Mercedes-Benz CLS

The replacement for the Mercedes CLS has been spied out testing.

It’s set to keep the same name, but has a pretty hard act to follow – the outgoing CLS not only made the four-door coupe class popular, but has developed a real following, standing out alongside its more conventional Mercedes stable mates.

A whole host of rivals have followed in the same vein, with the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide, Audi Sportback and even Volkswagen’s Passat CC all boasting similar bodystyles.

The Mercedes is still known as the original, though, and styling is unlikely to be a revolution over the current model, with mostly subtle tweaks to develop its looks rather than mess with a successful formula. Expect the taut and angular new Mercedes E-class to influence much of the changes.

The engine range is set to be direct injection and turbocharged, with the now de rigueur mix of efficiency and performance on offer.

There’ll be a bunch of petrol units – a 3-litre V6 with 252 and 306bhp options, a 435bhp 4.6-litre V8 (with twin turbos) and a CLS55 AMG, utilising a twin-turbo a 5.5-litre 544bhp engine. There’ll be diesel options, too, of course, with a 231bhp 3-litre V6 likely to be the favourite. A petrol hybrid is a possibility, too.

News of an AMG version is particularly great, with the official Mercedes tuner ruling out a hot E-class Coupe. The last AMG CLS was a bit of a cracker, too…

Expect to see the new Mercedes-Benz CLS at the 2010 Paris motor show with UK sales likely from early 2011.

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