Future products: Mercedes-Benz plans B-class coupe, crossover, sedan

Mercedes-Benz is set to launch a wave of small luxury vehicles in the United States. An all-new C-class coupe will debut next year, followed by three derivatives of the front-wheel-drive B class in 2012 and 2013.

"Everyone wants to be Mercedes-Benz," said Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. Now, Lieb said, Mercedes will enter segments where competitors are strong.

Here is a rundown of Mercedes' product plans.

B class: Coupe, crossover and sedan versions of the next-generation B class come to the United States in 2012-13. They'll be the first fwd cars sold by Mercedes in this country. Styling is said to make them more viable for the United States than the boxy, first-generation B class sold in Europe. Spy shots show a design similar to the BlueZero concept car unveiled at the 2009 Detroit auto show.

The vehicles may not all be given the B-class name, Lieb said.

The B-class range is expected to have four-cylinder engines, which are currently not available in any Mercedes product sold in the United States. A partnership with Renault-Nissan will develop new three- and four-cylinder engines with turbos and gasoline direct injection for this new generation of vehicles.

F cell: An electric fuel cell version of the current B class sold in Europe is coming to the United States in the fourth quarter. At first, the F cell will be tested through a leasing program in California because of the availability of recharging stations in the state.

All together, Mercedes has said it will test 100 of the 240-mile-range electric vehicles in the United States.

C class: The sedan gets a mild freshening this year, and an all-new coupe based on the current-generation sedan goes on sale next year.

The C class will be redesigned in 2013 and get more derivatives, including a convertible and possibly a crossover. The new generation also will get a new family of four-cylinder engines. The next generation will be built in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

E class: A redesigned E-class Cabriolet and station wagon went on sale this year, joining the new-generation sedan and coupe. The range won't get a freshening until 2013.

CL: The CL is slated for a redesign in 2013, when Mercedes probably will change the name to the S-class coupe.

Meanwhile, the large coupe gets a midlife freshening in November with new headlights, changes to the hood and mirrors and updated taillamps. The CL500 version gets a new twin-turbocharged, 4.6-liter V8 direct-injection gasoline engine with 429 hp. The CL600 carries over its 5.5-liter V12 with 510 hp. The high-performance CL63 AMG gets a more powerful engine: a 5.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 with 536 hp. The CL65 keeps its 621-hp, 6.0-liter V12.

CLS: The restyled and re-engineered second generation of the four-door, coupelike sedan debuts at the Paris show this fall and goes on sale here in 2011.

S class: The S63 version with a new 5.5-liter biturbo engine goes on sale in November. The S65 continues with the same engine but gets a bump in power to 621 hp. The S350 diesel debuts in the first quarter of next year. A redesigned S class comes to the United States in 2013. The lineup will include a full hybrid.

SLK: A redesigned SLK hard-top convertible is expected next year.

SL: Mercedes' largest roadster will be redesigned next year.

SLS AMG: The $185,750 SLS gull-wing AMG went on sale in mid-May. The super sports car has a lightweight aluminum spaceframe body built by Magna Steyr in Austria. It is powered by a 563-hp, 6.3-liter V8. A soft-top convertible goes on sale next year.

The all-wheel-drive SLS E-Cell supercar has a 400-volt electric-drive system with four motors that produce a combined 526 hp. Sales may begin in 2012. The car will be able to travel more than 120 miles on a charge.

R class: In July, the big crossover was reskinned in the front and received cosmetic changes in the rear to give it more of an SUV look. Mercedes isn't saying whether it will make a second-generation R class.

GLK: A freshening is expected in 2012, when a diesel variant could be added.

ML: A redesigned SUV goes on sale next year with a new generation of engines, including a 50-state diesel.

GL: The full-sized SUV will be redesigned in 2013.

G class: The iconic, military-style vehicle continues for an unspecified period with the V8-powered G550 and the supercharged G55 AMG with 500 hp.

Sprinter: A select group of Mercedes dealers began selling the commercial vehicle this year. The Sprinter is powered by a Mercedes V6 diesel. A new Crew Van with room for five passengers and cargo goes on sale this fall. The MiniBus van that seats up to 16 people will be added in early 2011.

By Diana T. Kurylko- Automotive News