Ladies & Gents, the REAL/OFFICIAL 2014 facelift here>>>>
I don't really dig it, and IMO it'll not only decrease resale of the pre-facelift W212 since so much has been changed, but the front looks like an entirely different car. Poor timeless-foresight by M-B designers, IMO. I think the sides and rear look possibly more lacking in character which means most of the attention is put toward the fad-ish headlights which are very distracting and clearly meant to attract those who want an "ooh/ahh" quick pop effect, yet don't appreciate entire design harmony (the round front doesn't flow with the previous design idiom of very straight and angular lines).
Interior is a clear nice evolution and improvement, and the Sports/Star grille looks HIDEOUS. Looks soft, cheeky, toy-ish like a C-Class or A Class would or should.





Last edited by K-A; Dec 11, 2012 at 12:45 AM.
At least the interiors of the latest models seem good.... Well, w/ the exception of the re-located and re-designed turn-signal stalk, which feels like a piece of crap (in 2013 the C-classes).
I'm assuming these are European-spec pics? Here's hoping that the stitched dashboard makes it in some way to the US (that doesn't look to be a Designo interior or the Exclusiv package).
Last edited by alsyli; Dec 11, 2012 at 02:10 AM.
At least the interiors of the latest models seem good.... Well, w/ the exception of the re-located and re-designed turn-signal stalk, which feels like a piece of crap (in 2013 the C-classes).
I'm assuming these are European-spec pics? Here's hoping that the stitched dashboard makes it in some way to the US (that doesn't look to be a Designo interior or the Exclusiv package).
The best looking cars that have been recently revealed IMO are the new Porsche Cayman and new 4-Series BMW. Both have unquestionably gorgeous and effortlessly purely simple, yet cunning and striking side profiles that new M-B's with all their overwrought efforts aren't seeming to match.

That being said, when are we going to get a bigger command screen like the bmw 5 series?! I have to admit that I like their screen so much better just because its bigger.
Yeah, waiting it out for the Sports Car, want a Porsche
Check out the new tweeter...
Looks like it gets a downgrade on the gear shifter and an upgrade on the cruise control stalk.
Is that stitched dash coming to the US?
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That is definitely gonna be a EU spec, or at least high equipped spec in the U.S, though. Doubt the stitched leather will make it to production here, unless you pay up for it (still better than nothing). Also, I dunno if we'll see the aluminum
Yeah, I hate the ML-style new gear-lever stalk. Much cheaper looking and feeling than the W221 style that the current W212 employs.

As much as I like new facelift I also have some dislikes as well .
EXTERIOR :
Headlamps not shabby at all and I believe these will look more eye catching at nights compared to present quad lights .
Big MB logo on the grill makes the car hideous and ruins "docile" image . Well, I know I said that before corners of the grill looks like rounded off and I am not keen into this styling either
Chrome strip across the exhaust tips are cool , no more bulges in the rear doors , ponton fenders , but there is a 2nd line that runs straight forward from bottom section to the tail lights to the rear doors . This is what I like and happy to see MB keep these lines
LED strips seems ditched , these are very standing out in all the MB models
INTERIOR :
I prefer present models' gauge despite analog clock in the instrument cluster because line up is pretty nice and unique to W212 . This facelift model's look like derived from W204 or C218
Finally chrome or aluminum seat buttons . I just like these
Center console buttons also aluminum and they are very nice as well
Analog clock relocated to center , looks more elegant but I didn't like the way two air vents by the clock . Trapezoid looks nicer imo
Overall , I like it despite some points I dislike but I don't think I will trade my car for it .
Why is it that designers don't rely on the heritage and exclusivity of the brand to guide them in design?
I'm happy that I've switched to the new M-Class and didn't order the S212 facelift... This looks like a Chinese copy of the E-class made by MB themselves.
I agree with K-A, the front and rear doesn't match with the sides.
my next Benz will be the Grand Dad S class haha
K-A I am ready to put money on a bet that you will be one of the first to trade. If I remember correctly, your lease expires in the the not too distant future. This car will grow on you like the 212 did. I should go back to your postings when you were driving your 211 and thought the 212 was a terrible design. You are now on your second. This one will grow on you too.
K-A I am ready to put money on a bet that you will be one of the first to trade. If I remember correctly, your lease expires in the the not too distant future. This car will grow on you like the 212 did. I should go back to your postings when you were driving your 211 and thought the 212 was a terrible design. You are now on your second. This one will grow on you too.
K-A, go back and look at the W212 pictures when they came out the car looked boring. Now, I think the W212 is much better looking today than what was in the original drawings. Also, The styling does depend on how it is optioned like staggered wheels , color, AMG pkg, etc... Hang in there, it may be better than what you think.
I'm more upset about how this facelift may render the current version in the market place since they felt the need to change it so drastically. IMO it shows poorly for MBs confidence in the design and the W212 itself, at least in their eyes I assume.
I guarantee BMW or Audi won't fund it so necessary to do such surgery to their F10 and A6, allowing the initial buyers to see their cars age gracefully to the market place.
Please do the hood ornament and not the silly badge in the grill. It looks awful like that and I agree with KA. It reminds me of a cheapo C Class. Other then that its a damn nice looking car from what I see.
I guarantee BMW or Audi won't fund it so necessary to do such surgery to their F10 and A6, allowing the initial buyers to see their cars age gracefully to the market place.
With the luxury and sport differentiation (star on hood vs star in grille), this car should appeal to a much wider audience. It's awkward in photos but it presents nicely in person.










