joshg1001

I want hockey stick LEDs though...and I want them NOW lol

and why would they update their website already? shouldnt this be a 2011 model change since the 2010s are already out?

MB300AMG

Well if I remember correctly didn't the C-Class come in as a 2007 model year in Europe? Because if that's the case then 2010 would be the 4th model year (I think), so it would be right on time...

mac911

and I always though 2012 model year should actually be face lift. Why?

Mercedes traditionally goes 4 years with new model, and then 3 years with face lift.

Example:

W203

2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
FL - 2005, 2006, 2007

R171

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
FL - 2009, 2010, 2011?

W204
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ??


See, they normally have 4 Model Years, before facelift. People get over anxious here

MB_inspired

This was off the MB Germany website. Over there, they transition into the new model year around March.

However, someone had mentioned that the LEDs would be a changeover starting in December '09 production. Not sure how true this is, but it would make sense!

chilledbenz

Keep in mind with the awful economy world wide, some manufacturers have opted to change models sooner than they normally would in hopes of getting more buyers. Honda has officially announced taking this approach, but I haven't heard of any others officially taking this stance. It wouldn't surprise me to see more follow as car sales aren't exactly great and anything to increase traffic into dealerships at this point must be tried. But it could come at the cost of making your current customers angry, as mentioned above that someone felt their car would look "old" too quickly.

This isn't new to Benz though, they typically do updates to models by just changing head lights/tail lights, wheels, and interior bits. They just seem to be coming sooner than they normally would in hopes of mustering up some sales.

Derspeed

I am with you Carsy. Yesterday I buffed out my 1997 Volvo 850 turbo and I again realized how much I like that car.

I have been watching a lot of Auto Trader and Wheeler Dealers. I love it when Mike and his mechanic refresh older European cars. It is just very rewarding. I am considering dumping my W204 in favor of a 1999 -2002, 911 Carrera.

And, that facelift does look too much like a BMW. I hope it's not accurate.

xspace

This should be the new FL?

Photos courtesy from sgmerc

23wt

i like the the led on the new E better

len56

I like dis one...

I hope its the 2011, keeping the awesome look of the car while adding little touches. I don't like the 'angry' eyebrows in the first pic in the thread

I just want to keep that part above the exhausts black though... (probably will be on the sport model)

Glyn M Ruck

Expect a fairly drastic facelift - The test cars running around here are heavily disguised both back & front. This is an important car for Benz bread & butter income & economies of scale. I predict an end to the MB hood/bonnet emblem even on the Lux/Elegance. Time will tell. This won't be some minor bolt on bits upgrade.

MB300AMG

The thing is though is that the C-Class already looks very handsome as it is, so any major changes may potentially detract from its good looks. I cannot possibly see it changing so drastically as any major changes would likely be negative (just like that pic at the beginning of this thread).

Do you mind elaborating on 'heavily disguised', especially interior-wise?

narky

+1

vic viper

Another example of a facelift gone terribly wrong:

C300Kid

Am I the only person that thinks the car could use some minor restyling without hurting the design? The current headlights are classy but a little too big and bland..as well as the grille. The whole front is a little too flat and boxy. I particularly notice this when viewed head on..like if a C-Class is driving behind me on the road. It doesnt scream sexy. Sleeker headlights and a downsized grille would do wonders. Not sure I love that chop, but I doubt it's 100% accurate anyway. I also love the LEDs.

C300Kid

Yes..i dunno what they were thinking. The 2011 9-5 looks really cool though.

Glyn M Ruck

No you are not - the world's motoring press would agree with you. The nose was made too high to meet US safety standards & the tail has had a lot of criticism. Interior materials - especially on American cars need an upgrade.

Glyn M Ruck

This is where that pic came from - very authorative but not necessarily correct. Benz sometimes leak teasers to gauge public reaction.



Test cars here have interior completely covered. Nose & tail have bolt/screw on plastic covers to distort what they look like. The rear covers make me think that the tailights might be extended into the trunk lid like the CLC. I think the 2012 MY design is probably pretty much locked in. The interim minor 2010 facelift has had a mediocre reaction.

RLE

If they last that long. SAAB is in big trouble. For sale with NO buyers.

C300Kid

I don't think they'll go under that fast. They have two all-new models coming out next year..one being the 9-5 and the other being the 9-4X suv. Both look to be very competitive..best new Saabs in probably a decade. I doubt GM would pull the plug after investing so much. They'll probably let these new products live out their lifespans then kill the brand if still necessary.

I think Saab has a lot of potential and GM would be stupid to kill it. The reason it's in such trouble now is solely because of GMs poor management. The only thing GM has done right is the 9-3. Saab's bread and butter 9-5 range has been left dying for years and is a complete joke and the rebadged Imprezas and Trailblazers they passed off as Saabs were even worse.

It looks like GM finally embraced the brand and the upcoming models are really great. It'd be a shame.

TheGreatOne45

i may be in the minority but i really like the rumored facelift and think it looks a lot better than the current model.

JimPap

G.M. will do well to keep themselves afloat much less Saab. Unless this is strategy for another automaker to get Saab for nothing, then we'll see Saab sail into the sunset.

dlb000

I do not like the LEDs in place of fog/driving lights. MBs needs to put some lights that provide function rather than cater to fads.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - with Koenigsegg, the government & the Chinese out of the bidding it does not look good.

I remember a few years back those idiots at GM saying that survival of the Auto Industry was dependent on mergers. BMW, Benz, Toyota & Honda correctly suggested that they must be mad & that 60 year old business practice had no place in the modern automotive world.

Glyn M Ruck

The fog lights are integrated into the headlight clusters. The LEDs are not a fad. They are a cost effective, low power consuming way of providing daytime running lights to meet European legislation.

Peabody

How do you integrate fogs into a headlight cluster? I thought the whole point of fogs is that they were low and parallel to the ground.