After seemingly countless spy photos showcasing the model nearly undisguised, today Mercedes has finally taken the wraps off their new E-Class Coupe, and it looks pretty much exactly as we expected it to. From a design standpoint, if you’re a fan of the new E-Class saloon, chances are you’re going to be a fan of the coupe range as well. Featuring similar styling traits to that of the sedan, the two are clearly members of the same family, although the Coupe offers customers a more contemporary take on the same elements. In the front, for example, the twin-headlamp face with rhomboid headlamps is still present, but with a sharper, somewhat sportier look. Also present is a twin-louvre grille with a larger center Mercedes star. In the back, the contour of the rear wing reminiscent of the Ponton Mercedes of yesteryear is still a prominent feature, while the elongated taillights again bear a similar appearance to the taillights found on the sedan.

Under the hood, initially there will be five variants of the Mercedes E-Class Coupe:

the E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (150 kW/204 hp)

the E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (170 kW/231 hp)

the E250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (150 kW/204 hp)

the E350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (215 kW/292 hp)

the E500 (285 kW/388 hp)

In addition to consuming up to 17 percent less fuel than prior comparable variants thanks to the use of new engine technology, the BlueEFFICIENCY models also boast a number of further practical fuel saving measures, including on-demand steering and fuel pumps; tires with low rolling resistance; an alternator control system that varies vehicle power based on demand; and last but not least, improved aerodynamics.

And finally, what new Mercedes would be complete without a raft of new safety features and driver assistance systems, and the E-Class Coupe is no exception to the rule. Selective damper control, ATTENTION ASSIST, PRE-SAFE, Adaptive Main Beam Assist, Brake Assist Plus and PRE-SAFE Brake can all be had on the Coupe, easily placing it atop its segment in the safety category.

As for when you can get your hands on one, the Mercedes E-Class Coupe will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, and can be ordered from February 19th onward. Deliveries in Europe will commence in May 2009, with pricing in Germany (including 19% VAT) ranging from EUR 44,684.50 for the E250 CDI and E250 CGI models up to EUR 66,045.00 for the E500.

To learn more about the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and see it from a number of different angles, keep scrolling for photos (click to enlarge) and the official press release.

Yet another round of spy photos have emerged today showcasing the likely-to-arrive-in-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. As has been the case with all prior 2011 CLS spy shots, the model is still heavily disguised, with little design traits revealed about the next four door coupe. However, a few key areas to take note of include the somewhat visible front grille, similar to the one found on the current CLS, as well as the rear exhaust which features a rectangular design similar to that of the new E-Class.

We will of course keep you posted as new details of the 2011 CLS are revealed; in the meantime, keep scrolling to see a few additional shots of the next CLS-Class, or head over to Autoblog.nl for the full, action-packed gallery.

Photos of the yet-to-be-unveiled Mercedes E-Class Coupe continue to pour in, with Autoblog.nl posting what they’re calling the first official photos of the 2010 E-Class Coupe and Motorpasion showing the forthcoming model in all but the tiniest of body cladding. These of course, are on top of the the prior, nearly naked shots of the model, meaning that as was the case prior to the launch of the 2010 E-Class sedan, any mystery surrounding the model has been thoroughly dispelled.

To see a sampling of the photos published by Autoblog.nl and Motorpasion, keep scrolling for a sampling of each of the pair’s galleries (click any photo to enlarge). Once you’re finished, you can head over to Autoblog.nl or Motorpasion to check out both of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe photo galleries in their entirety.

You’ve already seen it from a number of nearly undisguised angles, and today, here’s yet another look at the forthcoming Mercedes E-Class Coupe – this time, from the air. As you can clearly see, available as an option on the model will be a panoramic glass roof, a welcome feature for anyone not in the market for a cabriolet who still craves the feeling of partially open air driving.

Aside from the roof, nothing is revealed about the model that hasn’t already been seen in past spy photos (see here and here). If, however, any new details of the new E-Class Coupe are revealed, we will of course keep you posted.

To see more of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe sporting a panoramic glass roof, keep scrolling to view the super sized photo (click to enlarge), then head over to Auto Express where you can find the full gallery.

If the photos we directed you to yesterday weren’t enough to satisfy your desire to see the new Mercedes E-Class Coupe, we’ve got yet another round that may do the trick – this time with the model’s side profile completely visible with all but the tiniest of masking.  I won’t bore you with another synopsis of the E-Class Coupe’s styling, seeing as how we’ve already broached the subject on more than one occasion, but for all you CLK owners wondering what lies in store for the next-generation of the model, you now have yet another remarkably clear vision of what to expect in the coming days.

As always, we’ll keep you posted when additional, even more revealing photos are leaked; in the meantime, click the photo above to view the high resolution version, then head over to Autoblog.it where you can check out the full Mercedes E-Class Coupe gallery in its entirety.

Now that the official photos of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have been leaked, it’s only fitting that photos showcasing the new E-Class Coupe nearly undisguised have began appearing as well.  As you’ll see (and as we all expected), the similarities between the E-Class Coupe and sedan are abundant, with a notable difference up front being the sportier grille with corresponding Mercedes star.  As of now it’s being said that the grille won’t be available on the E-Class sedan – instead only on the coupe variant – but personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing it made available for the next-generation E63 AMG.

In the back, the coupe’s overall shape again coincides with the sedan’s, but again, there’s a few key differences.  The taillights, while similar to the traditional E-Class, are unique, featuring a slightly larger design. This, no doubt, is to help compliment the coupe’s slightly more bulbous rear end, while other differences include the altered roof line and rear window that are synonymous with all coupes derived from sedans.

To see the new model and judge for yourself Mercedes designers’ work on the next CLK (aka, E-Class Coupe), you can view two photos galleries of it by visitingAutocar and WorldCarFans.

Enjoy.

And to our friend Monk:  many thanks for the tip my good sir; we sincerely appreciate it.

Not every star is light-years away: from mid-June onward, selected airports in Europewill become places where automobile dreams can come true. A large bed, positioned between the check-in counter and the rows of seats for waiting passengers, will invite potential customers to take a test drive in the new Mercedes-Benz CLC sports coupe. This highly unusual marketing activity is part of a wide-ranging campaign to mark the launch of the new CLC. The central slogan of the campaign, which extends across the full range of marketing channels, is “What car do you drive when you’re dreaming?” And its key message is that for a mere €28,000 the CLC offers an attractive and reasonably priced entry into the Mercedes-Benz coupe family.

“The CLC is a vehicle that appeals to the emotions, particularly to young people’s desire to own a car that has a great performance and is a lot of fun to drive. Alongside a classic marketing campaign, we’re therefore also using new types of advertising, which place more emphasis on the personal experience of the vehicle,” says Dr. Olaf Göttgens, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. “This primarily includes exclusive driving events that give customers the chance to enjoy at first hand the many exciting features of the CLC, as well as an interactive online campaign and all kinds of marketing activities on the part of the dealerships.” Directly after the world premiere of the CLC at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Fashion Week in January 2008, Mercedes-Benz launched a special cell phone marketing campaign featuring a personal video message or voice call from the brand ambassador and top model Eva Padberg.

The integrated marketing campaign for the CLC was launched in Europe at the beginning of June. This comprises a wide-ranging information and mailing package for dealerships as well as ads in the print media, a TV commercial, a microsite, and exclusive test drive events.

“Dreamcatchers” for individual test drive events

With the help of “dreamcatchers,” Mercedes-Benz is directly targeting existing and, most especially, potential customers. The focus here, as with all of the marketing activities in the campaign, is the key slogan “What car do you drive when you’re dreaming?” A bed positioned prominently in highly frequented locations – such as airports, shopping malls, and automobile shows – serves to promote exclusive test drives in the “dream car” – the new CLC. In a continuation of the theme, specially branded pillows and eyeshades in airplanes invite passengers to experience the car of their dreams. Similarly, the door hanger in selected hotels encourages guests not only to dream of the new sports coupe but also to fulfill that fantasy.

Print media ads and a TV commercial

The print campaign continues with the theme of the CLC as an affordably priced entry into the MB sports coupe family. The images selected for the campaign show the car from a range of angles designed to accentuate its elegance, dynamism, and agility. They are combined with a variety of punchy statements such as “Dreams usually get overtaken by reality – here the reverse is true” and “Not every star is light-years away.” The print campaign, which features three ads, will run in high-circulation general-interest and lifestyle magazines as well as daily newspapers.

Meanwhile, the TV commercial for the new CLC, as broadcast on major public and private stations, shows that even little boys are dreaming of the Mercedes-Benz star. Shot in a restaurant, the ad shows a young boy being introduced to his mother’s new partner. The boy is at first obviously indifferent, but then he starts to study the man in some detail and is eventually won over by the sight of his car – the new CLC.

On the eve of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin, the Stuttgart-based automaker presented its all-new CLC coupe, which provides customers a new and compelling entry-level model for the Mercedes-Benz coupe family. “Because of its expressive styling, premium equipment, and state-of-the-art technology, the all-new CLC especially meets the needs of young people looking for a dynamic car,” says Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “That’s why I’m convinced that the CLC will enable us to continue to win over many new customers for Mercedes-Benz.” The new sports coupe will be launched on the European market in June 2008.

A sports coupe with high potential for winning customers

The CLC is the successor of the C-Class sports coupe, which has been sold to approximately 320,000 customers from around the world since 2001. The majority of these customers were first-time Mercedes-Benz customers. The sports coupe was one of the many successful models of the Mercedes-Benz product initiative, boasting a very high conversion rate of about 70 percent. In addition, the two-door vehicle succeeded in keeping customers loyal to the Mercedes-Benz brand, and over 40 percent of the buyers subsequently purchased an even larger model.

New CLC features many all-new or improved components

The CLC delivers the high standards for safety, comfort, environmental compatibility, and functionality that are a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz. The engineers at Mercedes-Benz have developed many new or improved components for the CLC. The technical highlights include an all-new direct steering system for even greater agility when cornering, state-of-the-art infotainment systems with a color display, a Europe-wide DVD or hard disc navigation and media interface, and a powerful four-cylinder engine that now delivers 135 kW/184 hp.

Sporty styling highlights new Mercedes-Benz design idiom

The CLC’s sporty appearance clearly sets it apart, as the vehicle’s front and rear were completely redesigned in accordance with the modern Mercedes-Benz design idiom. The CLC’s interior boasts sport seats with improved lateral support, a three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, an automatic climate control system, and brushed aluminum trim elements. Mercedes-Benz has also put together a special sports package for customers with particularly sporty tastes. The package includes 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide-base tires, headlights with black inner surrounds, sports suspension with lowered body, a leather sports steering wheel, and dark brushed aluminum trim elements.

Engines: Fuel consumption slashed by up to 10.8 percent

Mercedes-Benz will offer the all-new CLC with a choice of four four-cylinder and two six-cylinder engines, featuring power outputs ranging from 90 kW/122 hp to 200 kW/272 hp. The 135 kW/184 hp power plant in the CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR now develops an extra 15 kW/20 hp while consuming just 7.8 to 8.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (NEDC). This is up to 0.7 liters less than in the previous model. With its advanced turbodiesel engines, the CLC belongs to the category of five-liter cars in terms of consumption. In the NEDC, the CLC 200 CDI consumes only 5.8 to 6.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, or up to 10.8 percent less than the outgoing model. As a result, the CDI models can cover more than 1,000 kilometers on a single tank (62 liters) of fuel.

With its sporty appearance and sumptuous level of appointments, the immediately available Sport Edition is a new highlight among the Coupés and Cabriolets of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in an exclusive design, AMG styling features in the exterior and bi-xenon headlamps as standard give this special model a particularly distinctive appearance. The sporty, exclusive atmosphere of the interior is especially characterised by the grippy AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel, aluminium-look sports pedals and special velour floor mats.

The letter combination CLK has denoted excitement and driving pleasure for many years. The new “Sport Edition” special model now makes the Coupés and Cabriolets of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class even more desirable. Both externally and in the interior, the Sport Edition further upgrades the CLK models and makes them even more attractive and dynamic.

The exciting design of the CLK-Class is accentuated by muscular AMG styling features for an even more dynamic appearance. These include a front apron with more pronounced contours, as well as the rear apron and side skirts which typify AMG models. Large, 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a new, six twin-spoke design (front 225/40 R 18, rear 255/35 R18) further enhance the sporty appearance and contribute to driving pleasure. The same applies to the perforated front brake discs. The brake callipers of Sport Edition models bear the lettering “Mercedes-Benz”.

The special CLK Sport Edition models are equipped with bi-xenon headlamps including dynamic beam control, cornering lights with an integral foglamp function and a headlamp washer system as standard. The Active Light System is also available as optional equipment. A large, chrome-plated exhaust tailpipe and a special rear silencer provide a sonorous, sporty exhaust note.

Sporty, masculine features

The new Sport Edition is based on the already sporty configuration of the luxurious AVANTGARDE design and equipment line. In models equipped with an automatic transmission, an AMG sports steering wheel with upper sections of perforated leather and steering wheel shift paddles ensures an even more sporty touch. Depending on the engine variant, a further technical highlight is available in the form of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the world’s only car transmission of this kind. Its seven gears can be shifted either automatically, via a manual shift programme or by means of steering wheel shift paddles as in the motor racing world. Moreover, 7G-TRONIC Sport reduces gearshift times by up to 30 percent.

The sporty atmosphere of the interior is accentuated by black upholstery in a combination of high-quality ARTICO man-made leather and fabric. A black leather interior is also available on request. Other sporty touches include a sports pedal cluster with an aluminium look and non-slip studs, as well as velour floor mats with silver-coloured edging.

The special models of the Mercedes-Benz CLK Sport Edition are available as Coupés and Cabriolets, with a choice of six powerful engine variants which are among the most economical in their class.

This attractive enhancement package provides a further individualisation option, and is only available for AVANTGARDE variants of the CLK models. The cost of this sporty equipment package is 3 332 Euro (incl. VAT).

Bolstered by a new V8 engine developing 285 kW/388 hp, the CLK 500 Coupé and Cabriolet models now serve up sports car-esque driving pleasure. The newly developed 5.5-litre V8 engine boasts a peak torque of 530 Nm (outgoing model: 460 Nm), allowing the CLK-Class to deliver a virtuoso performance: the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 5.2 seconds (outgoing model: 5.9 seconds), while the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited). Despite the 26 per cent boost in power, NEDC combined fuel consumption remains at an impressive 11.4 – 11.5 l per 100 km, matching the excellent figure posted by the previous model.