German Car Zone

Mercedes jump-started a new trend of four-door coupes with the CLS. But after several years of having the niche market to itself, the German automaker is bracing for an onslaught of competition, from above and from below. While the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide attempt to take the four-door coupe formula even farther upmarket, Volkswagen has launched its assault by undercutting the CLS with the new CC (until now known as the Passat CC). If the reports are to be believed, it's the latter that Daimler sees as the bigger threat, and the automaker is preparing to launch its own counter-assault with what's being dubbed as the CLE.
Like the CLS is based on the E-Class, the CLE would be based on the C-Class. But instead of coming in under the C-Class like the recently facelifted but still ageing CLC, the CLE would likely slot in between the C and E. Most of the mechanics would probably also carry over from the C-Class sedan, and the prospect of a swoopier version of the C63 AMG makes us hope the project comes to fruition.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/07/rendered-speculation-mercedes-benz-cle-four-door-coupe/

CC a threat?? I have no idea what kind of "reports" these guys have read but MB can't in any possible ways be planning a smaller four door coupe. Especially one based on the C-class, it will be impossible to create a mini CLS with sufficient head roof in the back.

I think car makers should really stop finding every possible gap to slot in a "niche" product. The CLK is the coupe version of the C-class, and it is priced between the C and E class, so I really don't think this CLE or whatever can generate new sales fro MB. It will just take sales away from the CLK.

Yet another garbage photoshop image. Why do they even bother ?

Yeah an MB chop based on a Passat. It's lovely, isn't it?

Well as the CC looks like a compromised CLS with weird front/rear lights, it's no real problem It's just back to its "original" brand...

j/K...

I heard about an above-CLS from MB, any news about it? Should be a CLS, but for the S-Class, to compete against BMW's 8er.

I agree with Centurion. When the W204 was not on the market yet, they projected to replace the CLK by a small-CLS, but the headroom at the back would have rendered it useless. So they maintained the usual C and CLK. With the C and the CLK, like monster said, the CLE would have no use at all.

No way it's coming.

Yeah, a while ago it was reported that Mercedes had one or two new model based on the new gen S-class in their pipe line.

There is room for a gigantic spaceship-like 4 door coupe. With AM, Porsche and BMW working hard on their beasts MB will not let the guys play alone, count on them to join in on the action too. Think F700 and ODC, MB are clearly flirting with the idea of going up market.

Is such a car even needed? It will be very small and cramped as some members have already pointed out.

I agree that MB needs to stop trying to fill every market niche, no matter how much positive (or negative) buzz this will create.

If done right, the CLE would sell great in America. A lot of people want the CLS, but can't afford it. This would be a great alternative.

As far as a CLS based on the S-class, that would be pointless. If BMW were ever to do a 8 series again the CL would be right there to fight it.

S-class should stay the flagship for Benz.