最近谍照记者拍到了2018款奔驰CLS原型车照片，预计该车仍将继续采用CLS这一名称而不会像有些媒体报道的那样改成“CLE”。你可以将其视作是四门版的E级轿跑车，因为该车基本上基于造型顺滑的双门E级轿车。这辆测试车拿掉了一些伪装，露出了性感的车身，而行李箱盖和C柱增加了一些伪装的细节以掩盖真实设计。如果仔细看会发现测试车采用的双排气尾管似乎被保险杠下面的黑色塑料盖给罩住了，但可以肯定该车采用了临时安装的排气系统，它并没有与排气尾管连接在一起。车辆的后悬很大，不过在整个伪装拿掉以后不会像现在看到那样难看。CLS将与E级车共享MRA平台，因此两款车的绝大部分硬件共享。该车还将搭载奔驰新的动力输出丝般顺滑的直列六缸引擎，这些引擎将首先配备在今年晚些时候发布的S级改款车上。与标准版E级轿车相比，CLS级车型的轴距更长一些，可以为后排乘客提供更充裕腿部空间。虽然它的车顶线条更顺滑，但后排头部空间仍可以满足绝大多数乘客的需求。奔驰还未透露CLS发布时间，但该车预计最早将在9月的法兰克福车展亮相。

 

Revamped Mercedes CLS spotted up close

Seen here is a prototype of the 2018 CLS, which is expected to retain the moniker rather than switch to the “CLE” badge as some reports have indicated. You can think of it as a four-door version of the E-Class Coupe, itself basically a sleeker two-door E-Class Sedan. The test vehicle was dipped in camouflage to hide the sexy body, with the trunk lid and C pillars carrying some fake bits to better conceal the real design.

 

If you look closely, the test vehicle’s dual exhaust tips seem to be blocked by a black plastic bit covering the lower portion of the bumper, but we’re willing to bet the car had a provisional exhaust that wasn’t connected to the tips. The rear overhang is absolutely gigantic, and hopefully it won’t look that bad once the camo will come off entirely.

 

The overhauled CLS will ride on the same MRA platform as the E-Class models from where it will inherit most of the hardware. Chances are it will also be blessed with Mercedes’ new family of silky smooth straight-six units set to debut later this year in the S-Class facelift.

 

Compared to the “regular” E-Class Sedan, the new CLS might have a slightly longer wheelbase to grant more legroom for passengers relaxing in the back of the posh cabin. Despite the sloped roofline, the rear headroom should suffice for most people.

 

The company with the three-pointed star logo hasn’t said a word about the new CLS’ reveal, but we might see it as early as September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.