It's pretty nice, I think it'll sell real well.
First impression, after a walk-around? MAN, is the trunk HUGE. The fuel tank is relocated under the floor pan, like a C class, so the trunk extends all the way to the back of the rear seat backrest, really nice. This will be a big selling point. The golf clubs should go in length-wise now, instead of sideways. The model I saw had no spare, but I am told the ones I saw were both European and pre-production, and that US spec cars will have a space-saver spare .
There was one with the large roof (like the optional one on the C-coupe), and one with a "normal" glass sunroof. I really, really liked the large sliding roof.
This particular car also had an addition optional feature, which is only available with the large sliding roof. It had a solar panel built into the last (fixed) piece of roof glass, I was told that the power obtained from the solar grid is used to continue to operate the climate control "REST" function even longer than it normally runs. I believe REST will usually operate down to 11 or 11.5 system voltage. I am nor sure if the REST function will operate directly from the solar panel, or if the solar electricity only augments the battery power under REST operation.
The dash in general reminds me of the S class, which to me is a good thing.
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

must be nice !

looks like i'll be forced to see MIB 2 just to see the car ;-)

did u get to drive it or just see it and all the get a intro to the car?

-ren

LOL me too.

Just got to look it over and that's about it.
Tech training on it starts later this summer. Since I got to go to this 5 day transmission class, plus having R230 intro training in a few weeks, it'll probably be this fall before I get to go to 211 intro.
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

It is a nice car, and we will finally see another 500E or E500 in this case.

I just don't like the idea of not having a full size spare, too much Chrysler influence, perhaps?

__________________
Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

Gilly, what is an R230?

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

Robert:
That's the new 2003 SL-class. It replaces the R129, which ran in the US from 1990 to the 2002 Silver Arrow. The MB website will have pictures and info on both of these if you want to search for it:www.mbusa.com
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Thanks, Gilly. I suspected as much, but wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for clarifying that. I've been reading about the new SL500 and the SL55 in the various car mags that I get. They do look sweet. I can't wait until our local dealer gets some of the "blown" 5.5 liter V8 cars in stock. Not that I can "really" afford one yet... but I'm sure they'd be a blast to take on a test drive on a nice day Also, the new E55's are supposed to get these engines (drool, drool). It's nice to drive a car that I might buy used in 10 or 20 years or so

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

I saw two of them on the road in Switzerland last week. They really look sharp. If the *&%^#!(&* folks at MBUSA would sell me one with a manual transmission in the US, I would buy one.

Have a great day,