I wonder what would have happened to the luxury car world if Mercedes had decided to bring out a production version of the 1981 Auto 2000 concept. It was certainly a striking but controversial design exterior with a hitech interior for the time. It would have changed things forever introducing the more versatile styled saloon/coupe/fastback.
If I didn't see the emblem, I'd swear that was an Audi.
Likes and the older interior that've aged well (or have the potential to age well):
- Most BMW interiors except for the "Bangle era" interiors. For it to be a proper BMW interior, the center stack better cant towards the driver. I found many elements within the E65/66 interesting and quirky, particularly the wood trim.
- Merc interiors of the '80s and '90s. There was a Teutonic severity that signified that this car was all-business and would not put up with bullshit. It's like the dominatrix of interiors. (i joke, I joke....kinda). Merc's current interior language has a nice mix of business and playful except the C-class really annoys me....how could you make what is otherwise a tidy, clean interior and then stick what looks like a portable Garmin screen right on top? I cannot wrap my head around the logic of doing something so egregious. Thinking about it makes me angry.
- Audi.... favorite is the C6 A6 and 1st gen TT. The A6 usurped BMW's design language at the time when the interiors were Bangle'd up. There was a Spock-like logic to the interior. The same applies to the 1st gen Q7 and A4 of that era. The first gen TT was the best kind of whimsy. Audi A8 D3 and D4 were very well-crafted. Also like both gen R8. Still on the fence about new A8, A7, and Q8 interior...need to check out in person, but I have a feeling having 3 big screens will age them in 10 years when that era's tech trounces it.
Dislikes or interiors that don't age well:
- Bangle era BMW's...unless you like dash humps and have a plastic fetish, not a fan. As mentioned, I personally find the E65 interesting, but that's more to it's high quirk factor than anything.
- W220, W211, W204, W203, 2nd gen SLK, R230, etc. These haven't aged well because the material wasn't as good as before and the curvy elements made it feel slightly amateurish, and considering this was a M-B, it felt even more amateurish. It's like when bonehead keeps making a mistake, that's expected. But when a perfectionist makes an error, it's all the more glaring.
- Audis....the previous gen A4, A6 and A7....that screen pisses me off. At least in the A8, it retracts. Audi interiors prior to the C6 A6....just looked and felt like a fancier VW interior.
General take on today's interiors: I am of the thought most of the interiors in today's cars will not age well, mostly because the interiors have a screens as the dominating feature. If I were forced to choose which will age the best, I'd say BMW. And no, it's not based on any bias, it's more because BMW's interior design language, with the exception of the Bangle cars, are a continued evolution. There's a level of recognition not seen with the other two. I also say, there's generally less fussiness, but that's probably more my own bias talking. Historically, Mercedes seems to alternate with an interior that's more straightforward Teutonic and then something more sensual. You can pinpoint what era that interior comes from. Since my lack of patience is kicking in, I don't feel like articulating any thoughts regarding Audi's interior language.
