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