Poll BMW G11/12 7-Series Vs. Mercedes-Benz W222 S-class Photo Comparison

[SDNR]

Could you be a little bit more specific about what it is about the S-Class is incongruent, inside and out? MB really knows their target market well and designed a car that would fit the tastes of them perfectly.

Not really any problem with the exterior.

The interior is where I personally have a few 'issues'

Of course I am being very critical (I love the S class) ......but only because the S class is the vehicle that sets the standard for all others in the industry.

I really feel the problem stems from the desire to adopt cutting-edge design ideas but at the same time try to keep it appealing to conservative (and traditional) presumptions of what a luxury car interior should be. So there are some strange compromises (it's the only way I can describe it) such as the completely odd diamond-patterned perforated leather pieces applied to door panels and dashboard. This diamond pattern bears no relation to the Aqua-dynamic theme at all (such as the organic patterns stitched on the seats and the dynamic shapes of the wood parts) .......the perforated diamond pattern actually has a vaguely Retro 1950s feel about it.

The Maybach version emphasises this strange hybrid of styling themes ....the quilted and buttoned seats with throw cushions certainly looks very comfortable ......but barely relates to the beautiful high-tech details like the metallic switches. The doorhandles, speakers, and seat controls on the doors are certainly highlights in the cabin. The curvaceous side panels that flow into the doors are not well resolved in my opinion ......and the refrigerator compartment is in no way pretty. Once again the quilted leather pieces applied to the centre console lack substance with their only real purpose being to continue the diamond-pattern throughout the cabin.

When I look at the magnificent interior of Coupé concept, it becomes very clear to me that some of these styling decisions were compromises.

The designers who created this brilliant (concept) interior were obviously forced to make compromises for production interiors ....falling back on the usual clichés of luxury car interior design.

Note, for instance, there is no wood in this interior. This is what 21st century high-tech luxury is supposed to look like!

Having said that, the production S class Coupé is still a superb car inside and out.

If I was to be picky, I would say I am still not a fan of the Bentley-style air vents or the awkward (and unnecessary) wood sections on the rear side panels.

But this is a beautiful interior no doubt about it.

The Bentley GT still has more beautiful seats .....but the S class Coupé's dashboard is fantastic.

 

[Busty]

^@SDNR: This is the way design discussions etc. should take place. Make a point and illustrate it. No matter whether one agrees or not in terms of content, it helps to get new insights and to understand how others reach their verdicts.

If we are gonna thank someone, it should be the first complex life forms with nucleous in it's cell. Thanks to that humans came to exist, allowing the creation of Daimler Benz and BMWs "advanced" infotainment systems.

And ultimately, we have reached the philosophical level that I expect from fans of German cars

 

[Wolfgang]

Nice discussion. Believe the interior upholstery options were often discussed in the S-Class threads, and indeed can be a bit confusing. MB offers at least five different levels, starting with leather, to nappa leather, exclusive nappa, designo exclusive nappa and so on. If one doesn't want the quilting, one shouldn't choose exclusive.

Mercedes-Benz S 550 with Black leather interior and Burl Walnut wood trim

Crystal grey / Seashell grey Nappa leather

The refrigerator is a popular option, with a higher take rate than MB developers expected. This was revealed by the "father of the S-Class", chief engineer Dr. Storp himself, in the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 video from fünfkommasechs.

Picture source: MBUSA & fünfkommasechs

 

[SDNR]

Nice discussion. Believe the interior upholstery options were often discussed in the S-Class threads, and indeed can be a bit confusing. MB offers at least five different levels, starting with leather, to nappa leather, exclusive nappa, designo exclusive nappa and so on. If one doesn't want the quilting, one shouldn't choose exclusive.

Mercedes-Benz S 550 with Black leather interior and Burl Walnut wood trim

Crystal grey / Seashell grey Nappa leather

The refrigerator is a popular option, with a higher take rate than MB developers expected. This was revealed by the "father of the S-Class", chief engineer Dr. Storp himself, in the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 video from fünfkommasechs.

Picture source: MBUSA & fünfkommasechs

You are 100% correct @Wolfgang.

The quilting really has been my main criticism and, as you pointed out, it is optional. The S class interior looks very good in black because it disguises the slightly jarring details ...like the panels on the rear doors.

For me, luxury and understatement are not necessarily mutually exclusive, they can coexist.

I guess it is apparent from my comments that I have a preference for simplicity and clarity.
These are terrific:

However, if I was in charge I would like to have seen the Aqua-dynamic styling carried through to its most pure and uncompromising conclusion for the high-end interiors. Afterall, the most prestigious Mercedes interiors ought to be the most high culture design as well.

Unfortunately, I do not feel the Maybach interior is the best interior design Mercedes offers ....the best Mercedes interior is in the S65 Coupé.

 

[Wolfgang]

Thank you for the explanations, SDNR. Yes, aqua-dynamic was the term used in 2005 to 2007 by the exterior advanced design team. It's now called "Sensual Purity". Let's have a look what's up with the interior advanced design team, headed by Michele Jauch Paganetti in Como. Seems a bit like "less is more" to me.

The interior of the future.

The interior of the F 015 concept presented at the CES show in Las Vegas also came from Como. “We wanted to show our vision of the idea of autonomous driving”, says Paganetti. “Given how complex the cars of the future will be, why not simplify forms, we thought, but without losing the value of traditional materials and extreme attention to detail?”

“We effectively designed a lounge of the future, something very aseptic and clean, and with simple forms and volumes. We wanted it to reflect the simplicity of the digital era: we gave our ideas for the graphics and displays, then Sunnyvale developed the digital part”, says Paganetti.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

 

[SDNR]

Thank you for the explanations. Yes, aqua-dynamic was the term used in 2005 to 2007 by the exterior advanced design team. It's now called "Sensual Purity". Let's have a look what's up with the interior advanced design team, headed by Michele Jauch Paganetti in Como. Seems a bit like "less is more" to me.

The interior of the future.

The interior of the F 015 concept presented at the CES show in Las Vegas also came from Como. “We wanted to show our vision of the idea of autonomous driving”, says Paganetti. “Given how complex the cars of the future will be, why not simplify forms, we thought, but without losing the value of traditional materials and extreme attention to detail?”

“We effectively designed a lounge of the future, something very aseptic and clean, and with simple forms and volumes. We wanted it to reflect the simplicity of the digital era: we gave our ideas for the graphics and displays, then Sunnyvale developed the digital part”, says Paganetti.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Sorry, I forgot it has morphed into "sensual purity" .....which is more-or-less a softer variation on the Aqua-dynamic theme.

The F 015 interior is a wonderful example of uncompromised high-design luxury.

I am aware of the problems of trying to be at the vanguard of design in this conservative market segment .....it is difficult to be very progressive when the established expectations of what a luxury car interior should be, are so entrenched.

 

[sanpt7777]

Oh that walnut trim looks gorgeous.
What is your opinion on wood guys? I'm young and actually like it, but I think most people my age like aluminium and carbon?
I think aluminium makes an interior look too sterile on certain cars and carbon, well, a bit cynical (maybe it's the wrong word) haha
A 2.5 ton car with carbon trim to make it lighter xD

 

[SDNR]

Oh that walnut trim looks gorgeous.
What is your opinion on wood guys? I'm young and actually like it, but I think most people my age like aluminium and carbon?
I think aluminium makes an interior look too sterile on certain cars and carbon, well, a bit cynical (maybe it's the wrong word) haha
A 2.5 ton car with carbon trim to make it lighter xD

I think wood can offer a very warm and pleasing aesthetic atmosphere ......but it is quite strange we should have wood in car interiors.

It goes without saying that wood gives a traditional character to the cabin ........but high luxury does not always require wood

Look at these two pictures, both are finest quality ....the pre-War Mercedes is more Modern and timeless than the Rolls-Royce from the 1960s

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster

1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

A little bit of wood used carefully can have a sublimely refined quality.
1938 Talbot Lago

But wood can also look terrible

Wood doesn't have to be traditional though. Love these examples:

BMW Gran Lusso

 

[SKY]

I have seen the latest Autobild. They compare the cars with some of the best pics I have seen. Same colors, same angles... I have to say the S is stunning at every level. And I believe it will remain the best looking MB sedan by far.

The 7er looks amazing. Looks sharp and aggressive. The lines are exactly where they should be. I would take it be a slight margin over the merc.

 

[SDNR]

I have seen the latest Autobild. They compare the cars with some of the best pics I have seen. Same colors, same angles... I have to say the S is stunning at every level. And I believe it will remain the best looking MB sedan by far.

The 7er looks amazing. Looks sharp and aggressive. The lines are exactly where they should be. I would take it be a slight margin over the merc.

It sounds great. I am looking forward to the head-to-head comparisons.

Will BMW be able to offer a superior (luxury car) driving experience to the W222?

 

[sanpt7777]

I think wood can offer a very warm and pleasing aesthetic atmosphere ......but it is quite strange we should have wood in car interiors.

It goes without saying that wood gives a traditional character to the cabin ........but high luxury does not always require wood

Look at these two pictures, both are finest quality ....the pre-War Mercedes is more Modern and timeless than the Rolls-Royce from the 1960s

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster

1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

A little bit of wood used carefully can have a sublimely refined quality.
1938 Talbot Lago

But wood can also look terrible

Wood doesn't have to be traditional though. Love these examples:

BMW Gran Lusso

Totally agree. I actually love greyish wood. My dad had a Ford Mondeo (yep, a Mondeo haha) which had a grey imitation wood center console and looked very nice.
I think grey wood trim is a great alternative to aluminium

 

[GTA45E]

The interior of the new 7 has a handsome theme to it. It reminds me of modern Danish settings. A techy minimalistic approach in design. It`s interior is definitely colder than the S-Class. The only drawback in my personal opinion is the center stack. It seems to be a copy of the 3-4 Series BMWs as I stated before the debut. The head of the pack is like the father role, leading the line-up with unique design, originality and technology for the rest of the family to follow. Here, dad borrows his son`s expensive sport jacket and chino slacks for the day. He dresses it up with a Rolex and fancy aluminum alloy cuffs. The center stack architecture makes the new 7er look a little preppy for such a hi-end car in my personal opinion. The designers seem to have buttered it up with a ton of aluminum around the switchgear adding to the prepped up look with bling that has never been seen in a premium brand German luxury car. The new 7er has more aluminum around the HVAC and lighting switch gear than the S-Class. The metal in the S-Class is definitely more discreet, blending into the dash design in a more mature fashion without shouting that it`s there. I am going to be honest, I admire the interior of the new 7er, but am not fully convinced of it. It would have been more successful had the designers created a center stack unique to the 7er without stepping on the toes of Rolls Royce. That is not asking too much.





The S-Class interior in comparison to the new 7-Series is a bit warmer. Plush and inviting, the details of it`s interior reminds me of modern Victorian settings, diamond pattern or not. It has a mature level of technological sophistication that centers around comfort, luxury and psychological ease first. A definite step upward from the previous S-Class (no preppiness here) this new version S was designed to be just as prestigious as the previous Maybach to begin with, while also competing with Bentley.


Though it is not perfect the S-Class comes across as a bit more successful than the 7er as the father of the pack, in fully leading the entire line up of the Mercedes family on it`s interior design.

 

[Rolf]

I think wood can offer a very warm and pleasing aesthetic atmosphere ......but it is quite strange we should have wood in car interiors.

It goes without saying that wood gives a traditional character to the cabin ........but high luxury does not always require wood

Look at these two pictures, both are finest quality ....the pre-War Mercedes is more Modern and timeless than the Rolls-Royce from the 1960s

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster

1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

A little bit of wood used carefully can have a sublimely refined quality.
1938 Talbot Lago

Wood doesn't have to be traditional though. Love these examples:

BMW Gran Lusso

Thanks for such a great post and all the things you mention about wood trim in cars interiors I totally agree with. Wood can look great but can also spoil a cars interior. I personally am not a big fan of the older Jaguar and Rolls Royce interiors as I found they over emphasised the use of wood in their interiors which although can give the feeling of luxury it looks a bit too old fashioned and over bearing. I prefer a combination of wood and other materials such as aluminium, chrome and matt chrome as well as certain plastics. If the wood is used sparingly with these other materials it gives the impression of been modern and luxury at same time. Then another bad case of wood used in cars interiors is the horrible shiny plastic wood in many Japanese cars which is so tasteless and not
classy at all and actually makes their interiors look cheap.

 

[SDNR]

The interior of the new 7 has a handsome theme to it. It reminds me of modern Danish settings. A techy minimalistic approach in design. It`s interior is definitely colder than the S-Class. The only drawback in my personal opinion is the center stack. It seems to be a copy of the 3-4 Series BMWs as I stated before the debut. The head of the pack is like the father role, leading the line-up with unique design, originality and technology for the rest of the family to follow. Here, dad borrows his son`s expensive sport jacket and chino slacks for the day. He dresses it up with a Rolex and fancy aluminum alloy cuffs. The center stack architecture makes the new 7er look a little preppy for such a hi-end car in my personal opinion. The designers seem to have buttered it up with a ton of aluminum around the switchgear adding to the prepped up look with bling that has never been seen in a premium brand German luxury car. The new 7er has more aluminum around the HVAC and lighting switch gear than the S-Class. The metal in the S-Class is definitely more discreet, blending into the dash design in a more mature fashion without shouting that it`s there. I am going to be honest, I admire the interior of the new 7er, but am not fully convinced of it. It would have been more successful had the designers created a center stack unique to the 7er without stepping on the toes of Rolls Royce. That is not asking too much.





The S-Class interior in comparison to the new 7-Series is a bit warmer. Plush and inviting, the details of it`s interior reminds me of modern Victorian settings, diamond pattern or not. It has a mature level of technological sophistication that centers around comfort, luxury and psychological ease first. A definite step upward from the previous S-Class (no preppiness here) this new version S was designed to be just as prestigious as the previous Maybach to begin with, while also competing with Bentley.


Though it is not perfect the S-Class comes across as a bit more successful than the 7er as the father of the pack, in fully leading the entire line up of the Mercedes family on it`s interior design.

Really interesting perspective Carlton, I didn't think of the 7er as "preppy" before ....but you explained it well and I understand what you mean.

Btw, that particular S class interior you posted is one of the best I have seen.

 

[sanpt7777]

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This is simply awesome

 

[SKY]

One thing I have noticed, after the 3er LCI and the latest OLED concepts, is the G11 rear graphics are not as ground breaking as I would expect from BMW. Maybe the G11 has missed it and the G30 is the one that debuts this new amazing tech.

 

[hannaz]

BMW has unvieled the Individual through their video. Now let the debate continue on which is the better interior G12/12 vs W222

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[vios1]

I do not understand why lately BMW incoorperate the hockey stick element either big or small in a few of their latest design side profile, It looks awful to me. Yucks. It could have look better without one.

 

[Giannis]

But wood can also look terrible

Ι believe that I am the only fan of this interior in the whole GCF.

 

[SKY]

I am now eager to see the next Panamera interior. I think it is the only one I could like as much as the BMW´s.