Is This A Close Approximation Of The Next Generation Mercedes CLS?

Sources are telling the Spies that the next gen CLS will supposedly be even MORE emotional and sexy than when it was first introduced.

At the time, there was nothing like it and it created a whole new segment that virtually everyone else has imitated.

In a recent interview with the new head of design for Mercedes, he told me that the new car is SO sexy, his exact words were 'You will get on your knees and worship it'.

Although the sketch sent to us here was an early concept sketch of the E, my intuition tells me the new CLS will look VERY similar to this.

My sources tell me the even more exaggerated rear wheel arches are on the next CLS as shown in the drawing.

And since they are dumping the CLK moniker when they launch the E-Class Coupe to make its reputation more upscale, we are wondering if they should follow suit and call the next CLS, the ELS?

What are your thoughts on the next CLS design and strategic direction?

Tell Mercedes what YOU think.

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2009 Chicago Auto Show Photo Gallery

Dodgeyaussie - 2/7/2009 7:37:48 PM

+5 Boost

Those lights, front and rear, just don't sit well.

eric452 - 2/7/2009 7:45:40 PM

+6 Boost

wow thats fugly. the cls should keep its curves and flowing design. not turn it all boxy like the rest of MB's line up. IMO cls,slk,sl,slr shouldn't be boxy

BondMI6 - 2/7/2009 8:24:51 PM

0 Boost

I think MB is right on- the new design will be more muscular and bold yet retain a classic coupe like profile......I think we have a winner...

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/7/2009 9:35:23 PM

+2 Boost

Whats with Mercedes Benz tribute 1947 Mercury fender flares?

CarCrazedinCali - 2/7/2009 10:15:43 PM

+4 Boost

That isn't a CLS design, it's the next E Class. It says in German next to it that the design from the first sketches to the production version has changed a lot.

Agent001 - 2/7/2009 10:17:00 PM

0 Boost

We said that but we're betting based on our intelligence that the next CLS will look similar to this.

001

DaHarder - 2/7/2009 11:55:15 PM

+3 Boost

Mercedes really needs to get this whole 'wacky fender flare' thing under control. It all stated with the current S-Class, wherein somehow MB saw fit to place near carbon copies of the entry-level Ford Focus' fenders on a premium luxury vehicle, continued with the 'slap a couple of boxes over the wheel wells' look of the 2010 E-Class, and now this... this latest venture into fender flare weirdness. If this sketch is indeed a glance into what will become the next CLS, then Mercedes has (once again) taken a quite handsome design, and created something rather abominable IMO.

_43LE - 2/8/2009 12:21:53 AM

+3 Boost

It's hard to improve on an already perfect design.

cococo - 2/8/2009 12:32:48 AM

+1 Boost

The front of a Caddy, the rear of an Altima.

WorldofLuxury - 2/8/2009 1:53:01 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah...just as everyone said, it's easy to make an iconic car, but the second generation is always the hardest challenge. Even though I'm a fan of Lexus, I still owe thanks to Mercedes for the CLS. Simply put, the whole idea of a coupe-ish looking sedan was so simple, but not many automakers actually took that sort design seriously. At the same time, I would also owe my thanks to Chris Bangle, a person who's designs were absolutely inspiring to many even though they were controversial. Now, I just hope Lexus would do something. Their L-finesse design philosophy has so much potential, but freakin' marketers keep on whining about the acceptance of the public and mocking of others for poor sales. The R-class wasn't successful, but at least it was made. So again, credits to Mercedes for the CLS. I hope the next generation would some how bring me a much more awing Lexus to desire (;

Nostradamus - 2/8/2009 2:10:13 AM

+3 Boost

"the whole idea of a coupe-ish looking sedan was so simple". I agree, and thought the very same thing when Pontiac did it a year before Mercedes with the 7th generation Grand Prix. The 1st modern car to have the (so-called) 4-Door Coupe Styling.

JUGNU - 2/8/2009 5:11:38 AM

0 Boost

that looks like some Maybach excelero type design also the front end looks a bit like F700 concept. ugly. batmobilishh.

JUGNU

answer - 2/8/2009 1:45:27 PM

-1 Boost

Prediction: Mercedes will make it a gigantic station wagon, and still call it a "coupe".

Kthorn - 2/8/2009 2:09:15 PM

-3 Boost

I believe they intend to weld two of the doors shut on the "R" class and re-intorduce it as a coup'e (pronounced koop-aaaa). They'll put a twin turbocharged 6.3 V8 in it, the car will have a list price of $138,000 USD and be launched with $60k in trunk money. If it was BMW they'd call it a SACK (Sport Activity Coupe, Kompressor)

E36er - 2/8/2009 4:32:27 PM

0 Boost

I sure hope not. The current CLS is a beauty and a tough act to follow. Get rid of the Seoul and get some German Soul back Merc! These sketches better be just that...just sketches!

TauronB2G - 2/8/2009 8:30:30 PM

+1 Boost

I think we need to see better artists renditions!!!
T

PPower - 2/9/2009 10:56:46 AM

0 Boost

Those sketches aren't sexy at all! As for the name, they'd better just stick w/ CLS. Changing the CLK to an E leaves room for a 3 series coupe, but I don't think they will make another 4 door coupe.

thstone - 2/9/2009 7:15:09 PM

0 Boost

What a misfit. How many styling cues can one car possibly have? I guess the answer is too many is never enough. First and second, the front fender bulge straight leading into the shoulder line is ok, but the (third) rear fender bulge that starts mid-read door is way too pronounced. Why (fourth) pull in the middle of the door panels only to pop them back out into a (fifth) over-pronounced skirt line? And if five isn't enough, what the heck is going on with the (sixth) front lights over-lapping and the (seventh) rear lights extending up the side for the entire length of the trunk? At this point they had nothing to lose by adding a Pontiac hood scoop and some front fender vents behind the wheels.