alashram

I think the Germans should hire the Italians to do their designs!

Diesel Benz

So you don't like the design of your W211? The W210 was still part of Bruno's work.

alashram

No I love the w211, I was talking about the new design for w212

220S

The pics make the car look huge, imho. In real life it's no bigger than the current model. Overall, it is very angular looking and looks more like the S and CLS but not a sexy/smooth; I think the raised rear wheel arch makes it seem "chunkier." The stance seems much more aggressive than the current model.

Here's a spy shot of the CLK:

alashram

thanks for the new CLK photo. I am considering buying the new CLK

K-A

Interesting. That CLK (E-Coupe?) looks really nice actually, nice improvement over the current one. That one does seem to have the AMG bodywork so besides the rims it looks like that may be as good as that models gonna get. I'd like to see a front view as the grille looks almost too small for the car, and the wheel arches leave me curious toward a front end view, but all in all I think it looks pretty damn good.

Diesel Benz

That's what I thought, you love a car that replaced the one with "Italian design" and yet you are after MB to use more Italian design.

I'm not against Italian design but I get pissed off about the attitude "this car looks different from the car I own, it is ugly". 90% of the comments here are like this. A W123 owner prefers a W123 over a W124, the same with W124 against W210, W210 against W211 and finally W211 against W212. If there was an absolute truth about beauty, most of the comments here are wrong (as there are so many different views).

Car designers are amazing when they can come with products that are not necessarily seen nice when we first see them but once these are being replaced by a new model, most people feel this "ugly" design is the best one so far (and don't like the new design). Well, some are different, some already like the W212 design (it has some lines that I don't like myself, at the moment).

Anyway it is great that so many owners for different car models feel their car looks the best. We should just try to avoid expecting others feeling the same about design, it is too personal to be seen black and white.

alashram

Oh! I didn’t know that the new one is an Italian design! I really can’t say if I like the W212 unless I see it in person.

wusty

That CLK actually looks pretty sick. We'll all just have to wait till we can see it live in person to make our final decisions on the cars.

pmb600

I think it is natural to not like the new one at first. I find usually once seen in person all doubts fade away.

You do have to give the car designers credit since they have to come up with designs that still look fresh nearly 14 years after they begin the design process. MB typically does 7 year lifecycles and the design phase generally starts 7 years in advance of launch. So the W211 design is probably about 14 years old right now and still looks great.

alashram

Don’t you think 7 years is too long? I think they should reduce it to 5 years at least to give them a competitive advantage.

pmb600

No I really don't. The Japanese started this bs with faster lifecycles. I think 7 is fine as long as they continue to make improvements as the years go on and of course the cosmetic upgrades at the mid-cycle facelift.

Besides it costs so much to redo a car completely. The Japanese have the cost advantage because they share much of the components with another model in their cheaper brand.

alashram

At least Mercedes-Benz is inventing something new unlike others who clone their ideas and walk in their shadow such as the Lexus LS (calming the pursuit for perfection) now that’s a boring car!

MBNUT1

Not buying it.. Based on your arguement I don't like a Banglized 5 series because I don't have one. It's just plain ugly. The second I laid eyes on the W211 I wanted one. Everytime I saw one I wanted it. Waited 5 years to get one. I had a '08 C Class loaner for a week, grew to like the car from a number of perspectives, then somebody drove past in an W211 and wanted it. I wish the C class was as beautiful as the E because it fits me better. Some cars are simply more beautiful than others and always will be.

Diesel Benz

Now I'm not sure if I buy that. You drive a W211 and consider it more beautiful than the current C-class (or a past model?). If you are saying you like your own car and some BMW, it doesn't help a lot.

Don't take me wrong, I myself like the current W211 design a lot (actually the pre-face-lift a bit more). I like the current W211 more than the current W221. But I don't start putting these ahead of the design those other cars have that I do not own.

And my "statement" was about 90% of the views, you may well be part of the 10% which would not invalidate my comment.

I'd suggest we come back to the topic at April time when we've already seen the first cars on the road and got used to the looks in real. In addition, following the W212 way to the public is just fine as long as the comments are more for that model as such instead of the W212 against "my car". I myself have placed a few critical comments, very few though.

Stuttgart-UT

Damm that thing is sexy!

alashram

it is not CLK it is E-Class Coupe!

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9081223....st-undisguised

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...ncepts/236710/

K-A

If that Coupe is based on a E-Chassis I'd consider buying it as perhaps my next vehicle if the final product comes out looking good (has to be much better than the current CLK for me), but if it's based off a C-Chassis, with the E name to earn it some higher cred to boost up the price, then no thanks.

Stuttgart-UT

Where is the problem? No matter if it is based on C or E-chassis you can't feel the difference when you are driving...

The most Clk-drivers don't know that the Clk is based on the C-class... and i know that many Clk-drivers don't care about...

philfna

I might get flamed, but the cars seem a bit Honda Accordish to me...not that I dislike the Accord look, but I'd like some distinction.

K-A

I just can't justify paying an E-Class price for a 2-Door C-Class, that's all. Also, I'd assume that being based on an E-Class it might truly carry over more of the E-Class luxurious aspects (or at least feeling).

pmb600

I guess we will see how "E" this new E coupe is when we can finally sit in it and judge the materials and build quality.

I doubt they will raise the price too much on the coupe, not in this market.

Stuttgart-UT

I think this car rocks... even with the stickers

Thx alashram for the interessting links!

SuperCarnitas

Hey folks -- Complete newbie here (I do drive a 1972 W108 though) but I spotted this coupe in Oakland, CA today. Didn't know what to do with the photos so I thought to lob it into this thread. Enjoy.







(album link)

wblynch

Thanks for the pics.

Good thing they camouflaged it so no one would know what it is !!