S-Class (W221/C216) CL-Class Facelift (Spy Photos & info)

[coolraoul]

It sure will change his name. That's the whole point.

The CLK becoming E-Coupe had nothing to do with it being more E-Class or whatever, only was to simplify the line-up.

CL has a meaning only to knowledged people.

S-Coupe is way better than CL. Even if I would've prefered CE and SEC like in the good ol' times.

I'm pleased MB is making the line-up clearer; it was becoming ridiculous.

 

[Centurion]

It sure will change his name. That's the whole point.

The CLK becoming E-Coupe had nothing to do with it being more E-Class or whatever, only was to simplify the line-up.

CL has a meaning only to knowledged people.

S-Coupe is way better than CL. Even if I would've prefered CE and SEC like in the good ol' times.

I'm pleased MB is making the line-up clearer; it was becoming ridiculous.

The change from CLK and E-Coupe was logical given that the new model uses more E-Class components than before and most importantly fully shares the E-Class design language.

As for the CL it doesn't look like an S-Class so there is no point in calling it an S-Coupe, and given how exclusive the car is, the common man would have little problems confusing it for a C-Coupe. It's the same with the CLS, the car has a different design than the E-Class and thus is not called E-Coupe. Changing the name from CL to S-Coupe would be a downgrade from a consumer's point of view. When people shell out premium money for a car, they do enjoy a more premium name that will set their coupe apart from the more common or generic four door counter part.

Don't forget that the CL starts at CL500 as opposed to the S-Class which goes all the way down to S280 in some countries. So it's way more premium than the E-Coupe is in relation to the E-Sedan.

 

[Merc1]

You both make good points, but I will never ever accept the re-branded CLK as a true E-Class coupe no matter what they stick on the back of it. The CL on the other hand is a real S-Class coupe, exact same hardware underneath and 95 percent same interior, etc. so changing it to S-Class coupe makes more sense from that point. Then again the CL is more expensive than the S (unlike the E sedan and coupe, where the coupe is cheaper) so maybe it should say stay the CL, but we'll see what happens.


M

 

[Centurion]

You both make good points, but I will never ever accept the re-branded CLK as a true E-Class coupe no matter what they stick on the back of it. The CL on the other hand is a real S-Class coupe, exact same hardware underneath and 95 percent same interior, etc. so changing it to S-Class coupe makes more sense from that point. Then again the CL is more expensive than the S (unlike the E sedan and coupe, where the coupe is cheaper) so maybe it should say stay the CL, but we'll see what happens.


M

Don't forget that this is not lorries we're talking about, but consumer luxury products. Branding and marketing is more important than the technical facts that are always overlooked by consumers. Both the CL and CLS are highly premium luxury indulgence products and it's their image rather than the sum of their parts that has lead to their desirability.

 

[rvbn_]

Well, according to Auto Motor und Sport the CL will indeed be renamed to S-Class Coupe:
link: Erlkönig Mercedes CL : Aus dem CL wird das S-Klasse Coupé | News | auto motor und sport

 

[Shining Star]

Well, according to Auto Motor und Sport the CL will indeed be renamed to S-Class Coupe:
link: Erlkönig Mercedes CL : Aus dem CL wird das S-Klasse Coupé | News | auto motor und sport

I recently had a talk with a guy at MB responsible for the development of the current S-Class and he said that the CL will be revealed late this year (a possible NAIAS debut) and will be called the S-Coupe.

 

[GBOY]

Hard to make out arn`t thay.... Maby it`s just camo.
If thay change the headlights like that I don`t think I`ll have a problem with it. I like the rest of the changes to the front though. That was needed for the CL imo. The lower spolier on the current model is too American looking imo.

I know they are going for a combination facelift SL look but it looks retro cos the W220 jumps to mind.
And they shld have changed the tail light setup a bit but it looks pretty similar.
We'll have to wait and see more though.

 

[Shining Star]

I know they are going for a combination facelift SL look but it looks retro cos the W220 jumps to mind.
And they shld have changed the tail light setup a bit but it looks pretty similar.
We'll have to wait and see more though.

It does look like they put a break in the top of the S-Coupe headlamps.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

These are some that we on autobild. Might be the same as the ones posted before. Looks like their waiting to put the new rear lights on???? I really don't see any change in the rear.

 

[klier]

The arch-like back window isn't really cutting it anymore imho.... For the rest they should've changed the backlights rather than the frontlights. Shape of the backlights remains weird and sad looking, but maybe it'll be better with different graphics...

 

[VroomVroom]

I have to agree with everything Klier said, arch looks out of place, new head light shape is wrong and the tails should have been changed..

 

[Shining Star]

I'll reserve full judgement until pics have been released, but what I see so far I like. I do appreciate that the CL's headlamps are being revised to have a more SL look.

 

[PHYBENZ]

If the shape of the headlights has truly been changed, which looks to be the case, that is a surprise because the cost involved in changing the shapes of the fenders isn't cheap and is rarely done on facelifts. That is why the shape of the rear lights has not been changed but hopefully the lenses will be.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

The arch-like back window isn't really cutting it anymore imho...

That probably won't be taken care of until the next generation CL (or S-coupe).

the tails should have been changed..

They still might be.

I'll reserve full judgement until pics have been released, but what I see so far I like.

Exactly! People were worried about the S-class losing body stripes for the rear lights, then when the official photos were released they jumped for joy.

If the shape of the headlights has truly been changed, which looks to be the case, that is a surprise because the cost involved in changing the shapes of the fenders isn't cheap and is rarely done on facelifts. That is why the shape of the rear lights has not been changed but hopefully the lenses will be.

That is weird that MB would spend so much on a face-lift. Especially since the CL doesn't even sell nearly as much as the S-class. I have a feeling that the Rear lights will get LED'd by the time the official photos come out.

 

[VroomVroom]

If the shape of the headlights has truly been changed, which looks to be the case, that is a surprise because the cost involved in changing the shapes of the fenders isn't cheap and is rarely done on facelifts. That is why the shape of the rear lights has not been changed but hopefully the lenses will be.

The top of the headlight where it meets the fender has not been changed.

 

[coolraoul]

If the shape of the headlights has truly been changed, which looks to be the case, that is a surprise because the cost involved in changing the shapes of the fenders isn't cheap and is rarely done on facelifts. That is why the shape of the rear lights has not been changed but hopefully the lenses will be.

The whole front fascia had to change because of the pedestrian regulations.

I'm not feeling the new headlight as necessarily better than the previous ones, but the grille has more strength.
I too hope the rearlight will have a different inner design.

The CL is a truly stunning vehicle.

 

[PHYBENZ]

For some reason I doubt the penedestrian regulations would affect a car already in production.... There is no way the regulations would force car companies to change the model mid-life to adhere to the regs. That is way too costly and doesn't make sense.

The whole front fascia had to change because of the pedestrian regulations.

I'm not feeling the new headlight as necessarily better than the previous ones, but the grille has more strength.
I too hope the rearlight will have a different inner design.

The CL is a truly stunning vehicle.

 

[sako97]

Here is an excellent photoshop of the Facelift:

^As you can see the Facelift will give the CL even more emotion without creating too much drama, if you know what I'm on about. Facelift or No Facelift the CL is still the most beautiful Grand Tourer.

 

[GBOY]

Unnecessary, but no real harm done so I can live with that. It's the rear that needs updating. That's what I'm waiting to see.

 

[Shining Star]

That rendering is top notch. If it looks like that, I will be very happy.