The new Mercedes E-Class is fast catching momentum, with the wagon developed alongside, is all set to take on the BMW 5 Series, and here we have the first scoop of the successor to CLK by WorldCarFans. Sporting a very sleek, powerful and aggresive design, with integrated rear diffusers and exhausts, is all production ready, and believably, should make it on time for the Paris Motor Show in October.All along, Mercedes had confused all with the CLK being perceived as C-Class' coupe where in fact its actually the coupe form of the E-Class (Except that it uses the C-Class' platform, yes we know its confusing), same goes the Mercedes CL, which is actually the coupe version of the S-Class. Rumor has it that Mercedes will solve this to make way for a true C-Class Coupe (No the CLC, but a true, 2+2 seater challenger to the E92, Audi S5) by renaming the CLK successor to something else which is anyone's guess. Hopefully this upcoming CLK could relinquish the fame of the legendary W124 CE300 (A real E-Class Coupe with E-Class underpinnings) that spawned the extremely ugly first generation CLK and the extremely bland and boring secon generation CLK)
Sourced: WorldCarFans
2 comments:
Wise move by Mercedes. The current CLK (which is basically a previous generation C-Class with E-Class-mimicking styling) has always been overpriced. It's priced somewhat in between the BMW 3-Series Coupe and the 6-Series.
But the CLK's engine choices make it closer in essence to the BMW 6-Series, which is arguably from a class above the CLK, being based on the 5-Series et al.
I've driven both cars, a CLK350 and a 630i. While the BMW felt plush and upmarket, the Merc felt underdeveloped and cheap. Obviously it's not really fair to compare these two models, but in the UK at least, they're aimed at a similar bunch of motorists.
The 6-Series felt, in terms of overall competence, closer to the SL (I've driven the SL500). The Merc leaves it for dead when it comes to the styling, image, and technology, but when it comes to the driving experience alone, the 6-Series comes quite close to matching the much more expensive Merc.
Now that they're making a proper E-Class coupe, they can market it to directly compete, with prices to match or even exceed the 6-Series and the Jaguar XK8. It only makes sense.
And I adore the old 300E coupe. With decent rims on, that car has a presence that almost equals the classic 'Pagoda' 280SL. Not that it drives well, trust me it feels wooden and heavy as hell, but its looks overshadows all its shortcomings.
We can only hope that this E-Class Coupe would be able to capitalise on its forebear's class and image.
And of course this leaves them with an empty room to expand their range even further with a (comparatively) cheaper, C-Class based coupe. With AMG getting better and better with every new model, you can just imagine the future battle between the C-Class Coupe AMG and the M3.
I'm already planning to get an E92 M3 in the distant future (with a second hand E46 M3 to make do with till then). If the new Merc turns out to be to my liking, I might be forced to reconsider. And that'll be awesome indeed.
Yes, the 300CE is a wonderful looking car, still my preferred 'feel' for a proper Merc.
My dad used to have one till he had to sold it off when the 97' crisis got him into bankruptcy.
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