Mercedes' plans for '08: It's gonna be a busy year!
2008 is going to be a hectic year for the engineers responsible for new product launches at Mercedes-Benz. The team in Stuttgart have one all-new, one redesigned and five refreshed models coming before this time next year. Mercedes will jump into the compact crossover segment for the first time with the all-new GLK, which we'll finally get to see minus all the spy photo disguises. The GLK should turn up in concept form at Geneva with a production launch later in the year. Another new badge, if not a whole new car, is the CLC. Formerly known as the C-Class Sport Coupe, this two-door hatchback coupe gets fresh styling on the old C-Class chassis. As for the five existing models getting mid-cycle refreshes, both the SL and SLK roadsters are getting nose jobs and butt lifts. Their overall looks remain the same, but lights get reshaped and grilles get updated in a manner similar to the new C-Class. A similar treatment will also be applied to the big CLS foor-door "coupe" and the small A- and B-Class hatchbacks.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mondo 9:47AM (12/07/2007)
Just what we need, another friggin CUV.
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SGV 10:20AM (12/07/2007)
If you don't like it, don't buy it. Believe me its THAT easy.
Mondo 1:16PM (12/07/2007)
SGV, you have a wonderful grasp of the obvious. That would be a fine response if you were responding to a regular consumer. However, we are all enthusiasts and comments about the industry as a whole are valid.
The point is, automakers are all clamoring to fill every niche and trying to be all things to all people, aka the Toyota model. Granted, Toyo is successful. But, there are other financially successful models that focus on doing what you do best (ie Ferrari). It's like having "me too" drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. They just don't add much to the discussion and muddy the picture a bit. If MB produces true innovation with their CUV I'd love to see it.
Mal Fuller 10:31AM (12/07/2007)
At least they're all done ravaging Chrysler.
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Mobius_1 10:35AM (12/07/2007)
That CLC sounds promising and I can't wait to see the facelifted CLS
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kris 11:04AM (12/07/2007)
I hope they can do the CLC right this time. Past iterations have been butt ugly. They need 1-series good.
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clevershark 11:16AM (12/07/2007)
The thing about Merc is, I like the new C-class, but I can't bear the thought of dealing with the dealers. Granted I've only been to one, but while I was there I saw one of the salesmen literally shoo a group of 4 young-ish men away, even stepping outside to make sure they didn't hang around the grounds. I don't know what prompted that, but evidently it didn't warrant calling the police or anything like that.
Of course that salesman must have gotten an earful about that incident because the four young men then went back to their car and drove off... and that car was a Mercedes. If this is how they treat the people who are already Merc customers, how far down their noses would they have to look to find me?
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Matt 11:41AM (12/07/2007)
I think the E-class is long over due for a major redesign
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J M C 3 12:21PM (12/07/2007)
Yep.New E-class is due.There's some better pictures cropping up on the web,including interior shots.I haven't figured out how to send links on my computer yet,but I've found if you google image 2010 mercedes E 350 you come up with some stuff.The interior has a dual cowl instrument cluster like the 5 series but not as organic a shape.The car is very much in the s class style.