The shooting brake will...

The shooting brake will be revealed at this yearтЂ™s Paris Motor Show with a nose inspired by the new E-Class тЂ“ confirming the look of the saloon first seen in our spy shots in Issue 1,026. At first glance, the newcomer looks like a supercar estate. But closer inspection reveals there are no rear doors тЂ“ making this the firmтЂ™s first luxury three-door load-lugger! While bosses have yet to back this model officially, insiders say a three-door coupé version has been given the go-ahead.Т 

This would help MercedesтЂ™ efforts to move the CLK upmarket, and distinguish it from the C-Class. According to Auto ExpressтЂ™s spies, the CLK tag will be ditched in favour of one that aligns the coupé with the bigger, classier and more expensive executive E-Class saloon. Our insider has suggested the newcomer could even use the CLE nameplate тЂ“ originally linked with the development of the CLS, but dormant since that modelтЂ™s launch.

And there is no doubt that with such a dramatic look, the new CLE would certainly turn heads. Carefully sculpted rear wheelarches and sleek flush door handles are likely to feature on the new two-door. At the back, the tailgate would go, but the dramatic lights, and a strong vertical element that runs from the bumper all the way to the grille, would help create a design that is both simple and elegant.

Expect the shape of the tail-lights to remain intact, although the integrated quad exhaust pipes are unlikely to make it to production. Inside, the Fascination is pure concept car. The in-built cigar humidor that rises from the boot, for example, is purely for the show vehicle. What will remain for the CLE coupé, however, is the strict four-seat layout and high centre console seen in the interior sketch here.

The dashboard will be lifted straight from the E-Class, although materials such as aluminium and carbon trim will add sporting appeal. The Fascination sits on the rear-wheel-drive chassis that is likely to be shared with the new C-Class. It is fitted with the 2.2-litre four-cylinder CDI engine expected to power the majority of C-Class cars, as well as the new E-Class. With 201bhp, the diesel will be no slouch, yet promises class-leading emissions and economy thanks to green BlueTec and AdBlue technology.

Meanwhile, the new E-Class is to be unveiled officially in January. We will bring you all the latest developments on MercedesтЂ™ executive favourite as they happen.

SALOON"S OUT ON THE ROAD ALREADY!

While Mercedes was unveiling the Fascination, our spies caught the new E-Class saloon on test. Seen here alongside the current model, the styling differences are clear. The executive saloon loses the teardrop-shaped headlights of the current car in favour of fresh rhomboid LED headlamps.Т Sharp creases along both flanks, pronounced by a more angular outline, follow the blueprint set out by the manufacturerтЂ™s latest C-Class.

GOING FOR BOLD

The Fascination signals the most dramatic shift

in Mercedes design since the current S-Class broke cover in 2006.

Heavily inspired by the oddball F700 concept unveiled at last yearтЂ™s

Frankfurt Motor Show, the FascinationтЂ™s nose will influence the look of

a generation of future Mercs. A shooting brake such as this

doesnтЂ™t currently feature in the Stuttgart makerтЂ™s plans, but donтЂ™t

rule it out if the concept is received positively in Paris.