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In 1993, it was time for something new for Mercedes-Benz, and the coupe concept it showed at the Geneva Motor Show turned out to be just the perfect answer.
The “four-headlamps” design went on to become both iconic and very controversial. Still, back at the Geneva show, the public’s response was overwhelmingly positive, and that’s part of what pushed this new design approach into production.
The first series model to use this new visual theme came in 1995 in the form of the E-Class sedan, but the 1993 coupe concept had a double mission – it wasn’t just the headlamps but also the silhouette of the car itself.
The company wanted to know if the idea of a four-seat coupe would appeal to the public. We all know the answer now since only one look at the concept has Mercedes-Benz CLK screaming from all sides, launched two years later than the E-Class in 1997.
The concept came with an unrealistic glass roof that was continued almost seamlessly into the tailgate, but it did have a fully functional interior and powertrain. The four individual seats were wrapped in high-quality leather and luxurious microfibre fleece, while the dash received wood insertions, all for a very sophisticated and elegant driving environment.
A special feature was the front seats, which offered great lateral support, even at shoulder level, thanks to their winged design.
As for the powertrain, the coupe concept was fully driveable and came with a five-liter eight-cylinder engine good for 320 hp and 470 Nm. It was a preview of the engine that would ultimately equip the production model CLK 500.
Images: DaimlerChrysler AG
