Auto Spies World Exclusive: Update on Mercedes-Benz CLE
Very Jaguaresque
News on the CLE From a spy within MB
Dear 001,
What you are probably interested in, is more rumors.
Well, after we did the "Jag Fighter" based on the new E-Class platform, we also tried an "S-Class Fighter" based on the next S-Class (W221) which shared the flavor of the Jag Fighter with the C-pillar treatment of the present CL 600 Coupe'. In an effort to share platforms to make the most out of the production of each car line, We were also asked to do an "Alfa Fighter" based on the W204 (next generation C-Class). This car was aimed to compete at buyers of the Alfa 156 Sedan and Sportwagon which have been selling extremely well here on the European continent. The project was canned by Mercedes but we will see it as a Korean car in that class soon.
In the end, though, due to reasons of profitability, the only one of our projects that went on for production was the "Jag Fighter" which meanwhile has been codenamed C219 (for production, it will be called the CLE after the CL Coupe' and the E-Class platform) meaning it is being handled as a Coupe' and is being placed between the C216 (next CL) and the W221 (next S-Class). There are rumors that it may even surface as a "Driver's Maybach" as not to become a direct competitor to the new E-Class which has to bring in the most sales volumes as Mercedes' "Bread and Butter" vehicle. The Jag Fighter was meant to appeal to customers who would normally be inclined to purchase a Jaguar XJ Sedan. At the time we developed the car, Mercedes was truly afraid to lose sales to Jaguar as they were coming on very strong with the S-Type. Today, they are finding out that Jaguar is not such a real threat to their sales figures afterall but the car is definitely being built afterall. It's debut will be Frankfurt 2003 in Septenber probably in some sort of showcar version, maybe even a Sportwagon similar to the Alfa 156 Sportwagon sold here in Europe.
If you view the images of the spy photos you’ve been showing, you will notice that the overall feeling is very "Jaguaresque". Especially the interior design with a broad piece of twisted real wood spanning across the dash panel and the rich Conneley leather seats. The headroon in the back seats is rather compromised to allow for a coupe'-like roof line. Compromised, is also the ingress to the rear seats which calls for the rear passengers to "duck" their heads to get in and out. A person over 6-foot tall will have problems getting in the back. Actually quite similar to the Original XJ which also sold on looks alone. I've never sat in the car therefore I cannot tell you what kind of leg room there is. I can imagine it is slightly less than the present E-Class but nonetheless comparible as they do share the same wheelbase. As far as I know, the rear H-Point has been lowered so the rear seat passengers will be sitting lower than in the E-Class.
The intention from the car was to sell more E-Class models. The E-Class, though, is considered a "Taxi" here in Europe or the buyer average age is much older than Mercedes hoped for. We wanted to attract buyers of more class and status here in Europe and show a certain taste for elegant design. So we chose to give the car a more chopped look of some of the latest Hot Rods. The Jaguar Mark X has also been one of my favorites as well as the original Hudson Hornet.
Thanks to the Retro era especially the American influence, We were able to sell this concept to Schrempp and the upper management. I took him a year just to get the green light to produce it. It will have it's own area in the Sindelfingen factory.
I heard through the grapevine that one of the well known British motor magazines will carry a story on it this week. Let’s wait and see.
Nonetheless, as you guys said in your special 2005 S-class report, the rear view is quite accurate but the front is not.
You are also dead on with the design info on the 2005 S-class. The German mags that show pics with round headlights are wrong.
More coming soon
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