|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
3.5
liter V6 |
Weight |
-- |
|
Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
273
lb-ft |
|
HP |
306
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
87.4
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from Daimler Press
Release) World premiere at "Auto China 2010": Concept Shooting
Break: taking the Coupé design to new heights
--Stuttgart, Apr 20,
2010
--Innovation four-door Coupé with sloping tail end
--World premiere: dynamic full LED headlamps
--Forerunner: new V6 petrol engine with direct injection
In October 2004
Mercedes-Benz established a new market segment with the four-door
Coupé CLS. In September 2008, the brand revealed a fresh and
exciting interpretation of the emotionally-appealing Coupé-based
design in the form of the Concept FASCINATION. Now making its
premiere at Auto China 2010 is the Concept Shooting Break - a
further insight by Mercedes designers into the possible future
development of the Coupé concept. The Concept Shooting Break also
represents a clear indication of the further emotional appeal of the
Mercedes design idiom.
Wide and flat, with a
long bonnet and a roof which continues through to the rear: the
Concept Shooting Break features some astonishing proportions which
at the same time are clearly reminiscent of another design icon -
the CLS. The design of the front is completely new, but makes use of
elements which are mindful of the SLS AMG super sports car: the
radiator grille, with the large star and eye-catching, bionic slats,
is not integrated into the bonnet but has been designed separately.
The grille is flanked on each side by full LED headlamps, which for
the first time feature LED technology for all of the usual dynamic
light functions. The side profile is given a touch of dynamism
thanks to the high, exaggerated beltline sweeping towards the rear,
and the dramatic character line which is supported by the
powerful-looking rear wheel arches. The coupé-like side view is also
emphasised with a low window design which also highlights the
greenhouse with polished aluminium trim.
The interior is
dominated by natural wood and leather materials. One eye-catching
feature is the large full-length centre console. It highlights the
four- seat layout as well as the high levels of comfort afforded by
the Concept Shooting Break. The wooden floor of the luggage
compartment reflects the true interpretation of this area of the
vehicle, where the dark-stained silky oak contrasts against inlaid
aluminium protective loading strips.
The Concept Shooting
Break is driven by the forerunner to the forthcoming new V-engine
generation from Mercedes-Benz. The V6 benefits from a 60° cylinder
angle and a displacement of 3.5 litres, and is characterised by
direct injection featuring a control system which enables lean-burn
operation. The six-cylinder engine produces 225 kW (306 hp) with a
maximum torque of 370 Nm and in line with the BlueEFFICIENCY
criteria of Mercedes-Benz also sets new standards among the
competition in terms of fuel consumption.
The exterior: stylish and sporty
The proportions are
clearly those of a coupé: the long bonnet, narrow-look windows with
frameless side windows, and dynamic roof sloping back towards the
rear create a basic stance with which it looks ready for the off. It
is only when taking a second look that it becomes clear that the
Concept Shooting Break actually has four doors and an estate rear.
As such, this study in design reveals its philosophical links with
the four-door CLS Coupé, a car which has established a new market
segment since 2004 and today is already seen as a design icon which
is likely to occupy a very special place in the history of the motor
car. The Concept Shooting Break may well be looked back on at some
point as having played a similar role, taking ideas from the Concept
FASCINATION premiered in 2008 and projecting them into the future.
"The Concept Shooting
Break is based on the great tradition of a stylish, cultivated
sportiness which has always characterised the great Mercedes Coupés,
and it takes this unique legacy an exciting step further", explains
Professor Gorden Wagener, chief designer at Mercedes-Benz. "At the
same time it points the way towards the future design idiom of
Mercedes-Benz."
The vocabulary of the
design idiom includes the contrasting play between lines and
exaggerated areas, which combine to create an animated area of
interaction. The expressive design of the front immediately catches
the eye, using elements which are mindful of the SLS AMG super
sports car, and with a radiator grille which for the first time is
not integrated into the bonnet. This contributes to better
pedestrian protection and at the same time also helps to improve the
focus on the long, sporty bonnet. The grille is dominated by the
large central star, highlighting its relationship to the other
Coupés of the Mercedes brand. It is supported by bionic, curved
grille slats. Their curved design is reflected in the expressive
look of the front apron and air intakes.
Particularly
eye-catching are the full LED headlamps, which for the first time
offer all of the regular dynamic light functions using LED
technology. Inside they are divided into three arrow-shaped layers
from top to bottom: the upper layer contains an LED indicator,
beneath which is a striking LED side light offering LED low beam
functions. The side light can also be seen when the dipped beam
function is switched on, thereby creating a novel and separate
night-time design and distinctive look. The lowest level of the
headlamp houses the main beam and nightview functions. A total of 71
LEDs not only provide an unmistakable appearance, but also a
significantly enhanced view of the road compared with previous
systems.
The side profile of the
Concept Shooting Break is dominated by the low, frameless side
windows, the coupé-like shape of which is further highlighted with
the incorporation of a polished aluminium frame along the body.
Thanks to the positioning of the outside mirrors on the beltline,
the side line is emphasised and all-round visibility has been
improved in the region of the A-pillars. The side windows are
supported on a high beltline, which slopes towards the rear in a
fresh interpretation of the classic "dropping line" of iconic
Mercedes Coupés. An additional exciting touch has been made with the
prominent, muscular hip points which forcefully support the side
line. This interaction gives the impression of a sprinter, poised in
the starting blocks, ready to release an explosive forward surge of
energy. The roof follows through to the rear and also drops away in
typical coupé fashion. Another special feature is the recessed,
filigree door handles, which emerge on being touched with the aid of
sensors to allow access to the interior.
The side view is rounded
off with wide wrap-around tail lights featuring LED technology. As
such they form a linking element to the low, steeply-angled estate
car rear end with top-hinged tailgate. The shape is emphasised by
the broad shoulder line, which is clearly visible from behind and
supports the lowered-look greenhouse. The twin pipe exhaust system,
with two polished exhaust covers, is integrated into the rear
bumper, which features an elegantly curved wing.
Also contributing to the
special appearance of the Concept Shooting Break is the exceptional
paint finish. A satin-finish clear coat has been used, which gives
the vehicle's allanite grey magno colour a mysterious glint and also
further brings out the Coupé's exquisite lines.
The sporty look of the
Concept Shooting Break is complemented with large 20-inch sterling
silver wheels, featuring a special bionically arranged five-spoke
filigree design. They allow a glimpse of the large brake discs
behind. The front wheels are fitted with 255/30 ZR 20 tyres, while
the rear of this exceptional vehicle sits on 285/25 ZR 20 tyres.
The interior: design makes quality
noticeable; high-quality materials, hand-crafted perfection
A large panoramic glass
sunroof provides a glimpse into the high-quality, perfectly
hand-crafted interior of the Concept Shooting Break, where natural
materials such as wood and leather dominate. Wood is used on the
trim elements and door pulls, the instrument panel and centre
console, and primarily on the luggage compartment floor in the rear.
When it came to choosing the wood, the interior designers opted for
silky oak on account of its unusual, lens-shaped texture. The wooden
floor in the luggage compartment has inlaid aluminium protective
loading strips, and is reminiscent of finishes normally seen in
yacht building.
Four saddle bags along
the sides of the luggage compartment are useful for storing small
tools. They are finished in leather, a material which has been used
extensively throughout the Concept Shooting Break: in fact, almost
ten square metres of leather have been incorporated into the
interior. Light sections of porcelain-coloured nappa leather form an
attractive contrast to the dark-brown natural-coloured aniline
leather and perforated metallic-silver finish seat cushions and door
centre panels. Extensive double-lapped stitching and discerning
colour-coordinated upholstery seat piping reflect the hand-crafted
perfection and attention to detail, as does the tuck stitching on
the instrument panel, door sill covers and seat backrests, all of
which highlights the contours of the components extremely well.
Perfection and attention
to detail also apply to the trim elements. While on the exterior
they are polished to a high-sheen finish, in the interior they
feature a matt finish. A total of seven manual processes are
necessary – from grinding to polishing - to transform the
components, which are milled completely from aluminium, into their
final decorative form. The matt finish of the interior trim has also
served as inspiration for the metallic-silver leather on the seats,
door centre panels and bags in the luggage compartment. The
deep-pile carpet in the footwell – finished in porcelain colour – is
a luxurious material used by Maybach-Manufaktur. The light-coloured
roof liner made of silk cloth adds the finishing touch to the
impression of comfortable elegance in the interior.
The Concept Shooting
Break is clearly a four-seater. The four identically shaped leather
seats have a touch of the sports car about them thanks to their
integrated head restraints. Openings in the upper area of the
backrests make it possible to see through the seats. A large
full-length wood console on the transmission tunnel provides a
visual divide between driver and front passenger and at the same
time indulges the occupants with two large leather-covered armrests.
It also houses two cup holders as well as controls for the
rear-compartment air conditioning. The centre console is finished
off at the rear with inlaid work: curved Mercedes lettering which
harks back to the style of the 1920s. The striking cursive-script
lettering is also repeated on the front door sills.
Since the central screen
has been integrated into the upper part of the instrument panel, the
cockpit has a "wrap-around" effect. The elegant verve and bionic
details of the exterior are captured, among other things, in the
dynamic wave-design air vents in the instrument panel. An analogue
clock sits in the centre. The instrument cluster comprises three
tubes for dial-type gauges as well as a colour display for service
indications.
The headlamps: exciting LED
technology offering full functionality
The Concept Shooting
Break has dynamic full LED headlamps, which combine the exciting
daylight colour impression of LED technology with the performance,
functionality and energy efficiency of today's bi-xenon light
generation. The new light system, due to make its debut in series
production this year, features the Intelligent Light System which
has already been tried and tested in Mercedes models with bi-xenon
headlamps. Its five light functions – country lights, motorway
lights, enhanced fog lights, active curve lights and cornering
lights – have been specifically designed for typical driving or
weather conditions.
The light specialists at
Mercedes-Benz have also been able to combine LED technology with the
innovative Adaptive Highbeam Assist for the first time, leading to a
completely new level of safety at night.
The engine: enhanced performance,
enhanced efficiency
The Concept Shooting
Break is driven by the forerunner to the forthcoming new V-engine
generation from Mercedes-Benz. The special features of the
spray-guided direct injection engine include the latest generation
of piezo-electric injection valves which enable multiple injections.
Better lean operation is possible thanks to load monitoring of the
pressure information. Even the operation of the ancillary components
has been made efficient and there is also a start/stop function. The
V6 with a 60° cylinder angle and displacement of 3.5 litres produces
225 kW (306 hp) with a maximum torque of 370 Nm.
It's all in a name: the origins of
the name "Shooting Break"
or the homonym Brake,
was the name once given to carriages used to "break" in wild horses
and also to restrict (or "brake") their urge to move, so that they
could be put to use as work horses. Since the carts could easily be
broken as part of this process, people tended not to use ones which
they may have urgently needed for other purposes. Where necessary,
"Brakes" were often fitted out with variable bodies, which were only
really used to carry along anything that may have been necessary for
the hunt, for example. Any such vehicle which was used when going
out shooting was called a Shooting Brake or Shooting Break. In the
1960s and 1970s motorised Shooting Breaks were popular in Great
Britain – exclusive cross-over vehicles, which combined the
luxuriousness of a coupé with the luggage space of an estate.
