Mercedes unveils BMW 5 Series GT competitor: CLS Shooting Break Concept
A year after BMW has unveiled their Gran Tourer, 5 Series GT, the Stuttgart-based automaker Mercedes-Benz, reveals ahead of the Beijing Motor Show, their latest Concept. Dubbed CLS Shooting Break, different from the usual “shooting brake” labeling, the new vehicle will enter the same segment as BMW’s highly controversial, but later somewhat accepted 5 Series Gran Turismo.
The Concept certainly brings out an attractive look, carrying forward the next generation CLS language previewed in the Mercedes F800 Style. The rear end offers a more pronounced coupe look than seen on the 5 GT, with a tall roof.
While the car introduced is at a Concept level, the expectations are the final product will be close to this prototype. Engine wise, the expectations are that we will see a turbocharged and direct injected 3.5-liter V6 engine with over 300 horsepower along with an uplevel turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 that puts out around 435 horsepower and over 400 pound-feet of torque. Those engines will reportedly provide a 25-percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the mills they replace and will route power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The Concept certainly brings out an attractive look, carrying forward the next generation CLS language previewed in the Mercedes F800 Style. The rear end offers a more pronounced coupe look than seen on the 5 GT, with a tall roof.
While the car introduced is at a Concept level, the expectations are the final product will be close to this prototype. Engine wise, the expectations are that we will see a turbocharged and direct injected 3.5-liter V6 engine with over 300 horsepower along with an uplevel turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 that puts out around 435 horsepower and over 400 pound-feet of torque. Those engines will reportedly provide a 25-percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the mills they replace and will route power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The Mercedes SLS AMG will feature a 5.5-liter V8 turbocharging and direct injection engine that outputs 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque.
Clearly this unique, but highly profitable car segment will get crowded in time and offerings from other premium automakers are expected soon. The BMW 5 Series GT sales in North America have already exceeded the initial expectations and reports coming from Europe are just as encouraging.
Is this a winner takes all segment? Most likely not, so we expect the two German automakers to retain their customer base without much crossing over.
Clearly this unique, but highly profitable car segment will get crowded in time and offerings from other premium automakers are expected soon. The BMW 5 Series GT sales in North America have already exceeded the initial expectations and reports coming from Europe are just as encouraging.
Is this a winner takes all segment? Most likely not, so we expect the two German automakers to retain their customer base without much crossing over.
BMW 5 Series GT
Source: bmwblog
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