AshleyAlissa

There’s been speculation for some time as to whether the next Mercedes CL-Class would retain its moniker or be re-branded as the S-Class Coupe, but if the Mercedes-Benz Netherlands website is any indication, the CL will stay the CL. The website yesterday published a pair of photos debuting what they call the new-generation Mercedes CL-Class, both in an AMG and non-AMG format.

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/m...fficial-debut/

derrick_lui

Thanks for posting.

dbtk

I prefer the cat-like curves of the original W216. The angular front is in contrast to curves of the rest of the car. and it lost its front haunch.

absent

I wish they moved the Florida retiree clicker from steering wheel column to it's proper place on the console.
I wonder what they changed in the interior,old one is getting boring.

gaazmon

I like it. I don't think they will go back to the S coupe until the next CL comes out (i.e. w217). Well maybe they won't since they got rid of the CLK, so there won't be as much confusion with "regular" people about the name plates. I originally thought the reason they went to airmatic for the 09+ CL550 (but probably cause they added 4matic) was because they were eventually going to go back to S coupe so that way the suspension on the 550 models would match (both be airmatic vs one being ABC), kind of like getting people used to the "feel" of the car since the ride of airmatic is quite different than ABC.

+1, but i doubt it

dbtk

I believe they went with the Airmatic versus ABC is that on the 09+ models 4matic became standard. I do not think MB currently offers ABC with 4matics in the U.S. And the car less expensive to build.

Germancar1

No 4Matics have ABC anywhere, I too would say cost is the reason and complexity. That is a lot of stuff under there when the car gets old.

M

Red Marko

I'm little biased here, but why do I think that AMG version lost it's beauty, smoothness and it looks like aftermarket add-on kit?
Somehow it resembles SL (the front).
Suddenly, I like the future S class more than future CL (and it should be the other way around).
Overall, I'm bit disappointed ... or need more time.

MB Guy

Anyone know when they will officially debut the 2011 CL?

dbtk

Other than the 2010 GLs I have noticed that Mercedes' mid-lifecycle updates have begun to lose the original design's intent. Look at the SL-class and R-class updates. Both updates appear to be afterthoughts with the angular front ends in contrast to the rest of the body design. And the rear taillights of the updated S-class makes the car look bulkier without the two body colored strips.

K-A

I agree in the sense that M-B's face-lifts seem to follow their current design trends, but don't take into account the rest of the car (i.e older Benzes are rounder, new Benzes are angular, and the F.L's just go with angular themes regardless of the older round themes).

I think these pics aren't enough to draw a fair comparison. But it does seem to have the new "SL mouth" that every Benz with the Star grille, from the Facelifted R, to the GLK, etc. have. I'm sure the Facelifted C-Class will get that same mouth and jaw as well.

Something about the current CL I do think needs some distinction (AMG Package cars not as much). On one hand, I think it's just a gorgeous design. On the other, I feel it's lost its prestige and presence that the old (and very popular at its time) W215, along with previous "S Coupes" had.

It looks beautiful when you get up close, but from afar, it looks pretty generic, and in "normal" trim, can even look a bit awkward, IMO.

I dunno, I just feel the older CL's had that "must have"-ness to them, and this one just kind of went under the radar, and Sales probably reflect that.

Would I still gladly have one if my budget was high enough? Yep.

Germancar1

Thats because Mercedes design direction has changed and they needed to bring the older SL in line with it. On the road the 2009+ SL is gorgeous, with a new lease on life IMO.

The R-Class well, really does it matter. The car needed a dramatic update since it never looked right from day one and doesn't sell. Both updates look great IMO.


M

K-A

Actually, everyone seems to not like the SL's newest F.L, but I actually do. And I'm not usually one who just supports an M-B F.L just for the sake of doing it.

I don't think I ever really loved this SL Gen's OG face, and find the newest update to it, gave it more character, as well I dig the side vents.

dbtk

I agree with all the post-comments to my post. I tried updated my CL600 (216) with an AMG grille to give it a slightly more elevated presence, albeit not quite like M-B's mid-cycle change.

absent

+1!
Updated SL looks more masculine,old one was very "suburban dentist's wife's car" (no offense to dentists).

gaazmon

i think the drop in sales for SL were due in part to bad economy. it was a big change (this is kind of the 2nd facelift since they already had one for MY 2007 with the tail lights and couple of other things) and i think this 2nd one was bad for resale on the 03 - 08 models. i like what they did with the front, going back to the single headlamp look vs the "not yet split cellular reproduction" look. i think the back has lost it's touch though for some reason, but i've never been a big fan of the SL.

ya they did the same thing with the facelifted W211 E for MY 2007. Big difference with body shape. before MB would just change some lights around and couple of other stuff (look at W124, W140, W215, W220, etc), but now it's as if it's a new model. many people get confused and think it's a new model. really bad for resale on the 1st gen of the model.

i don't see too many 09+ CLS around either. i think those 2 models took a big hit with the economy vs the S is always a good seller in good times or bad and the CL is just a low volume car anyway (how many w215s do you even see on the road, don't even try looking for w140 coupes, those are really hard to find).

dbtk

Here's a picture of a black 2011 S-coupe AMG...

http://www.benzinsider.com/2010/05/s...***-coupe-amg/

K-A

Nice! Very 560 SEC-ish, which is gorgeous to me.