fixinbones

I know the CL was just given a face life this past year. I'm wondering when we will see a complete redo of the car. I have an 09 CL63 that I will trade in next year but not sure about getting another CL if a completely new car is in the works and will be released shortly after my purchase

02Drunkenup

the redesign should coincide with the next gen S-Class, since they're based on eachother. Expect a debut next year probably late 2nd qtr

fixinbones

I'm Surprised so soon. I guess the facelift they just gave the car is to help freshen it up until the new model arrives.

BlownV8

I'm not surprised. The 216 was a major step backwards in terms of looks vs the 215.

fixinbones

I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I liked the 215 but think that te 216 is about the prettiest care MB has produced in the last 10 years

JHouse

And the 2013 isn't going to be a CL anymore. It will be the S Coupe, like the E and C have done now.

zneB-sedecreM

Ditto.

platinumsc

Then that would be the 1013 model year...according to a salesman I spoke with.

JHouse

Here's the link describing the renaming: http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...***/index.html

saintz

S class convertible?

JHouse

And the ragtop is a "four seater"??. They haven't said anything about the Coupe or the Convertible having a shortened wheelbase yet, but I'm guessing that's why it will take another year to get all but the "base" S on the market.

JHouse

A rendering:



From this concept:



From a Mag:

rsflynn

Agreed, the 216 looks like a victim of blunt force trauma to the nose.

rsflynn

Great, just as I am beginning to fondly appreciate all things CL, they go ahead and drop the monniker.

zneB-sedecreM

F**ked up, isn't it...

NRL

"CL"assic..is what they will be known as.
Also the 216 is the younger fatter sister. I still can't get used to or like the rear end also.

grane

Keeps name in line with Germany, where it has been listed as S-Klasse Coupe, and distinguishes it from the CLS, which I think would make a classy ragtop. mB made a 4 door cabriolet long ago.

Ditto on 215 as the most classic style. Mine just keeps getting better....

andymlow

I think the looks on the 216 are superior and the interior is head and shoulders above. Maybe you 216 haters should get more sleep judging by the time of your post ;-)

zneB-sedecreM

False

True

No sleep, too busy coming home late riding our sexy W215s. I completely understand though...I'd be bored at home and sleeping if I had Mercedes CL based off an Acura CL

JHouse

I'm sure they made up the CL name to differentiate it from the "stodgy" feel of the S class, especially since they wouldn't use the S class nose and grafted on the W211 E class front end to give it a sportier look. That made it unique: short wheel based S class frame/guts/electronics plus more, and the sportier nose.

It's a little like what they did to create the CLK, putting the E class interior in a lengthened C class chassis with an R230 SL class nose.

Creating the CL designation also probably separates it from the SL, so it just doesn't seem like a 4 seat version of another car, but something unique, which would also make the SL unique. It's a mind game.

Maybe they thought it was too confusing for us. Or maybe changing the names will more strongly emphasize the "newness" of model. Or maybe they think we are very "class" conscious and want our coupe to be more strongly identified as top of the line. Or, all of the above.

So now the emphasis is more on branding than uniqueness.

grane

Consider the proposed S Coupe apellation harkens back to the 500SEC and so on that were very tidy cars.

NRL

I actually imbrace the new name change. I keep running into people who have no idea the difference between a C, CL, CLS!! They all think it's a C.
Shessh.. But they do know what an S is.

grane

That, among other reasons, is a good reason to debadge the 215.

JHouse

That's true. "Outsiders" are totally befuddled by the naming regimen. I know I was. It took me quite a while to figure out what was what, and I'm pretty sure I still don't know everything, as I still keep learning.

JHouse

That's probably the primary emphasis. I think branding theory has changed a lot in the last 15 years. Now it's a buzzword.