Interesting article and pictures.
I have to believe the MB will switch the front grill to match the style of the rest of their cars (ie like the e-class coupe). Dynamic light assist and magic ride control sounds cool, the rest of the stuff, I'm not so sure... If they really put all of this stuff in the e-class, it's hard to imagine what could go into the s-class to one-up this!

full article:
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-...-January-2013/

I think it looks somewhat bland compared to the current model.

Regards,
Don

not to shabby

That is the new e-class facelift?

I think they shouldn't have combine both the lights..it's not an E anymore

This is odd because I read a car mag today and that very same car in the image was a brand new E Class that will hit the market in 2015

THUMBS DOWN! Our current w212 is much nicer..

I did notice too that the lights have been combined............
not a good thing you know?

I agree but we'll wait and see what happens. I remember being in a Volvo dealership about 3yrs ago and the dealer was convinced the new S60 would have suicide doors because one of the artists depictions showed them...

Duplicate post

This has been going around. To me it looks like M-B's approach for the second half of the cycle is to eliminate the more aggressive and unique elements of the car to simplify it and make it more easygoing. Personally, I think with the shape and theme of the W212, it will lose its distinction and character if it looks like that (i.e bland/generic, for the sake of maybe looking more elegant and simple).

I think that, assuming this pic is the real deal, this is to make the transition to the next model less dramatic. It always amazes me how MB makes each car almost instantly appealing but not necessarily compelling. The changes are enough to make a new buyer feel like he/she's getting something fresh, but, at the same time, it in no way instantly "dates" the current model. This has always been my pet peeve with BMW. When the new 3, 5, or 7, comes out, the current model always looks instantly "old" to me. MB has an amazing design formula. To me, no other vehicle under $100k, has that "classic" look that stays good looking regardless of newer models evolving.

What...No Ponton fenders? From what I see, MB is removing a lot of the distinctive styling that has been incorporated in the current W212.