S-Class [Poll] Best modern S-Coupe design

[mercpassion]

Just thought I'd do a poll on peoples view for the last three generations of the pinnacle of the Mercedes brand models, the S-Coupe.

Starting with the C215, even today this car looks breathtakingly beautiful, thanks to its truly stunning design which combined unique features like the tapered C-pillar and rear section, it surely has to be one of Saccos best works.

The C216 never really clicked imo, even though in isolation it had some exquisitley designed elementd like the wheel arches and smooth front, it never really looked complete to my eyes, maybe due to the huge greenhouse and fussy proportions.

Finally the C217, theres not really much to say about it, as it speaks volumes itself, it is imo what a big Mercedes Coupe should be; luxurious, size-defying, super emotional and a touch dynamic..it is a true inheritor of the S Coupe tradion imo, I can also see many similarities with this and the C215, showing how ahead the 215 was.

My vote goes to the 215, though the 217 comes close..

Image credits. www.netcarshow.com

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Hmm I can't pic yet. I love them all in different ways. To me the C217 represents a shift in philosophy. One that opens the doors, pun intended , for a 4 door S-class level coupe.

BTW while Sacco was in charge at the time, Peter Arcadipane penned the C215.

 

[DJRaze99]

Tough choice , each is wonderful in its own way . C215 despite the passage of years it looks phenomenal.

Especially C216 model CL65 AMG 40th Anniversary Edition is amazing.

C217 ,one of the most currently produced coupe on the market .

 

[Giannis]

C215 without thinking twice.

It was the most imposing german automobile back in its day, and both the two later generation did not transmit the same feeling with that intensity!

 

[WAND]

A lot of people like C215, so do I, but for me C217 is that One.
Just like, in my opinion, W222 is that One after W140.
So my favourites S classes are W140 and W222 ( C140 and C217 ).
Besides their totally different appearance.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

1.) C215... that rear window was and is a thing of beauty. Looked lithe and imposing at the same time.
2) C217... love those lines on the side and the rear is so clean. Interior is just pretty but not effete and is better resolved than the sedan, IMO. Also, in cabriolet, it's one of the best looking cabrios.

Now this is where it gets tricky
3) C140... imposing with trademark clean lines.
4) C126... imposing... growing up, my neighbor had one. It was big and black all over, and just mean looking.
5) C216... those blistered fenders and rear lights still don't sit well with me. It felt too non-descript. Usually, the sedan takes a back seat to the coupe regarding the design, this time it's the opposite.

 

[Monster]

C215 without thinking twice.

It was the most imposing german automobile back in its day, and both the two later generation did not transmit the same feeling with that intensity!

Interesting thought. For me the C 217 has a more imposing front end and a more athletic body styling.

 

[Giannis]

Interesting thought. For me the C 217 has a more imposing front end and a more athletic body styling.

I'm not a fan of MB's latest design language - that's no secret - but leaving my taste aside, recent MB's look very athletic, youthful, fresh and, well, joyful!

The generation of oval shaped headlight MB's did not look athletic or had any notion of a flowing design. They looked damn serious, crisp and bold, without looking fashionable or pursuing any wow-factor. They were just simple, gothic and bold.

And this did the trick for me. If I were to choose an affordable MB right now, I'd go for a facelift W211, over most modern MB models!

 

[Mr Robert]

I'm with G on this. The C215 made a huge impression after the other type of hugeness of the beloved C140.

 

[mercpassion]

Many interesting views on show here, im pretty surprised to learn that the c216 has quite a following, I would have thought quite the opposite

 

[Deleted member 25]

The C-215 is head and shoulders above the rest,a true classic and one of my all time fav Mercs. The one after was very bland while the current one is overstyled.

 

[LaArtist]

C217 is to me the one of the most beautiful MBs ever. Since the SEC.
It is a homerun in my book.
Over all the big benzes and especially the CL/S coupe always put MB a class above its german competition, and into the realms of Bentley/RR.
I have such a soft spot for these MBs.

To me none of them were badly designed. but out of these 3 my order is.
217
215
216

This along with the SL and S were MBs that couldn't be faulted in my book.
S and S coupe still is, they lost the ball with the current SL..sadly
But i think they will come back swinging on the next one.

 

[sanpt7777]

Tough choice , each is wonderful in its own way . C215 despite the passage of years it looks phenomenal.

Especially C216 model CL65 AMG 40th Anniversary Edition is amazing.

C217 ,one of the most currently produced coupe on the market .

1.- I have two things to say about this. The triangular wheels are amazing on this or the W220.

2.- Posting a picture of a BRG car is cheating since everything looks better BRG. Even I would look better BRG. I still say the C215 wins.

They all look like whales though. Or tanks, if you find that less offensive. Sexy tanks.

 

[ThroughandThrough]

I'm not a fan of MB's latest design language - that's no secret - but leaving my taste aside, recent MB's look very athletic, youthful, fresh and, well, joyful!

The generation of oval shaped headlight MB's did not look athletic or had any notion of a flowing design. They looked damn serious, crisp and bold, without looking fashionable or pursuing any wow-factor. They were just simple, gothic and bold.

I believe we agree.

There comes to a point when design language becomes either too aggressive or smug, discounting the vehicle and brand collectively.

I prefer an understated car. To me, that shows confidence.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

I prefer an understated car. To me, that shows confidence

Interesting to see how opinions differ. For me the C217 is by far the best looking of the three mentioned, and...understated in my eyes. A flawless, crisp solid designed car, which Mercedes-Benz managed to do last with the C126. That was a typical MB beauty as well.
The C215 never did it for me. I remember quite vividly when I saw it first and how disappointed I was. The rearside and the side profile were good. Especially the the Pagode-like roofline and rearwindow. But the front wasn't good and made me somehow think of the C-Klasse with the double-hinted headlights. The whole front was too slender, too small, too low and too bland looking.

 

[mercpassion]

Interesting to see how opinions differ. For me the C217 is by far the best looking of the three mentioned, and...understated in my eyes. A flawless, crisp solid designed car, which Mercedes-Benz managed to do last with the C126. That was a typical MB beauty as well.
The C215 never did it for me. I remember quite vividly when I saw it first and how disappointed I was. The rearside and the side profile were good. Especially the the Pagode-like roofline and rearwindow. But the front wasn't good and made me somehow think of the C-Klasse with the double-hinted headlights. The whole front was too slender, too small, too low and too bland looking.

I see what ue saying, the 215 front was a tad dissapointing when cimpared to predecessors and resembled the 208 etc somewhat, however if looked at closely, it can be seen how impeccably they are designed, for example the placement and angle of the outer lights make a sizeable difference..

that said, the 217 is still a true beauty, its almost unreal how well it masks its size..

 

[Rolf]

Wow what a tough one, but these are my preferences.

1) C217 - The new S-class coupe is with out a doubt the most beautiful looking coupe in production today, such a sleek car from all angles and with that gorgeous interior to match it is the number 1 choice out of the S-coupes. The best version since the C126.
2) C215 - lovely rear lights and boot and that amazing rear window. Very elegant, a close run behind the C217, but spoilt slightly by the low quality interior.
3) C216 - I also love the rear light design of this car, combined with the bulges of the wheelarches made for a very interesting design, although it wasn't the most stunning looking car.

The C126 was the best looking after C217 in my opinion as it combined great looks and granite interior build quality and superb luxury.

The C140 is the worst looking out of all the S-class coupes, it lacked the elegance and cohesive design of the C126 predecessor and also its successor C215.

 

[sako97]

Thought this thread would be a good place this. My CL55 was such a nightmare; beautiful car though.

It just hit me that I've owned a C215, C216, and now C217.

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[Centurion]

C215 without thinking twice.

I think so too. Its sheer lenght of it and its green house made it impossible to mistake for anything other than a grand Mercedes. While the C217 is beautiful and has many small glamorous touches, its appearance is less exclusive because of the E-Coupe and C-Coupe.

 

[Yaz]

You know you're getting old when Doug was in HS when that CL65 debuted


C217 for me because of that lovely interior.