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"Mercedes-Benz basically created a whole new category of car when it came out with the CLS in 2003. Above and beyond the fact that by strict automotive definition, there really is no such thing as a 4-door coupe, the CLS has been both a sales success (with 170,000 sold worldwide) and a design leader, as other manufacturers have scrambled to produce their own &amp;quot;4-door coupe.&amp;quot; This year&amp;#039;s Paris Auto Show in late September will serve as the official unveiling of the all-new, second-generation 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS.   The first official photos released from Mercedes show the car has been through a complete redesign. Sure, the dramatically sloping roofline is still there, but most everything else is completely changed, with several design cues mimicking those found on the new E-Class sedan.   For instance, the hood and grille are significantly more upright, no doubt to meet new pedestrian-impact standards. The redesigned headlamps, each which include a total of 71 LEDs, are ultra-stylish and are said to give a &amp;quot;significantly enhanced view of the road.&amp;quot;   The arching side line\u2014a distinguishing feature on the current car\u2014has been ditched, in its place what Mercedes is calling &amp;quot;a new interplay of lines and surfaces,&amp;quot; including a &amp;quot;dropping line&amp;quot; that extends from the front to the rear fenders. Another significant change is the bulging shoulder line above the rear fender, much like the one found on the new E-Class. Professor Gorden Wagener, head of design at Mercedes, remarked: &amp;quot;The new CLS points the way forward for the future perceptible design idiom of Mercedes-Benz.&amp;quot;   The completely new interior contains a mix of satin and high-gloss finishes, including matte galvanized air vents. Customers will be able to choose among high-gloss brown burl walnut, high-gloss black ash, black piano lacquer and carbon-fiber trim elements. Craftsmanship abounds, including a hand-stitched dashboard and seat covers.   Although Mercedes has yet to release specific drivetrain information for the 2012 CLS, we know there will be a choice of two new twin-turbo V-8s for the States. The CLS550 will utilize the same 4.6-liter direct-injected engine found in the upcoming 2011 CL550 4Matic Coupe. Based on the outgoing 5.5-liter normally aspirated V-8, the new twin-turbo engine produces 429 bhp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque in the CL550, and we expect similar numbers for the CLS. That&amp;#039;s a 32-percent increase in power over the outgoing V-8, yet Mercedes claims the new engine achieves 20-percent better fuel economy.   The CLS63 AMG will adopt the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 found in the new S63 AMG, although we&amp;#039;re told the CLS version will most likely be tuned to a figure slightly less than the 536 bhp of big S-Class sedan. The CLS63 AMG will use M-B&amp;#039;s 7-speed MCT (Multi-Clutch Technology) transmission.   The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS will go on sale in the U.S. in July 2011. Sometime later in the year a 4Matic all-wheel-drive version will be offered. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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