German Car Zone

Any idea if the new CLK cabrio will have a folding hardtop or not?

I'd say it will. MB have been the masters of folding hardtop and it would be pretty stupid of them to launch a CLK without it, especially consider that the 3er coupe has it. More over it might be cheaper in the longer run, instead of building two versions of the CLK, one cabrio and one non-cabrio.

DC_insider, thanks for the info. My own internals tell me that all looks about right...lol!

The only thing is though, what about the Ocean Drive, a S-Class Cabrio? I would want that moreso than a CL Cabrio. Mercedes would truly have an exclusive product with an S-Class Cabrio as opposed to a CL Cabrio.

I'm with those who think the CLK Cabrio will have a folding hardtop, with BMW doing it you know Mercedes has to come full circle by making all of their Cabrios hardtops. The SLK started it all in modern time anyway. The SL perfected it so it is only natural the CLK will get one, IMO.

R-Class facelift? My goodness I would love to be in on the meetings about that flopper. I can see a cheapo RWD version, more seats like you say and something done to that homely front end. Still won't be enough to make it sell.

The previous CLK only went 5 years, but this one is going to go 7 huh? Interesting. It will be obsolete by 2009! The SL I see is going to really go a long time, again as it always has. Gonna be interesting to see how they'll keep it fresh.

What about engines? When do we get a 300+ hp V6?

M

The purpose of the Ocean Drive Concept is not to preview a 4 door S-Class cabriolet but:

1. To preview some details from the S-Class facelift.
2. To gauge opinion of a very large cabriolet.

If there was positive feedback for a large cabriolet it was always going to be based on the CL.

I don't have any info on whether the new CLK cabrio will have a soft-top or hard-top. There are currently no prototypes testing so the design still only exists on computer. I expect that, like the BMW 3 series, there is parallel development of a soft-top and a hard-top and a decision will be taken as late as possible based on customer expectation.

I agree completely. I am expecting a neater front design, 7 seats and RWD only on entry models.

The previous CLK only went 5 years as it was a new model introduced more than halfway through the donor platforms life (the 202 series C-Class). The current model was always planned to go 7 years like almost all other models. Similarly the CLS is being replaced after 6 years as the donor platform is being replaced. The new CLS will move to the same lifecycle as other models. The SL was due to be replaced in 2008 but has been extended with an additional (major) facelift. I'm not sure when the decision to extend the product life was taken - I can recall a magazine publishing a photograph of a DaimlerChrysler Engineers business card way back in 2003/4 that had 'R231' printed on it so a replacement model has certainly been in development.

I don't share the obsession with hp figures that seems widespread on this board. There is a direct injection version of the 350 engine with 292hp but this is currently restricted to the CLS. My interpretation of this is that the new technology is being launched on a comparatively low volume product rather than a high volume product in case of any problems that could require a recall. A case of "once bitten, twice shy" following the SBC debacle.

With regard to the BMW 335 - DC do like to point out that quoted output and performance is only achievable with super unleaded unlike the 350 which only requires regular unleaded.

I really don't like or understand this, I want a S-Class Cabrio now. Just my personal feelings. I think a CL Cabrio is so expected and so normal for Mercedes to do. With Audi and BMW gaining so much image in the lower segments daily, it is time for Mercedes to do something stunningly exclusive, and S-Class Cabriolet would have been it, IMO. A CL Cabrio will just join the pack of competitors already awaiting it!


Yeah we're into hp numbers moreso than most would admit. Yeah I've known about the CLS350 CGI for quite some time, but I hope that isn't the final development of the 3.5L V6 otherwise it is already a little behind. I'm expecting more next year.

M

Well DC insiders table seem to be spot on going by all the facelifts and intro that have gone on so far, so im inclined to believe it

^^^ Yupp!!! Looks like we have out own MB insider now too. DC_Insider is MB's Eni

Yeah, DC_Insider was MB's Eni but unfortunatley he has moved on. A top guy and was always reliable. Wishing him best of luck with his future plans

Not entirely; he posted today in the CLS forum:

That's why this thread got bumped up

I hope he starts posting a bit more! Would be great for the forum

Sorry, I have moved on from Daimler. I just haven't got round to changing my user name to ex_the_company_formerly_known_as_DC_insider.

The list of models launches and facelifts came from information provided to me for OP08-10 (basically a 3 year budget) back in 2007. Most of the stuff was pretty accurate with the exception of the 3 seat rear bench in the CLS. That piece of info came from my boss which shows how much he knew! Although he did say that future designs were going to echo designs from the 1980s and from I think you can see it in spy shots of the next-generation E-Class interior.