Joyride

Not sure it this has been posted or not, but what do you guys think of the new redesign/facelift for 2013? It obviously is not an official picture, but if it looks anything along those lines, do you like it, and would you upgrade?

BenzV12

We talked about this recently but this very car you sent is totally a different model and it's 1st ever time I have seen a model like this .
I kinda liked it though but I prefer 2012 because I ordered a one lol
That new model looks like literally a new model then a face lift and some reminiscent of W221 styling

hyperion667

not to shabb......I like the headlamps combined into one unit......kind of s class-ish?
that lower grill thin is neat, not sure about the black ops fog area however.......
doesn't blend well IMO with Benz styling...looks Japanese.....
the ten spokes are nice too, but I'm partial to those....

Joyride

Looks like they are going for the single headlamp design, similar in shape to what the new C has. Not sure if I like that yet, as I kind of got used to the dual headlamps on the E, which started with the W210. I also don't like the fog light area. Doesn't flow with the design. But that might be different on the official release, I guess time will tell...

PHML

Ummmmm....the one piece headlights makes it look like the Hyundai Genesis....YIKES!!!

MD Boy

Anyone know when the refresh is to be released? This year as a 2013 or in 13' as a 14' model?

Thanks.

Joyride

If I'm not mistaken, looks like it will debut in Detroit, January of 2013...on the German forum it says that apart from the roof, windows, and front doors, everything changes also the article on the forum stated that it will have the 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engines, along with up to 5 variants of Hybrids. No V8 anymore other than the E63 AMG, that is for Europe. Not sure what NA will get.

Wig

The front treatment works well overall. The black holes of the running lights don't look right. I'm sure in reality those holes will be full of LEDs.

The glaring error for me is the removal of the 'ponton' fenders. I love these on my E, and without them the look is way more bland.

mikephotos

Love the lights but that's about it. Let's hope the final product draws from the good points and omits the look below the grill.

dfordham

+1

It looks like there is still a ponton horizontal bulge above the rear wheels but the vertical component is missing. That might work, we'll have to see more to be sure.

At least it isn't slab-sided like the Hyundai.

Regards,
Don

K-A

Looks non-cohesive, IMO. I've never seen such an extensive facelift. Looks more like an all new model.

What they're doing there is putting the more bendy "organic" look of their next design language, and mashing it up with the E's sharp, angular and squared off tones. Looks like a mismash to me, due to that.

I think omitting the lower vertical crease of the Ponton fender is a huge mistake. In the pic, it just looks like an area with one two many straight creases right over/under each other (cluttered and doesn't make as much sense). I love the Ponton crease as it is, however, very unique and aggressive.

Also, IMO the E's frontal individuality has a lot to do with the 4 eyes headlamps. The new ones look more corporate/generic in nature, though they're obviously gonna glam and dress them up with LED's, which still doesn't replace the technical design individuality of the 4 eyes.

dfordham

I agree about the front end treatment. While the single headlight design is both brand-consistent and beautiful, the dual configuration of the E makes it unique in the lineup. Much like the hockeystick drl's (may they r.i.p.).

Regards,
Don

K-A

LOL. Indeed and agreed.

The Hockey Sticks and 4 eyes will be soon-Classics, as far as I'm concerned.

newyorktoLA

That's how the E class should look like right now! I WANT ONE
...As long as I get LED DRL's AND Foglights

S204HONGKONG

it's much too soft and rounded. I prefer the current more angular and aggressive styling

K-A

Exactly. Either make make the car aggressive and angular, or round and organic. The W212 is VERY angular and aggressively carved, that rounded "pieced together" of new parts just is at odds with the design. Not to mention, they're eliminating the areas of the car that make it stand out from the pack of other M-B's (Hockey Stick LED's were a start). On the other hand, maybe it'll be better for the aging factor of the designs, as the facelift won't look so much like a refined version of the same car (which is what truly can date an "old" design), just a whole new car altogether with some shared parts (allowing them to be seen as individual and more separate from each other). I said this when the W212 replaced the W211 (I was a W211 owner). And I still stick to it: The W212 doesn't date the W211, because it looks like a completely different car, from the same bloodline. Another point is, the W204 facelift: Nice and subtle on the outside, but they screwed up the headlights. The car looks so soft from the front now, as the original headlights were perfect for that car.

I love most M-B Designs, but many newer M-B's have me questioning the cohesive and "big picture" eye of their current Designers. For example, the SLK; round, organic rear, but angular front. Or the CLS, wedge shaped car, but reverse-wedge lines? Makes no sense.

mbluver111

Any more leaked pics of the 2013 model? You guys think the LED lights will be combined with the headlights? I'm guessing this 2013 will be "W213"

YYZ-E55

No; it's only a facelift, thus it will still be a 212.

Joyride

It looks like the completely redesigned W213 (even though the "facelift" for the W212 in 2013 is quite extensive) will not be available any time before 2017. That one should also have the 9-speed automatic transmission, with additional Hybrid options according to Autobild.

mbluver111

What about the LED lights, will it be the same as the 2012 model or will it be on top of the headlights?

BenzV12

There was a topic posted a few days ago , actually that was what I call a facelift , this very car posted in this very topic looks rather a brand spanking new model then a facelift model

I believe they will call new E as W213 but not before 2016 or 2017 as posted