Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet Makes World Premiere At Geneva Show
3 March 1998
Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet Makes World Premiere At Geneva Show Geneva Also Marks Debut of M-Class Power 'Sky Roof'
GENEVA, March 3 -- The stunning Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet
made its world debut today at the Geneva Motor Show. Marking the latest
development in the company's unprecedented product offensive, the
four-passenger, six-cylinder CLK320 Cabriolet, along with an aggressively
styled V8-powered CLK430 Coupe, will arrive in the U.S. next fall, joining the
CLK320 Coupe in Mercedes-Benz dealerships around the country.
Also making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show is a unique new option
coming for the 1999 M-Class sport-utility vehicle, the power Sky Roof.
Consisting of nine steel panels that open like window blinds, the Sky Roof is
projected to be priced under $2500 and will be available for both the
V6-powered ML320 and the new-for-1999 V8-powered ML430.
The CLK430 -- complete with its standard AMG Sport package for the U.S. --
and the CLK320 Cabriolet will be priced in the upper-$40,000 range. Mercedes-
Benz projects about 3,000 sales for each of these special models in 1999. The
V6-powered CLK320 Coupe (called a Best Buy by Consumers Digest) went on sale
in September 1997 and is priced at $39,850.
CLK Cabriolet Brings Open-Air Mercedes Style And Craftsmanship To New
Segment
With the new CLK320 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz expands on its long-standing
Cabriolet tradition -- fun-to-drive, open-air cars with ample seating for four
-- alongside two-seat roadsters, the SL and SLK. Mercedes last offered a
four-seat convertible, the E320 Cabriolet, in 1995.
Based on the fun-to-drive CLK Coupe (which was designed with the Cabriolet
version in mind), the sporty, elegant Cabriolet from Mercedes-Benz has the
stylish front "face" of the CLK with its four elliptical lights. Although the
CLK family resembles the E-Class line from the front, their headlights are
smaller and more elliptical, with the lights, grill and windshield more
raked-back.
On the rear deck of the CLK Cabriolet, small but distinctive fairings --
reminiscent of the aero styling on some classic race cars -- underscore its
dynamic appearance and accent the rear head restraints which double as sturdy
roll bars. Of course, what really sets apart the new Cabriolet is its
automatic retractable soft top, which preserves the flowing roof lines of the
CLK Coupe, then vanishes completely under the flush rear deck cover when the
top is down.
Open Air Fun With Mercedes Safety
Designed for safe, comfortable year-round driving, the CLK Cabriolet top
is fully lined and insulated, and includes a large glass rear window with
electric defroster. Since the compartment for the top mechanism is actually
part of the trunk, cargo capacity is increased by about 60 percent when the
convertible top is up.
While the new CLK Cabriolet uses the inherently strong body structure,
chassis and power train of the CLK320 Coupe, cross members in the Cabriolet
floor are reinforced to ensure good body rigidity, even without a fixed roof.
Its sturdy A-pillars and windshield frame are specially designed to increase
protection in the event of a rollover. The rear head restraints, which
usually protrude only slightly above the rear deck, pop up automatically in a
split second if the car senses an impending rollover.
The Mercedes CLK Cabriolet will come with a full complement of luxury
features as well as all the other safety equipment expected in a Mercedes-
Benz, including full front airbags, side airbags in the doors, ETR belt
tensioners, and belt force limiters for the front seats. In addition to ABS
anti-lock brakes, the new CLK Cabriolet will be equipped with Brake Assist,
the only system in the auto industry that can reduce stopping distances in
emergency breaking situations.
Unique Sky Roof Brings M-Class Passengers Closer To Nature
The power Sky Roof option coming for the 1999 M-Class sport-utility
vehicle will bring the passengers closer to the outdoors than ever. The nine
panels that make up the roof slide rearward, stacking up at a 25-degree angle
to create an opening nearly six feet long and more than three feet wide. With
the Sky Roof fully open, rear seat passengers in the M-Class enjoy the same
open-air feeling as those in the front. The roof features express-open and
close, and can be opened to whatever length the passengers want. Outside, the
roof panels are painted dark gray, while inside, the roof is cloth-covered to
match the interior color. A plexiglass wind screen at the front edge of the
roof helps minimize wind noise.
SOURCE Mercedes-Benz
