The Mercedes CLS kicked off the four-door coupe craze and it appears the latest model won't stray far from the successful formula.

Recently caught in Germany, this prototype is largely devoid of camouflage and it gives us our best look at the third-generation CLS. As you can see, the model has a familiar appearance buts it eschews the heavily stylized character lines of its predecessor. The pictures also show a sleeker trunk, a relatively small sunroof, and a chromed dual exhaust system.


Inside, the car has a traditional instrument cluster and circular air vents. We can also see a leather-wrapped dashboard and what appears to be a three-spoke steering wheel.

Mercedes recently lifted the embargo on driving impressions and Autocar reports the CLS will be offered with an assortment of different powertrains. On the petrol side, we can expect a four-cylinder with 295 hp and an inline six-cylinder with 362 hp. They will eventually be followed by an AMG variant with a hybridized engine producing 429 hp.


Diesel fans will have a couple of options as well as the entry-level engine will reportedly be a four-cylinder producing 241 hp. An inline-six will also be available with outputs of 281 hp and 335 hp.

The Mercedes CLS will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and sales are slated to begin next year.