GLC Anyone else disappointed with the GLK interior?

[justanthony]

Mercedes is not "retuning" to any of its past ......the angularity of the current cars is purely a change of fashion -- nothing to do with any kind of "going back"

I agree Rob. I don't think merc's necessarily going back to their old design; tho i'm sure they've drawn a few inspirations from them. What i think is happening has nothing to do wif new or old, but with dirction: Benz designs are getting more aggressive. I think the w203, previous A, ML,etc came at a time when Merc was tryna be all things to all pple. A real everycar for every home kinda brand and adopted a seemingly 'universal' (pleasing) approach to designing their cars: the happy face. The 'roundness and smily grill kinda approach to design', if that makes sense. Keeping it simple, robust and pleasing to all pple. A kind of nintendo approach. But then came playstation (bmw) to blow it away. Seriously though, carmakers watch each others every move and progress keenly, none moreso than bmer and merc. Merc started to see that BM's more aggressive approach to design was working (of course it was, bmw started to outsell merc; wasn't always the case you know). It was clear: aggression sells! While i wouldn't go so far as to say copy, but i dont think the w221 would have come out like this if BM didn't do the current 7er. And another good example of them watching eachother, i haven't forgotten what i & most of us thot 1st time we saw the w221 interior. Did Bmw start the aggressive trend, i don't know. But they've been very successful with it. Look at most brands now, they look a tad more aggressive than previously. Even audis. Still quite curvy but much more aggressive. look at sports models especially. C63amg? I think Merc's design are becoming more edgy. They seem to be totally removing that whole roundish design.

As for getting back old customers ......they never left.

The W220 was the best-selling S class ever.

I think some customers left the brand, some even swearing never to return. I think merc annual sales are still on the up becos they continue to enter new markets (B, R, CLS,etc) not necessarily cos they're increasing their market share in existing segments. The E for a fact has lost market share to its rivals (used to be so dominant, believe it or not)and w203 continued to lose ground to the 3er. Those 2 models are benz biggest sellers to date.

 

[coolraoul]

Good points, but I disagree.
For me Benz is really seeing back and designing the cars like if the rounded never existed.

I am convinced this is not only a "more aggressive" design, but a "more oldschool Benz" design. The new C is not that aggressive, it is just edgy and shaped like an old Mercedes.

The exterior look a lot like older Benzes, and now we see the interiors too becoming more like 80's Merc...this is not a coincidence or inspired by the competition. This is inspired by the glorious MB past that they want back.

Where I agree, though, is the interior of the W221, this is clearly inspired by the e65. But concerning the other recent Merc, they are clearly a move back to the 80's for me.

Concerning customers...they lost a lot of diehard fans who were deceived. But like justanthony said, the new models and a maybe younger customer base continued to buy benzes (I think the only good point with the 1996-2004 Benz is that I think that they lowered the average age of Benz customers).

 

[justanthony]

Good points, but I disagree.
For me Benz is really seeing back and designing the cars like if the rounded never existed.

I am convinced this is not only a "more aggressive" design, but a "more oldschool Benz" design. The new C is not that aggressive, it is just edgy and shaped like an old Mercedes.

You sure bro? Let's just think about that for a sec. That the w204 (esp avantgarde) is far more aggressive than the w203 is clear as night and day. And with all this talk about w204 and the older mercs, what about the W221 then? What 80's merc does it remind us of then? Any? U don't think it's far more aggressive and edgy than the W220? And when the 09 E debuts with its edgy, angular quad lights design what 80's merc will it remind us of? The new CL? Does it really remind us of anything from the past? And how is it compared to the previous CL then? The about to be released SL fl? The slk with its F1 nose? Some even called its new 'masculinity' ugly.
Bro i don't doubt that some/all mercs will take certain inspirations from benzes past but merc's recent design philosophy is clear as night and day.

 

[coolraoul]

The CL C221 clearly is inspired by the C126 for me. Very obvious at the front especially.

The W221, well, it is clear that it has been inspired a lot by the Maybach, and the interior by the e65 7er.

I don't speak about the FL SL, SLK or anything, they are cars that were developped before that back to 80's move! They only worked on the grille and bumpers, so could not really change the design of the car!

The new E, I don't know. Never saw it, did you? I'm very very interested then!! All I saw is a big black tank without even proper lights and a pair of old photoshops.

For me, the recent Mercedes were using the "old" design themes, of course adapted to the current time. But they want to give it the spirit of these old days.

The C-Class is a very modern a stylish car, but everytime I see one I can't help but think to the W201. Same with the C221, I see quite some C126 accents in it.

I also think it will become less and less obvious, now they are focussing on the old days to forget the recent troubles, but then they will move forward again. I just hope they won't forget teh basic principles of a Benz again...

I may be completely wrong, but I never saw any Mercedes making so many references to its ancestors as the recent ones. Especially after the changes to the rounded shapes.

 

[justanthony]

The CL C221 clearly is inspired by the C126 for me. Very obvious at the front especially.

Really?

The W221, well, it is clear that it has been inspired a lot by the Maybach, and the interior by the e65 7er.

a) The maybach is not an 80's Benz and b) Really?? The W221 has been inspired by the W220 based maybach? Really? Why? How? The boot? That's not all there is to design bro

I don't speak about the FL SL, SLK or anything, they are cars that were developped before that back to 80's move!

When exactly does this 'back to the 80's move' begin? The slk was launched brand new in 2004. And the Sl's whole front facia has been redesigned.

The new E, I don't know. Never saw it, did you? I'm very very interested then!!

Well of course not bro, strictly speaking. But we all make reference to the SL fl don't we. Have we 'seen' it? Well yes and no.

For me, the recent Mercedes were using the "old" design themes, of course adapted to the current time. But they want to give it the spirit of these old days.

Bro i can liken any new merc to a 60's audi (they all have wing mirrors, 4 wheels, steerings) but doesn't mean the new design harks back to the old. But remember i did say that merc, but also all automakers, take 'inspirations' from previous works. Esp those that have rich and proud traditions to cull from. this is hardly breaking news. But whether merc is 'moving back to the 80's' albeit in a more contemporary form, I don't know bout that as far their recent exteriors are concerned.
But it's very interesting to hear every argument

 

[Deutsch]

The interior is awesome. I like the car overall, but if it were my money it would have to be the "townside" model.

 

[SDNR]

I'm sorry ....could somebody please show me all these "rounded cars" ....because I don't believe Mercedes has built "rounded cars" since the Ponton models of the 1950s.

Mercedes is not "going back" to anything .....it continues to progress -- of course some famous Mercedes signs/styling elements are still incorporated into newer designs -- but most significantly is the entire approach to car design has changed at MB since Pfeiffer has been in charge.

 

[GTA45E]

I can't fault it. Lots of Mercedes Benz DNA in there and perfectly in keeping with the theme of the car...

I agree... it`s clean and the ergonomics are top priority here. I can see the mass of quality from the materials used. I`ll bet the Beemer fans don`t like the shapes used here. You`ll have to admit though, it`s SUV-rugged looking, something your not going to find in a luxury car.

 

[Yaz]

Sacco style.

These are design studies for the W140. The W140 is probably the most refined example of Sacco's design influence.

Whoa Robert! That's an amazing find. Thank you.

Now we know where the W221 S-Class and the Maybach got their booties from:

Reminds me of something......

.... Oh yea, the MM 62's back seats .

The dash of the W221:

Notice the seat adjusters on the door.

Steering wheel buttons.... I don't remmber seeing that on any car until the late 1990's and this was in drawn in 1985!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

No, the interior is nothing short of amazing. It's is just the right fit. Almost a little Range Roverish. Looks great for the type of vehicle it was. If you want an interior with curves get the X6 or FX45. This interior is just right.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^ Ha amusing ....the Beemer boys are all disappointed

I think the only people Benz is worried about being disappointed is potential GLK buyers.

The people buying this car will want to stand out.

 

[justanthony]

I'm sorry ....could somebody please show me all these "rounded cars" ....because I don't believe Mercedes has built "rounded cars" since the Ponton models of the 1950s.

By 'roundish' i meant a bit soft round the edges, not round round. Kinda like previous E, ML. A little departure from todays edgier, squarish if you like, cars

 

[adeel2010]

the interior is great
im not disappointed at all

 

[fflorol1]

I like this interiors.

 

[RikfromBelgium]

I don't think answering with " looks like lots of MB in there from the 80's " is an answer to the question " do you like the new interiors" and thare is a lot of that going on here.

 

[g2man]

I really like the GLK design character, inside and out. I like everything about the exterior details and yes,the dashboard extension for the Navi is awkward, but it fits the retro-truck theme. I am seriously considering the GLK for my next car. I have owned Audi’s, BMWs and Benz. Very skeptical about giving Audi another go. Audi looks great feels bad, constant problems. On design alone, I prefer the GLK to the Audi Q5.

Actually seeing and touching the car, at the LA Auto Show this November, will be the test. (Ok, test drives are the real visceral test.) I don’t think there is much question that the GLK will be a better machine than the Q5 or current X3. Build quality for the GLK should be as good as it gets or Germany has lost its heritage completely. Yes, I know the Q5 will begin its production life in Germany, but Audi just does not have the magic feel of BMW or Benz, IMHO.

I am not looking for a jacked up sedan/wagon. I want a more functional, small SUV with sophisticated creature comfort and solid vehicle control features.

 

[nyguy]

It's interesting to get input from different people outside the industry about something that you've designed.... Nice to hear your opinions guys.

 

[Centurion]

It's interesting to get input from different people outside the industry about something that you've designed.... Nice to hear your opinions guys.

Did you design the GLK interior?

 

[Monster]

Did you design the GLK interior?

If this is true then this will be awesome news, and confirms my suspicions that car companies do go through car forums for research.

 

[Tarek]

It's interesting to get input from different people outside the industry about something that you've designed.... Nice to hear your opinions guys.

First of all welcome to GCF

Secondly if u r the one who designed then u did a superb job