Stricks

Just read that MBZ in NOT planning on adding the AMG goodies to the new E Coupe? Anyone else know better or other? We really wanted the new Convertible AMG when (if) it came out.

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

It is wise for them to gauge interest in the E-Coupe before releasing the AMG version.

jrcart

I agree, but I would also think it wise for them to have an AMG coupe of some kind to compete with the M3 E92 coupes. That is a nice market segment and I can not believe they would just hand it off to BMW without a fight. BMW has dominated that segment for years, just when MB/AMG prove they can build a car (Black Series) that can not only compete with, but pretty much beat up on the M3 they back out of that market Besides that, IMO an E Class coupe would be more of a contender with the 645/M6, right? Maybe they have a C 63 coupe in the works, maybe they are just going to drop the CLK name

NDF55

Agreed, Not only should MB have a coupe in the AMG lineup, they should also think about offering a manual transmission. This might not work in an E or an S class, but a CLK or E class coupe with a stick would be awesome. I truly believe this would convince many stick driving BMW fans to cross over to our side.

LZH

Not if they slap the MCT in it

W211 BEAST

As much as I agree with you about everything else, I have to disagree about the CLKBS being competition for the M3. I'm sorry but even if you're saying that the CLKBS is (much) better than the M3, which it is, it should be for that price.

Like I said though, I completely agree with you that MB shouldn't just hand it off to BMW without a fight.

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

+1

A CLK63 Coupe would be competition for an M3. A CLK63BS would be competition for an M3 CSL (which was canned, unfortunately).

I don't think Mercedes is necessarily leaving money on the table here, the C63AMG does quite well against the M3 Sedan, and there is little difference performance-wise between the E90 and E92. Besides, Mercedes is CREATING new classes with the CLS, which has basically carved out an entirely new niche of Sedans with Coupe lines.

The E-Coupe, IMHO, would be more of a direct competitor with the 6-Series.....right?

W211 BEAST

My personal opinion of what got us here...

The CLK originally started out as the old school 2 door E class (forgive me for not knowing the exact style or year), and in looks (inside and out) it was the same as the E class. In recent years, the CLK interior looks like it's somewhere between a C class and an E class, obviously straying from its original purpose, a 2 door E class. I think MB is changing the name to the E class coupe to, well, get more respect for the car. I haven't seen any interior pics, but I'm guessing that with the name change, its gonna have the same interior as th new E (it better IMO). So, if it has the E class interior, then yes, I think of it as a 6 series competitor, even though the SL can also be thought of as a 6 series competitor. So now MB needs to make a nice C class coupe to go head to head with the 3 series coupe.

jrcart

I agree, the C63 sedan can hold it's own against a new M3 E90/92 in most situations, One would asume that MB could build a C63 coupe off that platform which would be able to retail in the $70k range which would line up nicely price wise with an M3. I prefer the looks of a coupe over a sedan, I don't need four doors, a coupe is just sportier and cooler looking IMO. I'm sure I am not the only person that prefers coupes over sedans. The C63 and M3 sedans are great, if I did not have the luxury of having many vehicles and was forced to choose one car and it would be my "fun" car and daily driver all wrapped up into one car it would most likely be a C63 or M3, they do everything well and you can stick a couple people or a baby seat in the back if needed.

Point2Point

An AMG E coupe would not compete against the M3. I agree that the E Coupe would live further up market, and be a competitor to the M6.