2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Germany has conquered the coupe market. As Mercury Cougars, Honda Preludes, Cadillac Eldorados, and Volvo C70s falter, competitors from the Fatherland's luxury powerhouses, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, thrive. The 3 Series is the third-best-selling European nameplate in the U.S., thanks in part to the two-door model. And Mercedes now claims market leadership worldwide in the segment (although it includes sales of the hatchback C-Class Sport Coupe). While it may dominate this class, Mercedes recognizes that the coupe body style is a fickle fashion accessory. So for '03, it's redesigned the CLK from a slightly funky-looking two-door version of the C-Class sedan to a sleek, personal- luxury car.

In North America, the outgoing CLK has more women than men buyers and tends to bring new customers into the Mercedes fold. While the '03 CLK320 and CLK500 look like economy versions of the considerably more expensive CL-Class coupe or a bit like super-sleek coupe versions of the midsize E-Class, the new CLK continues on the C-Class platform. The '98-'02 CLK shared its DNA with the C-Class sedan that was itself replaced for '01. In the same vein, the old CLK Cabrio lives for another year, when one based on the new car bows. Plan on seeing a hotted-up CLK55 AMG at about the same time. The new CLK coupe is slightly longer, taller, and wider than the old CLK, and while that CL family connection is obvious from the front, it has a lot of Volvo C70 going on at the rear.

The coupe's most important changes come from the designer's pen, which has made it look much more rakish and elegant than the car it replaces. Most notably, the '03 model has no B-pillar, giving it a cool, '60s American hardtop look with all the windows rolled down. While the new car looks more expensive and sportier than its predecessor inside and out, Mercedes promises more standard equipment for (relatively) less money. The automaker isn't talking U.S. pricing for the car just yet. It went on sale in Europe in May and comes to the U.S. this fall with an extra $2500 worth of standard equipment and a slight bump in price.