Despite being built on the C-Class platform, the CLK’s luxury features, engines, and styling have long positioned it as an E-Class coupe. With the CLK possibly being renamed E-Class Coupe with its 2010 redesign, Mercedes has decided it needs a “true” C-Class Coupe and Convertible to do battle with the BMW 3-Series. At least, that’s what the rumor mill is saying!

In case you’re not familiar with the recent speculation about the German automaker’s future coupe naming scheme, we’ll make it simple — rumor has it the next CLK-Class will be named E-Class Coupe, while the über expensive CL will be renamed S-Class Coupe.

When we first heard these rumors, we couldn’t understand why Mercedes would make such a move. But a new report by the U.K.’s Car magazine sheds some light. As it turns out, Mercedes wants to offer a true C-Class Coupe and Convertible priced in the same range as the C-Class Sedan and BMW 3-Series. The names C-Class Coupe, CLK-Class Coupe, and CL-Class Coupe might be a little consigning to consumers, thus the more simple C-, E-, and S-Class designations.

It’s not that hard to imagine what a two-door coupe or convertible version of the C-Class Sedan might look like, but it’s safe to expect there will be a few surprises. After all, the 2010 CLK (E-Class Coupe) has a slightly different face than the E-Class Sedan, and the CL-Class (S-Class Coupe) is styled differently than the S-Class sedan.

So when will these models arrive? We already know the new E-Class range (sedan and coupe) will arrive next year, and the CL-Class will probably be renamed to S-Class as part of a mid-cyle facelift in early 2010. As for the C-Class models, we suspect they’re at least two years away.

The fate of the Europe-specific CLC hatchback is not known, but it might continue to stand on its own as an entry-level model.

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