With BMW’s new 3-Series Coupe and Audi’s new A5 Coupe, Mercedes-Benz is the only heavyweight German Manufacture to not yet release it’s new CLK Coupe. It’s not too far away but the replacement for the current CLK is not production ready just yet.

These photos were captured while the car was road testing in Germany. It’s already had it’s run at the Nurburgring and it’s now just ironing out any remaining bugs before the cars debut. From what we can see the overall size and shape aren’t much different from the current coupe. A new set of rectangular headlights will be the CLK’s most distinguishing feature and will tie it in with the current C-Class sedan.

The rest of the car remains conservative in the best Mercedes-Benz tradition. A gently sloping roofline and mildly tapered rear end keep the family resemblance intact. There’s still no B-pillar —a visually desirable design Mercedes has spent the money to keep around for another generation, though with ever more strict side impact regulations we could see it disappear soon.

Expect all the current drivetrain improvements from the current C-Class to be carried over to the new CLK. This includes that awesome 6.2 liter V8 in the AMG models and the powerful new v6. After it debuts at the 2008 Paris Auto Show this fall, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK Coupe should go on sale in Europe by the end of the year. U.S. sales are expected to start in the spring of 2009.

For now here are the spy shots:

Above: Benz’s new coupe should prove to continue a good thing….

***ALL PHOTOS PROPERTY OF KGP PHOTOGRAPHY***