Waiting for the next Generation of MB cars to take shape...

[Deutsch]

I figured with the launch of the new S now taking place all over the world, that we could start some discussion about the next gerneration of Mercedes Benz automobiles and which ones we are looking most forward to.

I myself can't wait for the new W212, from the autobild pics I'm truly excited, Huckfeldt is incredibly accurate w/ his depictions so I'm thinking it may be worth holding my breath. MB design director Peter Pffeifer(i know my spelling is way off) says he is looking forward to the 2008 cars, which I belive includes the W212?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Why does he say that, when did he say that? Are they planning to push the design envelope a bit more? I hope so.

I'm really looking forward to the w204. It's not too far away and presents a HUGE opportunity for benz to make another statement following the S. The new CL is also A big one and the company has much riding on the facelifted E.

Bring on the new generation of REAL Benzes.

 

[Deutsch]

Why does he say that, when did he say that? Are they planning to push the design envelope a bit more? I hope so.

I'm really looking forward to the w204. It's not too far away and presents a HUGE opportunity for benz to make another statement following the S. The new CL is also A big one and the company has much riding on the facelifted E.

Bring on the new generation of REAL Benzes.

"A Bigger statement for Mercedes"

I think the company has a lot riding on the C-class, this car could prove to be a real trump for the 3 if they get the engineering down pat. All of MB's latest generation cars, starting w/ the R171 SLK, have either eclipsed or vastly bettered their predecessors. With that said, I really hope MB and McClaren can work out a sucessful compromise for their next joing project..... if there is to be one

 

[Deutsch]

MB design director Peter Pffeifer(i know my spelling is way off)

eh, I qoute myself, my spelling was right!

 

[ZicZachZo]

I'm looking forward to the new C class to come out. Hopefully it is edgy like the new S. I don't think Mercedes should do anything to the E class. It's a best seller for a reason, and they would be stupid to alienate their bread and butter sedan. Which is why they ahve the CLS.

 

[Merc1]

Its kinda hard to say which future Benz I'm most anxious to see, because a new Benz is an event - no matter what it is.

That said, I think the next E-Class is the most important one. The current car is a fine car, but it hasn't been the quality piece it should be from a reliability standpoint. I would like to see some of the W124 in the next E somehow. I want that type of classic timelessness. The most important thing is reliability though, that is key. Mercedes can't afford for the E-Class to give up the segment to other cars when it comes to sales. I just hope that if they're going to do the big fender arches they come out better on the rear of the next E than they did on the new S. That arch still isn't integrated right where it meets the rear door, that being the only blemish on the magnificent new S.

Then of course I'm waiting to see what the end of the decade will bring when the SL is due to be replaced. Since I've been alive there have only been three SLs. The current one, the R129 and then the one before it and even it was on sale before I was born! I'd say around 2010 we should see a new one?

In general I'd like to see Mercedes concentrate more on premium products. Either the A or B-Class has to go next time around, or be merged into one product - there is no need for both.

I'd like to see AMG and Mclaren team up and truly make a Ferrari competitor. Forget that rule about every Mercedes having to be an automatic. Let AMG do a one-off race car based engine and let Mclaren do the chassis tuning and you'd have a Ferrari beater in at least performance - if not style. Mercedes needs a true sports car to compete with the F430 imo, it would be a great image builder. The SLR is a great image builder, but isn't as accessable ($450K) as a 180K Mercedes would be. At 180K they'd have to make it a sports car because the SL65 costs about that and we can't have any competition between the two. They should be like night and day. One is a GT and the other is a Ferrari/Porsche 911 Turbo chaser. We all know Mclaren can do this.

Next on my wish list would be a true "G" Class. Engineered and built in Germany with the same quality of build as the new S-Class and priced to match. This is the truck Mercedes knows it wants to build.

The elimination of uneeded models and a more focused concentration on quality/reliability and the premium product experience is what will fix Mercedes in no time flat.

Sorry if I veered off topic a bit. ...

M

 

[Vivaki]

All this is all speculation from my point of view...

Just like BMW's revolutionary design change which started with the 7er the time has come and its now time for the revoloutionary change at Mercedes.
If MB do what they did last time the design change came then the model to show this new design direction will be the new E class (W212 for now, although I do think the code will be different!)

In 1995(1996?) Mercedes changed to the twin headlamps face which is now being used on almost all MB's. It was the E class which showcased the future of Mercedes design and that is why I think MB will do the same with the new E class. I think it will take a few design cues here and there (e.g. New S and CLS) but it should be something new. So following MB's past there should be a new front end (However the new front end may not seem new if MB decide to give the E class some CLS type of headlights)

In 1997 Mercedes showed the R170 SLK (old SLK) and the rear lights on that SLK were implemented across all the MB range except for the E class and CLK. The same is happening with the new SLK. The rear lights on the new SLK are being used on the CLS, M class, B Class, S class. So the rear could be similar to the SLK or we could see something new...not too sure yet.

I think the side will possibly follow the crease that all new MB's have today which curves down going towards the front of the car and I think there will be the bigger wheel arches but perhaps not as big as the S class ones...

I havent a clue on the interior b,coz from what ive heard the new C class interior will not just be the same as the S class one. Obviosuly Comand III will be there but the design is supposed to be different. So MB might be deciding on making their interiors different or it might just be that they wanted to make the C class/lower end models look different.

 

[Yaz]

I'm looking forward to seeing the next C-Class as well as that new MLG or whatever they're gonna call it. It'll be interesting how much MB will change the C-Class from the current one.