CLS-Class (C218) [Renders] 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS (gen 3)

[Merc1]

I think the MB brand is so strong that a lot of people actually understand and acknowledge that their top end cars are technically superior to the Bentley and Rolls, and it is more an exercise in marketing that the Bentleys and Rolls are considered more 'prestigious'.

Correct.

M

 

[mdartisian]

I think the MB brand is so strong that a lot of people actually understand and acknowledge that their top end cars are technically superior to the Bentley and Rolls, and it is more an exercise in marketing that the Bentleys and Rolls are considered more 'prestigious'.

I think it's the other way around. MB's done a great job at marketing the S Class Maybach as a viable competitor to a Rolls or a Bentley, because from an engineering standpoint, it is. Now from the standpoint of exclusivity and perception in the high end market, Rolls Royce and Bentley still sits above Mercedes Benz. An S Maybach still has to make sense on some level for the buyer, a Rolls Royce or Bentley have enough prestige to not have to. I will say that the three pointed star has enough brand cache to go upmarket though. A truly bespoke "Mercedes Maybach" ultra luxury sedan would be MB's equivalent to RR and Bentley.

 

[Wolfgang]

A truly bespoke "Mercedes Maybach" ultra luxury sedan would be MB's equivalent to RR and Bentley.

Some folks speculate it may arrive with one of the future S generations, perhaps the W225? In the meantime, here's one of the very first CLS sketches, from 1997. Bruno Sacco rejected it, and thus it disappeared into a drawer for 2 years, before the eventual resurrection, according to Michael Fink.

http://caranddriverbrasil.uol.com.br/carros/especial/dez-anos-de-mercedes-cls-falamos-com-o-pai/7673

 

[Gianclaudio]

Some folks speculate it may arrive with one of the future S generations, perhaps the W225? In the meantime, here's one of the very first CLS sketches, from 1997. Bruno Sacco rejected it, and thus it disappeared into a drawer for 2 years, before the eventual resurrection, according to Michael Fink.

http://caranddriverbrasil.uol.com.br/carros/especial/dez-anos-de-mercedes-cls-falamos-com-o-pai/7673

Você fala português, Wolfgang?

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Só muito pouco, Gianclaudio.

 

[sako97]

Every time I see a S Class Coupé, I wonder why MB doesn't do what BMW did with the 6er and release a S Class "Gran Coupé"? What a beauty that'd be. It'd be a actual CLS.

The current gen CLS is nowhere near as special as the first gen.

Some folks speculate it may arrive with one of the future S generations, perhaps the W225

Next gen S Class will be designated W225?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I understand why they went with a more a risk-averse strategy with the current Maybach. But for it to have a future, next gen Maybachs needs to be more bespoke in styling and features. It needs to encapsulate the spirit of the Grosser.

Regarding the CLS, I hope it captures the spirit of the 1st gen. I quickly grew tired of the current generation and the next gen needs to properly differentiate itself from the E-class, esepcially the interior. And please no "free floating" screen like in the C-class...it mars what is a beautiful interior.

 

[Gianclaudio]

^ Só muito pouco, Gianclaudio.

You're awesome...a forum's legend

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Every time I see a S Class Coupé, I wonder why MB doesn't do what BMW did with the 6er and release a S Class "Gran Coupé"? What a beauty that'd be. It'd be a actual CLS.

Because the 6er BMW isn't in the same class as the S-Klasse Coupe. Nor would their 4-door equivalents be. The 6er is based on a 5er BMW and a bit overpriced by the way. So Mercedes-Benz has done exactly what BMW did, and made a 4 door coupe based on the E-Klasse. Just like 6er GC is based on the 5er.
I agree with you, that a 4-door S-Klasse coupe-ish CLS version probably would look to die for.

 

[GTA45E]

Both the red and this render suggest an inverted grill.
I believe MB might implement this scheme on the 2017 model since it is obviously featured on the f/l SL. It usually starts from the top and works it`s way down the MB line. (Imagine the future AMG models with the virticle slat, inverted grills rumered for future AMG models with those agressive spoilers. Awesome!)

I also believe the complex body work on the current model will be phased out for the 3rd generation. License plate should also be moved to the rear bumper. it should have a unique set of taillights and not be a direct copy of the S-Class coupe. (fingers crossed)

 

[Mick Briesgau]

^ agree with the first part of your post. I like the inverted grille design very much.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Current C218 was revealed at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2010 (Paris motor show). The new generation should be revealed in about two years from now, taken into account a seven year lifespan.
I suppose the design is definitive by now. Or what do the 'insiders' think?

 

[SKY]

W213 E-Class is about to come out. I remember it was December 2008 when we first saw the current CLS test mules, followed by a render by Autobild. Let´s hope this time is the same. The new CLS should feature a brand new design theme as well.

 

[Rolf]

I like that render with the inverted grill. I hope the new version will be sleek and elegant like the 1st gen model, which still is a great looking car after all these years. If I remember 1st gen CLS was launched in 2004, so the design is more than 10 years old already but is still a benchmark design for 4dr coupes.

 

[vios1]

Will there be a CLS Maybach vision in coming model.....lol

 

[MOLOKO]

Mercedes always tries to make CLS special. Thus it will get unique head light and its own rear design(hopefully).

 

[Deleted member 1071]

The most current issue of Autozeitung (Heft Nr. 25) magazine features some interesting renderings of the upcoming CLS successor (will apparently be renamed "CLE"), the C217 based CLS and a C-Coupe based 4 door coupe. Also featured are some interesting renderings of Audis' A6 and A8 successors.

 

[SKY]

That is very interesting. I would love to see what MB does with a S-Class sized CLS. Regarding the CLE, I would expect to see the first mules in December or January, once the E-Class has been revealed.

Hopefully Autobild will release a rendering soon.

 

[Merc1]

I would bet that the next CLS/CLE will look similar to that IAA concept, especially the front and side profile. They know they've got to take back this segment since the 6er GC and A7 are better looking cars than the current CLS.

M

 

[SKY]

The problem is how you make this a production car:

I think the new CLE will be the first MB car that does not look like the S-Class. Much like the current CLS previewed what was to come. That clean side profile looks like a safe bet. The huge, lower grille does too. I have no idea what are they going to do with the headlights, rear end and interior.