Interior design: E Class / 5 Series / A6

[EnI]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

I understand what you are saying EniLab, but I still insist that Audi's interior is not "old fashioned" - it is the most academic design of the three vehicles - by this I mean it is the least populist design of the three - the design is more directed by issues of function and purity. Modernism has always had it's critics - but it has endured and seen the passing of many fashions and stylisms - BMW's current design direction is driven more by fashion than by ideology - Mercedes is driven purely by the tastes of it's consumer base. Audi has remained true to it's German heritage.

I can't argue that, because I agree. If looking through the industrial design prisma, we can say modernism-postmodernism-deconstructivism.

I agree with you a lot when saying Audi design still derives from function, and remained to the true Teutonic heritage. Like I said in "New Teutonic design language" thread, Audi is still staying in 80' - 90's with the Bauhaus "function over form" design philosophy, while BMW & MB have gone a step further: to "function & form" philosophy - giving products more emotions & excitement. Functionalistic modern design is over - its a reminescent of late 20th century. The trends now are heading to more emotional design. Bauhaus is nice, but cold: mechanical, too machine-like.
While A4, A3 interior is still somwhere in 90's, A6 & Q7 are given more modern tech touch - but still following Bauhaus theme - in modernistic variant. While A8's interior is best interior Audi has made - design wise: more emotions, less Bauhaus.

Btw, De'Silva said for AMS, Audi would depart from the Bauhaus design and follow the MB & BMW in more emotional design.

So, guys: enjoy the Audi of today - until it lasts.

 

[ALI]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

To be honest , I have no idea what makes the Audi interior so special to some of you . Like klier said , it makes me puke !!! I have no attraction for anything in that car , as simple as that . And as far as quality ,,,, I dont see any sign of it in that interior .

On the other hand The E-class looks rich , the new inst. cluster , steering wheel , and column shifter makes it look even better , the quality should be good as promised . I love this interior , the only thing I hate is the size of the side windows , I like them to be more narrow .

The 5er interior , I love the design , very fresh , modern , exciting , looks good . But the quality seems to be very short . The interior looks modern , but modern plain , again too much plastic . But I love that interior .


For me this is how it goes for interiors :
1. E class
2. BMW 5er
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Audi A6 .

 

[SDNR]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

EniLab, when you say Modernism is dead, they have been saying that for decades. Modernism today, is a strange kind of Post-Modern version of Modern - Modernism without the ideology. In this regard, Modernism has been reduced to a design language or style rather than an ideology or doctrine.

 

[EnI]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

I'm not saying modernism is dead - but it's definitely fading away from the mainstream.

 

[LaArtist]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

i have to agree with some of the comments here..
the E has lot of curves and loads of luxury so it looks good...
the 5er challanges.. with the speciall design and the sharp lines..
and the audi..well its not exciting..good quality..but hardly good looking..

PS
all comments above are only on design..

 

[SDNR]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

To be honest , I have no idea what makes the Audi interior so special to some of you . Like klier said , it makes me puke !!! I have no attraction for anything in that car , as simple as that . And as far as quality ,,,, I dont see any sign of it in that interior .

It's a traditional German design language, strict functionalism - limited surface decoration - it's an aesthetic in it's own right. As EniLab suggested, BMW and Mercedes have interiors that give more direct and immediate emotional responses. The Audi's interior is more academic - I would call it a secondary emotional response; by this I mean the emotional response comes from an understanding of the context of Audi's design philosophy - it's a philosophy of technology, of engineering, of functionalism. This is a very German aesthetic - perhaps some of the intention gets "lost in translation"; popular American taste often tends to be rather indifferent to subtlety and also favours "warmer" design with a particular emphasis on comfort and luxury. Traditional German design is very cool - some might find it sterile - but this is the aesthetic of technology and machines - like Techno music (another German invention).

The aesthetics of high technology and engineering.

 

[GTA45E]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

I'm an interior freak and see the interior of cars the same way I look at interior of houses. Qualitywise the A6 stands out and even without sitting inside the car and touching the interior one can see sense it's top notch quality.

According to JDPower the owners rate the E-Class and 5er better than the A6 in body and interior quality!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/carltonslr/JDPower30.jpg

 

[EnI]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

It's a traditional German design language, strict functionalism - limited surface decoration - it's an aesthetic in it's own right. As EniLab suggested, BMW and Mercedes have interiors that give more direct and immediate emotional responses. The Audi's interior is more academic - I would call it a secondary emotional response; by this I mean the emotional response comes from an understanding of the context of Audi's design philosophy - it's a philosophy of technology, of engineering, of functionalism. This is a very German aesthetic - perhaps some of the intention gets "lost in translation"; popular American taste often tends to be rather indifferent to subtlety and also favours "warmer" design with a particular emphasis on comfort and luxury. Traditional German design is very cool - some might find it sterile - but this is the aesthetic of technology and machines - like Techno music (another German invention).
The aesthetics of high technology and engineering.

Nice summary. You've described this very well. The aesthetics of technology, machines & engineering.

BMW intentionally brake away from that. Starting to use more "organic" design, less "machine-like" one.

I must admit I like Bauhaus design a lot. But ... I get bored with it very quickly. It's not challenging enough. It's too pure, too simple. It's very nice to look at, but evokes no emotions - it leaves me cold. It's like lacking its personality.

And while Audi are still producing perfectly designed commuting machines, BMW want their vehicles to evoke emotions, to challange, to have personality - to be alive, to be driving organisms.

 

[notic]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

A6 for me. I've driven all three multiple times and the A6 has a very "complete" feel to it. Hard to explain, but it provides the feeling of cohesion and sturdiness that the other don't. the E feels spacious and luxurious, but its just not my cup of tea. as for the 5, its nice...idrive was definitly harder to use than mmi, but its still nice.

so
1. a6
2. e-class
3. 5 series

 

[Star&Car]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

E class for me..it's even the most appealing interior in MB's lineup imo of course..

 

[GTA45E]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

Ok time for my writeup.

1st place.
E-Class. I like how MB pulled off the design with the E interior
The sweeping lines are very elegant and gives a relaxed unrushed less busy
feel of the three German makes. MB is the master at this, thay possess the only design studio stricly for interior concepts. The swtichgear is logically placed and handsomely done. Mercedes has very strong DNA design estblishments that have evolved and will continue to do so with every generation.

2nd place.
BMW 5er. Normally I would have gone with the Audi but I choose the BMW this time. The interior designers of the 5er have given it an unusual design architecture. Many of the surfaces have hard square shapes. The 5er uses
I-Drive so there are less bottons in the interior, these unusual shapes with less switchgear almost give the impression of an unfinished interior. The theme seems to clash against itself because the shapes don`t seem to be put to any good logical use. Thay seem to just sit there waiting for an opinion of some sort. That aside I have to give it to BMW for sticking with an estblished DNA that thay are known for, even though thay have greatly changed with the Bangle designs. It`s still all BMW.


3rd place.
Audi A6. The new A6 is basically a nice design but there are some weaknesses. If it`s one major grip I have with the A6 its how the center stack is tilted to the driver. That design just doesn`t cut it in a $50,000 car and is very outdated! not only does it look bad imo, we only get a small slab of wood (or aluminum) on the passenger of the dashboard. It doesn`t blend with the rest of the wood or aluminum used in the dash, That looks bad! This makes the rest of the interior look like a big hunk of unfinished plastic.(or a broken off design) Even the switches themselves look very boring and unsophisicated with there basic looking square shapes. I think Audi could have done much better than this.
The impression gives a "drivers feel" to the interior but it`s simply not orignal.
Sometimes I get the impression that Audi is still trying to find a design direction with mixing modern shapes with outdated design themes.

The center stack tilted to the driver reminds me of the 1995 Volvo 850 in a way. I know thay don`t look exactly alike but the idea is not fresh.

Audi didn`t give us the tilted center stack in the A8, it looks so much better!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/carltonslr/7A.jpg

 

[SDNR]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A



I must say I find it somewhat amusing that the Mercedes fans are almost obsessed with the Bauhaus aesthetics of the G class's interior - but are completely dismissive and critical of those very same design principles when applied to the A6's interior - I truly think some of you are just not understanding the intention of the Audi's interior design, I can't help feeling that you are a little biased. The Mercedes E class interior is rather average actually - unusual shapes and more wood doesn't make it a better design - I understand that it probably does have wide appeal - but then most people furnish their houses with dreadful furniture - especially at the upper middle-class end of the market, which the E class is squarely aimed at.

Mercedes applied the same functionalist design principles to the interior of the G class as Audi has to the A6, although in recent times the G has undergone a "middle-class" makeover to make it more appealing to a consumer market who prefer their interior design to be less restrained or "German"

The original G class was designed strictly with function in mind.


Design purity - Form follows function.



This is what happens when someone just doesn't understand the design of the G class interior - some might like it - but I can guarantee you the original G class designers would have been horrified by this - this is truly "dumbed-down" design for the masses - a kind of Las Vegas School of interior design - Trump Plaza on wheels - very tacky and ignorant.


Clearly Mercedes are proud of the G class's Bauhaus aesthetic (exterior anyway) - so why don't they re-apply those principles to the rest of the model range today.........I guess I can answer my own question there; put simply, the market doesn't really understand high-design - this is also evident from some of the comments about the A6's interior on this forum.

 

[GTA45E]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A

I must say I find it somewhat amusing that the Mercedes fans are almost obsessed with the Bauhaus aesthetics of the G class's interior - but are completely dismissive and critical of those very same design principles when applied to the A6's interior - I truly think some of you are just not understanding the intention of the Audi's interior design, I can't help feeling that you are a little biased. The Mercedes E class interior is rather average actually - unusual shapes and more wood doesn't make it a better design - I understand that it probably does have wide appeal - but then most people furnish their houses with dreadful furniture - especially at the upper middle-class end of the market, which the E class is squarely aimed at.

The form-follows function theme of the G-Class interior is an orignal.
The Mercedes design estblishments of form and function were not overlooked
when the interior was updated. How come we didn`t get this Form follows function idea with the A8s interior. It`s quit elegant compared to the A6.

Mercedes applied the same functionalist design principles to the interior of the G class as Audi has to the A6, although in recent times the G has undergone a "middle-class" makeover to make it more appealing to a consumer market who prefer their interior design to be less restrained or "German"

This is what happens when someone just doesn't understand the design of the G class interior - some might like it - but I can guarantee you the original G class designers would have been horrified by this - this is truly "dumbed-down" design for the masses - a kind of Las Vegas School of interior design - Trump Plaza on wheels - very tacky and ignorant.

I wouldn`t call it a lack of understanding but rather a market demand.
You will find some Hi-End Range-Rover models (another strict off-road vehicle)
dressed in the same mannor!

Clearly Mercedes are proud of the G class's Bauhaus aesthetic (exterior anyway) - so why don't they re-apply those principles to the rest of the model range today.........I guess I can answer my own question there; put simply, the market doesn't really understand high-design - this is also evident from some of the comments about the A6's interior on this forum.

The Mercedes carline interiors don`t need to be redone in such a mannor.

 

[LaArtist]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A

wow this design talk it to complicated for me.. i guess im one of those that dont understand audis intentions.. to me i look at a interior and if i like it i like it.. if i dont i dont.. and i dont really over anylyze my choice..

 

[SDNR]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A

How come we didn`t get this Form follows function idea with the A8s interior. It`s quit elegant compared to the A6.

You are not the first to say that in this thread - the A8's interior does apply the same Form-Follows-Function philosophy as in the rest of the Audi line.....I have no idea why some of you don't seem to think it does.

Obviously Audi did give the A8 a slightly less severe interior - but it still holds true to their functionalist values.

 

[SDNR]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A

wow this design talk it to complicated for me.. i guess im one of those that dont understand audis intentions.. to me i look at a interior and if i like it i like it.. if i dont i dont.. and i dont really over anylyze my choice..

Well sure Artist, I understand that - and I didn't mean to be arrogant, I know a lot of people are not as interested in these issues, or take them as seriously as I do. In the end I guess everyone has different ideas and ways of seeing things.

Ultimately I think Audi is the most certain of the three marques about it's design philosophy. Mercedes particularly, seems to be slightly confused at present about it's design culture.

 

[LaArtist]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A

nah man i dont mind your post..they are gr8 im learning new things.. its cool to have a expert on a certain area..

 

[Michael]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

For me it goes without saying. The 5er has something that brings me to it.

 

[GTA45E]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A

Ultimately I think Audi is the most certain of the three marques about it's design philosophy. Mercedes particularly, seems to be slightly confused at present about it's design culture.

Well Roberto, I take these issues as seriously as you do, however I don`t understand what you mean
in the last paragragh of this statement. Mercedes has the most established designs in the automotive industry. As I said in my first post thay have evolved the orignal DNA of these designs. It`s still all Mercedes.

Mercedes has the "magic" of making an interior extremely user friendly while looking very elegant and relaxed. Thay have taken the form follows function theme to the next level to an educated eye. These newly evolved interiors started with the W220 S-Class.

Audi on the other hand is just discovering
the form follows function theme with the A6 by an outdated tilted to the driver dashboard design. There are much more creative orignal designs others than this outdated theme.

 

[St. Merc]

Re: Best interior: E Class / 5 Series / A6

So what do you guys think, who does it best?

http://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1087big0co.jpg

BMW...obviously...you just can't argue the originality...