E-Class (W212/C207/A207) [Official] Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)

[Mr Robert]

See, IMO out of all the classics, the 80's are usually my least favourites as they're the boxiest of the bunch. The lines of that 120, and many of the older, usually 60's and down are more curvaceous and pretty IMO, which shares more of a resemblance with the last generation (before the more angular models are coming in.... which indeed draw more inspiration from the 80's) of M-B's designs. Which is another reason I think the W212 and the like won't age as well as some of the prior models, but we'll see.

I agree to a certain degree, the 80's models are well on their way of becomming classics. (The afrorementioned W124, for instance, have gotten itself quite a reputation among Mercedes fans already.) The boxy form is perfect for holding presence and with the incorporation of some of the best cues of the 60's, I think we have a sure winner here.

 

[Centurion]

I got to see the car today for the first time while walking down Park Lane! Guess what I noticed first? The LEDs! Contrary to the story some images my tell, the appearance is not boxy nor sharp edged like the recent Cadillacs, but can be described as conservative but with angular tones. It's unmistakably and E-Class and the design is not loud nor brash. It stands out but fits in at the same time. MB nailed it.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I got to see the car today for the first time while walking down Park Lane! Guess what I noticed first? The LEDs! Contrary to the story some images my tell, the appearance is not boxy nor sharp edged like the recent Cadillacs, but can be described as conservative but with angular tones. It's unmistakably and E-Class and the design is not loud nor brash. It stands out but fits in at the same time. MB nailed it.

Good new Luw I tend to trust your taste lol

 

[GTA45E]

Centurion: I got to see the car today for the first time while walking down Park Lane! Guess what I noticed first? The LEDs! Contrary to the story some images my tell, the appearance is not boxy nor sharp edged like the recent Cadillacs, but can be described as conservative but with angular tones. It's unmistakably and E-Class and the design is not loud nor brash. It stands out but fits in at the same time. MB nailed it

I have yet to see it in the metal as it`s not here in the US yet but that was what I (and I believe carwimmer430) was saying all along.. Thanks for your opinion.

 

[GTA45E]

See, IMO out of all the classics, the 80's are usually my least favourites as they're the boxiest of the bunch. The lines of that 120, and many of the older, usually 60's and down are more curvaceous and pretty IMO, which shares more of a resemblance with the last generation (before the more angular models are coming in.... which indeed draw more inspiration from the 80's) of M-B's designs. Which is another reason I think the W212 and the like won't age as well as some of the prior models, but we'll see.

I believe the W124 E-Class has aged beautifully!!
I still see quit a few on the road and I am amazed that the design has held it`s classic shape so well. The W124 is very angular but it still manages to blend some organic schemes which worked very well.

The W212 has alot more going on with it`s surface detail.. (which is nothing but fashion) I still see a lot of old-world themes which seems to be the foundation of MB designs. This is what makes them age quit well.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I got to see the car today for the first time while walking down Park Lane! Guess what I noticed first? The LEDs! Contrary to the story some images my tell, the appearance is not boxy nor sharp edged like the recent Cadillacs, but can be described as conservative but with angular tones. It's unmistakably and E-Class and the design is not loud nor brash. It stands out but fits in at the same time. MB nailed it.

Yea...I gotta see it in person. These photos still seem like I'm looking at a CTS with a "three pointed star".

 

[Mr Robert]

Yea...I gotta see it in person. These photos still seem like I'm looking at a CTS with a "three pointed star".

That is one thing you will not think when you see it in person. It is a clean, elegant and typical Mercedes...

 

[GBOY]

Yea...I gotta see it in person. These photos still seem like I'm looking at a CTS with a "three pointed star".

WHAT?

 

[K-A]

I believe the W124 E-Class has aged beautifully!!
I still see quit a few on the road and I am amazed that the design has held it`s classic shape so well. The W124 is very angular but it still manages to blend some organic schemes which worked very well.

The W212 has alot more going on with it`s surface detail.. (which is nothing but fashion) I still see a lot of old-world themes which seems to be the foundation of MB designs. This is what makes them age quit well.

Absolutely, I love the 124, and when I see a clean one I'm still amazed at how good and proper it looks.

However, what I initially meant was, especially to "non car people", when they see really boxy cars they think "old" or "80's". I guess only time will tell, and I agree M-B has fused tons of lines and creases to give the car a more dynamic look than just a typical "boxy" one, but personally I see the car as being very time specific (very "now" and trendy), and trying to fit in with todays other designs.... That's just my personal opinion, but the true test will be how it will stand up to the E's of past in about 2-3 years. The 211 gets called somewhat "plain" by some people nowadays, but I think that's what has helped it be such a big seller and popular car, while holding its status 7 whole years after its introduction. I think M-B really was precise with that car in not getting too crazy, but allowing it to have a striking modern fashion.

Anyway, just MHO

 

[K-A]

Yea...I gotta see it in person. These photos still seem like I'm looking at a CTS with a "three pointed star".

I've said it before. But I saw it in person extensively, right next to a 211 at that, and I thought it looked even more messy in the flesh, just didn't win me over at all.... The AMG pack one looked much better and far more aggressive, but I wonder if the very aggressive look will be enough to keep me interested after I get used to it. M-B's are usually careful about not going tooo aggressive, as they get tiring fast (look at certain domestics that look uber badass when they come out, then get dated).

 

[Merc1]

I'm starting to think there will never be another E like the W124. Which came as a sedan, a true coupe version, wagon and convertible. It was one of "the" Mercedes-Benzes of the 80's...a part of life for many young Benz fans at the time. Good thing I'm not a rich collector, I'd have at least 5 of them in various body styles and years. The E500 version is still....in 2009....arguably my favorite Mercedes-Benz ever.


M

 

[vios1]

WHAT?

Good Looking

 

[K-A]

I'm starting to think there will never be another E like the W124. Which came as a sedan, a true coupe version, wagon and convertible. It was one of "the" Mercedes-Benzes of the 80's...a part of life for many young Benz fans at the time. Good thing I'm not a rich collector, I'd have at least 5 of them in various body styles and years. The E500 version is still....in 2009....arguably my favorite Mercedes-Benz ever.


M

I've read about Bruno Sacco (that was his name yes? The ex M-B designer responsible for so many of their contemporary classics), and he said the W124 was his favourite design, as it was truly revolutionary when it came out, and changed the course of auto designs.

He said his worst favourite and was the W140, saying the windows were "4 inches too tall" or something like that. I think it's all there under his Wikipedia.

 

[Merc1]

Yep....you're right on the money that was him. He said that the W140 came out 2 inches too tall, but I can't imagine how it would have looked otherwise. I still want one of those old tanks, I've been seeing them a lot lately and some have been in great shape.......but it isn't for me. It costs a fortune to keep on the road.


M

 

[K-A]

Yep....you're right on the money that was him. He said that the W140 came out 2 inches too tall, but I can't imagine how it would have looked otherwise. I still want one of those old tanks, I've been seeing them a lot lately and some have been in great shape.......but it isn't for me. It costs a fortune to keep on the road.


M

Yeah, much respect to him. You're right, he said the car itself was a couple inches too tall. I never fully appreciated the 140 Sedan and S-Coupe back when they were out, and bit too upright for my tastes (I was a teen), but really dig what they're about now. They definitely show their age, but I see them as classics already. I thought about getting a 140 as a D.D, but wouldn't go near that kind of investment either.

I wish he was still their designer, I'd love to see his interpretation of the evolved M-B look. I loved the designs that came out under Pfeiffers direction too, Wagner at the helm is kind of shaky so far in my personal opinion. I'm still unsure as to whether he really knows what he's doing and has a vision comparable to how clear the past Chief Designers of M-B had, or if he's just trying to revolutionize the brand for the hell of it and become the current Chris Bangle.

 

[coolraoul]

^^ I loved the work of Sacco (and Bracq, too) for Mercedes.

However, I quite dislike the late Sacco (when Pfeiffer's influence began to show), and pretty much everything that came out under Pfeiffer. Some do look good, but many others don't.

I never could really appreciate the roundish shape he gave to the sedans. The cars were excessively soft. And of course, there was the shockingly ugly W210 E-Class...
In fact, all of Pfeiffer's cars needed AMG to look good, otherwise they were bit plain.

And with the exception of the FL-211, they all lacked presence and aura.

The W212 does not need AMG, and has lots of presence. I've seen it IRL, it's interesting and well designed. Not over-designed like in pics, not as sharp like many said, but quite conservative in fact, while modern and elegant. I like it.

It's not as well-designed as the 204 though, because it's not as clean. I like it a lot nonetheless, more than any of the roundish Pfeiffer cars i think.

The squarish roofline gives it a much more of a "big sedan" status, it looks longer and much lower than the 211.

Many tend to imagine a black, AMG-packaged FL-211 with nice 18" and compare it to the 212... But I've seen a black, AMG-packaged 212 with 19" (350cdi), I assure you it's absolutely gorgeous.

 

[K-A]

^^ I loved the work of Sacco (and Bracq, too) for Mercedes.

However, I quite dislike the late Sacco (when Pfeiffer's influence began to show), and pretty much everything that came out under Pfeiffer. Some do look good, but many others don't.

I never could really appreciate the roundish shape he gave to the sedans. The cars were excessively soft. And of course, there was the shockingly ugly W210 E-Class...
In fact, all of Pfeiffer's cars needed AMG to look good, otherwise they were bit plain.

And with the exception of the FL-211, they all lacked presence and aura.

The W212 does not need AMG, and has lots of presence. I've seen it IRL, it's interesting and well designed. Not over-designed like in pics, not as sharp like many said, but quite conservative in fact, while modern and elegant. I like it.

It's not as well-designed as the 204 though, because it's not as clean. I like it a lot nonetheless, more than any of the roundish Pfeiffer cars i think.

The squarish roofline gives it a much more of a "big sedan" status, it looks longer and much lower than the 211.

Many tend to imagine a black, AMG-packaged FL-211 with nice 18" and compare it to the 212... But I've seen a black, AMG-packaged 212 with 19" (350cdi), I assure you it's absolutely gorgeous.

Yeah, I mean it's obviously all preference. I really liked almost everything under Pfeiffer, and I think he brought an even higher "cool-factor" to M-B, especially with the younger generations. I also think he gave M-B an elegance that was unmatchable, and I think the designs still paid homage and respect to the past boxier designs in their own way as well. I do think the 211 is definitely the most "on-point" Sedan design under Pfeiffers helm though, many seem to agree. Also, to note, although his designs are still relatively new, I don't see any of them looking really dated yet, even the 210 when clean and pristine looks striking (IMO), and that was his most confused design yet IMO, with trails of the older boxy look, and a hint of the future to come. However, the Sacco 90's models looked almost pre-historic IMO when the Pfeiffer generations were released.

I do think the 211 needs an AMG pack to look really complete, aside from the 211 F-L Sport which looks sharp on its own, however I personally strongly disagree that the 212 looks fine without the AMG pack. I think it actually requires it more, as when I saw it, I thought it looked over-tryed, yet still boring and fussy w/o it, yet with it, it at least had a very imposing and aggressively squared look.

Also I get what you're saying about the roof-line, however I actually can't get into the square line, I like the rounded roofs on the 211 and 221 personally.

What's great is we can all have our opinions and takes on these cars. I don't like the 212, but I do actually hope the public does, as I'd hate to see any model disgrace the brand enough to start changing the publics overall perception of it, which in turn would even tarnish its history. I just wonder how far the whole "it looks like a Japanese car and/or Hyundai" thing might go when the public gets introduced to them.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

The W212 does not need AMG, and has lots of presence. I've seen it IRL, it's interesting and well designed. Not over-designed like in pics, not as sharp like many said, but quite conservative in fact, while modern and elegant. I like it.

What's your thought on the rear fender for the w212? That seems to get me everytime I see it (in photos). Does it look better IRL?

 

[coolraoul]

What's your thought on the rear fender for the w212? That seems to get me everytime I see it (in photos). Does it look better IRL?

You don't really notice it in fact. It merely has the effect of breaking the light, it's really a soft line unlike the deep character line. It plays with the reflections to break the rear fender, making it look less massive while giving dynamism to the whole side of the car.

It really doesn't look like a kind of second character line, it's much more subtle.

On the Coupe however, you can't miss it. The rear fender is way wider under that line, it really looks musculous. From the side, the Coupe really sits on its rear wheels thanks to it, it's the most striking design element. It's a determining trait of the Coupe, unlike the sedan where it's almost just hinted. Almost a Turbo-look with wide fenders...with the right wheels.

As a result, the Coupe does not look heavy like in some pics, because of that design elements who only fully reveals in 3D. Whereas it's really no big deal on the sedan: just like you have a shutline on the front fender to break it, you have that line at the rear fender to break it. Makes the whole longer and lower.

@KA: sure, to each his own. If you really like Pfeiffer's job and its refined, soft, elegant design, the newer models will be hard to swallow.
However, I have to comment on the W210: I find it looks really bad (although being a Sacco design, with only influence of Pfeiffer in it).
The proportions are wrong IMO (the short, falling bonnet), the design is bit like a blob... Rear lights of the pre-FL are a bad joke... Grille of the non-AVG very weak... I really don't like it. The (extensive!) FL looks way better, still nowhere near 124 or 211.

Well, taste and colours...

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Very interesting...

I will have to see it IRL. The photos make the E-class fender look odd, out of place and bloated. The E-coupe seemed to be ok, but I will definitely take a look.