Historically, the E-Class is Mercedes-Benz' best-selling model, with more than 13 million sold by 2015. The first E-Class series was originally available as a four-door saloon, five-door estate, two-door coupé and two-door convertible. From 1997 to 2009, the equivalent coupé and convertible were sold under the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class nameplate; whi..
Mercedes-Benz introduced the 'E-Class' to the market in 1985 with the cabriolet version available from 1991. Much of the W124's engineering and many of its features were advanced automotive technology incorporating innovations that have been adopted throughout the industry. It had one of the lowest drag coefficients of any vehicle at the time, due ..
At the start of the 1990s, after the introduction of their two-seat, grand-tourer R129 SL and the Mazda MX-5, Mercedes-Benz set out to create a new compact roadster, slotted below the SL. By late 1991, under Bruno Sacco, the first design sketches were drawn, with scale models being built in the first half of 1992. Massively successful in its first ..
Mercedes-Benz expanded the well regarded W124 E-Class range to include a stylish coupé version launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1987, featuring a lower roofline and pillarless side treatment in the best Stuttgart coupé tradition. Built on a slightly reduced wheelbase, the interior was redesigned to accommodate four adults with individual rear s..
The Smart design concept began at Mercedes-Benz in the early 70s and late 80s. After brief backing by Volkswagen, the first model was released by Daimler-Benz in October 1998. Designed on the base of the Fortwo Brabus, this limited-edition example can be distinguished by its bright Intense Red colour and is powered by a 75bhp, three-cylinder turbo ..
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has been manufactured since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German 'Sport Leicht' or 'Sport Light' and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing,' named after the upward-opening doors. The term SL-Class refers to the marketing variations of the vehicle, including the numerous engine configurations spanning five d..
The Porsche 928 was a sports GT sold from 1978 to 1995 and originally intended to replace the iconic 911, the 928 attempted to combine the power, poise and handling of a sports car with the refinement, comfort and equipment of a luxury coupé creating, what some Porsche executives thought would be, a more appealing vehicle than the compact and quirk..
Following the resounding success of the R107, the R129 Mercedes-Benz SL had a rather tough act to follow, as it still had to carry on the tradition of a fast and reliable grand touring convertible. The advantage designers had with the R129 was technology. By the time the final car rolled off the production line in 1989, these earlier models had bee..
Renault poured a staggering 1.4bn francs (€285m) into development of the world’s first MPV coupé following the reveal of the Concept in 1998 at the Paris Salon. Remarkably true to the original design, the 'Avantime', built by Matra, was a genuine mould-breaker that offered a luxurious cabin with ‘Theatre’ seating, pillarless side windows and a full..
Following the resounding success of the R107, the R129 Mercedes-Benz SL had a rather tough act to follow, and it still had to carry on the tradition of a fast and reliable grand touring convertible. The advantage designers had with the R129 was technology. By the time the final car rolled off the production line in 1989, these earlier models had be..