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Mercedes-Benz to drop CL name in favour of S Class Coupe

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Author: | Updated: 12 Sep 2013 13:22

German brand Mercedes-Benz is expected to drop the CL-Class name when it comes to its next grand coupe model, in favour of calling it the S-Class Coupe.

Traditionally the pinnacle of the brand’s range, the CL-Class/S-Class Coupe combines all the luxury and technology found on the S-Class but wraps it up in a sleeker, more sporty shell.

Shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week is the concept version of the next generation model, which according to Dr Joachim Schmidt, Board member responsible for Sales & Marketing, gives it’s designers the chance of more freedom compared to the saloon, adding “The new S-Class was received enthusiastically in the market and perfectly lives up to its role as a representative of the power of innovation of Mercedes-Benz.”

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Concept 2013

While the German brand talks a lot about sensuality, there is no mistaking the desirability of the concept car’s sleeker and sultry lines. Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design at Daimler AG, confirmed: "Design needs the sublime! Because design is the best brand ambassador. At the centre of our work is sensual clarity as an expression of modern luxury, because this is precisely what gets to the heart of our brand philosophy – the bipolarity of intelligence and emotion"

The three-door, four-seat grand coupe measures over 5 metres long and has a near 3 metre long wheelbase, which means copious amounts of interior space for occupants. The typical rear-wheel drive proportions, long bonnet with powerdomes and accentuated wheel arches all reinforce the coupe format used.

As expected the interior is reminiscent of the new S-Class saloon, with the touchscreens which so dominate the dash of the S-Class making an appearance, albeit in a slimmer form. For the show car the designers have opted for a brilliant white instrument panel. The seats are something of a work of art too, with Mercedes looking to evoke the association between bespoke fashion tailoring.

All that style and luxury however won’t mean a thing unless the car performs and so the Concept S-Class Coupe comes powered by a V8 Biturbo engine, with enough to produce 455hp and 700Nm and similar to the engine found in the 500L AMG S-Class. The car’s sprint time will be under 5 seconds to hit 62mph from a standing star, with top speed electronically restricted to 155mph.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Concept 2013 rear

Most, if not all, of the advanced safety technologies also come across, with the concept car equipped with the "Intelligent Drive" technology which comes with two cameras to create a 3D field of view in front of the vehicle. This data, combined with radar and ultrasound gives the car a precise understanding of the road and road conditions ahead.

The suspension makes use of the new stereo camera as well, the Concept S-Class Coupe can detect surface undulations in advance. If ROAD SURFACE SCAN detects such undulations with the help of the stereo camera, MAGIC BODY CONTROL adjusts the suspension in advance to suit the situation. Using the camera images and vehicle status information, the control unit continuously calculates the best control strategy to cope with uneven stretches such as long undulations.

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