Mercedes Fascination concept – the new E-class coupe

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

11 September 2008 00:01

Take note of the new Mercedes-Benz Fascination concept car, revealed today. This is no mere Merc Paris frippery – it's the first official look at the new 2009 E-class. And, more specifically, the new E-class coupe, as the next CLK will soon be known.

The Fascination concept might be a sporty shooting brake, but you can discount this bodystyle for production, CAR understands. The point of this concept car is to drop hints and tips about next year's new E-class saloon, estate and – the first for several generations – a coupe.

New Mercedes E-class coupe: the lowdown

The CLK will soon be dead, as Mercedes repositions its mid-sized coupe and convertible up a notch. It's amazing the difference three letters of the alphabet can make, but in marketing world the CLK will always be associated with the C-class (with which it shares the oily bits). Funnily enough, calling the new car an E-class coupe automatically moves it up a step. And a price bracket, we suspect...

That's why we should pay attention to the new Fascination concept. This is the first official hint of the new 2009 E-class ahead of its formal debut in January 2009. That snout, with twin oblong healamps astride a simpler grille is exactly how the new E's nose will look.

The three-pointed emblem will only appear on the single-louvre grille on the E-class coupe, not the saloon nor estate. But aft of the A-pillar, the Fascination strays down Concept Boulevard. You can safely ignore the sweptback roofline and rear end of this concept; insiders vow there will be no shooting brake in the product line-up.

Click 'Next' for more on the Mercedes-Benz Fascination concept car

By Tim Pollard