The subject of this week’s road test is the Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 Shooting Brake. If the response from those who asked us about the car during our recent week-long road test is anything to go by, most readers will have never heard of a shooting brake.
So a brief history lesson:
The term ‘brake’ as a vehicle body has its origins in heavy wagons that were used to help slow down draft horses under training. This evolved into ‘shooting brake’ when similar wagons, originally horse-drawn and later motorised, were used to transport shooting parties.
The name has subsequently been used to describe a station wagon variant of a sporty coupe or sedan by companies such as Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and even Ferrari.
Europeans have long denounced the boxy station wagon and gone instead for vehicles where style takes precedence over function.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake has taken this a step further by merging a sleek coupe with a practical wagon. Not an easy task but one that the Benz designers have managed superbly.
The big Merc wagon just oozes class, both inside and out, and there’s a sporty look to the front end with its mildly aggressive grille and headlight shapes.
The Shooting Brake’s interior is finished in quality materials giving an elegant feel throughout with sensible, well-located dials and controls.
While it’s effectively a four-seater there is a somewhat cramped centre seat.
Two variants of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake are available in Australia, with a third due later in the year. The two current models are the CLS CDI, powered by a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, and the CLS 350 with a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol.
We’ve been able to drive both models. Handling in both is neat and precise with good steering feel.
The rear door is wide, and with a low loading lip it’s easy to load to its 590-litre capacity.
Prices start at $129,000, not including government or dealer delivery charges.
