These are the best photos yet of Mercedes-Benz's second-generation CLS four-door coupe that will most likely make its world debut at next year's Paris Auto Show with the first examples expected to hit showrooms by early 2011. Our spy photographers managed to come up close to a prototype model in Germany scooping the very first pictures of the 2011 CLS' dashboard that uses much of the styling cues established by the new C and E-Class models becoming more angular with sharper creases.
In fact, the upper part of the center console looks like it came straight from Merc's executive saloon featuring the same exact rectangular hood for its central display.
Of course that comes to no surprise as the new CLS is closely related to the latest iteration of the E-Class sharing the same platform and mechanical hardware, which means a similar line-up of direct injection petrol and turbo diesel engines hooked up to Mercedes' seven-speed automatic transmissions.
Initially, the new CLS will be available with three petrol and one diesel engine. These include a 3.5-liter V6 with 292HP, a 5.5-liter V8 with 388HP and a 525HP 6.2-liter V8 for the range-topping AMG model, and the latest version of Merc's 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel producing 231HP.
Furthermore, according to Infiniti Future Cars sources, a hybrid version of the new CLS will definitely be in the mix. It will be equipped with the same drivetrain as the recently revealed S400 Hybrid that combines a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine developing 279HP with a 20HP electric motor that's installed in the torque converter housing between the engine and the 7-speed automatic transmission. This particular hybrid system generates a total output of 299HP and a combined peak torque figure of 385 Nm or 283-lbs/ft.
As far as the exterior design is concerned, even though Mercedes has covered the prototype's sides and ends with more plastic cladding than a bondage club, it is evident that the overall shape of the sports saloon won't stray too far away from the current model, retaining the same characteristic low-roofed four-door profile of today's CLS.
However, expect to see some of the new E-Class' edgy design treats pass into the design of the front and rear ends and quite possibly, the shape of the rear wheel arch and the crease below the window line.
