Major carmakers keen to impress China's new money

China's car market is growing at a rapid rate and its showpiece motor show is fast becoming one of the world's most influential, overtaking Tokyo and challenging Detroit, Frankfurt and Paris for surprise packages.

Carmakers at this week's Beijing extravaganza know that if showgoers respond favourably to a concept, for example, it will more than likely go into production, sometimes only for China.

That's why Mercedes-Benz has chosen to unveil its concept Shooting Brake, which hides the next CLS four-door coupe from the front doors forward.

The CLS will be unveiled at the Paris show in October.

It knows that luxury buyers in China favour large sedans but is banking on the business class estate study creating a new niche. Rival BMW, meantime, will unveil a China-only long-wheelbase 5-Series (see Good Oil).

The Shooting Break follows earlier concepts, the two-door Fascination and F800, both showing a new styling direction under German design chief Gorden Wagener, who headed the company's advanced studio in the US until 2008.

The new E-Class sedan and coupe set the tone for his work, focused on creating streamlined and aerodynamic cars. The format is evident in the Shooting Break, particularly with the tailgate, which has an integrated spoiler to cut drag. But, while the side glass features a smooth coupe-style curve, the roofline is more similar to that of an estate than a car like rival BMW's 5-Series GT.

Mercedes-Benz retains the design themes of the original CLS, like the pronounced curve that runs around the dash top and blends into the front doors.

The rear end may be more concept than reality, but the carmaker is keen to build the vehicle to increase the number of niche models it spins off each platform.

Come production, the LED headlights, which contain 71 individual diodes, will be toned down, says British magazine AutoExpress.

But the sculpted bumper and striking creases are all likely to be included.

So, too, is the car's nose, which conforms to the latest pedestrian impact crash test regulations. Wagener says that his favourite period in design is Art Deco, evident from the newcomer's retro interior.

In particular, the front and rear air vent grilles, which are overlaid with aluminium, and the ornate Mercedes-Benz script on the door sills, make functional parts of the cabin decorative.

Luxury is paramount - the concept is a strict four-seater, with a large panoramic roof helping to bathe the chocolate brown and cream leather interior with light.

The rear load space contains secure storage for items ranging in size from laptops to golf balls.

Under the bonnet, the concept previews a new family of direct-injection V6 engines, which will debut in the facelifted CL.

Called V-generation, the 3.5-litre unit produces 225kW and 370Nm, and features the carmaker's fuel-saving BlueEfficiency technology.

The term "shooting brake" originated in 19th century England with a horse-drawn wagon that carried a driver and gamekeeper up front and shooters and their game dogs on benches behind.

It was later adopted by carmakers Bentley, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz for custom-built models.