TTAC Photochop: Mercedes-Benz CLE

Andrei Avarvarii
by Andrei Avarvarii

Can you imagine side windows smaller than the peepholes mounted on the MB CLS? Well, even if you can't, the car-creative guys from Stuttgart can. And they will feature them on a smaller four-door coupe based on the C-Class. Supposed to be called CLE, the niche opener will fill the gap (did you notice one?) between the C's and the E's while offering a sexy alternative to the BMW 3 Series & Co. I tried to address the side peephole problem by cutting the front windows lower at their extremities similar to those featured on the F700 Concept. This way only the rear passengers will get claustrophobic. Web rumors are that the car will use "suicide" rear doors and I went for that. It is unprecedented in the class (the Mazda RX-8 is a 2+2), looks cools and eases access. High-tech headlights and just a touch of chrome (we know it has to have a few shiny bits to be considered an MB) complete the picture. Could this be the Jaguar X-Type everyone's been expecting? Wait and see!

[For more Avarvarii photochopistry, click here]

Andrei Avarvarii
Andrei Avarvarii

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 4 comments
  • AKM AKM on May 16, 2008
    Can you imagine side windows smaller than the peepholes mounted on the MB CLS? Excellent point, and that's why I despise the CLS's design: it's a concept car, not a street car, and the lack of visibility is terrible.
  • Jeff Puthuff Jeff Puthuff on May 16, 2008

    I long for the days when MB made cars that looked solid and muscular. This thing looks like the designers were trying too hard: overly swoopy with a face that only The Joker could love.

  • SunnyvaleCA SunnyvaleCA on May 16, 2008

    Factotum, I believe the word you are looking for is "eye candy." Unfortunately, "eye candy" and "solid long term premium value" (a trait MB was known for a few decades ago) don't go hand-in-hand.

  • Romanjetfighter Romanjetfighter on May 16, 2008

    Looks great! The real version probably would have a huge lateral crease in the sides of the car, like everything else MB and BMW have now, i.e. GLK, CLS, C, S, etc. etc.

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