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Future Vehicles Mercedes-Benz: Future Models
441 messages, Last post on Sep 15, 2007 at 9:01 PM
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Well since the C-Class and CLK have gotten their mid-life facelifts, its the E and SL's turn. These are the latest spy pics of the facelifted SL. I'm guessing it will turn up for 2007 with a similarly facelifted E-Class. Both "500" models will no doubt get the new 5.5L 382hp V8. Then of course the "55" models will become "63" models with the new AMG V8 in the post above. Pics:     All I see here is new 3-slat grille like the 2006 CLK, new front bumper assembly and a slightly different taillight design. Thank gawd the rumors about a SLR style nose don't appear to be true. I guess there really wasn't much else to do with the SL, hard to improve on such a perfect shape to begin with. M
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I'm Just getting ready to turn over 3000 miles in this car and thought I'd give a quick update. If you remember, I bought the Launch edition of the CLS and the new ML500 at the same time, and both were my first MB vehicles. First the CLS. This car just continues to grow on me every day. It's ride is very controlled and tight..better the the E500. I leave the Airmatic in auto and it seems to always find the best compromise. No problems to report at all. The seven speed transmission may be as good as I've had in a car of any type. Don't much care for the brakes...very hard to modulate and smooth stops still elude me. Also, I probably wouldn't order the ventilated seats in another car. They really seem to make little difference. And of course the car still gets looks. I find people stopping as they pass it in parking lots. The ML500 is also a very nice vehicle. It seems almost as quick as the CLS which is surprising given its weight. Same wonderful transmission and airmatic suspension. This car also just got to 3000 miles, but there have been a few glitches. Of course there was the recall that's been discussed on the other message boards. But the ML is also back at the dealers today..the engine has cut-out twice...once while entering the ramp to a parking garage. It also seems to occasionally idle rough at stop lights. Hope this is just some sort of adjustment. It was very disconcerting to have the car shut off while in motion. Otherwise, we really like the vehicle. The new design is great, particularly the interior ergonomics. I especially like the change to the stalk-type gear shift. Results in a very useable console. Surprisingly, the brakes in the ML are much easier to manage than the CLS...really "natural" pedal feel under all conditions. And although the power assist on the tailgate was not an option I would have ordered, it has really enhanced the utility of this vehicle for me. All-in-all, still very pleased with both cars, although I'm crossing my fingers on the ML stalling issue. Happy motoring.
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Replying to: clsclass (Jul 18, 2005 8:42 am) M |
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See Here Up almost 10 percent compared to July 2004. The CL showed the sharpest decline vs last year, its time has passed I guess. A shame really because this model never got its props imo, being such a stunning design. I suspect the Bentley Continental GT has been the biggest problem for the CL because the GT doesn't cost much more than a CL600/55/65. The E, SLK, M and CLS all continue to post gains, with the E being somewhat of a surprise considering all the new competition in that segment. I guess the initial sales loss because of the CLS has passed? The newly V6 engined C-Class models are just arriving at dealers as is the facelifted CLK so August will be interesting to see if buyers notice the changes to these two model lines. Can't wait to see what the R-Class will do in Oct. M |
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The Monster Maybach For those who missed the CLS55 AMG video in the other thread: CLS55 AMG M |
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After visiting the E-class factory in Sindelfingen, I can assure you that Daimler Chrysler doesn't care that some E-Class sales have gone to the CLS. All they care about is that total sales of the "E-Klasse" have increased, and with the CLS, they have. I say this because the CLS is an E. It is made on the same assembly line, in the same building, at the same time. It is the only place in the world that makes these models, and it is cranking about 2000 samples a day of various E-Klasse right now. They consider the CLS truly the E coupe model, and call it so in the factory. They build the E sedan, E wagon, and E coupe (CLS) all in the same building on the same two lines. They look to cost roughly the same to make, and share a lot of mechanicals. Interior fittings and glass/shells are installed in the same way by the same people and same robots, even though they are obviously unique among the models. There will be 2 sedans, then a CLS, then 3 more sedans, than 2 CLSs coming down one line. Some will be US, occasionally you'll get a right drive, each one is unique anyway. On the parallel line, there will be 3 sedans, then 2 wagons, then 2 sedans, etc. If CLS sales increase but E sales stay steady or decline, all it does to the factory is change the ratio and the "patternless pattern" on the line, and if overall numbers increase, it keeps the line open a few more days a year! And since the CLS costs more at the dealer than an E in the US and Europe, MB would be happy to "lose" "E class" sales to the CLS. Same factory, same workers, similar parts, more money from the consumer. With so many company cars, taxis, limos etc. coming off the E class line, the luxury CLS is a high margin product that they are thrilled to build. And that's without even selling the more "affordable" CLS350 here in the US. Not a bad problem to have!
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Replying to: ikramerica (Aug 04, 2005 5:52 am) M
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Replying to: merc1 (Aug 04, 2005 10:21 pm) And since the tour was not given by a US sales rep, he wouldn't know the specifics of what the US gets. In Europe, the E can be had with so many engines, it would be difficult for him to tell me which exact new engine comes into which model in which market when. For example, you can get E180, E200, E200K, E220 CDI, E230, E230K, E270 CDI, E280, E320 CDI, E350, E500 and E55 AMG. I may have missed some. I think the CLS is more limited though, to only CLS280, CLS350, CLS500, CLS320 CDI, CLS55 AMG, but there may be another model in there somewhere. And unfortunately, we didn't get to see the factory where they build the engines. It's a different building.
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Replying to: ikramerica (Aug 06, 2005 3:19 pm)  M
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