E-Class (W213/C238/A238) Next E-class on a Severe Diet

[K-A]

Lol. Love it or hate it, what the next E will have trouble capturing, especially considering this transitional period of half wedge, half anti-wedge, half angular, half organic upcoming M-B designs, with multi-directional lines and form, is how unapologetic it is, and how "one theme" it is. Wedge, full angular, stately, baroque. It was actually apparently designed inside and out by ONE guy, which is why IMO it all makes sense compared to some other models.

Also, I think it's a modern interpretation of the W126 era of M-B Sedans (my theory is that M-B purposefully intended to use those models as an homage from this car), which means that we may not have that "caricature of a true Benz Sedan" look on the next generation of models (where they may go more flowy, etc.).

The lines are very sharp and dramatic, but they fit the theme of the car (downward, wedge, angular), and without them I think it would look too "ordinary Sedan" and way too un-challenging (see most other modern Sedans).

I took this pic yesterday, and IMO it shows how the W212's front is so remarkable in capturing what a Benz Sedan should (ultimate stateliness, dynamic, mean, confident, restrained yet unchallenged in road presence), it outdoes BMW's nicest model's, the 6er.

 

[Zafiro]

E-class do have nice front end but the rear and side profile needs radical changes. Its not up to the same standard as the front.

 

[K-A]

The side I love but the rear I do agree with. I like it for its simplicity and relative austerity (looks like a classic no-nonsense purposeful Benz Sedan in theme, pretty glam free but that is also part of its beauty), but it definitely seems as if the attention put toward the front especially took away from it or something. It's definitely has the least excitement fused into it of all the exterior dimensions.

 

[klier]

it outdoes BMW's nicest model's, the 6er.

Not in a million years it won't

 

[MAJESTIC]

Lol. Love it or hate it, what the next E will have trouble capturing, especially considering this transitional period of half wedge, half anti-wedge, half angular, half organic upcoming M-B designs, with multi-directional lines and form, is how unapologetic it is, and how "one theme" it is. Wedge, full angular, stately, baroque. It was actually apparently designed inside and out by ONE guy, which is why IMO it all makes sense compared to some other models.

Also, I think it's a modern interpretation of the W126 era of M-B Sedans (my theory is that M-B purposefully intended to use those models as an homage from this car), which means that we may not have that "caricature of a true Benz Sedan" look on the next generation of models (where they may go more flowy, etc.).

The lines are very sharp and dramatic, but they fit the theme of the car (downward, wedge, angular), and without them I think it would look too "ordinary Sedan" and way too un-challenging (see most other modern Sedans).

I took this pic yesterday, and IMO it shows how the W212's front is so remarkable in capturing what a Benz Sedan should (ultimate stateliness, dynamic, mean, confident, restrained yet unchallenged in road presence), it outdoes BMW's nicest model's, the 6er.

I agree, very surprised, but I definitely agree that the E's front is better than the 6er (idk if it is the angle of that 6, but it looks rather unpleasant)... The E-Class front is timeless, classic, elegant Benz. It has a commanding and confident nature befitting a sedan of the 3-Pointed star.

 

[K-A]

Not in a million years it won't

You forgot to add "In my wildest dreams".

I agree, very surprised, but I definitely agree that the E's front is better than the 6er (idk if it is the angle of that 6, but it looks rather unpleasant)... The E-Class front is timeless, classic, elegant Benz. It has a commanding and confident nature befitting a sedan of the 3-Pointed star.

Agreed. In real life, I walked around those two, and what you see in the picture is what came out in real life; the E's front was far more commanding and cool, even much more dynamic I think, and that's given it has a boring navy blue compared to the 6's popping white (I wish I could have had my E next to it). The rear of the 6er I liked more, and was more interesting, but I was shocked and happy to see the E's front just outdo to the 6's like that. On a personal note, I don't think BMW's doing well with their front ends right now, save for the 7er's (yes, I'm one of the rare that actually like the 7's front, as it at least has some character), and M-B is at the top of their game with the E's front (and CLS front, etc.), so it shouldn't be too surprising.

 

[Carmaker1]

This might be a bit random, but I remember coming across in January, comments by someone who was invited to a W213 design clinic in December 2012/January 2013 and saw a W213 E-Class design model alongside competitors like the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Jaguar XF, and Lexus GS. They described the details of it, but I have struggled to find it since my browsing session got erased when Chrome crashed. If anyone knows what I'm talking about or can find it, that would be great. I think it was on an MB or BMW forum somewhere.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

That would be brilliant to read!

 

[Kowalski]

My bet is that the W213 will have an evolutionary design.

 

[michaelhutchence]

Evolutionary from the E facelift yeah. I think that too. Whats the last revolutionary MB design ? I think the SL.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Evolutionary from the E facelift yeah. I think that too. Whats the last revolutionary MB design ? I think the SL.

The new A-Class was released after the R231 SL, and is by far a more revolutionary design change. It's a completely different car.

 

[michaelhutchence]

I forget about the A class sorry, my bad. The A class is now where it should be. Finally we have a true hatchback to rival the A3 and 1 series Bmw. But, except the A class which was a very very smart move, what other MB revolutions do you know ?

 

[Carmaker1]

Here is a comment from someone else who might have attended one around that time. Dated January 11, 2013

BMW like Mercedes Benz does their design process well ahead of time, I just attened an auto focus group that was put together by a marketing firm hired by MB to give them input on the 2017 E350. BTW, they come in sport and luxury body treatments and both are ugly.

 

[Kowalski]

I searched for W213 Erlkönig and all I got were these really lame renders

http://www.autozeitung.de/auto-neuheiten/neue-oberklasse-bmw-5er-2016-mercedes-e-klasse-2017-vorstellung/Neuheiten-Die-Zukunft/n396345/4?overlay=1

 

[Mr Robert]

I took this pic yesterday, and IMO it shows how the W212's front is so remarkable in capturing what a Benz Sedan should (ultimate stateliness, dynamic, mean, confident, restrained yet unchallenged in road presence), it outdoes BMW's nicest model's, the 6er.

That is a proper sedan right there. I have loved it since I had my first cab ride in it... I like the pre-FL nose so much better than the new, Opel Insignia-looking one.

Not that looking like the Insignia is a bad thing, only not as good as the old car.

 

[Kilcrohane]

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse: News, Erlkönige, Bilder & Videos

 

[klier]

Those are from our friend Husseindesign!!!

Nice find. Everything he makes looks good
Though the side profile shot in the first picture looks horrible like a Skoda or something, LOL!

 

[LaArtist]

Maybe Hussein can shed some light on this for us.

I doubt this is the new E, as i think he left MB for BMW(?).

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse: News, Erlkönige, Bilder & Videos

PREVIEW: Early illustrations reveal what could have been the W 213 E-Class
By Adrian-Liviu Dorofte

The 213 series E-Class is expected to touch ground by the end of 2015. Recently, a set of images showing some initial sketches (dated 29th July 2011) of the future E-Class have reached the internet, signaled by the W 213 lettering found on one of the drawings.

Signed by former Mercedes-Benz designer Hussein Alattar (currently working for BMW), the drawings reveal a fascinating, quite retro-style design for the executive class limousine. The current design philosophy is evolved into the next step, becoming even more progressive. The headlights resemble an arch and the radiator grille, although rounded, is pointing ahead. When seen from profile, the front section looks like the fascia of a shark.

The roofline looks dramatically arched, with the side windows being completely modified compared to the traditional design of the current days. The C-pillar is triangular and continues fairly close to the bottom end of the car. The third volume, the trunk, is shorter than expected and looks like it has been integrated into the whole architecture - fairly similar to a fastback sedan.

The profile is extremely neat and clean and it features larger and more pronounced wheel arches. While the front overhang is short, the rear overhang is long - a perfect antithesis with the long engine bonnet and the almost seamlessly integrated trunk. All in all, if ever approved by executives, the opera of Hussein Alattar would probably have looked sensational in flesh and would have brought a revolutionary view to the classic Mercedes-Benz design philosophy.

Mercedes-Benz-Blog: PREVIEW: Early illustrations reveal what could have been the W 213 E-Class

 

[klier]

YES!

Looks great!