasoline engines are available for the wagon. The 3.0-liter V-6 in the CLS 400 is now rated at 328 ponies and 354 pound-feet, which represents a 27-horsepower and 81-pound-feet improvement over the outgoing unit. Sitting at the top of the range is the familiar 4.6-liter V-8 that generates the same 402 horses and 442 pound-feet. If neither of these gasoline plants are good enough for you, then you can always opt for the super-powerful CLS63 AMG Sport Brake.

All engines, except the gasoline V-6, mate to the company's new 9G-Tronic, nine-speed automatic transmission, but only in the absence of the 4MATIC, all-wheel-drive system. On CLS-Class models equipped with AWD, Mercedes-Benz is offering the 7G-Tronic Plus, seven-speed gearbox. However, the 9G-Tronic will replace the seven-speed auto later on.

Prices

U.S. pricing has yet to be announced as of 06/20/2014, but don't expect that to change, because the Shooting Brake isn't coming to the United States. But if you plan on moving to the U.K., you should know that the 2015 CLS Shooting Brake starts from £48,080 ($81,881 as of 06/20/2014) on the other side of the Atlantic.

2015 CLS Shooting Brake Prices (UK)

Competition

BMW 5 Series Touring

In Europe, the CLS Shooting Brake will go against the BMW 5 Series Touring. The propeler-badged wagon is offered with an array of diesel and gasoline engines, ranging from fuel-sipping four-bangers to large V-8s. At the bottom of the range sits a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel that generates 218 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque with input from TwinPower Turbo technology.

The range-topping model, sold as the 550i, carries a twin-turbocharged V-8. The mill is good for 450 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque and pushes the wagon from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 4.7 seconds. In the United Kingdom, the 5 Series Touring starts from £32,590 and blows past the £51,000 mark ($55,427 and $86,779 as of 06/20/2014, respectively).

Audi A6 Avant

The 2014 Audi A6 Avant can only be had with diesel power, but the German automaker offers the 2.0-liter TDI and the 3.0-liter TDI in various power ratings. The entry-level model, motivated the smallest of the two, benefits from 190 horsepower. The 3.0 TDI, on the other hand, can churn at least 204 ponies and go all the way up to 313 horsepower.

Transmission choices include a manual box, the S-tronic and the Tiptronic. The automated gearboxes come with quattro all-wheel drive, while the manual wagons are front-wheel drive only. The A6 Avant retails from £32,340, which translates into $55,017 as of 06/20/2014.

Conclusion

Although the CLS Shooting Brake didn't get much of a facelift, the new features should be enough to keep it fresh until the third-generation model arrives. Unfortunately, the Shooting Brake remains a forbidden fruit around here, as Mercedes-Benz has no plans to bring it Stateside. It's fairly frustrating, but it doesn't make the Shooting Brake less beautiful. Oh, the agony...