Reports that Mercedes-Benz might be considering renaming the CLK to reflect its E-Class design cues have taken firm hold of the automotive world. Now Mercedes has officially confirmed the E-Class coupe will be returning, and as a preview, will be showing the Fascination Concept at next month’s Paris Motor Show.

The concept, which looks a great deal like a CLK ’shooting brake’ style two-door wagon, is actually expected to be built on proper E-Class underpinnings as opposed to the modified C-Class platform of the CLK. The press release that accompanies it confirms Mercedes is working on a ‘future E-Class Coupe,’ previewed by this concept.

Styling hints at what lies beneath, and what’s to come
The styling of the concept’s front-end is a clear giveaway as to the final design of the next-generation E-Class due next year. The similarity isn’t accidental, as the behind-the-scenes word is that Mercedes-Benz is planning to end the class-straddling CLK nameplate in order to make room for both an E-Class coupe and a C-Class coupe. This will give Mercedes a direct competitor to BMW’s popular 3-series two-door models.

The quad-headlight design remains, but instead of the current CLK’s rounded look, they are now sharp-edged parallelograms. Show-car touches include fiber optic accents, but are more likely to be replaced by LEDs in the production model.

Concept car’s ‘shooting brake’ configuration not likely to see production
As for the actual ConceptFASCINATION, the show car features a long, frameless, side-window line which creates a continuous arc from front to rear, uninterrupted by a B-pillar. The side windows can also be lowered completely, providing an uninterrupted view into the cockpit.

Sitting under its contoured hood is a new four-cylinder diesel engine with both BlueTEC and AdBlue technology, capable of developing up to 150kW from its 2.2-litre displacement.

Despite the green treatment and next-generation styling, there are no plans at the moment for a two-door wagon like the concept. Instead, it’s being used as an intriguing way of previewing the next-generation cars in a mockup that doesn’t give too much away.

Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION gallery

• 1980 Aston Martin Bulldog
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK shooting brake concept previewed
• 7.0L Aussie brute headed to UK
• AMG leads the way for upcoming E-Class
• Audi introduces new TTS Coupe and Roadster to Australia

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