C-Class W205 [Spyshots] 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) Spy Photos

[LaArtist]

E46 to E90 evolutionary? In what world? Or are you talking about the fact they both have a Hofmeister Kink, kidney grille and 4 wheels?
.

This is a REVOLUTION ..

To this is more of an Evolution to my eyes..

 

[K-A]

Hmmm nope. This is no W204, proportions are different. It´s, once again, a mini S-Class. The rear door handle is lower than the front door handle. This means the dropping shoulder line you hate, K-A is here to stay, and will be on the W205 C-Class too. Not only that, the front end seems to forget any resemblance to the F800, and has bigger front lights, on the contrary of what it was expected for the new MBs (bigger grille, smaller frontlights). This mule has again bigger lights and smaller grille.

Not feeling it, guys. some mules already give you the vibe a car is gonna look fantastic. This mules, being it or not the W205, doesn´t look specially nice.

Good eye on the dropping door handles. Absolutely TERRIBLE and HIDEOUS designing with a wedge shaped greenhouse. Are these guys amateurs? You can't do dropping lines on wedge shaped cars! It doesn't work nor make sense! Drop the entire car if that's the case, i.e old RR's, high front, and an entire and cohesive sweep downward.

Ugh, dropping line is gonna really limit my favorites from Mercedes in the coming decade it looks like. At least the new SL looks great!

 

[SKY]

You can't do dropping lines on wedge shaped cars! It doesn't work nor make sense!

I think you´ve found the key. If you design a car with a wedge shape, the shoulder line must follow the shape of the car. BMW knows this perfectly, and you can see how the 5er, with has a very straight side profile, has a completely straight shoulder line. The 3er is more wedge shaped and hence, its shoulder line follows that shape. The perfect example for a dropping shoulder line would be the Jaguar S-Type.

I had high hopes for this particular car, as it was said to be a new beginning for MB´s design. It seems they have no guts to do it, and instead, the have mixed up design cues from different models. This is something MB is doing lately, and it´s ruining more and more their designs.

 

[Wolfgang]

The rear passenger side window top line became rounder and lower, maybe indicating a more coupé inspired theme?

 

[deity]

This isn't W205 in its entirety FOR SURE. Are we even absolutely sure this is the W205...? With all the models Merc comes out with lately, it might be a mule to test the underpinnings for something else. Its a little too early for a W204 replacement, no ?

 

[SKY]

This isn't W205 in its entirety FOR SURE. Are we even absolutely sure this is the W205...? With all the models Merc comes out with lately, it might be a mule to test the underpinnings for something else. Its a little too early for a W204 replacement, no ?

No. It´s the standard time to see the first W205 test mules. A year after the LCI. And there´s no other car of this size that could be under development. It´s the W205. It could be that the mule is not the real car 100%. Same thing happened with the W222. We saw during a few months some terrible mules that looked like a mix of different models.

 

[Wolfgang]

You can't do dropping lines on wedge shaped cars!

Agreed! MB seems to have removed some wedginess in the W205 compared to the W204?
The pics below appear to indicate a new flatter shoulder line a bit better.

PS. Gorden Wagener has turned into quite an anti-wedge crusader recently:
"We're changing attitude from a very wedge shape to the anti-wedge. To our eyes, this is a pretty definitive about-face."

 

[K-A]

I think you´ve found the key. If you design a car with a wedge shape, the shoulder line must follow the shape of the car. BMW knows this perfectly, and you can see how the 5er, with has a very straight side profile, has a completely straight shoulder line. The 3er is more wedge shaped and hence, its shoulder line follows that shape. The perfect example for a dropping shoulder line would be the Jaguar S-Type.

I had high hopes for this particular car, as it was said to be a new beginning for MB´s design. It seems they have no guts to do it, and instead, the have mixed up design cues from different models. This is something MB is doing lately, and it´s ruining more and more their designs.

AGREED. BMW does have this right so far with their new lineup. Lines following forms, NO CLASHING like the dramatic and eye sore clashing of the CLS's lines to shape relationship.

Wolfgang: That's a great find on that quote! Well I'd say this, I understand that they might want to move in that direction (though, I don't think I'll like it, as I prefer wedge), however, do they have the talent and insight to understand that they can't just clash shapes? So far, we see wedge-y architecture, with anti-wedge details, a'la CLS, which is just terribly amateur. You have to anti-wedge the whole car, not just some lines.

Also, I find it interesting that Wagener used the line I've been using to describe reverse-wedge: "Anti-Wedge". Does he read this stuff?

It goes without saying that the W205 will get a more "Coupe" profile, as every generation of every car seems to go in that direction so far: I.e, seems to be the current trend. I wonder who will buck it?

Oh, and also, going into a Coupe look with a reverse-wedge design is also kind of at odds, as Coupe's have always been wedge-y, in fact, Sedans going for more "Coupe" looks for the past couple of decades more and more, introduced more wedginess for that very reason. They pulled off the *architecture* of the CLS very well though, just not the details to coincide with it, IMO.

 

[Wolfgang]

do they have the talent and insight to understand that they can't just clash shapes?

They sure do. Let's just hope it emerges sooner rather than later? With the CLS they experimented a bit more than some might like, moving from the wedge to a teardrop, which I believe is confined and maybe more suitable to the CLS's more artsy character, but won't likely emerge on more stately limousines like the C-, E- or S-Class.





Mercedes-Benz CLS, from wedge to drop, the new philosophy

n. 186 - 2011 by Fabio Galvano -- Auto & Design

The leading player in a segment it actually invented back in 2003, when the original concept was revealed a year before production started in 2004, the Mercedes CLS has, to quote Gorden Wagener, “chosen the path of revolution rather than evolution”. The result is a second generation that rises to the challenge set by its fierce rivals and aims straight for the leadership of the four door coupé segment – a segment created to offer the excitement of an elegant, dynamic sports car to the user who is unwilling to sacrifice the space, luxury and practicality of an upscale saloon.

Since he took over from Peter Pfeiffer, this is the second car (the first was the SLS AMG) to bear the personal mark of Mercedes design chief Wagener, who talks of “a new design philosophy”. “We kept the DNA of the previous model, with its proportions, sleek silhouette, narrow side daylight opening and tall beltline – in other terms everything that makes a car look great in a sketch. But here we have added new character lines and a new poise, abandoning the wedge in favour of a teardrop shape, which give the car a very relaxed and sophisticated image.”

“Refined sportiness, dynamic, athletic forms”, says the Stuttgart-based carmaker, proudly reminding the world that it was the original pioneer in the segment (selling 170 thousand examples of the first generation in the process). “In addition to its emotive design”, says sales director Joachim Schmidt, “the new edition of the CLS also has the advantage of being a whole generation ahead of the competition.” The new generation places much more emphasis on its sportier attributes than the previous model.

Auto&Design

 

[K-A]

I like how they say it like Wagener was head of the CLS design, when it's probably Pfeiffer who was at the helm when the core of the car was frozen.

I understand that M-B's gonna use this philosophy to try and stand out and revolutionize their design. However, the execution on the CLS, and the fact that he tries and act like the CLS has this reverse wedge and relaxed look just because one line and two door handles go in that direction (while in another breath saying that the car looks sporty and aggressive), makes me wonder if he's just covering up actual flaws, or doesn't agree nor see it the same way.

The CLS isn't as dramatically wedged as the previous one, or the E-Class, which is a case-study in wedge shaped design (I feel like M-B probably felt they peaked on how to design a wedge shape with the W212, as it's as wedge shaped as it gets, lol), however, the architecture is still wedge-ish, and that's why it clashes so harshly with the 2 simple reverse wedge forms. Like you said, it was clearly an experiment. If M-B is going to be successful in this ant-wedge theme going forward, as least to my eyes, I hope they make REAL reverse-wedge designs, and don't cheap out by keeping wedge architecture with a reverse wedge line or two, which would make the whole product line look very amateur and confused, IMO.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I know it's fully camouflaged and all but I'm just not feeling it.

I miss Bruno Sacco.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I love how people are jumping to conclusions to whether they like it or not while the car is fully cladded. I really need to get the xray vision that's going around this forum. Can you guys please teach me to see through full cladding as well please?

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I think you´ve found the key. If you design a car with a wedge shape, the shoulder line must follow the shape of the car. BMW knows this perfectly, and you can see how the 5er, with has a very straight side profile, has a completely straight shoulder line. The 3er is more wedge shaped and hence, its shoulder line follows that shape. The perfect example for a dropping shoulder line would be the Jaguar S-Type.

I had high hopes for this particular car, as it was said to be a new beginning for MB´s design. It seems they have no guts to do it, and instead, the have mixed up design cues from different models. This is something MB is doing lately, and it´s ruining more and more their designs.

Orly? You don't say.

http://www.germancarforum.com/merce...-mercedes-scoops-design-award.html#post557771

 

[deity]

There's a reason why there is a market for spyshots. Because, even without "X-Ray Vision", we can see the overall proportions (radical vs conventional, evolutionary vs revolutionary). From that, we can carefully deduce the direction of the ENTIRE car, namely the design and interior, which is likely to follow in the tone set by the proportions. These pictures show a car with light camo, and the approximate shape of the headlights can be seen.

These design awards hold no value IMO...I mean just look at that piano and that watch. Not exactly a good design if you ask me.

 

[klier]

This is a REVOLUTION ..

Yeah, whatever Artist

 

[Gianclaudio]

While all agree beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it's easy to realize Merc's actual design language isn't as good as used to be. Just check the polar, mixed reactions of the R231 vs R230, W218 vs W219, etc, etc

Mercedes design used to be love at first sight... now they need to "grow" (and sometimes, it doesn't) So something MUST be wrong, as they don't have the same positive first reaction they used to be.

 

[K-A]

I agree. Merc's were never so polarizing.

Now, I feel the models are either brilliant or fail, the in-between is lightening up. Therefore, you'll have haters and lovers. A good thing if you're innovating, like Bangle did with his generation of hideous BMW cars, but M-B isn't exactly innovating design right now.... they're trying to, but that's where the fumbled designs are coming from. Whenever M-B does classic or effortless, they're the best, bar none, they're not good at being desperate.

 

[SKY]

I agree. Merc's were never so polarizing.

Now, I feel the models are either brilliant or fail, the in-between is lightening up. Therefore, you'll have haters and lovers. A good thing if you're innovating, like Bangle did with his generation of hideous BMW cars, but M-B isn't exactly innovating design right now.... they're trying to, but that's where the fumbled designs are coming from. Whenever M-B does classic or effortless, they're the best, bar none, they're not good at being desperate.

Again, I agree. If you are used to design conservative looking cars, like MB, just don´t try hard to make a 180º change, but, instead, try to be the one with those designs you are good at. Stop adding silly lines here and there, or designing interiors like space-ships with 2 spoke steering wheels. MB liked 4 spoke steering and simple and elegant designs. Damm, just continue doing that, and let the others pursue their own goals.

Problem is that MB wants to be MB, BMW and Audi at the same time. And they are failing.

 

[Morrison]

I think MB has a good design. I think that in the last 20 years this moment is the peak on MB design. I already said that some actual models are the best ever from design point of view. For example C, E, ML, B, SLK all look the best on their entire history. The actual C is gorgeous, the E is better than ever, ML 3rd generation looks better than the 2nd generation. I think that the only car that really dissapointed some MB fans is the new SL. But, it has a gorgeous rear, a beautiful interior, great innovations and quality, and also handling improved. So, overall it`s not a bad car. Only because you don`t like the Cls lines or the SLs headlights doesn`t mean MB design it`s wrong. I think MB still got the "love at first sight cars" and for me one example is the CLS. Everybody talks all the time about the golden era of MB design. I liked the MB designed cars through ``50s to 90s. For me this period is not worst than the one from 1990 to 2003. The W 210 E class was really ugly compared to E39. The W202 C class was not a bad car but compared to E36 Bmw was also ugly and looked old. ML W163 the first generation also, not an ugly car, but when compared to the first gen of X5 was not the best looking car. Even these days, when I see a W163 on the street I think it really looks old. The X5 E53 looks good even now. The S class W140 was not a catchy car at all judging by aspect. Look now at the C,E,S, ML and you can see they look great and different. I love MB. I think they are on a positive way, and I don`t have any fear about upcoming models. And, btw, I expected Sl to look much worse, I didn`t like any rendering about it. I was scared about the front end every time I saw a spyshot of it but now I like it.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

There's a reason why there is a market for spyshots. Because, even without "X-Ray Vision", we can see the overall proportions (radical vs conventional, evolutionary vs revolutionary). From that, we can carefully deduce the direction of the ENTIRE car, namely the design and interior, which is likely to follow in the tone set by the proportions. These pictures show a car with light camo, and the approximate shape of the headlights can be seen.

These design awards hold no value IMO...I mean just look at that piano and that watch. Not exactly a good design if you ask me.

The cladding is there to throw off proportions, that's what it's there for.MBZ isn't going to show the world what the C class looks like this early in testing, sorta like BMW with the F80. As for the headlights, like I said, give me some of vision because either I'm blind, or those are just two circles.