A new wonder on wheels from the Mercedes-Benz factory is on its way to Nigeria preparatory to being unveiled in October.

The five-door Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is being shipped into the country by Weststar Associates Limited, Lagos, as confirmed by the CEO of the company, Mr. Mirko Plath.

In a statement made available to Transport & Business Express, Plath said: “Mercedes-Benz is once again setting an example when it comes to creativity of design, and as such highlighting its leading role in this area: in terms of its proportions, the new CLS is quite clearly a coupé, but with five doors and a roof which continues through to the rear, it promises some remarkable new possibilities. The long bonnet, narrow-look windows with frameless side windows and dynamic roof sloping back towards the rear creates a basic stance which makes it look ready for take-off. It is only when taking a second look that it becomes clear that the Shooting Brake actually has five doors and offers ‘more’ in terms of function.

“In essence it represents an unprecedented version of a sports car with five seats and a large tailgate. It is a special proposition for people looking to differentiate themselves from the mainstream, and who do not wish to compromise on either sportiness or stowage space when it comes to travelling in style. The Shooting Brake is a further highlight in the innovative luxury vehicle series from Mercedes-Benz and, like the CLS Coupé, has the potential to become the role model for a new market segment.”

Plath explained that the CLS coupé already set new standards in interiors with its wide variety of individualisation options – offering five interior colours, five trim designs and also three qualities of leather to choose from. Hear him: “Customers have a choice of three exclusive wood types: high-gloss brown burr walnut, high-gloss black ash and satin-finish light-brown poplar. The interior is given an even more progressive look with the addition of piano lacquer or AMG carbon fibre/black piano lacquer trim elements. A completely new addition comes in the form of porcelain interior appointments which afford both CLS models a sense of luxury normally found in the S-Class.”

The Weststar CEO said there are more than a dozen driving assistance systems which help to prevent traffic accidents and reduce the severity of an accident. According to him, “Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist are available as part of the Driving Assistance package Plus, in combination with DISTRONIC PLUS, BAS PLUS and the PREâ€‘SAFE® Brake. Both assistance systems are not only able to detect an unintentional lane change or vehicles in the blind spot, but can also correct the direction of travel by gentle brake intervention if the driver ignores the visual or audible danger warnings.”

Plath also gave an insight to the origin of the name “Shooting Brake”. He explained that name Brake, or the homonym Brake, was the name once given to carriages used to “brake” in wild horses and also to restrict (or “brake”) their urge to move, so that they could be put to use as work horses.

Continuing, he said: “Since the carts could easily be broken as part of this process, people tended not to use ones which they may have urgently needed for other purposes. Where necessary, “Brakes” were often fitted out with variable bodies, which were only really used to carry along anything that may have been necessary for the hunt, for example. Any such vehicle which was used when going out shooting was called a Shooting Brake or Shooting Brake. Motorised Shooting Brakes were popular in England in the 60s and 70s – exclusive two-door sports cars, which combined the luxury and style of a coupé with a larger load compartment and large tailgate.”

Transport & Business Express will publish more details of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake in its September/October 2012 Print Edition.

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