German Car Zone

Adding further fuel to the new Mercedes convertible speculation fire, WhatCar? is reporting that two new Mercedes convertibles are in the works with one scheduled to hit as early as this summer.

The models in question are the highly-anticipated and highly publicized SLR convertible, and the other is a vehicle that up until now has received nothing more than a passing mention: a CL convertible.

If WhatCar? is to be believed, the first - the SLR - may drop this summer, with pricing somewhere above £320,000 (in the UK, of course). As for the CL, they suspect it will make its premier at the LA Auto Show in November and go on sale next year with pricing set at at least £75,000.

How WhatCar? arrived at these conclusions is anyone's guess. The SLR convertible has been discussed by numerous publications and in my opinion is likely to debut in the not too distant future. A CL convertible is also a strong possibility, especially due to the recent registering of the CLC trademark, but putting a date on when it will premier is nothing more than pure speculation on anyone's part.

When or if the new models will debut, we shall see, but in the meantime, head over to WhatCar? to check out all the gossip in its entirety.

2010 Mercedes CLC-Class Preview



Inside information from Mercedes-Benz points that the Stuttgart manufacturer is preparing a convertible version of their sports flagship, the CL-Class. It seems that Mercedes has already registered the “CLC-Class” as a trademark. The new car is expected for 2010.
It was previously known that the CL-Class was design with a reinforced chassis that would allow the production of a convertible on the same platform with only minor adjustments. It is believed that such a model was not previously released due to the fact that up until recently the demand for a large size cabriolet was lacking. However the Ocean Drive convertible concept was a huge success, and therefore Mercedes decided that it will be the time to enter this segment.
The competition is very select, only a few such cars being available, like the Bentley Continental GTC or the new Rolls Royce convertible. It is probable that Mercedes will use the same roof solution as the competition does, with a canvas top. Due to the length of the car and that of the top, the usage of a hard roof is very difficult. A hint to that is offered again by the Ocean Drive concept that uses a large soft-top.

The technical components are expected to be very similar with those used on the CL. Several V8 and V12 petrol engines will be available and also a completely new diesel. The top of the range will be as for the rest of the Mercedes vehicles, the AMG prepped versions. Rumors point that available will also be the 4Matic all wheel drive system.
The pictures we present you are artist impressions, based on the available information and on the intuition of our artist. They depict the CLC featuring design elements from the CL (due to the common components) and a large size soft-top.
2010 Mercedes CLC-Class - Top Speed

hmm so what is this.. i knew that there would be a CLC..
but will there be an Ocean Drive also..
maybe in the name of MM then..
and a CL cab for MB..

i like that idea

Two things:

I don't care if they build the CL Cabrio, but it should just be that a CL Cabrio. There is no need for a new "class" of Mercedes. Secondly they'd better not build this CL instead of the Ocean Drive/S-Class convertible. There is likely no need for both so the S-Class/Ocean Drive should be the one built, not a CL Cabrio. Smart thing is though they're waiting until S/CL facelift time to introduce whichever one they decide to build, very smart indeed.

M

I think it's about time for a CL convertible. Mercedes had them in the 1950s and early 1960s, so why not now?

And these photoshops look pretty good too.

I think it is fantastic. There is no doubt about the commercial viability of this car -- it will sell without any trouble. A full size convertible coupé is so right for Mercedes-Benz. Personally, I think it is a much more desirable vehicle than the ODC.

I have to disagree with you guys on this one. The CL Cabrio while a natural fit, is also predictable. Mercedes need the ODC convertible to put some exclusivity back into the brand. Pretty much in the same way the CLK63 AMG Black Series does. Mercedes needs something stunning that no other German or any other brand has, the ODC would be it. At least for a few years until someone else builds a 4-door convertible. They can't do both and IMO since they've shown the ODC as a design study it is the one we'll see in a few years. It has happened before.

M

Huh? ....why not? They haven't shown much restraint when it comes to offering new models for quite some time.

Remember you posted THIS -- I think we can likely expect a number of specific niche-market Mercedes vehicles in future.

I just can't see them doing both, they would conflict with each other too much IMO. True I posted the article, but I also questioned the need for both a CL and S Cabrio a few posts later in that same thread.

M

I agree with Merc 1. The ODC would be a far better choice for the MB brand right now.