Smashing Stereotypes
In recent months, automotive magazines have been speculating that Mercedes-Benz might be trying to create a new segment with an extremely sleek midsized sedan. From there, the finishing details as to the car's performance and equipment were left up to the reader.
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| At this month's Frankfurt show, Mercedes confirmed the existence of its cross sports sedan and coupé, the Vision CLS. (Photo: Mercedes Benz) |
Where other brands have crossed coupe with sport utility vehicle, this proposed Benz would cross sports sedan and coupé, something that is starting to show up more often these days. At this month's Frankfurt show, Mercedes has in fact confirmed the existence of such a project. Called the Vision CLS, this idea blends the practicality and comfort of luxury sedan with the elegance of a true coupe.
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| The Vision CLS is a break from the typical crossover vehicle, which is almost always some sort of SUV. (Photo: Mercedes Benz) |
The Vision CLS is Mercedes' latest installment to the Vision concept car lineup that includes the 7-seat GST tourer, SLR supercar (which is nearly ready for production) and SLA cabriolet. While Benz has a prototype product for nearly everyone, the Vision CLS appears to be a genre-bender (not gender bender). This is clearly a different approach to the crossover, where it can almost always be assumed that the vehicle in question is some sort of sport utility.