bushburninc63

????

toban

This is so frustrating on this 2012 "E" class launch I'm starting to think they are discontinuing the series. The 2011 Frankfurt Auto show will not be showing any new "E" class cars at all. No introduction, nothing and this is the last week in September. The cars were to be launched in October? I believe something's up at Mercedes with the "E" class as they are really dagging their feet on this one. I looked at a CLS550 yesterday and they dropped the MSRP price by $7500.00 from 2011 and it now has 4matic. The retail base price is now $84,500 in Canada. Something's up for sure.

Toban

WEBSRFR

Too bad they put an idiotic console in the middle of the rear seat of the CLS550 so it seats only 2 in the back or otherwise it would make the perfectly alternative for a E550 coupe. I really would have considered a CLS550 if not for the stupid back seat in such a large car.

AJD16

I talked to my dealer and the 2012 e550 coupe is being released mid october. Nothing to worry about!!

YYZ-E55

There's no conspiracy. The 550s are slightly delayed with the implementation of the new engines. You'll see 550s (coupes, cabs and sedans) beginning with October production/November delivery.

YYZ-E55

Have you looked at an E-Class coupe? It is a 2+2 as well.

park423

agreed. was also considering an X6 for the wife except for the same back seat situation.

WEBSRFR

At least the E550 coupe is an actual 2 door coupe built on a smaller platform

WEBSRFR

The back seat of the CLS550 is infuriating to me because I like the interior of the CLS550 SO much better than the interior of the E550 sedan. The CLS550 would have been perfect for me but I can't get over the stupid back seat for a 4,000+ lb car. Seriously what was MB thinking? They've added some dumb console compartment where the middle passenger would sit and I'd never use that stupid compartment contraption... Not to mention the fact that it prevents you from installing a baby seat in the middle of the back seat -- the safest place in the car during a collision. I hope at least as an option, they offer a normal back seat that seats 3 for the CLS550.

BMW doing the same ridiculous thing for the X6 back seat makes even less sense as it is supposed to be a utility vehicle. Reminds me of the X6 review on Top Gear where they pretty much concluded that it is a useless car. They could not even get it to drive up a simple grass hill. You should look up a video of the X6 Top gear review and I think you'd be pleased you did not get it.

Why can't they understand that if we wanted a small sports car with a tiny back seat, then we would have bought one?

YYZ-E55

So wait - the E-Coupe is ok with 2+2 configuration since it is a "true coupe", but the CLS is not? Neither one can carry a baby over the driveshaft.

bushburninc63

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing November is probably a good date to see some e550s at the dealership.

WEBSRFR

The point being if someone wanted a smaller and sportier car, they can buy the E550 coupe. I was just making the remark that with the larger CLS they are going to turn off potential buyers and loose sales with the back seat, as Park423 just affirmed with the back seat being the reason they did not get the X6. It's a shame though as I absolutely love the interior of that car otherwise.

K-A

The back seat isn't an issue to me, and I feel that the point of the CLS is being missed it one is more concerned with a rear bench (the headroom back there is so lousy anyway, you need to be a midget to be truly comfortable.

The annoying part in my personal life, of the CLS's incredibly inefficient design, is how the 4,000+ lb, big 4-Door has little headroom for anyone over 6'2 in the front seats. Since this is designed as a "solo-ist" car, it's odd that at 6'4, I have to kink my neck to get a good fit in there, even with the seat fully down, if I sit properly. I've sat in real Coupes, with lower rooflines, that have more than enough headroom.

What it basically says about the CLS, is that it is a supremely inefficient and non-functional design. Even the Drag Coefficient is worse than the E-Class (it's actually worse than the 10 year old W211 body as well). It's large, has 4-Doors, yet can't fit anyone over 6'2 comfortably, in the front seats? I've sat in Ferrari's that were more accommodating to this head.

All that said, ironically, it's that lack of conventional functionality, and nonsensical nature that makes the CLS so desirable, as well as more exclusive (limits the people who would consider it + is priced higher as a fashion statement = More exclusivity).

vallie

How about an ML for the wee one?

You have completely missed the design concept of this car. It is not a sedan. The E is a sedan concept. The CLS is a 4 door coupe concept. Babies and coupes have never made for a perfect purchase decision. It's left brained people like you that we keep out of the design meetings at all cost. If you want a sedan that can accomodate the baby seat, consider the S or consider an SUV and leave the beautiful design of an ADULT coupe to the ADULTS.

K-A

"4 Door Coupe" is nonsensical and was created at a marketing meeting.

The CLS is a Sedan with frameless windows (hardly a first for a 4-Door Sedan, just ask Subaru), a sweeping low roof line (slick looks and terrible headroom). Simple as that.

vallie

There is nothing nonsensical about marketing or marketing meetings. You bought a MB because of those marketing meetings, my anti-intellectual friend.

K-A

Marketing meetings feed and/or form the sheep, I've been behind the closed doors of those gloriously honest and intellectual meetings myself, my naive friend.

vallie

This I seriously doubt.

K-A

Here's a good way to figure out whether someone knows Marketing from the back-end, rather than from the sheep-end:

Is the CLS a 4-Door Sedan, or a Coupe?

If you guessed A: Congratulations, you can see through the smoke and mirrors of a sloping roofline and thin greenhouse in order to coin a new catchy term. If you guessed B: Congratulations, Mercedes-Benz and pretty much every car manufacturer are very happy to have you around.

Another question, is the Hyundai Sonata a Coupe or Sedan? If Sedan, than what differs the CLS from the Sonata, in terms of "Coupe'ness"? Would it simply be because the CLS offers less headroom, i.e that becoming the defining point of "Coupe"?

Tjdehya

"Sport Sedan." is nonsensical and was created at a marketing meeting.

DCubed

First three 2012 E550 Coupes left Germany today, there are plenty getting produced right now but there probably will not be a "normal" level of inventory until December.

K-A

I agree to some extents as well. Especially on the E-Class. I got a chuckle when M-B referred to it as a "Sport Sedan". Every cheap Sedan is called a "Sport Sedan" nowadays, why not stick with what it really is: Luxury Sedan? Luxury Sedan is a much more exclusive club that none of those trillions of low end "Sports Sedans" can claim anyway.

1 MB

My 2012 E550 Coupe has a production date of 10-25-11. Dealer said I'd see it mid December. I check MBUSA.COM everyday to see if it's offered yet.

K-A

Ouch, that must be a tough wait!

hyperion667

I know that feeling..........it is a long wait my man..........