REPORT: The CLS Shooting Brake has its days numbered

The modern shooting brake in the acception of Mercedes-Benz came to life in 2012, when the first generation CLS Shooting Brake was launched during autumn that year. The X 218 model series brought its inspiration from the homonymous concept car that was showcased back in 2010, as a preview of the new CLS generation that followed in October the same year. While the public received the whole new concept of a five-door coupe in an enthusiastic manner, it seems that nowadays the CLS Shooting Brake is not doing that well, or at least, not as well as Mercedes-Benz execs would have deserved.

Even though sales for this particular niche model are going fine in Europe, not the same is the situation that we encounter in USA or China, which were supposed to be key markets to propel the figures for the CLS Shooting Brake. The lack of interest shown by American and Chinese customers, who would rather prefer a roomier SUV or crossover instead of a fancy sports wagon, has reportedly determined the Stuttgart decision makers to come to the conclusion that a further generation of the CLS Shooting Brake is no longer sustainable or attractive. Beginning with the future generation CLS, which is to arrive by mid-2018, the Shooting Brake version will be discontinued.

We also learnt that the next generation CLS SB has been approved by the management in an early phase and that one regarding its overall design (the design freeze phase). Sadly though, it looks that we will never see it in full flesh. This situation also raises another question: will the CLA Shooting Brake make it past the first generation or will it eventually suffer the same conclusion?

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SPY: Early 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS SB Facelift (X 218) prototype spotted

Mercedes-Benz will refresh the entire CLS lineup (Coupe and Shooting Brake) in spring 2014. As indicated by the test prototype recently caught on tape in Stuttgart, this will be a moderate facelift of an already elegant and beautiful car. The front fascia will hold the most important update.

The new 2015 model year CLS-Class will highlight a major breakthrough in lighting technology: the introduction of world's first Active Multi Beam LED system (read more HERE). As suggested by the spy shots, the new headlights, which appear to have multiple light emitting, movable components, hidden under the black tape resemble the ones you see in the next photo:

Furthermore, it seems the AMG Sport version of the new CLS Facelift will boast the A-Class inspired diamond grille. If you look to the details in the first scoop, you can depict this design. The front bumper will also be restyled and will receive new air intakes. At the moment, the rear end of the Shooting Brake test vehicle does not suggest important changes, but we think the facelift will bring a new bumper, new oval exhausts and new LED graphics for the tail lamps.

The 2015 CLS-Class will be enhanced with the latest tech stuff from the new S-Class, E-Class Facelift and the forthcoming C-Class. The 9G-TRONIC will come as a standard feature on the high-end models. The C/X 218 will actually be the first Mercedes-Benz model to bring the new 9-speed automatic gearbox on the North American as well. The engines, equipped with ECO start/stop function, will be borrowed from the current model generation, but they will most likely be enhanced for more efficiency and lower fuel consumption values.

We will further report on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Facelift when new, more detailed spy pics arrive.

Image Credits: GermanCarForum

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