What's Next for Mercedes-Benz?

[Merc1]

Dare I say that Mercedes is really starting to get its act together? This is by no means a celebratory thread, but nor is it a gloom and doom pity-party thread it. Let us discuss upcoming models, technologies and where Mercedes is headed overall.

I think their sales performance for Q1 proves that their product offensive is starting to actually work and it seems like the complaints about the newer models are way down, especially the new S-Class. I haven't been able to find any posts anywhere on any board in which someone claims to have had a problem with the new S-Class. Pinch me here, but the W220 had various bugs within a few weeks of going on sale back in 1998/1999. Have any of you European members heard/seen anything about the new S-Class as far as relibility yet? Seeing as how it has been on sale in Europe since Sept 2005 I think there should be some type of indication about relibility by now?

Finally some official pics and details about the FL E-Class have been shown, been waiting on this for quite some time. I must say I'm impressed with the FL, especially on how they plan to package the car with more standard equipment for the U.S. market without a price increase (at least rumor has it). The E550 in particular looks to be more than merely "competitive" in the segment. In the U.S. they're going to break the E out into 2 seperate lines, Luxury and Sport much like the C-Class. Brilliant idea IMO. Pre-Safe is standard making the E550 Luxury model more of a smaller S550 than ever before.

The SL FL is about a perfect as you can get nowdays in both execution and throughness. The SL was really near perfect anyway so there wasn't much for Mercedes to do there. There are indications that the SL55 may have reached a pivital point in its development.

Now we Mercedes fans await the companion to the S-Class, the CL. I suspect it will be shown next month in Germany when Mercedes opens the doors to the new museum. I expect a stunner going by the latest spy pics. I'd like some new technology on board from the S-Class and slightly different interior, but I doubt if that will happen. We'll see.

After that we have a model of much greater importance, the C-Class. This car like the S-Class has a lot of pressure on it to step up to the brilliance of its competitors. If Mercedes employs the same level of dedication to restoring Mercedes to its former glory as they have with the new S, then the C should be a winner. Sportier dynamics and better interior fittings are the things they need to concentrate on the most. The engines are supposed to be another breakthrough in technology being camless! Gasp!

The CLK's station in life has been seriously upgraded in the form of the CLK63 and inevitable CLK550. Ditto for the CLS, which was already one of Mercedes' true stars anyway.

Other countries have enjoyed Mercedes diesels for years, but here in the U.S. they are rare, but if everything goes right Mercedes will be able to sell diesel models in states like California and New York for the first time in years. These two states you see represent two of the biggest (if not the biggest) Mercedes markets in the U.S. I see a of course a E320, ML320 both confirmed for this fall, but also a S320, GL320 and R320 sometime during 2007 and maybe a diesel version of the 2008 C-Class if diesels really catch on.

Mercedes has finally joined the petrol Direct-Injection bandwagon with the CLS350 CGI, as always look for this engine to make its way through the entire Benz lineup over the next 12-18 months.

What will be the next truly big technology from Mercedes-Benz I wonder? Will it be in the area of safety or engine technology?

I'm really anxious to see this new AMG V8 tested in anything but the ML/R-Class vehicles. It is a screamer compared to the torque-maker SC 5.5L V8, a different type of performance if you will.

A lot of you here wanted to see the original G-Class put out to pasture, but I'm glad they kept it. It gives Mercedes something truly unique. The FL for the old guy should be shown sometime this summer because here in the U.S. there is no "2006" model, only left over 2005 models. A G550 and G55 AMG with new 5.5L V8 from the S550 and revised SC 5.5L V8 from the FL SL55 should be what happens and some interior updates to bring it in line with the rest of the MB range would be nice.

I agree with all those that don't want to see an AMG version of every model, but I'd keep the ML63 and G55, but drop the R63 and kill any plans for a GL63 also.

A really exciting rumor around right now is that we'll see a production version of that special SLK55 developed for a special Asian (read: very rich) customer. AMG's new boss said that AMG was working on a more track focused group of cars called "Track Series". This specially prepared SLK55 would be the perfect car to kick off such a series IMO.

All in all I think things are finally starting to look up at least a little bit? Agree/disagree???

M

 

[wltsm]

From what you have said, does this mean you are going to be a MB fan again!

IT really does seem though MB are moving up in the world!

 

[Merc1]

From what you have said, does this mean you are going to be a MB fan again!

IT really does seem though MB are moving up in the world!

Well I never stopped being a fan, but I wasn't happy with the way things were going a few months ago.

M

 

[LaArtist]

ladies and gentlemen we have a schizzo with us..and his name is Merc1...lol J/k

 

[Merc1]

ladies and gentlemen we have a schizzo with us..and his name is Merc1...lol J/k

What is a schizzo?

M

 

[Zafiro]

What is a schizzo?

M

my guess: schizophrenia

 

[Merc1]

my guess: schizophrenia

Yeah thats what I'm thinking, but I don't see why?? I never stopped being a fan of Mercedes.

M

 

[PanterroR]

Yeah thats what I'm thinking, but I don't see why?? I never stopped being a fan of Mercedes.

M

Merc1, i think that BMW_Dude mixed yours and Mr. Mercedes's name...

 

[Merc1]

Merc1, i think that BMW_Dude mixed yours and Mr. Mercedes's name...

Ahh....that could be since Mr. Mercedes did denounce Mercedes-Benz in public......lol!!

M

 

[PanterroR]

Ahh....that could be since Mr. Mercedes did denounce Mercedes-Benz in public......lol!!

M

 

[wltsm]

Merc1, i think that BMW_Dude mixed yours and Mr. Mercedes's name...

Sorry, my mistake!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Ahh....that could be since Mr. Mercedes did denounce Mercedes-Benz in public......lol!!

M

LOL....that's me!

I still love MB, but they still have some way to go to get back to where they once were.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Ok I’ve now read your post Merc1. Nice post. You're right, things over at MB do look to be improving.

What worries me still, even though the sales numbers are in fact up, is that MB is simply only matching the growth of BMW and Audi with a MUCH larger product portfolio. What happens when BMW launches their second product offensive and then Audi?

The E-class facelift looks good to me. But the car seriously needs to improve dynamically, quality problems ironed out close to Lexus levels and the equipment levels improved significantly. We won’t know if these issues have been properly addressed until we get some more detailed information and reviews.

Another problem is the question has this FL done enough to keep the E fresh till 2009? We all know how old hat and underwhelming Audi’s A4 facelift made the C-class facelift seem. Who’s to say they won’t have a similarly massive facelift for the A6, and BMW with the 5.

The SL is pretty much close to perfection.

They seem to have nailed the nigling problems with the launch of the new S, but a few more months may be necessary before this can be said conclusively.

I was actually quite confident about the new CL, but now I’m starting to worry. Some spy pics look great, others not so. You shouldn't need to have the AMG package for the car to look great.

MB need to quit using decade old engine technology and roll out the new 5 litre in every model ASAP. Why should the R and M soldier on with the old lump indefinitely. Also DI needs to be introduced across the board sooner rather than later. When it comes to petrol engines MB always seems to be on the back foot. But at least they are world leaders in the Diesel department. The new range of Diesels are extremely impressive on paper.

The new C, I’m holding my breath for a truly excellent car that leads the class in comfort and refinement at the very least. Build quality and reliability needs to be outstanding also. Hope MB can deliver.

The track series of AMG’s sound like an excellent idea. Standard AMG’s for people who want a nice blend of comfort and performance for real world driving and track cars for those who are concerned with flogging the latest BMW M car or Audi RS around the Nurburgring.

All in all though, these past few months have probably been months of consolidation for the MB brand. I’d probably expect much the same for the next year or so as the company is restored to a much healthier state not only in terms of final sales figures, but also in terms of productivity, profitability and long term sustainability.

 

[Merc1]

Good points, but you know the new V8 will be placed into every model before the year is out. It usually takes anywhere from 12-18 months for this to happen so I don't think you should have any concern there.

The sales issue is easy, sales are increasing as the newer products are rolled out worldwide, but up until now the biggest sellers like the E was getting dated and the C is stated....you have to remember that both BMW and Audi have just introduced new core models like the A6/A8 and 3/5 Series cars in the past two years, Mercedes has only the new S in the same timeframe. Mercedes has been concentrating on other models which is starting to pay off even before the FL E and new C (2007) are even introduced. If Mercedes had introduced a new C/E/S like Audi/BMW have dones with their sedan lineups in the last 2 years (excpet the 7-Series which came out in 2002) MB would have more sales..... The new S proves that the brand still owns that segment and I predict the FL E will surprise, but the new C won't take the segment away from the 3-Series because for one it won't have the variants the 3 has.

M

 

[LaArtist]

lol my bad i confused the names.. Mr mercedes is the schizzo..

PS
And its still a joke

 

[Merc1]

Where is Roberto????

M

 

[Yaz]

I agree with what you had to say Marcus.

All the driving all over the world with the W221's seem to have paid off. Remember how many spy pics of it we seen? Didn't they say they drove it over 3 million kilometers or something like that.

The new CL will definitely have the W221's interior (or similar to it), that's why I'm not worried about the interior. The exterior is what I'm worried about and so far, I'm not impressed. I'm really disappointed MB didn't premier it here in New York. I really wanted to see it in person, now I gotta wait till next year to see it.

The new C I'm not sure about. It looks like a mini S from the outside, which I didn't want it to be, oh well. The interior looks like an Audi or a VW interior to me, but that could change when we see official pictures from MB.

I doubt we'd be getting an S320 CDI in the States, it's not for the States IMO.
I am with you against the R63 and a future GL63.

That's about it I guess...

 

[Deutsch]

It's only the beginning of the turnaround at MB car group. Things are looking up w/ some of the latest results and products, but the true pay off of whatever efforts that have gone into rebuilding the brand, both it's products and image is yet to be seen. There is still time until MB bears any fruit of any kind that shows a complete transformation. I say too, that they are moving in a positive direction.

For me, individually, I don't think I could ever look at a Benz and say "o man, i totally wanna buy that MB!", for my style and taste, an MB just isn't fitting. The designs aren't as simplistic nor as avant garde as you have come to expect from both Audi and BMW. To add the cars aren't as sporting and seem like a piece of swavorski crystal on wheels(delicate, and when things go wrong, boy do they go wrong), and maitenence costs are right behind Porsche($$$). I'll always admire MB just the same.

 

[Merc1]

I agree with what you had to say Marcus.

All the driving all over the world with the W221's seem to have paid off. Remember how many spy pics of it we seen? Didn't they say they drove it over 3 million kilometers or something like that.

The new CL will definitely have the W221's interior (or similar to it), that's why I'm not worried about the interior. The exterior is what I'm worried about and so far, I'm not impressed. I'm really disappointed MB didn't premier it here in New York. I really wanted to see it in person, now I gotta wait till next year to see it.

The new C I'm not sure about. It looks like a mini S from the outside, which I didn't want it to be, oh well. The interior looks like an Audi or a VW interior to me, but that could change when we see official pictures from MB.

I doubt we'd be getting an S320 CDI in the States, it's not for the States IMO.
I am with you against the R63 and a future GL63.

That's about it I guess...

Yes it does ***seem*** that the W221's never ending development may be paying off in less problems so far. I cringe everyday when I read about it on MBWorld.org. I fear that someone will open a thread about problems and then everyone will say they're all experiencing the same thing like it was with the W220, but so far NOPE. The real test will be this time next year when Consumer Reports and JD Powers give their first round of 2007 test results! Oh lord I'm really hoping Mercedes gets some "recommended" models.

Someone on MBWorld said that if the E-Class manages to provide the same experience with this facelift Mercedes will be well on its way to repairing their image/standings when it comes to quality because the car itself is stunning as the new S. Very true statement. Then there is the next C-Class, regardless of how it looks it is the quality/reliability I'm most concerned about well that and the driving experience.

Well anyway look for big numbers for April sales here in the U.S. because the GL goes on sale next week and the buzz is pretty high on it and the 07's SL goes on sale Saturday at most dealers. I've seen the GL a few times out on the road (reps goofing around) and I'm convinced it is the best looking of the 3 Bama made Benzes.


With the CL and C it goes back and forth for me too from worried to not worried so I'll just wait until they show them officially. The CL should be shown next month, the C in Sept at Paris I think.

If the S contines its pace, the E picks up its pace and the C is a hit then Mercedes will really be able to post so real gains worldwide. As much as I love Audi I don't think I'm going to be happy if they manage to outsell Mercedes worldwide.

M

 

[Imhotep Evil]

It's only the beginning of the turnaround at MB car group. Things are looking up w/ some of the latest results and products, but the true pay off of whatever efforts that have gone into rebuilding the brand, both it's products and image is yet to be seen. There is still time until MB bears any fruit of any kind that shows a complete transformation. I say too, that they are moving in a positive direction.
For me, individually, I don't think I could ever look at a Benz and say "o man, i totally wanna buy that MB!", for my style and taste, an MB just isn't fitting. The designs aren't as simplistic nor as avant garde as you have come to expect from both Audi and BMW.

Yeah, I agree on that. However even if they succed, they'll never be waht they once were. The competition won'y allow it.

To add the cars aren't as sporting and seem like a piece of swavorski crystal on wheels(delicate, and when things go wrong, boy do they go wrong), and maitenence costs are right behind Porsche($$$). I'll always admire MB just the same.

Well first, MB were not a sporty manufacturer.
Taking out the exceptional exceptions like the 300 SL coupe (not the cabrio though), MB went on the path of sportness, with some models, around 10-15 years ago.
Before that their cars were like the RR of Germany, isolated, unthrilling, anti-sporty even.
There were even comercial/ads like "The Ultimate Sitting Machine verses the Ultimate Driving Machine".
So it's quite normal not to be as sporty as a BMW.