Mercedes’ plans for ‘08: It’s gonna be a busy year!
2008 is going to be a hectic year for the engineers responsible for new product launches at Mercedes-Benz. The team in Stuttgart have one all-new, one redesigned and five refreshed models coming before this time next year. Mercedes will jump into the compact crossover segment for the first time with the all-new GLK, which we’ll finally get to see minus all the spy photo disguises. The GLK should turn up in concept form at Geneva with a production launch later in the year.
Another new badge, if not a whole new car, is the CLC. Formerly known as the C-Class Sport Coupe, this two-door hatchback coupe gets fresh styling on the old C-Class chassis. As for the five existing models getting mid-cycle refreshes, both the SL and SLK roadsters are getting nose jobs and butt lifts. Their overall looks remain the same, but lights get reshaped and grilles get updated in a manner similar to the new C-Class. A similar treatment will also be applied to the big CLS foor-door “coupe” and the small A- and B-Class hatchbacks.