2013 Mercedes BLS/CLC Spotted on Factory Floor

With no rumors and no leaked information preceding it, the sudden arrival of a test prototype baby CLS has given us a few sleepless nights. What do we call it, the BLS or the CLC? Is it really a front-wheel drive model, and if the prototype is already testing, why do we have to wait three years for the arrival?

We can now show you the bear metal of the BLS/CLC, thanks to a couple of cell phone shots from the factory floor by Benz Insider. The VW Passat CC competitor sports crisp lines and a very elegant back end.

The four-door coupe is reportedly being built in Hungary, though we don’t know if it's a mockup or a concept we are looking at. The styling takes heavy inspiration from both the current CLS and the F800 concept from 2010’s Geneva Motor Show, which previewed the arrival of this new Merc.

Not much else is known at the moment, but it’s clear the car will be based on the MFA platform that’s used by both the next generation A- and B-Klasse. It’s reportedly going to sit in the -Klasse range, which will also include a small van-like model and even a compact crossover called the BLK.

As essentially a B-Klasse sedan, engine options are expected to include a 2.0-liter with 203 HO petrol and a 2.2-liter diesel with 172 HP. We know the ‘B’ sports some less-than-impressive 1.6-liter units as well, pumping 122 HP or 156 HP, though they might not be carried over. There’s also talk of a 109 HP diesel... let’s hope not! This is probabbly the first Merc' we'd like even though it doesn't have at least a V6.