rkao

Good pick up! That's been a traditional MB touch for a LONG time...like when BMW ditched the rear opening bonnet from the base of the windscreen...sigh...another tradition passes.

As I've posted in the E63 forum, my initial impression of the exterior is "uh oh..." but will reserve final judgment until seeing it in person, but I'm keeping my fingers crosses that the car, especially its rear three quarters and taillights, look better in person than in the pictures...

Interior looks top notch, and I like the new MB interior from the W221 and W204 in general so that's an improvement in my books - especially if they further improve on the themes of material quality and reliability. And engineering makes similarly expected leap as a new product...but those taillights...

AshleyAlissa

Not a fan of the back and doubt that it will grow on me.



http://emercedesbenz.com/Jan09/12_00...rld_Debut.html

sdifox

so when is this getting introduced? Mid 09?

Wonder if my Protegé5 will last another 3 years so I can pick up an off lease my10 E class

Hate the shift in the steering column though.

Polar Bear

If you will notice in the pictures, both shifters are available. One has the traditional floor shifter and the other has the column shifter. I am sure it depends on which trim package you order.

Polar Bear

Floor shifter.

Benz-O-Rama

I didn't read all the posts but I agree with some. The interior is good, but not feeling the hood over the NAV screen. I did notice that they've gone back to the butterfly-sytle arm rest. Hopefully there's no jackknife style cupholders in there like in mine. They are horrible.

I like the front but not the LED fogs. Looks like they were slapped in there at the last minute because Audi did it. And did it right, might I add.

The rear will have to grow on me. Looks very Hyundai Genesis to me.

220S

I think the hood is necessary since the screen's that high up; sun glare would be a real problem. But it makes me wonder if the passenger can operate nav easily? I like sometimes having my passenger do the searching while I drive. Looks like it might be a lot harder now.

I agree with the LEDs. Look like something off eBay.

sdifox

Looks like the sunglasses drawer went away

That clock is still in the dash though. Never figured that out.

Dema

It is good that some people do not accept new design. It means that my 09 E class value will grow and I wil be capable to swap to the new design easily.

Dema

No, this pic from some old prototype. Check pics from brochure in few threads around. Finally floor shifter gone. I guess only BMW keeps floor shifter since they do still manual for 5 series.

Edit: it is interesting, some pics in the brochure shows floor shifter and some column. I guess it is flexible option.

K-A

This close-up of the interior shows they may use that cheap feeling, almost rubbery-ish-to-the-touch material featured in the C-Class that scuffs and holds dirt easily. Maybe not, but it kind of appears that way. I personally couldn't have a car without a console shifter too, the column shifter is for old Caddy's and Buicks IMO.

Dema

It doesn't look cheap for me:

K-A

Agreed it looks really nice. However only in the couple of close-up pictures did I notice the material dangerously close to the same in the C-Class, I doubt that's the case though (E-Class = better materials), but if it were that would be tragic as IMO the material in the C is sub-par.

pmb600

You are right, the close up picture posted form the auto show indicates horrible plastic from the C-Class. The new C-Class is more solidly made, but I have hated the texture of the plastic from day one. That pretty picture from their marketing is ideal lighting and definately wouldn't show any flaws in the plastic.

Also I think that the lower cylinder models will get a regular shifter and the bigger engines will have column shifter. I will try to confirm this...

pmb600

Ok, I've checked the German site. It looks like only 4 cylinder models have a regular center console mounted shifter. All others get a column shifter. So chances are very good we will only see column shifter in the US.

locomercedes

Hmm, the autoshow pic shows a screen hood, but this photo in the official brochure shows the screen without hood, or is it just the photo angle?

pmb600

What do you mean by a screen hood?

K-A

Yeah the lighting looks great on those pictures, but the close up has me wondering about the plastic. The C is indeed more solidly made than the 211 IMO, but the interior materials, look and feel are awful. I remember when I was driving one for a while, the plastic inside and the texture on the A-Pillar and roof-line baffled me constantly as to how crude and non-luxurious they felt. It kind of looks in that close-up the E may indeed share both materials.

That sucks about the column shifter.

unclebenz

The back is horrible especially with the 2 piece tail lights. Takes away from the German design.

erifly

I didn't realize it(I mean I knew the back looked more like Asian vehicles) but the rear looks nearly identical to Hyundai genesis if I recall.

Dema

Genesis looks differently:

Tail lights look as old Benz.

bahador

Wow...Im so glad I bought the 07 e350 instead of waiting..horrible look it is replica of an accord..The E class look has always been low and sleek like a cheetah before it pounces and now it looks like a grandma car...very dissapointed.

Otto

E


GS

Dema

Another GS, I do not find much similarity though, just in shape headlights.

Stuttgart-UT

look like this... look like that... remind me of...

sorry but if somebody will tell me that this crappy lexus GS looks like the new E-Class than i have to say goodnight...