The Mercedes-Benz CLS was a breath of fresh air within the four-door luxury sedan class. Now, the German luxury brand to introduce a third-generation.

Inspired by the AMG GT, the front-end takes on a more aggressive approach; cue a large and angry-looking grille, forward-leaning headlights and a dominant lower intake that looks ready to inhale anything in its path.

The view from the sides is perhaps a little more restrained than the out-going car, the character lines are straighter and more elegant. Based on the versatile MRA platform, the CLS shares its underpinnings with the current E-Class. However it does appear to be wider and longer - helping to improve occupant space and accommodating its staunch, yet elegant new look.

Another benefit of the new platform, is the availability of either rear or all-wheel-drive and plug-in hybrid options. Fans of the inline six can rejoice; expect the volume seller to have a 3.0-litre, turbocharged straight-six and a 9-speed automatic.

AMG enthusiasts will not be forgotten either, with two levels of potency in CLS50 and the full-fruit CLS63 guises. Borrowed from the AMG E63 S, the latter’s twin-turbo, 4.0-litre V8 will be brutally fast producing 603 ponies.