With its win in the large sedans category of the German readers' poll "Classics of the Future 2009," the Mercedes-Benz CLS underlines just what a positive impact it has on the Mercedes brand image, as perceived by classic car fans.
It won the title in its category by a large majority (37,9 % votes compared to 9,5 %) against its closest competitor, the Citroën C6. Over 16,000 readers of the popular German magazine "Motor Klassik" had entered votes.
Other modern vehicles also gained a title of "Classics of the Future" in this poll, some by large margins, others not so.
The new Fiat 500 won the title in the small car category ahead of the MINI with 35,4% of the votes against 25,3%.
In the mid-size car category, the Alfa Romeo 159 came in first with 17,2 % of the votes against 15,1 % for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The Maserati Quattroporte was a clear winner in the luxury sedan category ahead of the Rolls-Royce Phantom with 29,6 % of the votes against 10,8 %.
The Audi R8 took the title of the sports car category but only with a very slim difference against the Posche 911, with 15,9 % of the votes against 15,1 %.
The Alfa Romeo 8C Spider took the cabriolet category with 16,4 % of the votes against 9,8 % for the Mercedes-Benz SL.
Finally, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class clearly won the SUV category with 24,4 % of the votes ahead of the Land Rover Defender with 12,3 % of the votes.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
It won the title in its category by a large majority (37,9 % votes compared to 9,5 %) against its closest competitor, the Citroën C6. Over 16,000 readers of the popular German magazine "Motor Klassik" had entered votes.
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| 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 |
Other modern vehicles also gained a title of "Classics of the Future" in this poll, some by large margins, others not so.
The new Fiat 500 won the title in the small car category ahead of the MINI with 35,4% of the votes against 25,3%.
In the mid-size car category, the Alfa Romeo 159 came in first with 17,2 % of the votes against 15,1 % for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The Maserati Quattroporte was a clear winner in the luxury sedan category ahead of the Rolls-Royce Phantom with 29,6 % of the votes against 10,8 %.
The Audi R8 took the title of the sports car category but only with a very slim difference against the Posche 911, with 15,9 % of the votes against 15,1 %.
The Alfa Romeo 8C Spider took the cabriolet category with 16,4 % of the votes against 9,8 % for the Mercedes-Benz SL.
Finally, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class clearly won the SUV category with 24,4 % of the votes ahead of the Land Rover Defender with 12,3 % of the votes.
photo:Matthieu Lambert