CLK-Class (C209) Next generation CLK (spy pics, CGIs, info)

[Centurion]

We are about to see both E-Class and CLK debutes at Paris.

Won't happen. Not both at once.

 

[Merc1]

Right, they would never debut both at the same time. That would be too much at once. It will be one of them though, which one nobody knows. I'm betting on the CLK.

M

 

[modena_360stradale]

It took you ten years to figure it out ? Take another look at the first gen CLK. The CLK has been positioned like that from the start it was born. a 2-door C-class disguised with looks as an E-class coupe, just so that Merc can charge more money for it.

BMW was going to do the same thing with the 4-series (3-series coupe) but cancelled.

You do realize there's more to a car than just its chassis, right?

The CLK was an E-class coupe, period. The original had the same styling, offered the same engines, the same interior, etc. The second followed the styling trend of the E-class, and then modified it.

'Percentage-wise' the CLK is more E-class than it ever was (or will be) C-class.

 

[VroomVroom]

Apart from the fact that this new CLK will be a beauty, I want to comment upon the way the prototypes are shown in the pictures. It reminds of some spy photos with the new GLK that appeared on March 12, this year. The CLKs here shown were caught on the same test track, like the GLK prototype which I talk about. The amount of camouflage on the cars-approximately or exactly the same. The distinctive colour of the exterior-red. Everything seems to be repetitive, which really makes me say that the official unveiling is closer than ever.

Click to see the photos with the GLK which I told you about.










Can't wait for the magical moment!

Any chance it could be an AMG I'd love to see one and a Q5-S and X3-M

 

[tennmb]

The CLK was an E-class coupe, period. The original had the same styling, offered the same engines, the same interior, etc. The second followed the styling trend of the E-class, and then modified it.

That's just not factual. The CLK shares the basic underpinnings with the C. It is designed off the C-Class platform, but given a different chasis number. If you look at the center stack (radio/COMAND), window switches, and other hardware, it is right out of the C with zero changes. It has never shared any interior with the E. Never. granted the CLK is dressed up with a little more wood and better leather. But the attempt with the exterior styling is to make you think what you are stating above. Underneath the skin, the CLK is a C. Always has been, always will be. Aside from the quad lights in the orginal CLK, it shared nothing else in common with E besides power plants. In fact it still had the old recirculating ball steering that the 202 C had and E had dropped back in 1995. The 209 CLK adopted the amoeba shaped headlights of the 203 C-class, although more defined, while the E kept the quad look. The CLK suffered and will now go back to the quad look.

Let's look at some facts.
Wheelbase of a 203 C: 106.9
Wheelbase of a 209 CLK: 106.9 Interesing?

Front legroom on a 203: 42"
Front legroom on a 209: 42" Amazing

 

[justanthony]

I too was thinking we'd get a paris viewing of either this or the E but im starting to doubt either otherwise shouldn't we have seen official press pics by now, being that the motor show unveiling wud then be just a few days away??

I think we might just get a 'vision' series preview, maybe the shooting brake we've been reading about. Methinks MB (the 'niche' king) has been too quiet with all new models, letting BMW and Audi have all the fun lately.

 

[SCOTT27]

I dont think we will see the e-Klasse in Paris , last time they debuted the current W211 at the Brusselles autoshow. Besides I do not think the CLK will debut in Paris either because it makes the Concept Car redundant.
I think it will follow the 2002 launch of the CLK and debut @ Geneva 2009.

everything is timed to a complete strict plan in car launches, Everything is market specific.

 

[klier]

Right, they would never debut both at the same time. That would be too much at once. It will be one of them though, which one nobody knows. I'm betting on the CLK.

M

Why? E-class is further along in testing. E-class first is my bet. E first, and then the 'E-coupé'.
Or, if there is going to be a concpt car of the CLK (as Scott reports) CLK Concept ---> E-Class ---> production CLK

 

[SGe998]

I am thinking that Mercedes has some serious plans going on for Paris, and that is not the E or CLK. I am betting that it will be some new concept cars that they want to surprise you with...that's right they've been so quiet in recent days

oh...just to clear things up a little,
the CLK is a C-class coupe sharing the same chassis
plus a touch of E-class styling so they can sell it with a higher price tag.
it's been that way, and it will stay that way (darn you cheap bastards!)

 

[modena_360stradale]

That's just not factual. The CLK shares the basic underpinnings with the C. It is designed off the C-Class platform, but given a different chasis number. If you look at the center stack (radio/COMAND), window switches, and other hardware, it is right out of the C with zero changes.

It has never shared any interior with the E. Never. granted the CLK is dressed up with a little more wood and better leather. But the attempt with the exterior styling is to make you think what you are stating above.

Let's look at some facts.
Wheelbase of a 203 C: 106.9
Wheelbase of a 209 CLK: 106.9 Interesing?

Front legroom on a 203: 42"
Front legroom on a 209: 42" Amazing

- I guess you've forgotten the first generation CLK and E-class. They shared the 'same' interior and engines Not to mention the same (styled) C-pillars, trunk, taillights, doors, bumpers, etc.

And if you note, I said the following generation 'followed the style of' the current E-class. If you want to get picky about it, all Mercedes followed in the styling footsteps of the C-class.

- Mercedes started 'parts bin-ing' things like window switches, gear levers, etc. They looked (or were) the same in many cars. (See photos below for a comparison)

- As for legroom and length: that hardly makes the cars the same. A coupe is naturally shorter than a sedan, and the chassis dictates many of the proportions.

- If you want to go the route of "chassis are synonymous with model", then the R8 is a Gallardo, a VW is an Audi and the Hummer is a Chevy Tahoe.

Try to have civil discourse on this forum. It's okay to disagree, but not to be demeaning about it.



Photos:

E-Class:

CLK:

C-Class:

 

[justanthony]

In ur pics comparo ^^ looks like that clk interior in the same as the C NOT the E. Infact they are one and the same, though with some visual differences. Infact the CLK interior got updated when the W203 C class got facelifted even though the CLK had not received its own facelift at the time because, as MB themselves put it, the CLK was based on the C and shared the same interior amongst other things.

 

[modena_360stradale]

In ur pics comparo ^^ looks like that clk interior in the same as the C NOT the E. Infact they are one and the same, though with some visual differences. Infact the CLK interior got updated when the W203 C class got facelifted even though the CLK had not received its own facelift at the time because, as MB themselves put it, the CLK was based on the C and shared the same interior amongst other things.

If by "share" you mean the same air conditioning controls and gear lever, then okay. But virtually everything else (even the SatNav buttons) are different for each car.

If the air conditioning and gear lever make it a C-class, then the steering wheel and speedometer make it an E-class

Don't get me wrong, though. The CLK is designed like the C-class, but so too is the E-class, SL, etc. What's wrong is to argue that the CLK is a C-class coupe. It was intended (regardless of what chassis is used) to be the coupe equivalent of an E-class.

 

[justanthony]

If by "share" you mean the same air conditioning controls and gear lever, then okay. But virtually everything else (even the SatNav buttons) are different for each car.

If the air conditioning and gear lever make it a C-class, then the steering wheel and speedometer make it an E-class

Don't get me wrong, though. The CLK is designed like the C-class, but so too is the E-class, SL, etc. What's wrong is to argue that the CLK is a C-class coupe. It was intended (regardless of what chassis is used) to be the coupe equivalent of an E-class.

I would put it differently though. The CLK is very much the 3er coupe rival, and though i wouldn't call it 'C class coupe', it is very much based on the C class. For the 'E class coupe', we'd have to look towards the CLS. But dont take my word for it, ask MB.

 

[dorcollaku]

As if to take a side in this discussion, Autobild is showing a future C-class cabriolet in their upcoming magazine.

Very strange decision by MB if it turns out to be true. I don't see how it will be differentiated from an eventual CLK cabrio, both being four-seaters and sharing the same platform. Unless, of course, Autobild is wrong.

 

[conan_55]

oh...just to clear things up a little,
the CLK is a C-class coupe sharing the same chassis
plus a touch of E-class styling so they can sell it with a higher price tag.
it's been that way, and it will stay that way (darn you cheap bastards!)

CORRECT.

CLK is C-class coupe sold as an E-class coupe. If someone thinks CLK is E-class coupe then they're bought by the Merc's marketing.

Just like how the "new" CLC-class is actually the old C-class Sportscoupe with new C-class headlights.

Merc does this.

 

[conan_55]

As if to take a side in this discussion, Autobild is showing a future C-class cabriolet in their upcoming magazine.

Very strange decision by MB if it turns out to be true. I don't see how it will be differentiated from an eventual CLK cabrio, both being four-seaters and sharing the same platform. Unless, of course, Autobild is wrong.

Does it have 2 or 4 doors? any pics ?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

modena_360stradale, MB drew much reference to the E so it could charge PREMIUM prices for what is essentially a C-Class coupe. It's a known fact MB makes a lot of cash from its coupes. The vast majority of components belonged to the C however.

Coupe versions are also always more expensive then their sedan equivalent. This is not the case with the CLK and E.

 

[modena_360stradale]

modena_360stradale, MB drew much reference to the E so it could charge PREMIUM prices for what is essentially a C-Class coupe. It's a known fact MB makes a lot of cash from its coupes. The vast majority of components belonged to the C however.

Coupe versions are also always more expensive then their sedan equivalent. This is not the case with the CLK and E.

I guess no one will agree with me at this point. -- Its chassis is virtually irrelevant to what it is, or what it is supposed to be; and that's why I take issue with calling it a C-class coupe.

It's a luxury coupe on the order of the E-class. Its original styling, etc. was based on the E-class, and it shares (or at least used to) components from both the C and E-class ranges. That's where the price difference comes in.

Calling the CLK a C-class coupe is as insulting as calling the Phantom a 7-series, an R8 a Gallardo, or a Tesla a Lotus.

But no one will agree

 

[conan_55]

Calling the CLK a C-class coupe is as insulting as calling the Phantom a 7-series, an R8 a Gallardo, or a Tesla a Lotus.

But no one will agree

Well that's because you're simply wrong. ask yourself, why there isn't a C-class coupe whereas there is a 3-series coupe.

a c-class coupe is exactly what the CLK is.

The CLS is the E-class coupe as they share all the mechanicals. But again, Mercedes does not call it a 'CLE', because they want people to associate the "S" in the CLS with the S-class so that they can justify its price.

Much like the C-class "Sportscoupe" is not a coupe but a 3-door hatchback.

Sorry but you're just a victim of Merc's marketing "geniouses".

 

[conan_55]

Btw, the official name for the car of which name you use for your nick is "Ferrari Challenge Stradale", without any "360" or "modena".

But the CS is based on the 360 Modena anyway. The same with the CLK is based on the C-class.