To kick things off this beautiful Friday morning, Auto Bild today has published an interesting article detailing some changes they believe we can expect in the C-Class lineup starting in the spring of 2010.  According to the German publication, a new C-Class convertible currently in the works will debut then – one they think will be called the CLR – that will reportedly be priced well below the next CLK convertible, somewhere in the 35,000 Euro range. 

Built on the current C-Class platform, the model is rumored to feature a folding cloth roof, a range of three diesel and four gas engines with outputs ranging from 170 horsepower to 306 horsepower (including Mercedes' new 2.2-Liter four cylinder diesel powerplant), and the wealth of technological and safety features already found on the current C-Class.  Luggage capacity is expected to be about 450 liters with the roof up, while even with the roof open, the model is still expected to hold around 400 liters.

Adding a touch of credibility to the C-Class convertible rumors is Mercedes' recent announcement in both the Mercedes C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION articles that an E-Class Coupé is coming.  This, of course, leads to speculation that the E-Class Coupé will, in all likelihood, be a rebranded CLK, meaning that when its convertible counterpart debuts, it too will bear some form of an E- moniker.  By making the name change, Mercedes would avoid some of the confusion that would likely result stemming from two relatively similar convertibles bearing two relatively similar names, while at the same time further establishing the CLK as the more upmarket of the two.

As always, we'll keep you posted if we hear anything new.  In the meantime, keep scrolling to see a number of spy shots highlighting the next CLK (or E-Class Coupé if you prefer) as well as a rendering depicting the possible C-Class convertible, then head over to Auto Bild where you can check out their full article.

Enjoy ladies and gentlemen.