[Tacoma]

To streamline and reduce costs to focus on electric models & self driving, it's being reported that MB plans to rid of the coupe and convertible versions of the C-, E- and S-Class, as well as possibly the CLS and AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.

Makes sense since they've added too many models, and, frankly, it's about time that BMW does similar. The Gran Coupé versions come to mind. The idea of 4-door coupes doesn't really make much sense to me and their low sales volume reflect that thought. I doubt the Z4 will last will last past the G29 generation.

[JasonDot]

RIP The CLS. I've always had a soft spot for that weirdo.

[wdb]

Sigh. It's sad to watch as the second golden age of automobiles comes to an end.

[..Rush..]

because of Elon

[stein_325i]

That's a shame, love my CLS, and have recently looked at a few S-Coupe's that are just gorgeous, and I always loved how they don't have B-pillars on their coupes.

There's a rumor that says there is a possibility of Mercedes still producing a coupe, that will essentially make the C and E-coupe into just one singular vehicle, the "CLE," pretty much a return of the CLK, but its just a rumor so I guess we'll have to wait and see. Seems like the SL and AMG GT will be the only coupes/verts to survive the SUV-pocolypse.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by jstein55

That's a shame, love my CLS, and have recently looked at a few S-Coupe's that are just gorgeous, and I always loved how they don't have B-pillars on their coupes.

There's a rumor that says there is a possibility of Mercedes still producing a coupe, that will essentially make the C and E-coupe into just one singular vehicle, the "CLE," pretty much a return of the CLK, but its just a rumor so I guess we'll have to wait and see. Seems like the SL and AMG GT will be the only coupes/verts to survive the SUV-pocolypse.

That is what Acura did with its sedans.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

Makes sense since they've added too many models, and, frankly, it's about time that BMW does similar. The Gran Coupé versions come to mind. The idea of 4-door coupes doesn't really make much sense to me and their low sales volume reflect that thought.

Actually BMW's Gran Coupe models easily outsell their coupes/convertible siblings, typically more than the combined sales of the two-door models, in fact.

What I am seeing in the passenger car market - and the rumored list of models on the chopping block at Mercedes would suggest they see the same - is that today's car buyer is losing interest in a vehicle that shares most everything with a sedan (or "four door coupe") model, but whose most visible distinctive feature is the omission of the rear doors. Now, convertible sales are also falling and their most distinct feature is the retractable roof, so there's obviously a loss of interest in that too. But with regard to coupes, it appears to me that the notion of full-size rear seats with no doors to access them is becoming outdated. Contrast this type of vehicle with true sports cars whose lack of rear doors is justified on the basis that they are not intended foremost as transportation. Instead, they are built around a chassis never intended to seat more than two (although sometimes it is a chassis merely never intended to seat more than two adults, at least not for any length of time, but which nevertheless still can accommodate four passengers). It's a compromise with obvious benefit - the resulting vehicle is lighter and has better weight distribution than it otherwise would have. Very acceptable - highly desired in fact - for its purpose of being about driving first, transportation second.

Another data point here is an interesting fact I read recently - I believe it was on thedrive.com - there are now (as of MY2021) no more FWD coupes in the US (and probably few elsewhere too I'd imagine). That's a surprising thing, even more surprising in that almost no one noticed. It sends the clear message that people buying non-sports-cars don't see reason to lose the rear doors anymore. This makes sense to me because with most vehicles being SUVs now, just driving a car provides the distinction that the former coupe buyer was looking for: "I didn't buy this car on the basis that it is the most practical decision, I wanted something more personal". Opting not to go with the two-box SUV form factor that has a convenient fifth door now sends that message.

That is not to say, however, that the four-door coupe is also not reaching the point of being superfluous as well. That might very well be the case. But, is it the sedan or the four-door coupe that should fade away? The jury is still very much out on that, I'd say. If we look at the remaining sedans on the market, many of them (most, perhaps) have a fast-back profile that very much resembles the luxury four-door coupes from the Germans. In fact, it might be that German sedans (and other premium sedans too, sure) are now the most sedan-y sedans left. Have these stalwarts reached the end of their distinguished careers? Maybe not, but it is perhaps to the chagrin of the German automakers who I am sure would love to go back to a simple three or four four-door lineup, but who find themselves with a foot in each camp, trying to appease traditionalists and neo-four-door passenger car buyers alike (all from a pool that is quickly shrinking).

And one last point for the four-door fastbacks: a number of them - such as the 4 Series, the A5/A7, the Panamera - offer that hatchback which is one more reason to favor those particular models ahead of their sedan counterpart (Porsche didn't even bother with a sedan counterpart to the Panamera - not a big enough market at that price point to care about).

If I had to wager on where this goes, I'm thinking that the future vehicle lineup at most manufacturers, including premium ones, and yes, including German premium ones, is at most three or four non-true-sports-car passenger cars in total, with the vast majority or those being "four door coupes" or fastback hatchbacks. I suspect that we'll see this transition pick up a lot of steam over the next decade, and by the end of the 2030's it'll be mostly complete. Sports cars, of course, will live on, although mostly at the mid range to high end of the market as has already been the trend for years now.

I doubt the Z4 will last will last past the G29 generation.

Almost certainly the case, yes.

[Germanauto]

Mercedes has always had too many models. I'd be sad to see the S-class coupe/vert go. The CLS is beautiful and I see a fair number around, not sure why it could be on the chopping block.

I doubt the C coupe goes anywhere....I don't see a lot of C300s but C43 and C63 there are plenty of coupes running around.

I'm not sure what the purpose of the GLA and GLB together is. Those can be consolidated into one model or the GLA can just be shelved since the GLB is X1/Q3 sized. A and CLA is redundant too.

[jmack]

I'm surprised to see the CLS on the chopping block. I feel like I see more of them than E-classes in my area.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by jmack

I'm surprised to see the CLS on the chopping block. I feel like I see more of them than E-classes in my area.

Really? Other than mine, I have seen one or two in the past year, never a 53 though, always 450's. I see probably seven E-Classes in my neighborhood alone everyday. I think the introduction of the GT4D somewhat overlapped the CLS' market.

[R N M]

Very sad - less choices is always bad for consumers.

The new environmental regulations will destroy all these great brands.

[chassis]

The GLB is what the GLA and GLC should be. The GLB is reasonably spacious and offers a third row. The GLA is too small and crappy looking and not worthy of the three pointed star. The GLC is the odd man out here because it is a tad large and pricey for the segment. The GLC however offers a more luxurious interior than the GLB, so this must be the point of distinction. A GLB with equal luxury as the GLC would make the GLC redundant. The GLB, made in Mexico, seems to be capable of being gussied up and a good profit maker for Daimler in North America.

AMG C63 coupe is a hot rod, I see this staying in the lineup.

The coupe proliferation may have been an attempt to access a younger market than where the SL market evolved (elevated age). A two door vehicle is impractical for most people. Exceptions are sports/enthusiast types and no-kids types. Even people with no kids who have business activities have limited or no use for a two door as a daily driver.

Another German coupe that I don’t understand is the VW CC. No rear headroom. What is the why? for this model?

The SUV comments on this thread are mainly from North American points of view. In Europe the sedan is alive and well, so there are consumers and markets in the world where price, tax and operating cost favor preserve sedan attractiveness.

[jmack]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Really? Other than mine, I have seen one or two in the past year, never a 53 though, always 450's. I see probably seven E-Classes in my neighborhood alone everyday. I think the introduction of the GT4D somewhat overlapped the CLS' market.

Maybe they just stand out more and grabbed my attention more often than E-classes.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by chassis

AMG C63 coupe is a hot rod, I see this staying in the lineup.

If the C Class coupe goes, the AMG model will go with it. Bet on that.

However, maybe the business case is instead made from the opposite perspective. That is, it might be that the there's still enough interest in the two-door model at the high end (highest margin) to give the vehicle programs for the C Class coupe, 4 Series Coupe, and A5 Coupe stays of execution for the time being. This would be by way of not only the top tier C63 (or whatever number the next generation uses), M4, and RS5 models but also the step-down C43 (or whatever number the next generation uses), M440i, and S5 models. This might be financially viable for another generation or so until a critical mass of performance customer have moved into the sedan equivalent (or in Audi's case, the four-door sport-back equivalent), or perhaps a new breed of electric performance vehicles yet to be conceived.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

To streamline and reduce costs to focus on electric models & self driving, it's being reported that MB plans to rid of the coupe and convertible versions of the C-, E- and S-Class, as well as possibly the CLS and AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.

Makes sense since they've added too many models, and, frankly, it's about time that BMW does similar. The Gran Coupé versions come to mind. The idea of 4-door coupes doesn't really make much sense to me and their low sales volume reflect that thought. I doubt the Z4 will last will last past the G29 generation.

What's wrong with the C, E and S class cabriolet? They're brilliant.
The SLC is just too small and the GT is too expensive.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by GenXer

What's wrong with the C, E and S class cabriolet? They're brilliant.

No one's arguing their brilliance, they simply just don't sell enough in the US market for Mercedes to export them just to sit on dealer's lots for long periods of time, everyone would rather have a C or GLC-Class sadly.

There is a rumor that a CLE-Coupe (essentially C and E coupe made into one vehicle, similar to the old CLK) will come to the US as a replacement.

[yco]

i couldnt understand why C, E, S coupes will be gone..
S Coupe is one of the nicest cars to buy these days.. they may rename them in future maybe..

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by yco

i couldnt understand why C, E, S coupes will be gone..
S Coupe is one of the nicest cars to buy these days.. they may rename them in future maybe..

[IMG]https://www.topgear.com/sites/defaul...?itok=M7FjTeiO[/IMG]

Agree. I've been thinking about copping a used one (take advantage of the huge depreciation on these) after my CLS, the perfect luxury coupe inside and out. I drove one a year ago and it just makes you feel incredibly special when sitting inside one, especially with all the windows down and no b-pillar (the best feature of any coupe), no 7 or 8-series, A8, XJ, etc. makes you feel as good, they just nailed the W222.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Agree. I've been thinking about copping a used one (take advantage of the huge depreciation on these) after my CLS, the perfect luxury coupe inside and out. I drove one a year ago and it just makes you feel incredibly special when sitting inside one, especially with all the windows down and no b-pillar (the best feature of any coupe), no 7 or 8-series, A8, XJ, etc. makes you feel as good, they just nailed the W222.

I feel the W222 will go down as one of the best S-class models of all time. It hasn't aged a day since it was launched, and will be the final S-class model to have all these different variants and an interior that prioritizes design and quality over tech.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by jstein55

No one's arguing their brilliance, they simply just don't sell enough in the US market for Mercedes to export them just to sit on dealer's lots for long periods of time, everyone would rather have a C or GLC-Class sadly.

There is a rumor that a CLE-Coupe (essentially C and E coupe made into one vehicle, similar to the old CLK) will come to the US as a replacement.

My dad bought his new pearl white E400 cabriolet before it got off the transporter at the dealership. The dealer said they sell every single one of them before they could get it in the showroom. A Florida couple flew in to pick up their gold E400 cabriolet just a few months later. We literally beat them to it. First time they came in town to look because they heard one is getting shipped to our dealer. They looked at ours and placed an order for their vehicle the same day. In the past 2 years I have not seen a single E400 cabriolet on the lot.

I've seen a plethora of C class sedans on the lot left over from previous years as far as the eyes can see.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by GenXer

My dad bought his new pearl white E400 cabriolet before it got off the transporter at the dealership. The dealer said they sell every single one of them before they could get it in the showroom. A Florida couple flew in to pick up their gold E400 cabriolet just a few months later. We literally beat them to it. First time they came in town to look because they heard one is getting shipped to our dealer. They looked at ours and placed an order for their vehicle the same day. In the past 2 years I have not seen a single E400 cabriolet on the lot.

That's great that you have examples, but everyone knows in 2020 that coupes just aren't popular as a whole. Maybe in your area they do well, but as a whole they don't, especially as the prices get higher.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Agree. I've been thinking about copping a used one (take advantage of the huge depreciation on these) after my CLS, the perfect luxury coupe inside and out. I drove one a year ago and it just makes you feel incredibly special when sitting inside one, especially with all the windows down and no b-pillar (the best feature of any coupe), no 7 or 8-series, A8, XJ, etc. makes you feel as good, they just nailed the W222.

The current generation of E and S coupes are the sexiest and most desirable by far.

It made my F32 440i coupe feel like a cheap rental car by comparison!