Mercedes E-Class Shooting Brake. So to Speak.
Snapping at the heels of the Mitsubishi Charisma (which had none), the Hyundai Excel (which didn’t), and the Smart (which isn’t), Mercedes will introduce in Paris its idea of an E-class shooting brake, which it calls the Concept Fascination (pics here via Spiegel). Fascination, eh? Swabian bubble-think (which is what this misnomer probably is a product of) doesn’t allot space for jokes about the concept of a fascist nation, and we won’t go there either. The Germlish pronounciation of the word fascination– “fast stee nation!” will, following enthusiastic repetition by Doktor Dieter at the Paris press conference, undoubtably lead to countless parodies, which we look forward to. Speaking of parodies: who selected the horrid, pornoid (no, I don’t mean paranoid) typography of the rear license plate? Why is the rear-end reminiscent of the R-class? Who are they trying to impress when they wax quarter-lyrical about the interior’s “dark saddle leather”, as if driving a car was some kind of half-assed equestrian experience? Apart from all this, the CF (let’s stick to the abbreviation, please) is probably a worthy vehicle, what with its showcasing the new Daimler Diesel (Adblue, 2.2-liter, 204hp). Although personally, I think the inner headlights are too small and look like an afterthought.
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I love the look of that thing. I do, however, detest the term 'shooting brake'. Every time I hear it I get the mental image of a car making a panic stop and the brake rotors just shooting out from the wheels under the strain.
How can you not love a car genre named for the British schleppage of double-barrel shotguns?
Looks more like a preview for the next CLK to me.
I guess I'm the perfect fit for that demoghrapic, because I would certainly want one. Would suit my lifestyle like a glove. Except for the CLS, Mercedes doesn't have that much of "gotta have". And it certainly is time for it...