I think both of these are great of course, but the difference is that Mercedes is more traditional and the Audi looks more futuristic with a "cooler" look, IMO. Long as Mercedes improves the quality I'm fine with the look, because you can't please everyone on the styling of an interior. Quality however speaks loud and clear as Mercedes seems to have remembered again.

M

Roberto, I really like the A8 interior...its very german, but the S-class interior better represents luxurious oppulance as opposed to the stark business like environment of the A8. You dont have to be bias to prefer the S. Remember the S commands the greatest customer loyalty, and these buyers know what they want. Being too progressive in terms of interior design would be a very risky move for Benz at this point in time.

Also, as GTA has mentioned on many occaisions, Benz interiors have an uncanny ability to even be phsychologically relaxing through their designs. Interior design is probably one of the many reasons the heartbeat of S drivers was 5-6 beats per minute lower than the competition.

I think the clean surfaces of the S, particularly the leather, are reflective of current market tastes as opposed to some sort of cost cutting measure.

Yes I agree. Afterall we don't want all the Germans on the same page otherwise we'd have German INC (i.e. like the boring Japanese INC. cars).

M

For me it's more a matter of taste, I just don't think the S class's interior is altogether tasteful. It has some rather kitsch styling elements - they are designed to appeal to a rather generic sense of luxury - I don't want to sound pretentious, but I think the S class's interior is styled in a banal taste - playing largely upon middle-class perceptions of status and style - it's not designed to appeal to very highly cultivated tastes - it's not an interior that makes you feel very special - to me, there are aspects of it that just spell "fake luxury".

I do agree with you however that the cleaner design is not a cost cutting measure - I welcome this new design direction for the S class, I always hated the gathered leather - it reminds me of those dreadful Italian leather sofas you see in department stores.

I'm sure hell is furnished with this type of thing!


I simply could not live with this!

Very interesting post Roberto. It ties in brilliantly with your earlier comments about Mercedes "Americanizing" their cars more so than Audi or BMW. I say this because that style of furniture is very popular here. I mean very popular.

M

Oh it's popular everywhere Marcus. That was more my personal prejudice coming out there.

The whole concept of a luxury in car interior design is based upon very generic and generally, quite banal taste.

It's like people who make a lot of money and decide to build their dream house, filling it with all sorts of new furniture and objects from expensive interior stores - more often than not, the whole impression is one of fake luxury.

The Italians are masters when it comes to outrageously expensive tackiness - just look at Gianni Versace or Roberto Cavalli

Look at this furniture designed by Tonino Lamborghini - it is very expensive and positively grotesque - I already know "the Artist" will love it because it is the equivalent of the Zonda's interior - hehehe

Pimp my armchair.


This circular bed is fun, it would look right at home in a Las Vegas hotel suite, but it is hardly tasteful.

Look and learn - this is what a 21st century luxury car interior should look like.

All those pieces of furniture are pretty gross. lol.

I do understand your point about the s-class representing a more generic interpretation of luxury. But the car has to have mass market appeal and not to mention cater to the all important American market.

But wow what is that Audi? That interior is absolutely amazing. You a very correct...that is what a 21 Century luxury interior should look like. I'm 100% sold. I have a new favourite interior.

Thanks for your feedback Mr. Mercedes, and i'm glad you understand my thoughts - I sometimes think maybe you guys might think I'm very arrogant and obstreperous with my attitudes because I like to be quite direct with my posts - I have quite strong opinions about these sorts of things

What about the W140 S-Class of the early 1990s and the E-Class of the mid 80s. Those models also had gathered leather in the door panels. I wouldn`t call that "Americanizing" Italians love to design & treat there leathers
in "fashionable" way. Calling it generic is an insult to them and a lack of understanding.

Remember the design directer of the W126, W140 and W220 S-Class was
Bruno Sacco who is also Italian. This is one of the reasons why those models
possessed the "Classic theme" thay might not ever had if he wasn`t Italian.
Italians are brilliant atrists, just because there themes are popular doesn`t mean there generic, The word "Classic old world" came from the S-Class
It didn`t come from Audi or BMW. It all started with Sacco!