Next Gen CLS Rumors Spread, 5.5 Twin Turbo or 63-NA ?

[turbotom1]

Mercedes is preparing a full model change of its CLS sport sedan-coupe. It will be shown at the end of 2010, and likely go in U.S. sale as a 2012 model. The car shares its platform with the recently renewed E-Class, but the design is far more expressive. While its silhouette is an evolution of the current car, there are substantial changes to the nose, which is more upright and forceful. We spoke to Mercedes' head of passenger car design Karl-Heinz Bauer. He explained that he believes the mainstream Benzes will have to get more subtle in their design in coming years as owners want to be less flashy about their spending and driving habits. But he says the niche models such as the CLS and other coupes and sports cars will compensate by going the other way, getting more expressive. What this means for the CLS is that the flanks will have an exaggerated version of the crease that runs upward ahead of the rear wheel and then flicks backward. It will also have a strong curved beltline, and wraparound rear lamp clusters. These photos show the AMG 63 version, wearing plastic panel disguise. Although the hood has apparent vents, these are dummies that won't appear in production. Other big news for the CLS is that it will introduce a new family of downsized turbocharged direct gas injection engines. The technology has just been introduced on a European four-cylinder engine in the E-Class, the E250CGI. This is just a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, yet it makes 204 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. Benz engineers have confirmed to MT that in the next CLS, a V-6 will use the same DI turbo technology. We expect a 3.0-liter, with two outputs either side of 300 hp. A turbo V-8 will run to about 400 hp. All use the automaker's seven-speed autobox. Above those comes the mighty 525 hp 6.3-liter AMG version seen in these shots. Its transmission is the AMG Speedshift MCT, a seven-speed auto trans with a robotically controlled clutch pack in place of the torque converter, for smooth starts and whip-fast on-the-gas shifts. It has widened tracks, and a hybrid suspension system of coils at the front and air springs behind, with adaptive dampers. Carbon-ceramic brake rotors will be available. It is also possible that the four-cylinder version of the CLS, as well as a CLS350 BlueTec diesel, will make it to the U.S., depending on demand (both customer and legislative) for more economical vehicles. http://www.motortrend.com/auto_news/...ews/index.html http://www.4wheelsnews.com/next-gene...oming-in-2011/ While the regular 2011 CLS coupe has ditched its fake plastic body-panels, the flagship CLS 63 AMG hasn’t as it was snapped testing at the Nurburgring. It is expected to be fitted with either a 6.3 litre V8, taken from the 2010 E63 AMG or a brand-new 5.5 litre V8. Whatever the engine, output is expected to be rated from 500bhp – 570bhp with 465lb ft of torque that is linked to the SL63’s Speedshift MCT seven-speed automatic gear-box. The AMG CLS will get bigger brakes, alloy wheels and an aggressive bodykit, while quad exhausts poke out from the rear to complete the AMG package. The new CLS is expected to be launched as a 2011MY and the AMG version should be here by 2012. http://carofthefuture.blogspot.com/2...h-thinner.html All the latest Merc tech will also be available, including the a head-up display, 360-degree parking cameras, and lane-change warning systems. Attention Assist – which monitors the driver’s steering inputs and warns them if they’re falling asleep – will also be standard. Under the bonnet the CLS isn't expected to feature any four-cylinder power. Instead the engine line-up should be: Petrol CLS 350 – 3.5-litre direct-injection V6, 292bhp; power output increases to 306bhp in 2012 CLS 500 – 5.5-litre V8, 388bhp; superseded by 435bhp direct-injection twin-turbo V8 in 2012 CLS 55 AMG – 5.5-litre twin-turbo direct-injection V8, 570bhp; available from mid-2011 onward http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-...-2010-scooped/ The AMG version, however, could deliver a gobsmacking 470 horsepower from a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-8 engine to replace the aging 6.2-liter V-8 found in the current '63' model family. Barring the new small-displacement twin-turbo V-8, a revised version of the 5.5-liter mill, also bearing twin-turbos, could generate 422 horsepower for the next-gen SLK 55 AMG. A 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel is also a likely candidate, at least for Europe, for an entry-level SLK. The oil-burner might even see U.S. sales, but that will depend heavily on Mercedes' decisions regarding the same engine going into the C-Class. http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...cedes-benz-slk The engine range is set to be direct injection and turbocharged, with the now de rigueur mix of efficiency and performance on offer. There’ll be a bunch of petrol units – a 3-litre V6 with 252 and 306bhp options, a 435bhp 4.6-litre V8 (with twin turbos) and a CLS55 AMG, utilising a twin-turbo a 5.5-litre 544bhp engine. http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evospyshot...sbenz_cls.html

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[LSM777]

I for one hope they go with the 5.5L Twin turbo...This will be more easily tunable and offer up much more torque across the curve and available much lower in the RPM range....

Lou

[turbotom1]

Just was reading on the private lounge under announcements and article called SUSTAINABILITY. look for a shaded box called Efficient top performance.

2010 ALL AMG's models will have:

Start-Stop function that shuts off the motor everytime the car stops.

Direct Injection

2011:
all amg's will have cylinder shut off, eight for pleasure - four for economy.
weight savings
2012:
hollow drive shafts.
weight savings

[turbotom1]

More shots:






http://www.themotorreport.com.au/455...wed-and-spied/

2011 CLS63 Shot:



http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...cedes-benz-cls

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[turbotom1]

Rendered shot of 2011 CLS.



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