Confirmed since April 2013, and spotted testing in Germany and Sweden several times since then, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake has hit the Nurburgring track. Still wearing a camouflaged rear end, the shooting brake was caught while being pushed to the limit on the iconic German track. Mercedes->ke187 engineers are looking to wrap things up before the assembly line fires up, and, as things stand, the sexy compact is quite the nimble machine.

Derived from the CLA->ke3130 -- the most aerodynamic vehicle in its class -- the CLA->ke3130 Shooting Brake not only inherits the sedan->ke142's sleek appearance and low drag coefficient, but it looks like it's getting all the driving dynamics that come with the Mercedes-Benz badge. It's fast, cuts corners like a sports car and remains planted at high speeds. Granted, this is what customers expect to receive when buying an aerodynamic shooting brake, and the Germans are making sure no one will be disappointed.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake in Detail

Although the rear end is still obscured by heavy camouflage, the CLA Shooting Brake's rear fascia won't come as a surprise. The lines are obviously borrowed from the CLS Shooting Brake, with a sloped hatch and small rear quarter windows. The taillights, the bumper and the rear lower apron remain unchanged to preserve the CLA's aerodynamic shape.

Engine-wise, the CLA Shooting Brake will benefit from the entire range of units available in the sedan. In Europe, the lineup will begin with the Renault->ke72-sourced, 1.5-liter diesel, while the base U.S.-spec model will carry a 2.0-liter, inline-four rated at 208 horsepower. At the top of the range, a turbo, 2.0-liter four-banger will pump 355 ponies into the CLA45 AMG.