If there is one styling characteristic former chief designer at Mercedes-Benz, Bruno Sacco, will be remembered for, it is his hugely influential "wedge" (triangle) shape ...with a low front end and high rear.

We first saw this very pronounced profile on a Mercedes in 1982 with the launch of the W201 - it was a complete break away from the straight-lined designs of Paul Bracq from a decade earlier.

There are of course aerodynamic aspects to the wedge design, but mostly it has become a major signature styling cue of the Mercedes brand.

My question is, do you think the wedge-shape is starting to look a little tired?

When I look at the CLK, for example, although it is undoubtedly attractive and unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz, it also looks a little bland..and a bit dated....at least to me.

What do you guys think? ... two decades on, would you like to see Mercedes break away from this vestige of 80's styling?

1985 -1996 Mercedes-Benz W124

1989 -2001 Mercedes-Benz R129


1997 - Mercdes-Benz C208

all what you said roberto is true. i think the same thing every time i look at a CLK. Noone can deny that this is a great looking car, but it looks dated to me.
I think that like BMW made that "turn" in its design direction, the same should MB.

I think the problem with MB current designs ..... is really BMW ...

Yes BMW ... they made a radical & futuristic change in their line-up designs that made designs coming from other manufacturers looks dated even if it was nice ...

Sorry Roberto, haven't seen u for a while .. How've u been ?

BTW could u please explain what exactly u meant by the wedge shape ?

I do not understand what exactly is a wedge-shaped profile too. Perhaps you could enlighten us, Roberto?

As long they keep looking Nice...I can't see the problem.

Sorry MJaaFY & Mirage77, I should have made that clearer - the "wedge" shape, as it is known, is the "low front and high back" design - a wedge shape is a triangle. I guess it was motor journalists who first called this a "wedge" design.

the new S has a low front and a high back..its superb..
i like that style.. i guess the CLK is just starting to get abit old

Good Question Roberto.
I think the wedge is starting to look...maybe not old...but classic.
MJaaFY is right...BMW absolutely owns the lead in automotive design and every car maufacturer
seems to be adding sharp creases to rounded planes- ala Bangle.
I think some of the new safety rules...the European pedestrian
rule for front-ends for example, and versatile solutions for new hybrid designs such as the
sports coupe/suv that VW is said to introduce as the Marrakesh-
these, among other objective factors, will function as design parameters for the near future. (imho)

Thanks - I believe this design is common with all Mercedes cars and they should keep it as that - they need more continuity throughout their products and this is one way to maintain it.

I sorry for taking so long, but wasn't the NSU Ro80 who started this trend ?!