Anybody who has spent a bit of time (visually) chasing cars over the past few years or so has noticed that even mundane machines like your neighbor's Camry now feature sporty styling cues. At the other end of the vehicular design fashion (think: trend-setting), we find machines such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Back in 2004, the CLS popularized the four-door coupe genre and the German automaker is now preparing to introduce the third generation of the model.
We have to hand it over to the German automaker for keeping the nameplate of the newcomer secret - while the rumor mill talks about the model leaving the CLS moniker behind for the 2019 CLE badge, we can't be sure about the actual name of the vehicle.
Nevertheless, the most important change coming with the new generation might have to do with the firepower department. And that's because the rumor mill talks about the third incarnation of the model skipping the V8.
The aim here seems to be avoiding cannibalization, since the three-pointed star is currently working on the four-door AMG GT, which should make its debut in the first part of next year.
As such, forum chat mentions that the 2019 CLS/CLE range-topper will be powered by a twin-turbo inline-six with hybrid assistance. The model, which should deliver around 500 horses is rumored to receive the CLS53 badge.
Nevertheless, as with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift, the diesel side of the lineup will deliver the all-new 350d and 400d straight-six oil burners.
In the tranny department, expect Mercedes-Benz's nine-speed automatic to be standard across the lineup.
And while we're talking about matters that will be left behind, Mercedes-Benz has axed the CLS Shooting Brake, which means that Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo fans are now happier.
We are now just a few months away from the introduction of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS/CLE. So, if December's Los Angeles Auto Show won't bring us the machine, you can expect it to bow the following month, at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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