At the end of next year or in early 2018, Mercedes-Benz will unveil the third generation of its current CLS model. Given the recent repositioning of the portfolio and the new naming scheme that came into force in 2015, the CLS title will be changed accordingly to CLE as to emphasize the direct connection with the new E-Class.

From what is visible in the first spy shots, the CLE looks set to grow in size compared to the current C 218 generation of the CLS. Shorter front overhangs and longer rear overhangs will also help visually elongate the new business 4-door coupe. The new CLE, which, according to latest rumors, is internally codenamed C 257, will ride on the second generation of the MRA rear-propelled platform. Developed from the Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture of the new E-Class (213 model series), the new MRA 2 underpinnings will boost the level of comfort and will ensure sharper dynamics for the new CLE.

In terms of exterior design, Prof. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG, will launch Phase 2 of the Sensual Purity design philosophy with the new 4-door coupe. We expect a clean side profile (maybe only a few straight character lines), slimmer headlights, horizontally positioned tail lamps and the characteristic low, rakish roofline. Inside, the dashboard will most likely receive more sinuous surfaces and several distinct design features as to set the CLE apart as an exclusive car.

The Widescreen Cockpit known from the E-Class will make its way onto the new CLE as wheel, probably as a standard feature on every model line. We also expect to see a new steering wheel complete with Touch Control commands. The cabin will accommodate 4 passengers as usual, so the new CLE may also get a detachable tablet mounted into the rear armrest, used by the rear passengers as to control the functions of the COMAND Online infotainment system.

In addition, the new CLE could also get a gesture control system and touchscreen capability for the Widescreen Cockpit, features that are expected to be first debuted on the brand new S-Class facelift generation (222 model series) arriving at the start of spring 2017. What is more, as the current CLS model generation introduced the first full LED headlights back in 2010 and the MULTIBEAM LED (with 24 independently adjustable LEDs per lighting unit) system in 2014, absolute firsts in the automotive industry, the new CLE will also pioneer an all new lighting technology: the first full OLED multibeam headlamps, that are expected to offer an increased visibility range of 600 meters, enhanced efficiency, multiple illumination functions and modes and lesser costs compared to nowadays' LED or even laser-based technologies. The tail lights are also dubbed to replace the current LEDs with OLEDs.

According to uncited sources, there will also be a new generation CLS, only that this time, the development job was handed over to Mercedes-AMG. This will turn the current generation into a fully-bred AMG performance 4-door coupe that will fight against Porsche Panamera. In order to emphasize its belonging to the GT family, the project has received the internal designation C 290, whereas the new model might be called Mercedes-AMG CLS GT4, as to showcase the fact it will be underpinned by an all-wheel-drive platform.

As previously reported (see HERE), the CLS Shooting Brake will appearantly be discontinued and will not make it for a second generation due to sluggish sales. Even though the initial reception of the Concept Shooting Break was encouraging and led to the decision of production (see HERE), the series model X 218 never managed to reach the summit of success and attract the desired number of clients.























Image Credits: Autoevolution / Motor1

Copyright © 2016, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

It has recently come to our attention that Mercedes-Benz plans to revamp its naming structure for several products that are already sold under a specific title. In fact, we reported on this issue about 1-2 years ago, when we revealed the company's plans to re-align its models based on a logical nomenclature that accounts for the core vehicles of the brand: the A-, B-, C-, E-, G- and S-Class.

The most intriguing part comes right now. Starting with the 2015 generation, which is set to go on sale in April next year, the M-Class will be officially entitled GLE-Class. This name is closer to what the ML really is: a business SUV, developed on the current platform of the E-Class. However, this change could otherwise cause a bit of a confusion, as the M-Class is already a well-established name. Although yet to be confirmed by officials from Stuttgart, this rumor could turn out to be false if we remember that, back in 2010, before the launch of the facelift generation C 216 CL-Class, there was a report indicating the car would receive the S-Class Coupe, which was not the case in the end.

Moving back to our subject, it turns out that the change from the ML moniker to GLE could prove to be true as Mercedes-Benz will also introduce their new SUV Coupe, initially called MLC and then M-Class Coupe. An all new name or an all new model seems just the right move in order to raise public awareness. So, the new-generation W 166 will be entitled as the GLE-Class, whereas the new C 292 will be known as the GLE-Class Coupe.

Further changes in the official nomenclature are set to take place in the next years. Most models of the lineup will receive a new name, as follows:

- the successor of the current X 205 GLK-Class will be known as GLC-Class starting with September 2015, when the X 253 is set for market launch
- the future X 167 GL-Class will be renamed to GLS-Class
- the next R 173 series will become SLC-Class instead of the current SLK
- the future 4-door coupes of Mercedes-Benz will retain the "CL" root in their names and will add the corrresponding letter at the end, as follows: CLA remains as so, CLC will be the four-door coupe of the C-Class, CLE will replace the current CLS, whereas a future 4-door S-Class Coupe is to receive the CLS title
- the new compact city SUV will eventually carry the GLG name, and not GLB as initially rumored

The 2-door and sporty utility coupes will receive the particle "Coupe" alongside the class which they belong to: E-Class Coupe, C-Class Coupe, GLE-Class Coupe, GLC-Class Coupe and so on. The iconic name SL will remain unaffected by the changes, as it carries over a tradition of over 60 years. This particle will further be mated with other letters, as new versions of the current main lineups will be introduced. One of them will be a roadster version of the A-Class, which could be entitled SLA. Other reports indicate that names such as CSA or CSE are also possible, but seem to be highly unlikely, given this new nomenclature scheme.

Copyright © 2014, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.