It will still be a while before you can get up, close and personal with the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, but thanks to some revealing spy shots, a leaked brochure and now, a flurry of official photos that hit the web, there’s nothing left to show but the press release.

The new Mercedes CLS, previewed by the German carmaker’s Shooting Break Concept shown earlier this year, is more of an evolution of the current model than a completely new take on the four-door sports saloon theme.

Set to have its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September, the new CLS will be offered with a variety of new powertrains including the freshly released 3.5 liter V6 producing 306HP and 4.7-liter bi-turbocharged V8 with 429HP.

The lineup will also include diesel options (depending on the market) while the range will top out with an AMG version powered by Merc’s new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 making at least 536-ponies.

The 2011 CLS will be a direct rival for the all-new Audi A7 Sportback, Porsche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte and in the very near future, for BMW’s Gran Coupe sports sedan also.

For three years, the Mazdaspeed 3 has been the unbeaten champ of the overheated-hatch segment, prevailing in three of our comparison tests and also winning a place on our 10Best Cars list. It’s a little rascal of a car—gleefully defiant, tailback nimble, electric-shock quick, hatchback practical—and as it marches toward middle age, there’s just one question: What does it do for an encore?

The truth is, it didn’t need much, but ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it doesn’t work in the car biz, where the winds of change blow at gale force. So for 2010 there are some civilizing updates.

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The countdown has began for the announcement of the European ‘Car of the Year 2009′ winner as the organizers released the shortlist with the seven finalists. The cars that made it to the final round of the 2009 COTY are: Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroen C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Megane, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf VI. The COTY jury, which is made up of 59 senior motoring journalists from 23 countries around Europe will reveal the winner on November 19.

The COTY’s organizing committee also released a statement in concern of recent news stories that gave the result of a ‘European Car of the Year’. According to the committee, this contest was a national one staged by the Italian Motor Journalists Association and had no connection whatsoever with the ‘Car of the Year’.

COTY PREVIOUS WINNERS

• 2008 — FIAT 500
• 2007– FORD S-MAX
• 2006 — RENAULT CLIO
• 2005 — TOYOTA PRIUS
• 2004 — FIAT PANDA
• 2003 — RENAULT MÉGANE
• 2002 — PEUGEOT 307
• 2001 — ALFA ROMEO 147
• 2000 — TOYOTA YARIS
• 1999 — FORD FOCUS
• 1998 — ALFA ROMEO 156
• 1997 — RENAULT MÉGANE SCENIC
• 1996 — FIAT BRAVO / BRAVA
• 1995 — FIAT PUNTO