Nah.

First the E, then the CLK. E is further in development it seems.

This is not making sense. Why would the E debut before the CLK. The CLK is heavily C based so should be mostly tested.

The E is a vital product for MB, and is much more important than the CLK.
So the E has the priority, and is undergoing an enormous testing process, with the majority of MB testers and equipments. The CLK comes only after, so is not under so hard testing for now, and thus does not go as fast as the E-Class. MB is giving all its attention to the E-Class, few is left for the CLK.

At least it is the explanation I see for the much quicker peeling-off of the E-Class.

Expect to see the E early to capture market interest. I'd say Europe will see the E for sell as early as February and coming to the states in April as a 2010 model year vehicle.

Weren't the current E & CLK both presented in Geneva 2002?

The E debuted prior to the CLK in January at the Brussels auto show.

David is right. I remember seeing a W211 E320 on the show floor in the ME in August 2002. So E first, then the CLK.

Ahh ok, I always thought the E was first.

Ye but i think this time the new CLK will go to Paris 2008, going on sale this fall in europe or spring 2009, and the E Class is going for Geneva 2009.

News Anyone?