E-Class (W212/C207/A207) Mercedes W212 E-Class Facelift: Renders, Spyshots, Etc

[Gianclaudio]

It looks very nice, the only detail I don't like is the smiling air damm and the "cutted" upper corners of the grill alà Audi, but in general, very, very nice.

 

[DjordjeC63]

That render looks a bit messy but I think that real thing will be awesome!

 

[PHYBENZ]

I fear MB going with the cheaper reflector headlamps as the standard ones in the E too, like they did with the C and GLK. That would be a shame.

 

[Keyonte]

Not really digging this render it looks to bland, it makes the 212 blend in with the competition the quad lights should be retained but the new gen MB models are ditching the quad lights so i guess all good things have to come to an end

 

[SKY]

I hope they give the SLS style to the interior layout. The same touches the GLK received would do wonder for the E-Class interior.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I'm not a fan of the current 5 series. Too soft. Electric steering sucks. Working for BMW the past four months, you really appreciate the cars they build, even if I disagree with the direction they are taking. I'm sure MB will keep the E a contender in the segment.

 

[Zafiro]

I'm not a fan of the current 5 series. Too soft. Electric steering sucks

I love it, simply look the best in the segment. But I agree about the steering, hopefully a facelift will fix this.

I'm curious what Mercedes are going to do with the facelift. Currently both 5-series and A6 beats the E-class in every single comparison. And last 6 months both 5-series and A6 have sold better than E-class worldwide. Mercedes really need to make something great about the facelift.

 

[K-A]

I love it, simply look the best in the segment. But I agree about the steering, hopefully a facelift will fix this.

I'm curious what Mercedes are going to do with the facelift. Currently both 5-series and A6 beats the E-class in every single comparison. And last 6 months both 5-series and A6 have sold better than E-class worldwide. Mercedes really need to make something great about the facelift.

I dunno how it works worldwide, but if it's anything like the U.S, where it's MUCH cheaper to Lease a 5er than it is an E-Class, I'm sure that's why its sales are higher. As for Audi, they just have all kinds of momentum for some reason.

I was at a BMW dealer the other day, and as I predicted, the worst thing that happened to the 5er is the 6 GC. It just threatens the 5 to look so bland since it looks like a similar car, just much more dramatized. IMO it looks like how the next generation of 5er would look, you'd think. I, however, need to see 6 GC's and 5ers on the road together before I can truly "confirm" that's how I feel though.... the dealer lots are one thing, especially since the GC is the "newbie", but the roads tell the truth.

As for comparisons, M-B's aren't built to win sporting comparisons. If these comparo's were about which car is the softest, most comfortable and serene, most reliable and solid, the E would probably win every single one (that's whsy buyers in this segment really want anyway, hence the 5er getting softened up into an aloof luxury wafter this time around).

 

[Zafiro]

Now you can get a good deal in Sweden if you get an E-class. I dont think its the success Mercedes were hoping for(in Sweden). And lets not forget that many E-class are sold and used as a Taxi in Europe.

Intresting you mention because I read many comparions and E-class do not have the comfort advantage they had back in the days. I driven them myself and the comfort is very close and I wouldnt call the 5-series sporty, its actually a pretty boring drive. Mercedes really need to make a good facelift, they have too if they want to keep up in sales with BMW and Audi.

 

[K-A]

Now you can get a good deal in Sweden if you get an E-class. I dont think its the success Mercedes were hoping for(in Sweden). And lets not forget that many E-class are sold and used as a Taxi in Europe.

Intresting you mention because I read many comparions and E-class do not have the comfort advantage they had back in the days. I driven them myself and the comfort is very close and I wouldnt call the 5-series sporty, its actually a pretty boring drive. Mercedes really need to make a good facelift, they have too if they want to keep up in sales with BMW and Audi.

It is true that the SPORT E-Classes have lost a lot of comfort advantage, I can't speak for the Luxury Package. I'd still say I feel the E is the most comfortable/luxurious riding in its class, but the F10 has narrowed the gap.... in turn, however, it doesn't hold such a sporting advantage anymore, as you said. I have heard the 5 is less harsh over harsh roads than the E Sport, which would be a big factor helping it.

No arguments about who has the least dynamic ride of the trio, though, which is the E, which isn't a problem to me 'cause IMO the E needs to focus on being the luxury frontrunner. My biggest complaint with my E is the harsh ride over rough pavement, which I'd understand if the car was flat around corners.... but it's not. The E has a sublime ride over smooth surfaces, but the ride needs help over rough patches. M-B need to make up their mind: Is it a sporty car or luxury car? Seems with the current W212 Sport, they're confused about that. My car has developed numerous rattles that pop off and on, which is ruining my experience with the car. It's due to the terrible absorbing qualities of the suspension over said rough roads.

 

[bmwownage]

Going from quad to one piece again, to me it just reiterates that they are running out of ideas.. i mean arguably, the current E in its form should look more prominent or less soft than the 5er, but you just don't see the design as well hooked up as the F10. The F10 is softer, but every detail just work and it results in something beautiful, not just on the metal, but also the lighting, everything just makes a lot of sense. A6 is something simpler but still more hooked up.
Even if the headlights change, the car would still look bland from angles, and what is their design language? why is everything changing all the time? if they are going from angular to rounded again, it probably means they admit angular was a fail? personally i think being angular may not be a bad thing for a brand like MB, they are losing tradition big time.

Well then who isn't.. MB probably losing tradition in its design, BMW is losing its sports orientated tradition (where is the super car).

 

[K-A]

Going from quad to one piece again, to me it just reiterates that they are running out of ideas.. i mean arguably, the current E in its form should look more prominent or less soft than the 5er, but you just don't see the design as well hooked up as the F10. The F10 is softer, but every detail just work and it results in something beautiful, not just on the metal, but also the lighting, everything just makes a lot of sense. A6 is something simpler but still more hooked up.
Even if the headlights change, the car would still look bland from angles, and what is their design language? why is everything changing all the time? if they are going from angular to rounded again, it probably means they admit angular was a fail? personally i think being angular may not be a bad thing for a brand like MB, they are losing tradition big time.

Well then who isn't.. MB probably losing tradition in its design, BMW is losing its sports orientated tradition (where is the super car).

That's the big issue right there. If M-B designers aren't confident in the W212, it's kind of a letdown to those who are enthusiastic about it.

M-B has no design language right now. With the GLK and W212, and W204 before them, it looked like they were going back to very strong, angular, hard and straight edged designs. I think M-B is the one brand that can pull that off. Then, all of a sudden, they started going melty and round "organic" again, to the point of ghetto-rigging organic facelifts onto otherwise angular cars (the travesty that is the GLK mismatch exterior facelift). And they actually have practically admitted failure in angularity and aggressive wedge shapes, by ALREADY saying that they're doing a 180 "about face". This shows sloppy management and execution.

The E WILL look as mismatched, there's no way around it. A soft front end with a hard and straight rest of the car? It'll look sloppy. The current car might be too complex and too heavy handed to look as purely effortless as an F10 or A6, but at least it follows one design idiom: Angularity/Cubism.

Yes, I criticize BMW and Audi for utmost homogeny, but at least there's a *language* within their lineup. M-B has no language, and they're changing so rapidly, their facelifts are insanely extensive. They need leadership in the design department, it's too chaotic currently.

 

[MAJESTIC]

That's the big issue right there. If M-B designers aren't confident in the W212, it's kind of a letdown to those who are enthusiastic about it.

M-B has no design language right now. With the GLK and W212, and W204 before them, it looked like they were going back to very strong, angular, hard and straight edged designs. I think M-B is the one brand that can pull that off. Then, all of a sudden, they started going melty and round "organic" again, to the point of ghetto-rigging organic facelifts onto otherwise angular cars (the travesty that is the GLK mismatch exterior facelift). And they actually have practically admitted failure in angularity and aggressive wedge shapes, by ALREADY saying that they're doing a 180 "about face". This shows sloppy management and execution.

The E WILL look as mismatched, there's no way around it. A soft front end with a hard and straight rest of the car? It'll look sloppy. The current car might be too complex and too heavy handed to look as purely effortless as an F10 or A6, but at least it follows one design idiom: Angularity/Cubism.

Yes, I criticize BMW and Audi for utmost homogeny, but at least there's a *language* within their lineup. M-B has no language, and they're changing so rapidly, their facelifts are insanely extensive. They need leadership in the design department, it's too chaotic currently.

Yep, that is my biggest gripe with MB right now, they are not cohesive at all. The only undoubtedly good looking Benzes right now are the S-Class, the CL-Class, the G-Class (classic), SLS and the C-Class. The E-Class, with it's econo car wedge shape, and frumpy profile, 3/4 rear and full rear shot, is going to need ALOT of work to compete with the 5 Series and A6 in terms of design. The 2007-2009 E550 with the AMG package is MILES ahead of any current E-Class and represented an era when most MB's were the best looking of their respective segments.

/endrant

P.S. *I will pay a full years worth of salary to Bruno Sacco if he could come back to MB* I would absolutely love to see what he could do for modern day Benzes

 

[K-A]

Yep, that is my biggest gripe with MB right now, they are not cohesive at all. The only undoubtedly good looking Benzes right now are the S-Class, the CL-Class, the G-Class (classic), SLS and the C-Class. The E-Class, with it's econo car wedge shape, and frumpy profile, 3/4 rear and full rear shot, is going to need ALOT of work to compete with the 5 Series and A6 in terms of design. The 2007-2009 E550 with the AMG package is MILES ahead of any current E-Class and represented an era when most MB's were the best looking of their respective segments.

/endrant

P.S. *I will pay a full years worth of salary to Bruno Sacco if he could come back to MB* I would absolutely love to see what he could do for modern day Benzes

I have been saying the exact same thing about Sacco for some time! Truly agreed. I'd like to see what he could do with modern car design as well. After all, the W220 was one of his last efforts, and its blood/styling language is still strong within the M-B lineup, as evidenced by the W221 and even W212 which I think bear a strong evolutionary resemblance to it. I bet Sacco even had a hand in the conception of the CLS, which as a concept has been the most revolutionary in the modern age of car design.

M-B's design dept is just a mess right now, and I think it comes down to Management, leadership. Either Pfeiffer screwed the pooch and got lazy before he resigned (doubtful, since he was responsible for overlooking many amazing M-B's and was Sacco's understudy), or Wagener can't get a grip.

Yes, they have many nice cars, but confidence in design is missing. They're doing 180's constantly, which is odd for what used to be the king of evolutions.

 

[941benz]

Currently w212 is almost wrong car to a Sport sedan segment, this is why it loosing nearly all comparison tests. There is nothing sporty about E class other then AMG bumpers, is has worst handling, performance, fuel economy, worst sterring feedback and no driving experience. Mercedes even refused to participate in latest MotorTrend magazine Sport sedan comparison, because they know that E class will loose. When it comes to luxury is comfortble but it doesn't offer $50000+ feel to it. W212 sales is not a success compared to w211, Mercedes just made it look better by renaming CLK as E class. F10 is a success vs E60, it help BMW increase their sales by over 1000 cars every month in US alone, F10 maybe doesn't have sterring feel of E60 because of electric sterring, but rewards you with better porformace and 8mpg improvement over 528 E60. Hopefully Mercedes will fix all w212 mistakes with a faselift, and make E class a leader in segment just like they do with S class by havining everyone chasing them..

 

[MAJESTIC]

I have been saying the exact same thing about Sacco for some time! Truly agreed. I'd like to see what he could do with modern car design as well. After all, the W220 was one of his last efforts, and its blood/styling language is still strong within the M-B lineup, as evidenced by the W221 and even W212 which I think bear a strong evolutionary resemblance to it. I bet Sacco even had a hand in the conception of the CLS, which as a concept has been the most revolutionary in the modern age of car design.

M-B's design dept is just a mess right now, and I think it comes down to Management, leadership. Either Pfeiffer screwed the pooch and got lazy before he resigned (doubtful, since he was responsible for overlooking many amazing M-B's and was Sacco's understudy), or Wagener can't get a grip.

Yes, they have many nice cars, but confidence in design is missing. They're doing 180's constantly, which is odd for what used to be the king of evolutions.

That's so true, I love every current MB on the US market (except the SLK, yuck) undoubtedly, but brilliant cars like the E-Class, with such strong pedigrees, are tainted by gimmicky, trendy, non-MB characteristic designs. Such a shame though, because every E-Class before the W212 was miles ahead of competitors regarding design... brings a tear to my eyes every time i think about how MB's design, as a whole, is going downhill and how certain models (like the SL and E) are becoming less desirable.

 

[GTA45E]

I predicted sometime back that the f/l E wouldn`t loose the quad headlights altogether. With the f/l, thay are more integrated as this ps suggests.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Yep, that is my biggest gripe with MB right now, they are not cohesive at all. The only undoubtedly good looking Benzes right now are the S-Class, the CL-Class, the G-Class (classic), SLS and the C-Class. The E-Class, with it's econo car wedge shape, and frumpy profile, 3/4 rear and full rear shot, is going to need ALOT of work to compete with the 5 Series and A6 in terms of design. The 2007-2009 E550 with the AMG package is MILES ahead of any current E-Class and represented an era when most MB's were the best looking of their respective segments.

/endrant

P.S. *I will pay a full years worth of salary to Bruno Sacco if he could come back to MB* I would absolutely love to see what he could do for modern day Benzes

I agree with you on the most part. Mercedes is lacking a design direction, and everything seems very confuzed at the moment, going from soft to hard to soft to wedge to anti wedge, to strong side lines to removing them, to facelifts that don't fit the car like the C and GLK one, etc.

But I don't agree on the E class. I understand why a lot of people make not like the car, but is very cohesive design (all blocky through out) with strong, characteristic patterns, as opposed to the incoherent, confuzed newer designs.
It's also IMO the limit, pivot point where Mercedes started to mess thing around: CLS, SL, SLK, A, B, C and GLK class facelift.

The W211 looked completely outdated to the E60, while the W212 stays notorious against the F10 and the C7 Audi A6, which is much a serious contender than the C6 ever was.

I won't use the global sales as a measure of succes for the E class in particular, because even when lots of the sales comes from taxis in Europe, one has to ponderate that LOTS of 5er and A6's sales are from company cars, where the cheaper running cost of their diesels compared to Merc ones, makes them sell better.

Regards!

 

[Wolfgang]

http://theworldofmbamg.wordpress.co...-news-is-this-the-2013-mercedes-benz-e-class/

 

[dtd]

Is it the weal thing? If so, it is very nice. I wish the rear lamp could be a bit different.
dtd