E-Class W212 [Official] Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) Facelift

[K-A]

The designers and management made a call to do what is best for the company and correct whatever mistakes they felt they have made in the past, time will tell if their decision is correct or not. You are focusing too much on the exterior styling of the car, yes given that it is the most dramatic and obvious change, the E-class has received some significant safety upgrades, so at least the 'management' got this right.

Of course they have to improve the fundamental tech and engineering of the car. That is par for the course with a facelift.

IMO a company that charges such a premium shouldn't be making these "mistakes" so often. The W204 interior makeover that had to be done was bad enough, now they're making it noticeable from the outside.

Whether the changes will finally get them back on track is a whole other question, who knows, but so far they leave little to be confident in (I wouldn't put my money on them until they prove otherwise).

 

[K-A]

If MBUSA doesn't offer the traditional grille for the US market I think they're going to upset a lot of boomers and others that think that the pig snout belongs on the coupes and cabriolets, NOT the sedans. My .02 on that.

Love that they have included the wagon so heavily in the press stuff.

Here's a thought, MB. Maybe instead of smashing the W220s headlights, tacking on some chintzy LEDs and calling it progress you could have instead updated the wheel designs. Those are from launch and here they are again!

TOTALLY agreed.

And WOW! I didn't notice they have the EXACT wheels from the launch of the car? So the changes were so extensive they ran out of money to do the most obvious change, which was new wheels?

Very odd. I don't think I've ever seen a facelift with the exact wheels from launch.

 

[KonradK]

The company did right. They redesigned the front so it looks 2012+ and not 2008. People who bought an e class in 2012
are sad about them being perceived as "old model driver". Come on Because you paid a lot, does not mean I should not be able to buy 2013 cabrio facelift for the summer. I was waiting a long time to see normal, 2011 SL/CLS front lights on E class. I am happy about the change and Mercedes should make big changes if they decide to do. I think that ego of some buyers is too big - "I want to look like I drive the newest model, so the street will think I paid a lot and have money, will respect me"...

 

[Monster]

TOTALLY agreed.

And WOW! I didn't notice they have the EXACT wheels from the launch of the car? So the changes were so extensive they ran out of money to do the most obvious change, which was new wheels?

Very odd. I don't think I've ever seen a facelift with the exact wheels from launch.

Excuse me, are you joking? MB can introduce new wheels when ever the hell they want, those sports wheels and the new 18 inch rims were introduced less than 12 months ago, just because they don't appear at the same time as the facelift E-class, it doesn't mean MB ran out of money to design and manufacturer new wheels. In fact, maybe there isn't a need to change? This isn't the first time that has happened to MB.

 

[K-A]

The company did right. They redesigned the front so it looks 2012+ and not 2008. People who bought an e class in 2012
are sad about them being perceived as "old model driver". Come on Because you paid a lot, does not mean I should not be able to buy 2013 cabrio facelift for the summer. I was waiting a long time to see normal, 2011 SL/CLS front lights on E class. I am happy about the change and Mercedes should make big changes if they decide to do. I think that ego of some buyers is too big - "I want to look like I drive the newest model, so the street will think I paid a lot and have money, will respect me"...

It's not about that at all. When you buy a high end car, you expect a timeless design that is backed by the designers.

Don't act like M-B are doing something everybody else is. Design leaders such as BMW and Audi are doing very little facelifts, because they don't need to do too much, because the designers have foresight and don't deem the previous models as too weak. M-B are doing the opposite, and it shows in their drastically declining market share.

Who's to say next car that comes out that M-B fans call great right now won't be derided as "old man/passe cars" in 4 years when M-B do yet another about face? How many passes will M-B fans give Daimler? The W204 pre-facelift buyers got snubbed for buying a car with an inferior interior, forcing a huge change to the facelift, the GLK got an all new front that looks very different, the R got an all new front, etc.

 

[K-A]

Excuse me, are you joking? MB can introduce new wheels when ever the hell they want, those sports wheels and the new 18 inch rims were introduced less than 12 months ago, just because they don't appear at the same time as the facelift E-class, it doesn't mean MB ran out of money to design and manufacturer new wheels. In fact, maybe there isn't a need to change? This isn't the first time that has happened to MB.

The wheels the brown facelift are sporting are the wheels from the LAUNCH model, from 2009. Very nice wheels which I've had before and maybe even prefer to my current AMG wheels, but old nonetheless, and odd from a company that just re-designed the entire front and put entirely new rear doors on their E-Class.

Discordance abound, is how I see it.

 

[ZicZachZo]

I was never truly fond of the W212 at launch. I thought some of the details in the front were too angular and were such a departure from the W211 which I thought was a timeless design. Fast forward to now and the new facelift is making me wish they hadn't changed a thing. I guess I'm more risk averse than the current designers at MB. Such an about-face (literally) for a facelift makes me wonder about the strength of the original design? Was it not strong enough? What about it was inadequate that they felt they needed to change things so drastically. Comparatively, the W211 facelift was so mild. As was the W221. Maybe they felt they needed to bring the E in line with their new design direction? If so, I'm worried.

 

[Wunderkind]

I hope I am wrong. But I think 4WD will not be available in RHD models because of packaging reasons.

 

[Merc1]

What is this:

E 400 *
V6
2996
245 kW (333 hp)/ 5250 - 6000
480 Nm/ 1600 - 4000
5.9 (6.3)
7.5 (7.7)
175 (179)
6
C
E 400 4MATIC *
V6
2996
245 kW (333 hp)/ 5250 - 6000
480 Nm/ 1600 - 4000
5.9 (6.3)
8.0 (8.3)
185 (194)
6
D


Where are the details on this engine? A new V6 is tucked in with no mention of it? I guess because it is not part of the U.S. lineup. E400???? Wolfe??? This is the turbo unit???


M

 

[K-A]

I was never truly fond of the W212 at launch. I thought some of the details in the front were too angular and were such a departure from the W211 which I thought was a timeless design. Fast forward to now and the new facelift is making me wish they hadn't changed a thing. I guess I'm more risk averse than the current designers at MB. Such an about-face (literally) for a facelift makes me wonder about the strength of the original design? Was it not strong enough? What about it was inadequate that they felt they needed to change things so drastically. Comparatively, the W211 facelift was so mild. As was the W221. Maybe they felt they needed to bring the E in line with their new design direction? If so, I'm worried.

Bingo.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Can't say I'm a fan of the rear, it's too Hyundai/Lexus ish, but the front end is drop dead gorgeous.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Bring on the E63 AMG 4Matic.

 

[klier]

This is the turbo unit???


M

Yes it is.

 

[MBFanToDeath]

Copyright MBUSA

 

[Merc1]

I think I like it.


M

 

[PINHEAD]

The new exterior is so futuristic! I like both of the facelifted front views.

 

[SKY]

Well, I have to say my initial ipressions are being lowered down.

BTW, what a joke of a nav screen.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Why is that screen so small?

I think I like it.

 

[MBFanToDeath]

Coupe/Cabriolet

Take a look on this amazing video, section 'Highlights' link http://e-class.mercedes-benz.com/com/en/

Enjoy!

EDIT: Merc1, after you watch it, please leave a comment. K-A what you think?

 

[tennmb]

On the C, you can exchange the sport and luxury grilles. Doesn't look like that will be an option on the E, based on whay I see.
Can't wait to see in person. I'm ready to put the quad lights in the past.