Mercedes New Vision - CLS Coupé

The new Mercedes that will undoubtedly take much of the lime-light on the MB stand at this years Frankfurt Motor Show is the new Vision CLS Coupé.

Simply put, the CLS Coupé could be described as a sporty E-class-inspired vehicle, which is little puzzling.

Consider what it does: It hauls luggage and people in über-style and will eat up thousands of kilometres with ease thanks to an ungodly amount of V6 grunt.

The E-class also does this. Ergo, is this new CLS concept the solution to a problem that doesn't exist?

Quite possibly, but when words like '7-speed gearbox', 'twin-turbos' and '560Nm' keep popping up in press releases, we're inclined to gloss over such reservations...

"We are one coupé generation ahead with the Vision CLS," said a confident Professor Jürgen Hubbert, Daimler-Chrysler's big chief in charge of the Mercedes Car Group.

"The idea of a four-door coupé opens up interesting possibilities, and is especially intended to appeal to people for whom cars and driving are a passion."

Indeed, those with the passion - otherwise known as car enthusiasts - will certainly get a kick out of the CLS show car's performance capabilities, which, like most concepts, will more than likely change before production starts.

Even so, the rear-wheel drive CLS car that will be in Germany for the show - and more than likely revolving while being sporadically buffed and polished - packs a next-generation diesel engine, one that we're quite excited about here at the Wombat.

While the Australian uptake of diesel-powered passenger vehicles is still very low - due to extraneous factors such as a severe lack of models - there is also an unsightly stigma here that they are simply low-tech truck and 4WD engines - reliability yes, driving enjoyment no.

This may well change with the arrival of the CLS's new engine: A six-cylinder mill of undisclosed capacity (we're tipping it's a 3.0-litre bent six) with twin turbos and an extremely efficient combustion process, which significantly reduces noxious emissions at the same time.

"The combination of outstanding performance, a low fuel consumption, EU-4 compliance and a diesel particulate filter illustrates the great potential still remaining in this ultra-modern six-cylinder biturbo diesel, and in diesel engines in general," Professor Jürgen Hubbert explained.

Sitting under the CLS Coupé's bonnet, the six-cylinder diesel mill has plenty of urge, despite having the now-obligatory 250km/h speed limiter.

Generating 195kW of power, the bent six isn't as rev-happy as would be a petrol equivalent, but on the upside, peak torque of 560Nm will be pushing occupants firmly into their sumptuous seat cushions @ 2000rpm.

The new diesel mill is thrifty as well, having an average combined fuel consumption of just 7.5-litres of diesel per 100 kilometres.

Closer in performance to Mercedes' petrol-powered 225kW, 5.0-litre V8 powerplant than any other six cylinder engine, the CLS Coupé will hit 100km/h from standstill in 6.4 seconds and performs the 60 to 120 km/h roll-on in 5.7 seconds, which is similar to Nissan 350Z times.

Part of the CLS Coupé's impressive acceleration characteristics are due to what Mercedes is touting as the world's first 7-speed automatic gearbox, though we've tested the Honda Jazz with a quasi 7-speed CVT gearbox. Does that count?

Regardless, the new 7-ratio automatic transmission - which will no doubt be cloned by Audi, BMW and others in the next few years - will be more expensive to build (it's made from light-weight magnesium alloys), but seven ratios allows a huge amount of flexibility, increased 0-100km/h sprint times and even improved fuel consumption.

Moreover, Mercedes-Benz is so confident of its new "7G-Tronic" auto transmission that by years end (or early 2004), the marque will have installed the new 7-speed transmission in V8-models of the E, S, SL and CL-Classes as standard equipment.

As far as looks go, the CLS Coupé is very curvaceous, yet still unashamedly elegant in a typical (and nonchalant) Mercedes fashion. Some say it borrows styling elements from the new Bangle-designed 6-series BMW, though die-hard Merc types won't have a bar of this. Still, it would make partial sense, as BMW's moves to expand its line-up would be quite threatening for arch-rivals Mercedes-Benz.

The coupé concept is equipped with pioneering Mercedes innovations such as adaptive front airbags, windowbags and sidebags, as well as belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all seats. Active headlamps, cornering lights and the electrohydraulic braking system Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) are other special technical features of the Vision CLS.

According to Mercedes-Benz literature, this new car is not a niche filler, but rather a niche-buster: "Never before have two different characters been combined as specifically and beautifully as in this design study, where the stylistic excitement of a coupé harmonises with the comfort and functionality of a saloon."

While Mercedes won't talk about whether or not the Vision CLS concept will eventually become the CLS-class for road-going use, the company has mentioned that it will reach its decision for this unique vehicle concept according to the public response at the show.