Mercedes-Benz AG

New coupes coming soon

But the three-pointed star also will appear soon on two new coupes dubbed CLK and CL.

The smaller CLK is to share underpinnings with the C-class sedans and the new SLK roadster, and is expected to debut in late '96 or early '97 in Europe. It won't likely reach the U.S. until the 1998 model year, and may sell for around $40,000.

The larger CL coupe will bow in Europe in late '97 and the U.S. in mid-1998, according to reports from Europe. It will fill the gap left by the demise of the old E-class coupe, although the CL also will use some components from the compact C-class sedans. The CL may spawn a four-passenger convertible in '99.

Sports cars

Italians redo super speedsters

Ferrari, which is part of the giant Fiat combine, is replacing its F512M supercar later this year with a front-engine successor code-named F133 and designed by Pininfarina (as were virtually all recent Ferraris).

The new 12-cylinder coupe may revive the Daytona name. A convertible variant is to follow in spring '98, called California.

Lamborghini should have its 10-cylinder 'baby Diablo' ready to launch in late '97 or early '98. Code-named L140, it likely will be based on the Giugiaro-designed Cala show car. Another Italian styling house, SZ Design (formerly Zagato), reportedly is working on the 1999 successor to the Diablo.

Maserati, now under the control of Fiat, is nearly ready to unveil its replacement for the Ghibli, which also is being styled by Giugiaro. Billed as an 'affordable exotic,' the '97 Ghibli will feature a new 330-horsepower V-8, with underpinnings from the Quattroporte sedan.

Briefing...