New W212 E-Class Sedan & Estate Thread II (Spy pics & info)

[andyvalencia]

Originally Posted by Yaz

Thanks for the effort Andy, but I don't think the tail lights will run that long to the sides.
Here's the actual picture you worked on and you could see where the lights end:

Im sorry to be the one to break it to you but that "hump" in the middle of the tail light is meant to make the light seem as if it ends there however if u look at where i have marked with the arrow u can see the continuation of the light across the body work...

[Yaz]

OK, I get it. Did you change the chop 'cause it looks better now? And that looks like an E350, not an E320 CDI .

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by Centurion

There is a difference between walking to the grave yard in search of a famous relic to revive and taking a slight inspiration from old traditions. I see nothing retro in the GLK and E-class, they might be utility shaped but they don't resembles any of their descendants in any strong way.

I never said they were pure American-style Retro .....I'm just saying that this desire to make subtle references to the distant past is a very different approach for Mercedes.

Originally Posted by andyvalencia

MADE A CHOP OF THE REAR:

Great work Andy, I think this is likely to be very accurate. As I said earlier, the rear lights/fender moldings are very well resolved and logical.

[Sunny]

I saw the something similar in the S class facelift thread, so a wt* statement and a honest question steam rolled into one: why is American influence so looked down upon? AFAIK, both MB and BMW have design studios here in US. And if my memory serves me right, MB just brought a design studio from Chrysler. If MB is so wary of any American influence? why bother? Also we are probably still the biggest market, so a certain amount of "American" influence is probably good for business.

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by Sunny

why is American influence so looked down upon?

It's not. I can see there is much misinterpretation here.

I do not personally have an problem with American influence as such. But Merceds has always had such a strong connection with German industrial design and its Functionalist principles ....I am sad to see this changing so much.

As I have said numerous times before, Mercedes really is no longer a German manufacturer, it is a multi-national Global brand -- and the styling of its products has become very international -- with design studios all over the world influencing the styling, Mercedes' hallowed Functionalist aesthetic is not as strong as it once was.

[Sunny]

Originally Posted by SDNR

I do not personally have an problem with American influence as such. But Merceds has always had such a strong connection with German industrial design and its Functionalist principles ....I am sad to see this changing so much.

As I have said numerous times before, Mercedes really is no longer a German manufacturer, it is a multi-national Global brand -- and the styling of its products has become very international -- with design studios all over the world influencing the styling, Mercedes' hallowed Functionalist aesthetic is not as strong as it once was.

I was more referring to the MB fans who seem to get all riled up every time you point the American influence out. Both BMW and MB gave up on a strict form follows function (which I presume is what is considered "german") design principles couples of models ago and I think they are better off for it.

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by Sunny

Both BMW and MB gave up on a strict form follows function (which I presume is what is considered "german") design principles couples of models ago and I think they are better off for it.

^ You are exactly correct Sunny.

Mercedes has chosen to focus on more expressive styling. However, by adopting short-term styling trends, their products have started to become more banal ....much like Toyota.

What separated Mercedes from the mainstream in the past was the strongly pragmatic rational/academic principles guiding its entire approach ....an aesthetic inspired by, and directly related to, engineering and technological progress.

Essentially, Mercedes has 'dumbed-down' its approach to vehicle design.

Now the styling is focused on general trends and external cultural influences -- this is a far less academic way to design a product ...and obviously will risk dating much more quickly.

[coolraoul]

Originally Posted by andyvalencia

MADE A CHOP OF THE REAR:

Still not very sure about this rear. Looks very un-Mercedes!
I still think it will have CLC-like rear lights, because these don't look like MB. They're too generic.

[coolraoul]

Originally Posted by Centurion

I'm still expecting something more like this (only the rear and rearlights of course, and add the play with the fenders).

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by coolraoul

They're too generic.

And these aren't?