Mercedes BLK takes aim at 1-series
To hear some people talk, you'd be forgiven for thinking BMW's 1-Series has already won the compact luxury segment and retired to the hearth with a glass of celebratory Riesling. And it hasn't even come to America yet. In spite of the 1's much hyped and much anticipated arrival, it will still have to earn its place by taking on challengers. Mercedes' entrant is called the BLK, based on the C-Class and offered in three body styles: coupe, hatch, and convertible. While the moniker makes sense within Mercedes naming system, it still makes us think of a sandwich.
[Source: Auto Express]
The front is anything but a reminder of the previous attempt at a little C-Class-based coupe, and thank heavens for that. Sporting the new C's creased and curvy face, it should look good coming down the road. The profile looks like it could also provide a nice convergence of lines. The back end, however, albeit nicely sculpted, is a tad too reminiscent of The Coupe We'd Rather Forget. Perhaps the rendering doesn't do it justice, and in the flesh its muscularity will change our minds... a long shot, but possible.
In addition to this pictured coupe, there will be hatchback and convertible versions as well. Engines will come from the C range, up to a 3.5-liter V6 in the BLT BLK 350. The first two versions, the coupe and hatchback, are expected in 2011.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jon 1:33PM (7/31/2007)
2011 seems like a little too late. The Bimmers will have received a mid-cycle refresh by then.
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500 1:36PM (7/31/2007)
So this is just a replacement for the failed (in the US anyway) C Coupe, with a new name and some new configurations? Yawn...
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Andrew 1:39PM (7/31/2007)
Nice girl car.
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DCragTop 1:45PM (7/31/2007)
ditto
YouFaceTheTick 1:48PM (7/31/2007)
Yes, real men, like yourself, probably ride a mammoth and live in a cave. That's the only logical explanation for calling a car with 260+ hp a "girl car."
Don 3:40PM (7/31/2007)
Yeah...I'll take a BLK, hold the flavor.
Joe K. 1:55PM (7/31/2007)
At this rate maybe the Caddy Cimarron will come back!!! Hurrah!!!
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1337 3:51PM (7/31/2007)
It might actually sell better than the G5...which wouldn't be saying much.
AR 2:01PM (7/31/2007)
Yet another reminder that BMW and Mercedes completely lost it. They may say what they want about capturing generations X and Y with sportier looks and (of course) iPod interface, but their cars are still aimed at wealthy baby boomers; probably designed by fellow baby boomers.
I gotta give Mercedes props for keeping that boring shape clean instead of trying to spice it up with mid-nineties Huyndaish curves Bangle calls "flame surfacing".
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c. baines 2:04PM (7/31/2007)
When will a proper C-Class coupe be released? Not a CLK, not some unreliable (IIRC) hatch with cloth interior for recent grads with a BS in BS.
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1337 3:56PM (7/31/2007)
I agree that the C coupe should not have been so downmarket.
However, I picked up a loaded example in 2002 for a hair over 30k, and it's a lot of fun with a sporty manumatic and a supercharged I4. The sound system, leather, and fit-and-finish are all impeccable. I actually preferred it to the 3-series coupe when I bought it.
I wish the base C coupe would have been loaded with all those options at $32k. This way, it would have been taken seriously as an entry luxury car, rather than an overpriced hot hatch.
Imp 2:08PM (7/31/2007)
Seems Dodge's Caliber-styling of chiseled angles is rubbing off on Merc.
May work on a Dodge but not on a Merc.
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Drewboy 2:10PM (7/31/2007)
BLK? Sounds like something you'd order at a fast food place.
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seoultrain 2:26PM (7/31/2007)
is there any hope for a BLK63 BLK edition?
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Jason 2:29PM (7/31/2007)
Not bad. But marred by the SUV front bumperettes. Still better than the new Hyundai 1-series.
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waLLy 2:29PM (7/31/2007)
2011?? Why even bother?
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cardudeATL 2:57PM (7/31/2007)
'BLK' is what I write on applications when they ask for my race.
I guess it's better than 'MLK'
:(
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Bart 3:09PM (7/31/2007)
It's a poor photoshop. I knew the compact segment Merc was coming, but I'm not too happy with it.
Especially considering the 1-series is a HUGE failure in Europe, there's just no market for compacts in that price class.
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YouFaceTheTick 3:49PM (7/31/2007)
A3 is a smash in Europe and it competes in the same near-luxury price class. The mini is a smash and its pricing ranges from 18k to around 38kk in the USA.
Juvenille 6:12PM (7/31/2007)
The Audi A3 is a pretty solid entry in the compact luxury segment, especially the s3 model which has great sporty alloy rims and spoilers, looks great. 2.0 Supercharged I4 producing 265 hp with permanent 4WD. I'd take it over BLK or 1 series any time.
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