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Mercedes ‘BLS’ breaks cover Baby CLS spied testing ahead of 2013 launch.

The secret is finally out! Auto Express has the first spy shots of the the much rumoured Mercedes ‘BLS’. 

Spied on test in Germany, the newcomer is essentially a scaled down CLS, and blends the practicality of a four door saloon with the style and sporting appeal of a coupé.

Aimed at the recently revealed A3 saloon, the BLS is based on the same chassis tehnology that will underpin the new A and B-Class, which Auto Express drove earlier in 2011.

though our shots show a heavily disguised prototype, our sources have confirmed that the car will pay particular attention to design. As a result the front wheel drive machine will get sculpted bodywork, that in profile at least looks very similar to the current CLS.

A sloping rear roofline will add to the sporty feel, while inside the cabin will be arranged to seat four passengers, with individual chairs for each.

Under the bonnet, drivers will find the same 1.8-litrepetrol and 2.1 diesel enginesfrom the C-Class saloon, adaptedfor the front-wheel-drive layout.

All the new cars have done away with the previous-generationmodels’ unique ‘sandwich’architecture, which means the interior is expected to offer aspacious layout – and allow room for a variety ofadvanced engines. 

By 2014, the car will havea mild-hybrid, a range-extenderplug-in hybrid, an electric-onlyvariant. There’s even talk of an ‘F-cell’ hydrogenmodel.

 

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