German Car Zone

Tine,are you trying to say that MB will move the CLS upmarket to go against the 8er or will make a sedan from the ODC to properly fight the 8er?

No ...

CLS 4dr coupe will stay positioned between E-class & S-class.

ODC will be a 4dr cabrio, or perhaps even 4dr cabrio-coupe - positioned above CL-class (between CL & Maybach 57), and thus above the 8er (since the 8er will compete with CL - price wise).

Well now I'm really confused! You and SCOTT27 are saying that the 4 door GT will be positioned above the CLS, but some other members are saying Mercedes is attempting to move there products to a even more exclusive market rivaling much more exspensive vehicles.. Something tells me Mercedes will probably mark-up the cost of the next generation CLS in a efford to stadle both segments. Regardless comparisons will be made imo!

^

I'm 300% sure MB will come out with luxury car above CL. Ocean Drive Concept - a 4dr cabrio - showcased such a vehicle.

CLS will stay where it is now: between E & S. While ODC-like production car will be slotted above S & CL - as a bridge to Maybach.

Different strategy: in executive GT segment BMW is represented by 2dr coupe & cabrio (6-series), while MB offers a 4dr coupe in the same segment (CLS). OK, we can also count in an X6 - it's in the same price range, and it is a coupe. Kind a.

In luxury GT segment BMW will offer a 4dr coupe (CS Concpet based production car), while MB offers a 2dr coupe - a CL.

MB will offer an additional entry ultra-luxury car - ODC production car : in the range of Bentley Continental cars. While BMW won't be represented there exactly, but will offer a baby Rolls-Royce - positioned a bit higher than new Benz, and Bentley Conti. While Daimler won't offer a baby Maybach.

Mind that MB strive to have a higher status than any other brand. So an additional model above CL is a logical move.

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Segment line (price wise):


2dr 6er & 4dr CLS & 4dr X6 < 7er & S-class < 4dr 8er & 2dr CL < 4dr ODC cabrio & Bentley Continental < baby Rolls Royce (Silver Ghost) & Bentley Arnage < Rolls-Royce Phantom & Maybach

I thought the X6 was SAV? Something to compete against the Q5 and the GLK, o well I'll leave this discussion for you experts..

Yeah guy you're all mixed up...lol.

X6 competes mainly with the Infiniti FX and maybe the Porsche Cayenne for sporty driving bragging rights. Other than the FX there really isn't much else to compete with the X6 right now, in other words playing the same exact game. Which is a utility-compromised for the sake of style, sporty SUV. It is to the SUV world what the CLS was to the sedan world.

Anyway as to this poll, there is no way to know who will do what in the future until all these new cars hit the ground. Mercedes invented this segment, but they'll have the time of their lives trying to keep the CLS relevant in the face of all the new competition. This is why a new CLS is around the corner, likely a year and half after the new E is presented.

M

Very excited about the future models,MB is already the most premium and expensive german brand and i can't wait to see their next moves with ODC and all new MM.

^ I disagree. Porsche is much more premium if you ask me. MB have been diluted, as have BMW and Audi...

Don't worry Porsche is surely on its way to the same diluted status. Sedans, diesels, and more (smaller) SUVs if the rumor mill is correct.

M

I wonder how long Rolls Royce needs to be with BMW AG to be considered German? Off topic I know!!!