Spy Shots: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabrio leaks out courtesy EU bureaucracy
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible trademark filing images – Click above for image gallery
There are few people in this world for whom we hold more contempt than European bureaucrats. They're the pencil-pushers that, if they had their way, would put an end to some of our favorite exotic sportscars and have us all driving Smart ForTwos. But every gray cloud has its silver lining, and in the case of Belgium's bureaucracy, is the sneak peak we get from time to time when a carmaker files its designs to register them as trademarks.
What we're looking at this time is the upcoming Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabrio. Although there were rumors that the model could be delayed, by and large we knew this was coming, and have even seen plenty spy shots of test mules preparing for their market launch.
Replacing the outgoing CLK convertible, this new model is based on the slick new E-Class coupe but, you know...with a convertible roof. It's a fabric job, unlike its rivals from BMW, Lexus, Infiniti and Volvo, which have all gone with folding hard-tops by now. The mechanicals are otherwise expected to carry over from its fixed-roof counterpart, although the jury's still out on whether an AMG version will be on offer as well. For now, we'll just have to peruse these grainy black-and-white images until the new drop-top Benz drops in the first half of next year.
[Source: CarScoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PaulPaul 2:17PM (10/15/2009)
can you guys make the top ad any bigger? sheesh
Reply
Thomas 2:20PM (10/15/2009)
When you scroll down ....
The ad is gone.
Quattrofan 2:43PM (10/15/2009)
yeah, its called AdBlock
Meggsy 4:23PM (10/15/2009)
EU bureaucracy would probably limit the size and quantity of intrusive adverts :D
dal20402 2:18PM (10/15/2009)
Soft-roof proportions just look so much better. No ungainly huge butt, no tiny little hardtop.
If you're wealthy enough that a convertible is your second car, this is now the car of choice. Hopefully there will eventually be a version with a sport suspension.
Reply
chuck 8:52PM (10/15/2009)
What are you talking about? Hard top converts are so much more attractive than their soft top counterparts. Get with it, Benz!
HotRodzNKustoms 2:33PM (10/15/2009)
It's like they said "Let's just slap some new headlights and a new interior on the 1st gen CLK Cabrio."
Reply
Matthew 2:48PM (10/15/2009)
Just let the Eurobash thing to Jezza, you aren't up to the task.
Reply
jimgee 2:49PM (10/15/2009)
This reminds me of the Chrysler Sebring convertible.
Reply
housegsx 3:23PM (10/15/2009)
Agreed. I was thinking it looks like a Sebring when I was next to one in traffic yesterday. I guess this is what MB got for being with Chrysler. lol
Nick 3:22PM (10/15/2009)
"There are few people in this world for whom we hold more contempt than European bureaucrats."
Who the F is "Noah Joseph" ?? Let me guess, based on his name he's from a family of Bible-hugging, freedom whining idiots who hasn't even set foot in Europe but likes to talk s... about it?
Please leave that kind of c..p off Autoblog.
Reply
Frank 3:23PM (10/15/2009)
Never mind that some (most) of our fav exotic sports cars come from across the pond.
Reply
BetterButtsOnBenzs 3:48PM (10/15/2009)
Ugly *ss. It's like a hot guy with no butt. That's all I'm saying...
Reply
whipflipper 4:40PM (10/15/2009)
Not to parse words, I realize the writer was probably referring to the E93 3-series BMW folding hardtop, however I believe the BMW 6-series E64 uses a fabric top as well, and does not use any folding hardtop, I would reason that is the justification for the fabric top. this is not referring to any remake on the 6-series I may not know about. Thats it...
Whipflipper@gmail.com
Reply
dUN 6:51PM (10/15/2009)
em...dual-front fog lights? Wow, MB really done there home work!
Reply
dsgnr 7:52PM (10/15/2009)
They took the softtop from the current-gen CLK Cabrio and put it on the wider new E-Class coupé chassis. So now the cabrio will look much wider than the coupé.
Reply
AustinJosh 8:23PM (10/15/2009)
Wow....that's a real nice Solara you got there.
Reply