Incendiary

I don't want to discourage you from writing their corporate headquarters, but unfortunately, they probably don't care as much about what current MB owners think as what the general public thinks. It's the same tack BMW took. And JD Power had a report some time ago about how cars that are controversial attract more attention from the press and therefore more public attention, which tends to translate into improved sales, than blander or more conservative designs.

I, too, would prefer the curvy and sleek designs MB has now, with some evolutionary touches. But if MB goes a different direction in design, make sure to vote with your wallet.

milkpowder

Good point. I'm not so sure whether they actually don't care about our views, but it is fair enough that out of the ordinary designs do attract more press, talk and therefore curious customers. However, many people still buy cars by their looks. My mom thinks the Carrera GT and the New XJ look good and would therefore go and buy them (if we had the money ) not for performance, but for looks and looks only. That's just my mom, so I can't say the same applies to the general public. However, controversial and ugly are CAN be two things. Ugly cars deter people while controversial AND handsome cars are alluring to those curious bunch. Take Lamborghini, their Murcielago is far from ordinary. It looks like nothing before. However, it does look very nice so well-heeled customers by them. I know that Lambo and MB are two different worlds, but this is my point: People expect Lambo to be the exotic make that produces radical designs, but they do not expect MB to come up with bizarre designs and therefore might be put off by them. Anyway, we'll let them do what they think is right.

Jim Banville

You guy's are funny. MB's have almost always been all straight lines and angular, with very few exceptions. I would have NEVER even considered the previous C class due to it's boxy, boring look. Only since 2000 has MB made their designs "curvy" and created their "signature" dual round headlights.

mctwin2kman

Yep considering how boxy and straight lined the previous Baby Benz and the rest of the lineup have been in the past. Look at the W201 and the W202 alone. Nothing became rounded until 1998ish time. And the lights were rectangular on most models. Although this does look a litttle too much like an Acura!

mick1

me, I was not into the Mercedes-Benzes in the past because I liked the looks of the BMWs better. Then came the Bangle designs. Now, I like Mercedes-Benzes better than BMWs.

Incendiary

True, they were more boxy before, but so were cars in general. But here we are now, and it would suck to keep flopping back and forth, don't you think? Better from here on out to keep things evolutionary, as they were in the past.

mctwin2kman

In Europe they have C32 AMG Sport Coupe's and the C30 CDI Turbo Diesel AMG Sport Coupe. The C30 has 225+ HP and over 400 Ft/lbs of tourque!

Incendiary

Still? Didn't see it on the German MB site...

mctwin2kman

I think it was a special order on in Germany! I do not recall, it was in 2003.

Edit: Do a search for it!

Outland

The C32 Coupe was even in one of the MBAMG catalogs and screensavers for 02 and 03. The C30 has been featured prominently in several magazine articles, as the C30 was initially a Coupe only machine. I'd love one. C'mon MBUSA, stop being so chicken****.

Incendiary

A search for it here or on the MB site?

mctwin2kman

ON this site! It was talked about here in great detail and there were plenty of pictures of it.

amdeutsch

Can't really tell anything but I thought I'd post them anyway.

Jim Banville

That looks as good as the actual car! Sad

Outland

I was thinking better. Pretty obvious the round lights are gone. See ya benz! Its been fun!

rockintunes23

With that crap on it, looks like a tank. LOL

vadim

Now that every car manufacturer has switched to projectors, round lenses are out of fashion. I doubt they will last long on CL, CLK and SL.

Outland

More reason to keep them IMHO then. As soon as MB starts being like everyone else, they are done. The quality isn't there anymore, nor do they have the market to themselves anymore. I would have prefered to see a round of cars with the stacked and oval light treatment ala the 50's/60's SL's and sedans. They did the side by sides together enough. I think the fission lights on the sedans were the worst attempt at this. And the S Class ligths.

Rick

I'm guessing this car is a 4matic from the snow kicking off the front wheels in photos 3, 4 and 8....so it looks like they S-classed the headlights, CLS'd the b-pillar back and kept a few lines from the current C-dan... Is that an intercooler below the license plate? I'd like to C more without the Cladding...but I guess time will tell when Sindelfingen is ready.

YeeHaw

Well at least we know it can make a U-turn....and man it looks armored maybe its the C Class Guard version

As for the round headlights, the industry will prob shift to LED headlights eventually which would allow greater flexibilty in front end design. Kinda like the shift from the sealed headlight units of the 80s to the plastic lens/seperate bulb set up we have now.

MCONDE01

I know it's early and you can't tell jack from those pics but those photos just made me feel a lot better about my recent purchase....can't wait to see the naked pics when they come out...

WaveyKat

nice bullet holes lol

elchinocache

Holly shnikees batman, someone stole the batmobile

blkc230k

are thos some type of bullet proof case?!

nukblazi

looks like MB hired mr. bungle