2010 Detroit: Next Mercedes-Benz CLS hinted at

By John LeBlanc DETROIT - Borrowing a quote from the irascible Incredible Hulk, Mercedes head cheese Dr Dieter Zetsche summed up the German automaker's immediate product plans here in Detroit by saying, "We are strong, we are green and we are ready to roll." The "strong" was in reference to the North American debut of the 563 hp SLS supercar. The "green" was a long laundry list of alternate powertrains that are arriving or on the way. From fully-electric Smart cars, gasoline-and diesel-electric hybrids, plug-in S Class luxobarges, and hydrogen B Classes. The only "green" powertrian missing was a wheat grass-fueled Formula One car for recently signed Michael Schumacher. The "ready to roll" was in reference to the new E Class Cabriolet, and the first real "concept" of the show, seen above. According to 'Benz, the as-yet-unnamed concept is a "work of art," designed as an "abstract and distinctive look into the future of Mercedes-Benz styling." I guess the future will include a free car cover with every new Mercedes... In reality, the concept gives some clues to the last remaining member of the E Class yet to updated—the CLS "four-door coupe." Expected to go on sale as a 2012 model, a CLS Vision pre-production styling prototype will more than likely pop up at this Fall's Paris auto show.

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