Can someone translate this German about the New E-Class CLE for 2004? I thought the CLE was to be a 4 door coupe:

"Das neue E-Klasse Coupé CLE (C219) soll im Frühjahr 2004 debütieren. Es wird ein 4-türiges Coupé. Somit ist der Einstieg zu den beiden Einzelsitzen im Fond im Vergleich zu anderen Coupé sehr komfortabel. Aus optischen Gründen verfügt der CLE nur über eine halbe B-Säule die nur bis zur Fensterhöhe reicht. Somit kann man die Seitenscheiben vollständig versenken und hat freie Sicht nach draußen, wie auch schon aus dem neuen CLK bekannt. Technisch basiert der CLE auf der E-Klasse."

 

New e-class the Coupé CLE (C219) is to debut in the spring 2004. It becomes a 4-tueriges Coupé. Thus the entrance is very comfortable to the two single seats in the rear compared with other Coupé. For optical reasons the CLE orders only over a half b-column only up to the window height is enough. Thus one can sink the side windows completely and has free view to the outside, as already admits from the new CLK. Technically the CLE is based on the e-class

this is a translation from google so it's not really that good.

 

The absence of the centre pillar is neat looking. However, the front looks too much like a "C" class. I would rather it looked like an E class instead.

 

Where did you find the pic? It looks "doctored" to me in light of the "E500" badge on the rear and the proportions of the different parts of the car. Having said that, I am very interested in the car from the mbspy pics. I have told my dealer that I want to be first on the list for it, if and when it comes to the US.

 

Ditto! Photoshop at work

 

Of course it is 'shopped'! All concepts and new models start off on an artist drawing board, CAD or computer. These are just 'guesstimates' of what the car may look like.

 

what pics on mbspy?

 

Take another look at that picture. Those rear windows are NOT going down all the way into that tiny door.

Maybe you guys are victims? I can't see them building that car.

Missing center pillar is not a good design for chassis rigidity or for safety either. Also you are going to encounter wind noise with a window design like that.

Seriously - either buy the E sedan or the CLK coupe.

IMHO. Don't take it wrong - I do find it entertaining to look at.

 

Don't get me wrong - I hate that damn 4 door coupe concept ala Saturn and the new Mazda RX-8. Stupid concept.

1. Very few rear door windows go all the way down.

2. You state "missing center pillar is not a good design" and then you state buy "the CLK coupe" - the W209 CLK coupe has no b-pillar nor do any convertibles have b-pillars.

 

If they build it the window will likely go down faster at the rear of the back window than the front of it. This is how the it's done on many cars.

 

Maybe this'll be where we get our hardtop convertible.

 

yes, you may be correct, this may well be the basis of the E Class folding hard top convertible I'd guessed at on the CLK thread.

 

www.autospies.com has a report about this new car, they claim to have seen it in the 'flesh' at a focus group. Said its visually stunning, but no new photos..

 

Computer translation:

"The new E-class Coupé CLE (C219) should in the spring 2004 debut. It becomes a 4-türiges Coupé. Therefore that is got into to both single seat in the foundation in comparison with other Coupé very comfortable. Ordered the CLE only over a half B-column that only to the window height passes to reasons optical end. Therefore one completely can sink the page disks and has free visibility after outside how also already out of the new CLK confessed. Technically the CLE is based on the E-class."

 

You miss the point....a missing B pillar on a four door is very difficult to design...the CLK coupe is a 2 door...as is the CAB..they have very different structures.

The idea was kind of cool with the original concepts small suicide doors but this is rediculous.

It will interesting to see if the the production GST will retain the pillarless suicide door design as on the concept.