Mercedes Benz CLK Coupe production comes to an end
01-28-09, 05:57 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mercedes Benz CLK Coupe production comes to an end
http://www.motorauthority.com/merced...to-an-end.html
The Mercedes Benz CLK is something of an enigma - built around the old C-Class platform, styled like the E-Class, and priced in between the two, the car sits in its own unique segment and has no direct competition from its rivals. Its sales history has been a strong success, especially in the United States, but the car is set to meet its demise with the arrival of a new E-Class Coupe later this year and an E-Class Cabrio in 2010.
In order to make way for the new two-door E-Class range, Mercedes has ended production of the current CLK. The cars, however, will still be on sale until the arrival of the new E-Class Coupe later this year. As for the CLK Cabrio, a Mercedes spokesman confirmed to MotorAuthority that production will last until late June and current stock should suffice until the drop-top is replaced by the E-Class Cabrio sometime next year.
Sadly, this means that the high-performance CLK AMG Black Series, which is based on the CLK Coupe, is also no longer in production. Mercedes is yet to reveal if a new version based on the upcoming E-Class Coupe will be produced but given the interest in the current CLK Black Series we can easily envisage AMG engineers forging a new one.
The CLK Coupe, currently in its second generation, was introduced in 2003 and was produced at Mercedes’ plant in Bremen, Germany.
The Mercedes Benz CLK is something of an enigma - built around the old C-Class platform, styled like the E-Class, and priced in between the two, the car sits in its own unique segment and has no direct competition from its rivals. Its sales history has been a strong success, especially in the United States, but the car is set to meet its demise with the arrival of a new E-Class Coupe later this year and an E-Class Cabrio in 2010.
In order to make way for the new two-door E-Class range, Mercedes has ended production of the current CLK. The cars, however, will still be on sale until the arrival of the new E-Class Coupe later this year. As for the CLK Cabrio, a Mercedes spokesman confirmed to MotorAuthority that production will last until late June and current stock should suffice until the drop-top is replaced by the E-Class Cabrio sometime next year.
Sadly, this means that the high-performance CLK AMG Black Series, which is based on the CLK Coupe, is also no longer in production. Mercedes is yet to reveal if a new version based on the upcoming E-Class Coupe will be produced but given the interest in the current CLK Black Series we can easily envisage AMG engineers forging a new one.
The CLK Coupe, currently in its second generation, was introduced in 2003 and was produced at Mercedes’ plant in Bremen, Germany.
it was comming since MB announced the E class coupe. but i liked the last E class coupe_V4_coupe_f%20(Medium).jpg)
01-28-09, 08:41 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
The article refers to it as a "sales success", but I (still) suspect that it just didn't meet M-B's sales goals. Coupes, for the most part, usually don't sell as well as their sedan counterparts. And the CLK's reliability record, though not as bad as some other M-B products, has not been particularly impressive.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-28-09 at 08:46 PM.
Trending Topics
01-29-09, 10:08 AM
#13
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ca
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-29-09, 10:12 AM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Loved the concept of the orginal CLK, built to compete in the german DTM series. Except for the black series the car got softer through time, still sad to see it go. Man alot of cars are being killed off in 2009.
01-29-09, 10:17 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
1. Camry is a nice reliable vehicle making the ES the same
2. Camry is roomy, comfy FWD, non-sport-oriented, ES the same.
Both are very good vehicles, just not my cup of tea.
Note: I've been driving a ES350 loaner for 5 days to thoroughly check it.
