Mercedes BLS Coupe
Mercedes BLS Coupe Our exclusive images show the new baby Mercedes CLS is on the way
A smaller, sleeker brother to the Mercedes CLS is on the way, and it’s poised to set the compact luxury car market alight. The new BLS Coupe aims to offer all the appeal of its big brother in a more affordable package – and repeat the success of the CLS in showrooms.
We published spy shots of the new car a few weeks ago, but leaked images from the factory floor have confirmed that it’s now entering production.
Our exclusive images reveal how the smart styling is set to be modelled on the bigger car. The BLS gets the same swept-back roof, upright grille and distinctive lines, from the slim headlamps to the wide rear wheelarches. At the back, tapered lights and chrome tailpipes give a premium feel.
The four-door coupe is one of a number of new Mercedes that will share the same front-wheel-drive chassis. It’s due to appear next year, with a shooting brake estate version set to follow.
Under the skin, engineers will stretch the new B-Class’s modular platform to around 4.6 metres in length. This will make the BLS the same length as the C-Class, with plenty of room for passengers in the back. The car has been developed with a low centre of gravity to improve handling, while refinement and comfort are also high priorities. Power will come from a range of new, ultra-efficient four-cylinder engines.
Kicking off the petrol line-up is a 1.6-litre turbo that develops 120bhp or 154bhp, and 201Nm and 254Nm of torque respectively. An AMG performance version will use the same 2.0-litre twin-turbo unit as the forthcoming A25 AMG, tuned to give around 350bhp. A new multi-link rear suspension set-up also means faster models will have the option of Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
Diesel engine options include a 1.8-litre that produces either 107bhp or 134bhp, with the higher-output version due to be introduced on the C and E-Class next year. The familiar 2.1-litre diesel engine from the C-Class will also be offered with 168bhp or 201bhp.
All models will come with stop-start as standard, while a new seven-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox is available as an option.
Mercedes could have launched a conventional B-Class coupe, but decided it could justify asking higher prices for its luxurious new baby by combining svelte styling with a flexible saloon bodystyle.
Prices will range from around £24,000 for base petrol cars to £45,000 for the AMG model.
For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes-Benz B-Class visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
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