Goodbye round headlights ... goodbye MB!

[sfmrad]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I think that MB's 2000-2006 "round headlights" styling was their apex. Echoes of the past, but modern too.

I just can't get into the new "CL" look across the new vehicles (C for starters). The CL is okay (whereas the previous "round headlights" version was gracefully beautiful), but I really dislike the new C compared to the previous C.

I think MB thought they needed to "butch it up" or something. Shame.

Will buy a "previously-loved" SL when they introduce the new-look 2009 model and just keep it going as long as possible.

The current SL is one of the most beautiful cars in the world.

What do others think? Am I in the minority here?

 

[cawimmer430]

Welcome to GermanCarForum.

Regarding the upcoming SL, from what I've seen it looks like it will get CLS-type headlights. This will be the major visual change that one instantly will spot, I think. I don't like this. I think the current SL is a very beautiful and balanced car from a design point of view. The semi-four-eyed look on the current R230 SL suits it perfectly I think.

The new C-Class is gorgeous in my opinion. I always thought the last generation W203 was elegant, but it lacked a dynamic look: the current C-Class has a sporty look to it, especially in Avantgarde trim (and Elegance with the proper rims).

 

[SDNR]

Personally, I don't have a problem with the new lights ...I think the Face lifted SL still looks good. I am not a big fan of the way the S class looks but the CL is good looking ...except the rear lacks elegance. I like some aspects of the C class, I think it is an improvement over its predecessor.

 

[LaArtist]

i love the new looks its more Mb the round headlights where great..
but to soft..this is more old school MB imo

PS
Welcome

 

[Guibo]

I am glad they moved away from that. They needed a stronger identity, as the 4 round headlight theme was kind of played out by Japanese cars in the mid-90s. Toyota Celica and Honda Integra. Lexus modified their early 90's SC coupe setup for the GS that would follow the E-Class. Then Jaguar with the S-Type (though Jaguar had had the 4-headlight design almost continously since the early 60s, and it had become a signature element of the XJ).

 

[John]

I typically prefer the more traditional squarish headlights set horizontally in line with a well-defined grill. The somewhat recent and widespread trend of pulling the headlights up and back over the hood in various configurations is one that's never appealed to me. It takes away from the agressiveness of most cars and never seems to integrate well with other parts of the fascia.

Where the SL is concerned, I feel the double round lights integrate well with the front of the car. I will miss them. On the other hand it was good to see them replaced on the C-Class as they were not bold enough IMO. Really like the new C headlights as they are more traditional but still somewhat unique to the model. The styling of CL lights I find to be fantastic. Stretching them out over swolen fenders between a very attractive grill is a great means of recapturing the old look while clearly incorporating new and fresh styling cues.

 

[cawimmer430]

I am glad they moved away from that. They needed a stronger identity, as the 4 round headlight theme was kind of played out by Japanese cars in the mid-90s. Toyota Celica and Honda Integra. Lexus modified their early 90's SC coupe setup for the GS that would follow the E-Class. Then Jaguar with the S-Type (though Jaguar had had the 4-headlight design almost continously since the early 60s, and it had become a signature element of the XJ).

The four-eyed headlight look was actually big on MB's from 1976 to 1983.

It was called the W123.

 

[cawimmer430]

On the other hand it was good to see them replaced on the C-Class as they were not bold enough IMO. Really like the new C headlights as they are more traditional but still somewhat unique to the model.

When I look at the new W204 C-Class, I essentially see a retro-styled 190-Series.

 

[coolraoul]

^^I agree.

A W204 looks like a 190, the S204 (SW) looks like a S123 with some S124 accents, and the CL-Class looks like a C126.











MB always were quite edgy, rigid, very German in the modern times. The new look is back to this, inside and outside, and I love it.

The round headlights were good with a rounded shape, but can't go with the actual edgy look. And my problem was not really the headlights but more the too small grill, like on the previous CL or the SL. It lacks aggressivity.

Now, the coupe have a big big grille in line with agressive edgy headlights, all that in a more edgy shape. It is much better to my eyes.

To me, it is clear that MB moves back to what it was in the 80's; technically it is the same thing, over-engineering and reliability are now back at MB.

The previous models were not really looking like true MBs, and were not build like true MBs. A MB is edgy and reliable. Very German. It is back now.

So I am delighted that these soft shape, small grilles and round/semi-round headlights are gone, and the average reliability and not so perfect finition with them.

I think that, for MB, round shape and headlights means Schrempp-era, so lower finish and reliablility...They want to get rid of all that, re-polish the image of MB. So they change everything the client can see to prove the cars are now built like the older Mercedes.

 

[Monster]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I think that MB's 2000-2006 "round headlights" styling was their apex. Echoes of the past, but modern too.

I just can't get into the new "CL" look across the new vehicles (C for starters). The CL is okay (whereas the previous "round headlights" version was gracefully beautiful), but I really dislike the new C compared to the previous C.

I think MB thought they needed to "butch it up" or something. Shame.

Will buy a "previously-loved" SL when they introduce the new-look 2009 model and just keep it going as long as possible.

The current SL is one of the most beautiful cars in the world.

What do others think? Am I in the minority here?

I am not sure if I am answering your question but these are my thoughts about MB design.

Against brutal new designs from BMW and to a lesser degree, Audi, Mercedes has no choice, but to visually toughen up their car so people will take notice of them. In this attention seeking generation, the bolder it is the more beautiful and appealing for the people. Just witness the ever escalating size of the front grills on new car designs, for example, just have a look at the BMW CS, the new Audi A1 and the Merc F700.

The oval soft headlights of the previous generation of design just won’t work with the new more edgy design theme. In a way MB is going retro but in a subtle way. Looking at the 190. the W203 and the W204, you can clearly see a direct design evolution between those 2 and the W203 looks like it is the odd one out.

I agree the W203 is gracefully elegant, even when it is being replaced by the W204. I don’t dislike the new range of MB and their current design direction; I think it is the appropriate design for the time we are in.

Get your hands on a current SL. The car has a timeless design and it will be a future classic.

 

[John]

When I look at the new W204 C-Class, I essentially see a retro-styled 190-Series.

Agreed.

(I'll get Bruce to show me how to put pics in posts)

 

[cawimmer430]

^^I agree.

A W204 looks like a 190, the S204 (SW) looks like a S123 with some S124 accents, and the CL-Class looks like a C126.

MB always were quite edgy, rigid, very German in the modern times. The new look is back to this, inside and outside, and I love it.

The round headlights were good with a rounded shape, but can't go with the actual edgy look. And my problem was not really the headlights but more the too small grill, like on the previous CL or the SL. It lacks aggressivity.

Now, the coupe have a big big grille in line with agressive edgy headlights, all that in a more edgy shape. It is much better to my eyes.

To me, it is clear that MB moves back to what it was in the 80's; technically it is the same thing, over-engineering and reliability are now back at MB.

The previous models were not really looking like true MBs, and were not build like true MBs. A MB is edgy and reliable. Very German. It is back now.

So I am delighted that these soft shape, small grilles and round/semi-round headlights are gone, and the average reliability and not so perfect finition with them.

I think that, for MB, round shape and headlights means Schrempp-era, so lower finish and reliablility...They want to get rid of all that, re-polish the image of MB. So they change everything the client can see to prove the cars are now built like the older Mercedes.

Good post, good points. Agree with everything you said.

 

[cawimmer430]

Agreed.

(I'll get Bruce to show me how to put pics in posts)

Hi John,

It's quite easy to post pictures. Just do this:

[ img ] url of image goes here [ / img ]

^Do this, but without the spaces.^

 

[ZicZachZo]

I know very little about automotive design, but I would wager that the trends go back and forth from curvy and edgy. It seems like the bulbous shapes of the 90s are over and a return to the structured germanic designs are back. In the 80s Audis, BMWs, and Mercs all pretty much resembled one another in terms of very squarish upright appearances. But what do I know?

 

[Guibo]

The four-eyed headlight look was actually big on MB's from 1976 to 1983.

It was called the W123.

Yes, I remember that one. The W210 employed a similar concept. But in execution, it was closer to the Mark X introduced in 1961.

 

[Merc1]

I like the new design direction, but I hope it stays around longer than the now ending era of the round headlights, which lasted what...12 years or so or until the new E comes along and completes the circle.

M

 

[SDNR]

Mercedes is going in a completely different direction to where Sacco was taking MB design. Bruno Sacco was in the process of reducing Mercedes design to some essential principles -- Peter Pfeiffer is more preoccupied with symbolism and eye catching styling themes.

 

[cawimmer430]

Yes, I remember that one. The W210 employed a similar concept. But in execution, it was closer to the Mark X introduced in 1961.

Yes, Jaguar introduced this type of headlight design first and has kept it until today.

 

[SDNR]

I like the new design direction, but I hope it stays around longer than the now ending era of the round headlights, which lasted what...12 years or so or until the new E comes along and completes the circle.

M

The new GLK is absolutely dreadful, I know I am in the minority thinking that.

Once, I would have wanted an S class over any other car in the world, but now I find myself anticipating the release of the next A8.

The SL is still a beautiful car and the CL is good, but I still struggle to love the S class ...and the C class is not doing much for me either.

 

[SDNR]

^^I agree.

A W204 looks like a 190, the S204 (SW) looks like a S123 with some S124 accents, and the CL-Class looks like a C126.











MB always were quite edgy, rigid, very German in the modern times. The new look is back to this, inside and outside, and I love it.

The round headlights were good with a rounded shape, but can't go with the actual edgy look. And my problem was not really the headlights but more the too small grill, like on the previous CL or the SL. It lacks aggressivity.

Now, the coupe have a big big grille in line with agressive edgy headlights, all that in a more edgy shape. It is much better to my eyes.

To me, it is clear that MB moves back to what it was in the 80's; technically it is the same thing, over-engineering and reliability are now back at MB.

The previous models were not really looking like true MBs, and were not build like true MBs. A MB is edgy and reliable. Very German. It is back now.

So I am delighted that these soft shape, small grilles and round/semi-round headlights are gone, and the average reliability and not so perfect finition with them.

I think that, for MB, round shape and headlights means Schrempp-era, so lower finish and reliablility...They want to get rid of all that, re-polish the image of MB. So they change everything the client can see to prove the cars are now built like the older Mercedes.

All this is utter rubbish


.......everything is different ...EVERYTHING.

The only thing the the SEC and CL have in common is a wide grille with a giant star in the middle of it.