2011 Mercedes CLS spied with thinner disguise, 2012 CLS63 AMG keeps fake body-panels

The all-new 2011 Mercedes CLS (codenamed C218) will be the firm’s first vehicle to get a new range of turbocharged, direct injection petrol engines and all of the range’s engines will be turbocharged when the car goes on sale in sometime in 2011.

Caught undergoing road-testing in Stuttgart, the newcomer will be launched at next year’s Paris motorshow, the new CLS continues the same theme as the current car – a big four-door with coupé styling that sits above the E-Class in the range.

The new engine line up starts with a 3.0 litre V6 with 252 and 306bhp – CLS 300. Two petrol twin-turbo V8s will be available, a 4.6 with 435bhp and a 5.5 with 544bhp – CLS 400 & CLS 500 or 550.

The diesels will include the new 2.1 litre four-cylinder with 204bhp and an upgraded 3.0 litre V6 with 231bhp. These will be called CLS 250 CDI & CLS 350 CDI. These diesel engines will carry the BlueEFFICIENCY name-tag, mean-while a petrol-hybrid could also been in the pipeline.

Underneath the CLS is the base of the new E-Class but it doesn’t get an extended wheelbase; at 2,874mm it’s the same as the new E-Class and the current CLS. The car will be 4,925mm long.

Visually, Mercedes will play it safe with the new CLS, giving its styling an evolutionary step forward instead of any radical changes, although the car will be recognisably a CLS. The rear arches will mimic the distinctive shape of the E-Class coupe, and the frameless doors remain. Adaptive xenon headlights with LED day-time running lights and rear lights, LED indicator mounted door mirrors and adaptive cruise control should be standard and optional, alongside other gadgets & technology.

Inside the car will retain its unique dashboard and a four-seat layout, using switchgear and elements from the new E-Class.

While the regular 2011 CLS coupe has ditched its fake plastic body-panels, the flagship CLS 63 AMG hasn’t as it was snapped testing at the Nurburgring.

It is expected to be fitted with either a 6.3 litre V8, taken from the 2010 E63 AMG or a brand-new 5.5 litre V8. Whatever the engine, output is expected to be rated from 500bhp – 570bhp with 465lb ft of torque that is linked to the SL63’s Speedshift MCT seven-speed automatic gear-box.

The AMG CLS will get bigger brakes, alloy wheels and an aggressive bodykit, while quad exhausts poke out from the rear to complete the AMG package.

The new CLS is expected to be launched as a 2011MY and the AMG version should be here by 2012.