Mercedes Benz Shooting BRAKE Concept

[sportyaccordy]

They keep calling it a break.... why?

Any motherfukkin way

Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept ? 2010 Beijing Auto Show

Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept

Published Apr 19, 2010
What is it?
Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept

What's special about it?
The Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept will be revealed at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show on Thursday. It points the way to the new look of the second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS that will appear in September at the Paris auto show. It also indicates that a wagon model will join the CLS lineup.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept charts a new direction for the CLS model line by reviving the shooting brake, the traditional English utility vehicle created from a luxury car, although this concept has a four-door body instead of the two-door layout of traditional shooting brakes. The German automaker explained why it's called "Shooting Break" and not "Shooting Brake," obviously anticipating questions. "Break, or the homonym Brake, was the name once given to carriages used to 'break' wild horses, so any vehicle that was used when going out shooting was called a Shooting Brake or Shooting Break". Gorden Wagener, the young director of design at Mercedes-Benz, says his group wants to prove that elegance, muscle and practicality can go together.

The Shooting Break Concept also anticipates the design template for the forthcoming second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, which will appear in the U.S. early in 2011 with the choice of two new turbocharged gasoline engines.

The Shooting Break is the first public look at the 3.5-liter V6 turbo, which makes 306 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque (14 hp and 4 lb-ft of torque more than the current CLS's V8). For the new CLS, the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 will be downsized to 4.6 liters and turbocharged. Although official figures are yet to be revealed, we understand this engine will pack as much as 435 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque (47 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque more than the current V8).

Despite the increase in output, the new forced-induction engines are claimed to boast vastly improved fuel economy along with a corresponding reduction in tailpipe emissions. They will be mated to a reworked version of Mercedes-Benz's 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission featuring a new torque converter that's claimed to provide faster and more efficient operation. Other developments for the European market include a new automatic start/stop system and brake energy recuperation for added efficiency.

Crowning the new CLS lineup will be a successor to the CLS63 AMG. It eschews the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 of today's model for a new, turbocharged direct-injection 5.5-liter V8 (an engine previewed at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show). In standard form it kicks out 544 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, while an optional performance package will increase output to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

Sporting a broad, single-slat grille, angular headlamps, a long hood and a rounded coupe-style greenhouse with frameless side windows, the new CLS will follow through with the design direction set by the current CLS, which went on sale in North America in 2005. The look has been updated with tauter surfacing and added creases in the sheet metal, giving it a more athletic stance that emphasizes its rear-wheel-drive configuration. It also shares visual similarities to the more formal E-Class. Both the CLS and the E-Class will be produced at the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Sindelfingen, Germany.

The Shooting Break Concept also provides a look at the forthcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS Wagon. This combination of a taut, executive-class look and expanded cargo capacity is meant to prove that practicality doesn't have to compromise a car's style or driving dynamics. At 195.3 inches in overall length and 56.9 inches high, the concept car is a touch longer and slightly higher than the current CLS. In keeping with current design trends, it's also considerably wider at 76.8 inches, giving the Shooting Break loads of road presence. The very same dimensions are set to define the new CLS sedan.

While the exterior exudes a kind of highly technical strength, the warm interior welcomes you with a combination of soft forms and natural materials. The Mercedes-Benz designers tell us that it's very close to the appearance of the production CLS's interior, only with a unique dashboard and trim. Large expanses of leather are splashed throughout, while the cargo space is finished in oak and aluminum.

Mercedes-Benz is being noncommittal about the production prospects of this luxuriously appointed Shooting Break, suggesting it will gauge reaction of the public and prospective buyers before making any hard decisions about whether to press on or not. It is no secret, however, that Mercedes-Benz Chairman Dieter Zetsche has long desired such a car. As the Shooting Break's designers reveal, this is not the first time they have come up with a concept for a sporting wagon based on the CLS. "We did a similar thing back in 2003," one designer told us. "It was taken to one-to-one form and was supposed to have been at the Frankfurt auto show that year. But for one reason or the other the car was never revealed to the public. Instead, they unveiled the production CLS sedan."

The concept carries the production code X218 (the CLS sedan is known internally as C218), which we believe is another indication that this car is only a short step from production. Like the CLS, the Shooting Break rides on the same platform as the new E-Class, with a wheelbase stretched by 0.7 inch over the current CLS's 113.1-inch wheelbase. Like the new E-Class, the car carries all the safety and convenience features of the luxury S-Class in a medium-size package. You'll also note that the Shooting Break has headlights made up from 71 individual LEDs, suggesting that full LED headlights are on the way for Mercedes production cars.

Inside Line says: Americans will probably never love the shooting brake, even if it looks this good. ? Andreas Stahl, Contributor

BOOO @ the output of their turbo V6. I am almost thinking that's a typo... isn't that how much their current V6 makes? And the CLS550 makes 386HP (wow). They need to kick their fact checker in the ass.

I think 350HP/400lb-ft would be respectable figures for the motor. This thing is about effortless performance and smooth cruising.... a windy winded low-endless V6 wouldn't do well in it

[MX793]

OK, somebody at Mercedes needs to learn what a "Shooting Brake" actually is.  Or perhaps they know and that's why they are spelling it "break", because they know it's not a proper shooting brake.  As I understand it, "break" is what station wagons are sometimes called in France, so I'm guessing that's where they're getting the name from.

[cawimmer430]

Absolutely stunning. 

This new upcoming organic design language at Mercedes is really awesome. I've always felt their designs were beautiful and classy, but a little to conservative. This car is pretty radical in terms of design, yet manages to come across as absolutely stunning.

BOOO @ the output of their turbo V6. I am almost thinking that's a typo... isn't that how much their current V6 makes? And the CLS550 makes 386HP (wow). They need to kick their fact checker in the ass.

I think 350HP/400lb-ft would be respectable figures for the motor. This thing is about effortless performance and smooth cruising.... a windy winded low-endless V6 wouldn't do well in it

306-horsepower is already overpowered for any normal car. With this amount of power this concept car is already very fast and an impressive performer. Hell, even our 224-horsepower E320 still performs very nicely - I've never had any reason to complain about the performance. And then there are people who complain about 272-hp E350's? Geez... 

[sportyaccordy]

Wims, just because you can make do with a 100 hp naturally aspirated S-class doesn't mean that's what's the class standard. Ironically, for all the crap you spew about Camrys, your near disgust for any performance above what's necessary would make one a good car for you. I didn't mean for that to be abrasive, but they're just the facts.

Americans are fatter, carry more stuff and travel further on expansive highways. It's a totally different driving experience and culture that definitely warrant bigger engines. MB tried the diesel and 6 cylinder gas S-classes... the standard here became a V8 for that class of car. People stopped buying them. That's just what it is man.

The BMW 5 has a twin turbo 6 that has redefined the standard of performance in the midsize luxury class in the US. For this car, while beautiful and probably luxury enough, to compete, it needs an equally solid + efficient powerplant to compete.

[cawimmer430]

Wims, just because you can make do with a 100 hp naturally aspirated S-class doesn't mean that's what's the class standard. Ironically, for all the crap you spew about Camrys, your near disgust for any performance above what's necessary would make one a good car for you. I didn't mean for that to be abrasive, but they're just the facts.

I am not opposed to performance, but there comes a time when you have to be REALISTIC. For most people an E350 is overpowered, especially if they just want the car to cruise around in and not race at the drag strip.

The performance of the BMW 118i (with an automatic) I am driving at the moment is completely acceptable and realistic to me. I can drive fast, I can overtake columns of trucks on country roads and I can get decent gas mileage with that thing to. I don't need a 130i, which IMO is ridiculous - and many Europeans think so to. Sales of the 130i hatch are in the toilet.

The BMW 5 has a twin turbo 6 that has redefined the standard of performance in the midsize luxury class in the US. For this car, while beautiful and probably luxury enough, to compete, it needs an equally solid + efficient powerplant to compete.

The E350 and 535i might be pitted against each other in comparison tests, but the cars are completely different in character and so are the people who buy them. The E-Class is a cruiser and the 5er is a dedicated sports sedan. I don't see how the E350 needs a more performance-oriented engine when any realistic driving enthusiast won't give the E350 a second glance. In its standard 272-hp form the E350 is already a very fast car. Horsepower seriously isn't everything.

If this new engine is more efficient than the outgoing 3.5-l V6 found in the E350 then the 306-hp is fine. I don't think people care if Lexus all of a sudden offers 350-hp in the IS350 or GS350 because most consumers out there find the standard E350 and its performance more than SUFFICIENT. The sales of the E-Class in the US demonstrate this, with the vast majority of sales being "underpowered" E350's.

I find it hilarious that the people on some forums who complain about the comfort-oriented ride of the E350 and its "weak engine" are the type of people who would never buy one in the first place, preferring to race their 'Vettes or 'Stangs or modified Civic's at the drag strip...

[Xer0]

I love the way it looks but those power figures for the V6 are really underwhelming.

[Colin]

OK, somebody at Mercedes needs to learn what a "Shooting Brake" actually is.  Or perhaps they know and that's why they are spelling it "break", because they know it's not a proper shooting brake.  As I understand it, "break" is what station wagons are sometimes called in France, so I'm guessing that's where they're getting the name from.

Correct...... the French word appears to have been chosen here.

The debate about an appropriate engine size and differences between US and Europe has taken place ad nauseam on this Forum...... if Americans had to pay European prices for fuel, their priorities would change pretty quickly, regardless of all the other factors, like how far people drive.     

[Galaxy]

I am not so sure about the front end, but the side and rear styling is simply stunning.

[Galaxy]

http://

[Raza]

OK, somebody at Mercedes needs to learn what a "Shooting Brake" actually is.  Or perhaps they know and that's why they are spelling it "break", because they know it's not a proper shooting brake.  As I understand it, "break" is what station wagons are sometimes called in France, so I'm guessing that's where they're getting the name from.

As I understand it, isn't a shooting brake only supposed to have two doors?

Then again, coupes are only supposed to have two doors, yet they call the CLS a coupe, so I guess it's along those lines. 

[Raza]

The BMW 5 has a twin turbo 6 that has redefined the standard of performance in the midsize luxury class in the US. For this car, while beautiful and probably luxury enough, to compete, it needs an equally solid + efficient powerplant to compete.

Mind you, it's a twin turbo I6 that has about 300bhp...quite in line with this new V6.

Also, my mother's S500--5.0L V8--had only 302bhp.  So it's progress.  No doubt the power delivery of the turbo V6 is less lazy and I bet it gets significantly better gas mileage. 

[Raza]

The debate about an appropriate engine size and differences between US and Europe has taken place ad nauseam on this Forum...... if Americans had to pay European prices for fuel, their priorities would change pretty quickly, regardless of all the other factors, like how far people drive.     

A fine argument indeed...were we not speaking of luxury cars. 

I myself drive a car with a 2.0L I4 that gets 30+mpg (36 UK) that I feel is plenty quick; 0-60 in the mid sixes.  But it's not a luxury car.  Luxury is defined by excess.  Give a luxury car only what it needs, and it is no longer a luxury car.  That includes all aspects of the car; the interior appointments, build quality, technology, and yes, even the engine.  They still sell AMGs and Ms in Europe, so the concept is understood there.  Luxury is not at all about necessity. 

[2o6]

As I understand it, isn't a shooting brake only supposed to have two doors?

Then again, coupes are only supposed to have two doors, yet they call the CLS a coupe, so I guess it's along those lines. 

Yeah, but a regular break is a station wagon.

[Galaxy]

A fine argument indeed...were we not speaking of luxury cars. 

I myself drive a car with a 2.0L I4 that gets 30+mpg (36 UK) that I feel is plenty quick; 0-60 in the mid sixes.  But it's not a luxury car.  Luxury is defined by excess.  Give a luxury car only what it needs, and it is no longer a luxury car.  That includes all aspects of the car; the interior appointments, build quality, technology, and yes, even the engine.  They still sell AMGs and Ms in Europe, so the concept is understood there.  Luxury is not at all about necessity. 

I more or less agree. But some people consider spending money on fuel as being the same as throwing money out the window. Andr? Kostolany was an incredibly wealthy man who always flew economy class, because he thought that spending money on business/first class, or a private jet was wasted money. I disagree with that but to each his own.

[Raza]

Yeah, but a regular break is a station wagon.

Yeah, I saw the explanation after I posted that.  So it's really more of a "shooting" break.  Still a play on the fact the CLS has four doors. 

[Raza]

I more or less agree. But some people consider spending money on fuel as being the same as throwing money out the window. Andr? Kostolany was an incredibly wealthy man who always flew economy class, because he thought that spending money on business/first class, or a private jet was wasted money. I disagree with that but to each his own.

He was a fool!  I've flown first class once, and it's as addictive as money itself.  I dread flying coach again. 

[Galaxy]

He was a fool!  I've flown first class once, and it's as addictive as money itself.  I dread flying coach again. 

like I said I agree with you. But if there would be enough people willing to be an S class with a four banger why should they ignore the market?

[Raza]

like I said I agree with you. But if there would be enough people willing to be an S class with a four banger why should they ignore the market?

They absolutely should not.  You do run into the issue of trying to overfill every niche by trying to create new, pointless ones (BMW, I'm talking to you), however, if that can be avoided, there's no sense in leaving a market segment untouched if there's profitability there.  But that market probably isn't over here, and that's been demonstrated.  My father had a six cylinder S class; that performance would not be acceptable today, when the standard S class engine has 380+ horses (though I still think an S450 should be introduced, on a competitive level; it would expand sales).  Hell, it wouldn't keep up with my 180bhp automatic Passat! 

I mean, we do drive long distances, we do tend to have larger families and more stuff, and as Colin stated earlier, our gas is significantly cheaper.  Small engines in luxury cars are really for more congested areas than the US. 

[Byteme]

That cargo area doesn't look very cargo friendly if you know what I mean. The lift gate is too narrow and odd shaped to be truely useful, the surfaces don't look durable enough to stand up well.  Not that I expect any owner of one of these to try carrying home the standard 4'X8' plywood sheet, or bags of sack crete.

Over al the thing is overstyled and quite ugly, IMHO.

[cawimmer430]

But it's not a luxury car.  Luxury is defined by excess.  Give a luxury car only what it needs, and it is no longer a luxury car.  That includes all aspects of the car; the interior appointments, build quality, technology, and yes, even the engine.  They still sell AMGs and Ms in Europe, so the concept is understood there.  Luxury is not at all about necessity.  

306-horsepower are already excessive if you ask most people. To me this horsepower value is already overpowered. Nobody will buy a Mercedes '350 to drag race and nobody will ever use all 272-hp of the current standard '350 in their daily driving, much less the 388-hp of the '550 models.

Perhaps MB will introduce a more powerful version of this engine in the near future but the majority of buyers will be more than content with the 306-horsepower. Mercedes has long ago announced a departure from the horsepower wars, except in the case of AMG and some standard models (S600, S550 etc.).

[Submariner]

That interior is sexy - and mostly production ready.

I'm still figuring whether or not I like the exterior, though. 

[Raza]

306-horsepower are already excessive if you ask most people. To me this horsepower value is already overpowered. Nobody will buy a Mercedes '350 to drag race and nobody will ever use all 272-hp of the current standard '350 in their daily driving, much less the 388-hp of the '550 models.

Perhaps MB will introduce a more powerful version of this engine in the near future but the majority of buyers will be more than content with the 306-horsepower. Mercedes has long ago announced a departure from the horsepower wars, except in the case of AMG and some standard models (S600, S550 etc.).

I agree that 306 is plenty.  The benchmark BMW engine is only around 300 as well.  But if this were an S class and not a CLS, it wouldn't be enough, because the market says it isn't enough. 

[cawimmer430]

I agree that 306 is plenty.  The benchmark BMW engine is only around 300 as well.  But if this were an S class and not a CLS, it wouldn't be enough, because the market says it isn't enough. 

I think most people will feel such a horsepower value in a V6 E-Class / CLS in the US is completely acceptable.

If you look at the sales of the new E-Class in the US it's been very successful. The vast majority of models sold are the E350 with 272-hp (268-hp). If most shoppers were performance oriented they'd opt for an E550 or even an E63 AMG or go to another brand. In the case of the E350 it's a cruiser and it's no slouch if we're realistic. The people who opted for it probably wanted a comfortable and safe luxury car and to them the power and performance of the E350 is completely acceptable or adequate. Get my drift? 

Fuel economy standards are rising. Why give this thing more power than it already has?

[2o6]

That cargo area doesn't look very cargo friendly if you know what I mean. The lift gate is too narrow and odd shaped to be truely useful, the surfaces don't look durable enough to stand up well.  Not that I expect any owner of one of these to try carrying home the standard 4'X8' plywood sheet, or bags of sack crete.

Why would you be doing that with a Mercedes Benz?


Even so, the materials are irrelevant, it's a stylized concept vehicle. Concept vehicles look like crap up close and often don't have quality materials.

[Byteme]

Why would you be doing that with a Mercedes Benz?


Even so, the materials are irrelevant, it's a stylized concept vehicle. Concept vehicles look like crap up close and often don't have quality materials.

Why would one buy a shootin break (station wagon) if one had no intention of using it's capabilities?

I didn't say the materials weren't of good quality.  I said they didn't look cargo friendly, i.e., would be a poor choice for a cargo area, easily damaged.   

[Jon?]

[2o6]

Why would one buy a shootin break (station wagon) if one had no intention of using it's capabilities?

I didn't say the materials weren't of good quality.  I said they didn't look cargo friendly, i.e., would be a poor choice for a cargo area, easily damaged.   

You don't freaking haul concrete with a Mercedes Benz. If you do then you bought the wrong tool for the job and you have to live with that. Automakers shouldn't (and don't!) make every vehicle for every nth circumstance.

[Jon?]

I'm thinking the harshest objects it'll see will be golf clubs.

[Byteme]

You don't freaking haul concrete with a Mercedes Benz. If you do then you bought the wrong tool for the job and you have to live with that. Automakers shouldn't (and don't!) make every vehicle for every nth circumstance.

I would.  I expect my vehicles to handle what I can dish out, within reason of course.

[SVT666]

Sexy!  It's not a shooting brake though.