S-Class (W222/C217/A217) [Spyshots] Mercedes-Benz 2014 W222 S-Class (Spy pics & info)

[HighestOfHigh]

Read again! We are not talking about Karim Habib.

Karim Habib works as head of MB Advanced Studio design now ... nothing to do with S-class directly. Product design is much different than experimental advanced design - which is basically a design lab ... running ideas that produce eg. GINA in the end. Or MB Bionic concept car.

Ok thank you! I was about to jump off a bridge for a minute.

 

[klier]

Yes. We've already seen W221 based pre-scan mules and last month MB showed of the new pre-scan based on the W221. Be sure to see W222 test mules on the roads very soon. Given the alien technology the car will feature, testing will be loooooooooooooooooooooooong. This thread is bound to be endless.

lol, endless for sure It's 2009!

 

[MBZFAN]

Now I am really scared about this next S-class. God help us!

Don't be scared! The W221/216 has been the most technologically advanced, yet basically bullet proof dependable vehicle Mercedes has produced in the S-Class range since the late 80's W126. Visually, the new (current) W221 is at the top of the large luxury market with the only potential competitor being the (eventually) soon-to-be-released Audi A8. The New 7-Series BMW, although refined & elegant, brings virtually nothing to the styling party, only further paving the way for the next generation S-Class to pull ahead even further in styling leadership. If the current styling team includes Audi & VW, and MB continues to lead the way with technology dynamics, then the forthcoming S-Class will be a very difficult vehicle to compete with. Don't be scared - be excited !

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Don't be scared! The W221/216 has been the most technologically advanced, yet basically bullet proof dependable vehicle Mercedes has produced in the S-Class range since the late 80's W126. Visually, the new (current) W221 is at the top of the large luxury market with the only potential competitor being the (eventually) soon-to-be-released Audi A8. The New 7-Series BMW, although refined & elegant, brings virtually nothing to the styling party, only further paving the way for the next generation S-Class to pull ahead even further in styling leadership. If the current styling team includes Audi & VW, and MB continues to lead the way with technology dynamics, then the forthcoming S-Class will be a very difficult vehicle to compete with. Don't be scared - be excited !

Oh I already know the W221 is the best looking and most technological advance car on earth. That is not even a question. I am already the cars number 1 supporter.

My worries are concerning the W222. I want to make sure that it as perfect, if not better then the current S-class.

The next S-class must be perfect. It is the flagship of German automotive excellence. If Mercedes-Benz messes up the next S-class.....

Well lets just say it will be a problem.

 

[Merc1]

I thought I ordered this thread shut down.

Why do you guys do this to yourselves and to the rest of us. Do you know long this thread is going to be in 3 years?

M

 

[K-A]

As announced by Daimler Passenger car design strategy chief the upcoming S-class would follow the new trends in automotive design: namely organic & rounder shapes / lines.

As you may noticed this year MB has hired A LOT of new talented & established designers - beside this guy also the Karim Habib from BMW (F01 7er, CS Concept), and also some otheres from other automotive design studios.

That shows MB is going to be trendier again - not follow but also lead the automotive design (again).

Habib (at least his work on the 7'er)

All in all, good moves by M-B. Looks like they're putting a lot of attention to become design leaders again. I for one am becoming very hopeful. They got the W221 so right, although there are a few quirks that force me to not love the car as much as I'd want to (but I do LOVE it), that if they nail the W222, and clean it up a bit, good luck for anyone to catch them in a looooong time.... or ever.

I hope they take a page and inspiration from the F01, while enhancing it with their own ideas of course. All I know is, as hard-edged cars usually do, once the new rounder/organic shaped M-B's start surfacing, this current gen with the fussy and angular lines are IMO gonna probably look dated and tired.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

As announced by Daimler Passenger car design strategy chief the upcoming S-class would follow the new trends in automotive design: namely organic & rounder shapes / lines.

As you may noticed this year MB has hired A LOT of new talented & established designers - beside this guy also the Karim Habib from BMW (F01 7er, CS Concept), and also some otheres from other automotive design studios.

That shows MB is going to be trendier again - not follow but also lead the automotive design (again).

A few years ago MB lost A LOT of talent if I recall correctly? I think this is showing a bit in the current model range. So it's good news that they're hiring the best of the best and focussing on design leadership again.

While I understand where wagener is comming from, and feel his hard egdged boxy look may have been somewhat necessary to signal to the world that the MB of old is back, he has shown a penchant for some overly fussy and trendy (i.e following and not setting) design. I don't think his eye for proportion is as spot on as previous MB's either.

While the new E looks fresh and exciting now, I do fear it is going to age rapidly. The trend is clearly towards rounder, more organic shapes already and the new E is very 'hard.' If you look at the w211 and w221 they still look very much in tune with everything.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

VS.

The E is undoubtedly a fantastic looking car. But the proprotions dont look 100% pefect to me, and it looks a little messy. That I still drool more when I see a w221 is telling.

The E-coupe, I trying to love. But something just isn't working. The S5 has it beat.

 

[Merc1]

The E is undoubtedly a fantastic looking car. But the proprotions dont look 100% pefect to me, and it looks a little messy. That I still drool more when I see a w221 is telling.

The E-coupe, I trying to love. But something just isn't working. The S5 has it beat.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm holding out for an E550 Cabriolet, the only chance I'll start to truly to like the design.

M

 

[K-A]

A few years ago MB lost A LOT of talent if I recall correctly? I think this is showing a bit in the current model range. So it's good news that they're hiring the best of the best and focussing on design leadership again.

While I understand where wagener is comming from, and feel his hard egdged boxy look may have been somewhat necessary to signal to the world that the MB of old is back, he has shown a penchant for some overly fussy and trendy (i.e following and not setting) design. I don't think his eye for proportion is as spot on as previous MB's either.

While the new E looks fresh and exciting now, I do fear it is going to age rapidly. The trend is clearly towards rounder, more organic shapes already and the new E is very 'hard.' If you look at the w211 and w221 they still look very much in tune with everything.

VS.

The E is undoubtedly a fantastic looking car. But the proprotions dont look 100% pefect to me, and it looks a little messy. That I still drool more when I see a w221 is telling.

The E-coupe, I trying to love. But something just isn't working. The S5 has it beat.

Great posts and I agree 100% with everything you've said. I do understand M-B's point with the new E, I just don't really like it much at the same time. It is a fresh look for M-B, but they are kind of late to the game with it, as IMO it copies many elements of already existing cars (which are all on their way to evolving into smoother/rounder shapes themselves). I don't think it will age last the test of 7 years. Of course, M-B's F.L will be paramount with this car.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

The Main issue I have with the E-class is the overall shape. The front of the car is very dramatic and shows Benz in a new light. On the other hand the Boxy design seems to move it backwards to the 90's.

My hopes are that the S-class W222 will not follow with an "Futuristic W140 design" like what they pretty much did with the E-class.

 

[Centurion]

The Main issue I have with the E-class is the overall shape. The front of the car is very dramatic and shows Benz in a new light. On the other hand the Boxy design seems to move it backwards to the 90's.

My hopes are that the S-class W222 will not follow with an "Futuristic W140 design" like what they pretty much did with the E-class.

No worries. The S-Class is a progressive car that doesn't look back. The Lexus LS and a handful of other East Asian executive cars already resemble what we can refer to a futuristic W140. Count on the W222 to feature design attributes that are ahead of W212 E-Class.

 

[Human]

No worries. The S-Class is a progressive car that doesn't look back. The Lexus LS and a handful of other East Asian executive cars already resemble what we can refer to a futuristic W140. Count on the W222 to feature design attributes that are ahead of W212 E-Class.

Agreed. The S-Class was and always will be the most progressive car of all AND M-B will never let the world down in that respect.

Given - the F01 7er is a beaut

 

[NarutoRamen]

I don't think MB will mess up the S-class. It might not be their core car, but the S is what defines MB in many ways.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Yes, I can usually expect Benz to give the start treatment to the S-class. It's just the E-class styling that put me off track. Then again the S-class never follows the E-class styling. On the other hand I have a feeling that Benz will give the S-class a "Sharper" look.

 

[K-A]

I'm predicting it will be sharp and smooth/flowing.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I'm predicting it will be sharp and smooth/flowing.

Sharp with no box like figure, then we are good to go.

As long as we don't see anything like...

 

[Centurion]

I expect the car to set the new tone for the next generation MB designs. It will embody lots of organic designs resembling spider webs, flowing liquids and membrane of leafs.

The stunning Bluezero concept is a good indicator of what's to come:

 

[K-A]

Sharp with no box like figure, then we are good to go.

As long as we don't see anything like...

Agreed. No box figure, I want to see the smooth and classic M-B lines back, personally.

Also agreed on that thing being hideous BTW.

I expect the car to set the new tone for the next generation MB designs. It will embody lots of organic designs resembling spider webs, flowing liquids and membrane of leafs.

Oh man, that looks horrible to me. Wow, if the new S resembles that at all, looks like I'll be buying something from BMW if I'm in the market for a Euro Sedan. By 2013 (when we know what the new S will look like), Used F01's will be going for pretty damn cheaap.

 

[Shining Star]

Sharp with no box like figure, then we are good to go.

As long as we don't see anything like...

HOH you don't like the F700?

IMO MB can take a number of styling directions with this car and it will still turn out great.

Besides; the main point of the S-Class is to be the most technologically advanced car in the world, not the most beautiful car in the world.