IRVINE, CA - What to do? The sensible, left side of your brain knows that you need a four-door sedan, one that has room enough in the rear for your carpool buddies who don't appreciate having to climb over seats to get settled in with their morning coffee and random thoughts. Yet the artistic, right side of your cranium wants a sleek, two-door coupe. Sexy. Uninhibited. You want to project an image that's as young and hip as you feel. Forget responsibilities. Have fun.

Mercedes-Benz feels your pain. The Vision CLS concept, introduced at the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show, was an exercise blending the functionality of a sedan with the visual impact of a coupe. Thanks to positive response from the press and consumers alike, the company has decided to make the Vision CLS a reality.

Based on the platform of the excellent E-Class sedan, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will only be three inches shorter overall, relying on the rakish slope of the roof, small rear doors and its teardrop silhouette to convey the image of a coupe. Mercedes says that the intent of the CLS-Class is to elegantly blend the "strong, emotive charisma" of a coupe with the "comfort and practicality" of a sedan.