SPYSHOT: Mercedes-Benz CL550 cabriolet not far behind-Top down

For some reason that looks different from the coupe version. BTW, that is definately a pshop.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 2:23:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I concur, it's a photoshop. I'm no MB expert but doesn't CL imply 2-doors?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 2:34:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

S-Class cabriolet?

Possibly a typo.

— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 2:39:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I agree with Matthew, that looks like an S class cabriolet. I have heard that it is really hard to make the roof for a four door or a large car, that is why there aren't really any 4 door or really long convertibles.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 2:50:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think the other major problem with 4 doors, is that unless the rear doors are suicide doors, it's next to impossible to build a hinge near the would-be B-Pillar to support the door when open.

— Agent004 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 3:03:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It is very hard for engineers to retain structural rigidity when you lop the roof off a large four-door sedan. You suddenly have all that extra length that has to be suitably reinforced and braced, otherwise the chassis will flex on anything but smooth, straight surfaces.

This problem can be partly solved with the introduction of a cross-member joining the two B-pillars together, but as the photoshop shows, the front seats recline well back from the B-pillar, making the installation of a cross-member very difficult.

Good luck Mercedes engineers!

— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 5:15:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

If its going to be real,then i can expect it to wear the MAYBACH badge then the MB.
It will look good and different in Maybach's clothing,style and badge.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 9:11:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Go Mercedes!

— Carboy (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 2:25:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

big. convertible. mercedes.
3 words that go very well together

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 4:36:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

re chassis flex

the original lincoln continental gt convertible (like the one jfk was shot in) suffered from chassis flex. open all the doors at once and the car bent in the middle.
the cl convertible will probs be 2 door

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2006 7:22:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I believe in the world of designing you can only go so far with so many ideas. Mercedes did not copy BMW's design but I do admit it is very similar. However, MB has used that concept and made it a lot better and functionality I believe the new S-Class is years ahead of the 7. Until the refresh 7 came along I thought it was the ugliest piece of driving machine on earth. Now with the refresh it's actually not bad looking. However, the S-class still beats it (IMO).

This picture is not a CL. It's a 4 door convertible chopshopped from a S-Class. IF it was 2 doors it wouldn't be bad. If it was a 2 door HARDTOP that would be suit. MB fans would have the option of a CL or an SL.

If it does go into production, it would be nice to have Maybach base a potential convertible of their own in the lineup. It would be a competitor to the Bentley GT Coupe/Aston Martins.

— MBFan604 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/10/2006 6:18:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

the cl competes with the bentley on price, 55 amg was about 100000 pounds, the bentley gt was 110000 pounds. thats why the bentley sold so well in the uk, it had way more badge clout than its rivals, like the merc or perhaps a porsche (different class i know but footballers buy the thing with the most image). often it was choice between bentley/aston/ferrari/lamborghini.
the maybach coupe would compete with not very much, perhaps the soon to arrive rolls-royce coupe?

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 7/10/2006 12:00:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Mercedes is not bad on image my friend. It's not a low-class brand at all. I am sure an future Maybach Coupe could contend against the best from Britain and Italy. The Maybach sedans are as prestige as they come. They are known as the private jet on wheels. People who buy a Bentley or a Rolls would definately be considering a Maybach. IF they don't end up buying one, a Maybach has definately crossed their minds.

Maybach/Mercedes don't have the Exotic Sports Car look/feel like the Ferrari's or Lambo's but in the luxury sports car segment they wouldn't do that bad at all (IF priced WELL).

In the UK, the Bentley's very closely priced. In North America I think it's a bigger cap. But for sure a Bentley is better sounding than a CL 55AMG.

— MBFan604 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/10/2006 10:15:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i wasn't saying that m-b was down on image, just bentley has more. maybach have lots of image, and a coupe would sell quite well.
don't forget the cheapest bentley is 110000 pounds, where as the cheapest m-b is like 12000. a cl wasn't anything "special" when the bentley came out, it was already 3 years old, so people picked the bentley.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2006 6:17:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1