A tough one, but the CL, 3 and TT in that order. The CL is a reach back from the old SEC models of the 80's in the grille area as many have noted, but the rest is all new-age MB styling cues and they kept that beautiful roofline from the outgoing CL, which was that car's most attractive feature. They've gone back to solid headlights and not the double circles that are on everything from the C-Class hatchback to the SL. Now the CL really does stand out from the rest of the lineup by the details like a proper Benz flagship coupe should. You'll know what Mercedes you'll looking at from now on when the CL is coming towards you, unlike when a CLK/previous CL/SL or C Coupe are coming towards you with their same-face look. Outstanding job by Mercedes IMO. The only thing I don't like is that some of the panel gaps seem to be quite large around the doors and hood. That needs to be addressed before production models reach customers.
The TT and 3 Coupe are sharp designs also, but I find less to like about them than the CL.
Mercedes with BMW coming in a close second. The TT is so new in the fact that there was only one previous version. The CL for the reasons I detailed in question #1 and now the 3-Series I'll do here. The outgoing 3-Series Coupe was one of my favorite designs. It easily set the standard for what a smaller coupe should look like, thrashing the CLK in the process. The current CLK having never lived up the DTM-like looks of the first generation CLK made the BMW 3 Coupe's job really easy. This new 3 Coupe looks a little fat from the sides, but most of the svelte aggression is still there. The slightly chunkly look at that cutline that runs into the door above the side sill are the only things I don't like about the new 3, but of course I haven't seen it in person yet. I do think it look better than the 3 sedan though, even before having seen it.
The CL for its luxury, styling, performance and technology. Really no contest here. However in its respective segment the same can be said for the 3 Coupe. The TT really doesn't have anything on either in this regard.
The CL again. Just look how well the outgoing model aged. The 3 Coupe is equally timeless so I'd call this one a tie. Rarely does that happen with me. They're both timeless if their outgoing versions are any indication.
Darn, it is really looking like I'm stacking the deck in favor of Mercedes, but the CL wins here too. IMO they did a better job of mixing the past and future in a fresher way.
All three are winners and it is funny that all three have been introduced so close to each other. I predict they'll all do wonders for their respective brands. I can't wait to see the roadtests and comparos of each in their segments. BMW and Audi have an added advantage of having topless versions just around the corner while Mercedes will no doubt add a CL63 and CL65 to the range over the next year or so.
They are all winners, but the CL is my pic here as you can see. It is just too stunning to be denied.
M
