I really don't think this car will outsell the Banglized 6-Series. This 4 Door Coupe idea is stupid. I really wanted to see a "real" 2 door W211 E-Class. From The Car Connection, 31 Dec 2003:

"Benz CLS 500 Coming in '05

At the L.A. Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz announced that the Vision CLS four door coupe that was unveiled in September as a design study at the Frankfurt Auto Show will go into production. The new coupe will fill the gap between the CLK and the CL. The CLS is based on the C-class and the CL on the S-class. The CLS is technically based on the E-Class.
The production version will be launched in March at the Geneva Auto Show and a month later in New York. The CLS is expected to arrive in European dealerships by the end of 2004. It is expected in the U.S. in the first half of 2005.

The CLS will have to compete with BMW's new 6-Series coupe, but has two doors more than its fellow countryman. Mercedes uses 85 percent of the components of the E-Class, such as Airmatic air suspension, SBC electronic braking and bi-xenon projector beam lights with active-curve technology. The body is 193.3 inches long, 72.8 inches wide and 54.7 inches high. The wheelbase is the same as of the E-Class, 112.4 inches. The luggage compartment has 16.6 cubic feet more space than any other coupe in the class. The Vision CLS is equipped with 19-inch wheels with 235/35 tyres in the front and 285/30 in the rear.
The CLS 500 will be powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 with 304 hp that is teamed to the new G7-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission that was especially developed for the Mercedes V-8 engines. The G7-Tronic helps reduce gas consumption and emissions and provides improved acceleration from 0-60 mph. Even more improvement is reached in the acceleration from 40-80 mph. A 5.5-liter AMG V-8 with 476 hp will be available in a later stage. -Henny Hemmes"

The Cls is starting to grow on me. I think I really like it. Also the Acura TL A-Spec is pretty hot too!

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As a design or concept study it seems OK, however, we consumers know a coupe when we see one and the CLS is not a "COUPE" no matter what Mercedes dubs it.

I don't believe there is a new market for a 4 place 4-door Sedan between the E-Class & S-Class Sedans. This car will not outsell the 6-Series Coupe. Mercedes has missed the point and I still would prefer a true 2 door E-Class Coupe. This will be the shortest lived chassis in Mercedes's history.

I agree with E55KEV...
When the first CLK came out it looked like a 2 door E class at the time (1998?).
So wouldn't it have been smart to stick with the same concept when the new CLK came out in 2003?....no , they had to make it look like the SL. Doesn't make sense to me.
I still wish the CLK always looked like a 2 door E clas!!

I agree that an E class version of a car like the CL is to the S class would be preferable, but in my case, my wife prefers a 4 door and the sleek new design is unique to this CLS class and the interior is beautiful. The question I have is how much will it cost-55K or 65K?

Yes, there are things about it that could be changed for a more aggressive appearance, but I think the car will be a winner (as does Autospies who are usually on the ball) whereas the 6 series, albeit the least offensive if Bangle's designs, is still unattractive.


Unfortunately Stiggs, I think MB faltered with the CLK design by taking away its aggressive edge and not putting a kompressor in the AMG version. I think it looks more like a smaller version of the CL than an SL. You're still a good guy even though you you defected during a momentary lapse of common sense( 469>>367).

Kev, your obsession with this car has caused me to examine it more closely. I do think it does bear resemblane to the Olds Aurora, but I actually liked that car when it first came out (of course, for my parents, not me).

This is a great opportunity for MB to hit back at BMW on the release of the E60 M5 and M6. An AMG version of the CLS with real "sports" suspension, would make a great competitior to both BMW M cars. As long as the premium was not too great, I'd take one in a heartbeat, over the E55.

i think aside from the car being a true sports car or not.... the car simply doenst look good period ..looks weird actually doesnt resemble any of its siblings...looks like a deformed outkast

I'm torn midway between liking it and not. Has a real rounded off look to it and that's a pet peeve of mine. The more a car has that look, the more it loses its distinction in my opinion. But, I'd certainly like to see more views of it. My wife came in while I was reading Kev's note and she really likes it, especially the wheels. But then said it should be a 2 door, not a 4 door. A 4 door coupe is nutty, she said. I think it will be a matter of how atrractive the car looks up close, inside and out. Four doors can be a big selling point. We were very happy with the four door convenience in the C32 in such an attractive package. I agree with Dr. Chill that the car will sell.

I think we'll grow to like it as well. I can picture it in about 3-4 years we'll all be "talking' about our CLS AMGs (w 600 hp +).

I know, I know.....it was the drugs that did it!!

Hi there,

Short and simple I dont like the concept, a Coupe has two doors and not four.

Having said this they car will sell well anyway!

Does the CLS have a "fixed" middle arm rest? I was wondering if you can fit 3 people in the back seat? Is it a 4 or 5 passenger coupe? I would consider the cls if it came with the v12 biturbo engine. CLS65 AMG would be a step above the E55 in my opinion. But it has to fit up to 5 people for me to buy it.