I would argue that Mercedes will buck it. The CLS and up and coming CLC are coupe shaped enough for the classic models i.e E-Class and C-Class to remain orthodox. The W204 is one of Mercedes' strongest designs in a while. It's as classic and timeless as the 190E.
I´m sorry, but I disagree. I´m not saying (and doubt anyone does) that the current MBs are the worst looking in the company´s history. That would be laying. In fact, I´d say every current MB looks good. BUT, if you review the company´s history, you´ll find that 50 years ago, MB was superior in both design and tech. People bought MBs cause they were simply the best cars on the market, and looked like that. Afterwards the competitors started to improve in terms of looks, but MB still had the edge in the tech department, being the most advanced cars with the best engines. It´s true the models you say looked like crap, but still had an advantadge over BMW and Audi, and people believed buying an MB they were buying a car that would last them forever. Nowadays, an MB is not better looking per se than any other german car, it deppends on the customer likes. And not only that, they no longer featured the best engines. Not every MB engine is better than the competitors offering. Thus here we are. Currently, people see the Mercedes cars as something for old wealthy guys, as they think other brands have better looking cars, and they don´t think the star is a guarantee of a better tech/engine. The bottom line is that Mercedes Benz is no longer as special as it was. And I doubt the current cars still look nice in 20 years.
As far as engines go, I've always believed that BMW made the best engines out of all the German competitors and I've always loved BMW design.(until recently) It's interesting though, because in my mind, the rolls are switching. MBZ is now becoming the brand that has more of a lively feel to them while BMW is heading to being soft and luxurious. Same goes design wise. I think MBZ is on a roll with their new designs and these cars will be legendary come 20 years from now because it was this change in design that will shape future models.
Although this is not Mercedes' most glorious design era. The current line up is shining compared to the W220, W210 and W203 era - hall of shame being the preface lifted W210.
I can`t wait for this car. The C class must look better than F30 but also better than next A4. For me, the proportions looks just fine for moment.
Proportions look good. Greenhouse looks a little slimmer than the W204, it has a more similar shape to the W212's now. I gotta say, I'm actually really relieved to see M-B are going EVOLUTION over revolution on this one. I really thought that they were gonna do some whole new thing, considering what they were saying and what the earlier renders looked like. IF this is really the actual W205, then I'm VERY glad that the architecture at least is staying classic and evolutionary, gives me some hope. Now the details.... oh those damn details.... that's where I don't trust M-B's design department fully yet. They nail it sometimes, then they flub it sometimes. When they do classic/timeless, they do it best, when they do erratic/"revolutionary", they ruin it. I guess I agree with both SKYSONY and Morrison at the same time, lol. Some M-B models right now IMO are some of the nicest looking cars of all time, however some make it hard for me to even view the entire lineup as a whole as favorable to me.
I really do not think the C AMG will get a V8 and but rather a V6 as the C 32 AMG. Now all E AMG, M5 and RS6 have TT V8. So I think all C AMG, M3 and RS4 (B9) will get FI 6 cylinder engines.
I do think right now is their worst design era ever. I didn't like too much the 1997-2004 era. I agree at the W220, W203,W210, both CLK's were not "nice cars" (but at the same time I don't thing they were THAT ugly), but at the same time the R230 and W215 are timeless classics. But Mercedes made a giant leap with the introduction of the W219, and then came W204, W221, W216, W164, SLS, each one looking way better than their predecessor (in W216's case, a tie, IMO). Welcome the W212 and things became fuzzy. It's a very polarizing car. I love in AMG sport package, and looks utterly rubish in classic trims with rounded bumpers and thos absolutely incongruent doouble round foglights. And since them, things have become fuzzier and fuzzier: CLS, SLK, SL, B, M; none of this seems to look better than their predecessor and the CLS and B class side lines are simply umbecoming. I hope the S class can bring a new design theme, but I highly doubt it
But the C32 was created under the Mercedes Benz regime of yore, when AMG cars were nothing but MBs with modified engines. That era is gone! AMG has had their hands cut loose and thay are pretty much going back to their roots with the V8. "for everything" I highly doubt AMG will fit the M157 to the upcoming C, when AMG said the Bi-Turbo V8 wouldn`t fit in to C. There a very good chance the C55 name will return. The new C55 should feature the 5.5liter N/A DOHC V8 found in the new SLK55. (Code named M152.) It should pack more than 480hp.
I have to say that when you look twice at the spy pics, you realise how good this mule looks. I have competely changed my mind. I´ve seen a few spy pics where the mule has no bumpers and the headlights shape is seen better, and it looks very F800-like. Regarding the engine powering the AMG version, I believe the logic step would be a I6 TT, but I know this is not happening. I guess we should see a 5.5 V8 NA with 500 PS. I´d love such an engine BTW.
Mercedes is surly stepping away from the wedge shape which I am glad to see. An upright profile is more classical and will withstand the test of time better. It`s obvious we will see the dropping-line on the new C-Class. It seems door handles will follow the dropping line that I can vaguely see in this photo.
I really like the news about a NA V8. Thanks to its displacement it will not need any turbo for torque. Is a new C Coupé replacement in the plans? If yes I hope they'll fixe its only demerit, the lack of frameless windows.
