Q & A: Mercedes-Benz's Bruno Sacco

[LaArtist]

Very interesting few questions asked to Bruno Sacco..

Here is the link:
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0701_mercedes_benz_bruno_sacco/


PS
This gotta sting though coming from a legend and someone who knows design better than most

What current designs make you shake your head?
Some of the SUVs from Korea. Also, BMW seems to lack a clear focus on its design theme. It is important to balance classic design themes when developing out-there designs

 

[NarutoRamen]

Nah artist. I don't think that stings. MB has always been about evolutionary designs. BMW is about revolutionary designs or controvercial design, whichever you prefer. Even though I don't like all the models currently offered in BMW range, I do like a lot of them. But regardless, it's a matter of personal taste. Nice interview by the way. Thanks!

 

[Zonda]

Some big words coming from that man. But NR is right, they have different types of design and it's about personal preference.

 

[LaArtist]

i agree with you.. and sacco..
i love some new bimmers..
but some of them make me shake my head..
but lets not make this a BMW thread..
Sacco does really rule

 

[GTA45E]

Pretty cutting words from Sacco but I have to agree with him. This should have been a video, this guy is one of the greatest!

 

[Choleric]

Cadillac has got to be proud...

 

[bmer]

Cadillac has got to be proud...

Let's see, he likes Cadillac. So if he would have designed the current MB-fleet we would see boxier and sharper edges like in Cadillacs?

Edit: Sacco's SL?

(Sorry for the bad quality again. )

 

[SDNR]

Let's see, he likes Cadillac. So if he would have designed the current MB-fleet we would see boxier and sharper edges like in Cadillacs?

Edit: Sacco's SL?

(Sorry for the bad quality again. )

I think it is very important to understand the distiction between admiring the work being done by another manufacturer and what Sacco, himself, would have done with Mercedes.

The most ironic thing about this is, Mercedes design is definitely moving towards this kind of faceted styling. We can already see this influence in the GL and the new Ocean Drive Concept. I expect we will continue to see this in upcoming models.

 

[SDNR]

What are your thoughts on retro design? It's popular and it helps sell cars, but it offers little perspective on design. I do like the Mini, though.

This is why I said the ODC would not be a design Sacco would have liked. But lets remember, even Sacco himself incorporated classic design details into his later work for Mercedes. However, Peter Pfeiffer clearly has a very different outlook for Mercedes than Sacco. The whole attitude at Mercedes design seems to have changed dramatically in a very short period of time.

What cars do you own? A Mercedes 560SEC. I love the car except for the large, plastic door-handle surrounds. I am considering having my car modified to fix this design flaw.

Man, I totally agree with Sacco on this -- the W126 SEC was his finest work IMO.

 

[Merc1]

I was surprised he didn't mention the W124, but he did mention the R129!

M

 

[Gullwing]

His favorite car the 190E, ... so that means it must be the best car ever.
or something like that

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I would have liked to hear his views on MB's current design direction.

Wonder how the w140 would have looked 4 inches shorter. This was probably a compromise he was forced to make and regrets to this day.

 

[SDNR]

The current Mercedes direction is quite different from what Sacco was doing -- they have not entirely rejected Sacco's philosophies and formal styling ..but they have responded to tougher competition by making Mercedes design more expressive and less rigid. I have been very critical of Mercedes design but I must accept they are simply trying to satisfy their market ...and sadly, that is a market that tends to place greater value on an immediate, impulsive, emotional-response to a design ...rather than a critical analysis of design from a more academic perspective.

 

[LaArtist]

so rob you belive that the previous sacco generation MB buyers where those who viewed design from this academic perspective?
i do belive sacco is responsible for the way MB are viewed today and what kind of crowd they attract..

as i belive a new design during its time is never viewed from this acedemic perspective, it is only when it goes out of production.. by then 99 percent of buyers move their intrest to the new modell.
wich leaves who to do these academic valuations of design??
well some of us fans, or ppl that are in the buisness of design.
and i belive it stops there, not only for MB but for all brands for some it even doesent start as their designs are not meant to reflect upon or even been given a second thought as they are only transportation

 

[SDNR]

I don't think most buyers viewed MB design academically ...but their was a culture of design at MB that followed traditional, strongly-German, principles of form and function.

You are correct, Sacco did transform Mercedes into a Post-Modern brand -- where the identity of the brand became the greatest selling point rather than the more pragmatic aspects of Mercedes engineering etc.

Sacco did introduce a strong emphasis on specific Mercedes traits ...this has now become the central tenet where Mercedes design begins and ends.