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2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS/CLE Spied Ahead of LA Auto Show Debut

The third generation of Mercedes-Benz's popular four-door coupe has been filmed driving in Stuttgart. We're still not 100% sure if it will be called a CLS or CLE, but the car definitely has more in common with the E-Class.
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS/CLE Spied Ahead of November Debut 3 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS/CLE2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS/CLE
With the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show now over, we're now looking to the big American shows for the debut. We know that the CLS III will be revealed officially in November, about two months from now. That means it will probably be shown during the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, though Detroit remains a possibility.

Many small changes will make this car different to its predecessor, changes that make the CLE-Class name look very plausible. For example, just like the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, this sexy Merc won't have a V8.

While Mercedes might eventually come up with an E63 2-door, the CLE 63 would overlap with the brand new four-door AMG GT, which is going to debut in January.

The most powerful engine on the CLE is going to be a twin-turbo inline-six with hybrid assist pushing out a little under 500 horsepower. Rumors suggest it's called the CLE 53, but that's mainly because of the 43 and 63 models' existence.

The sight of an executive V8 bruiser drifting is precisely what made the CLS so famous. So we see this "downsizing" as a bit of brand dilution on Mercedes' part. But the change is partly driven by emissions regulations.

There also won't be a CLS Shooting Brake anymore. Despite German rival Porsche recently introducing the Panamera Sport Turismo, the three-pointed star brand doesn't see a future for sexy wagons.

The platform for the new four-door coupe is once again going to be derived from that of the E-Class. But the engine range will more closely mirror that of the updated S-Class, which has all its cylinders in a row already. The 350d and 400d versions will provide a good balance between economy and performance. A 9-speed gearbox should be standard across the range.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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