newyorktoLA

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...uetec-car_news

I think the interior is waayyy nicer, but the exterior looks cheaper and uglier...

C-rod

the interior looks stunning..........Much more Mercedes like.........but the exterior, l'm not sold on..........Too much C-Class in the front for me...and the shape of the rear taillights is ?????????

tbal

WTF, seriously? Exterior is HIDEOUS! Reminds of a Kia Sante Fe or whatever...

VelociRaptor

I told you if you like the C class front end you will like this one. Ive laid my hands on over 200 of these puppies already....

newyorktoLA

True..they took 08-11 C classes and taped on similar headlights. The rear is even uglier... the grille doesn't look too much better. VelociRaptor, what's your opinion? Does the car look better in person?

220S

I personally dislike the new design language from Mercedes. I think Gorden Wagener is Bangle-izing the whole Mercedes portfolio. Plus I think his ego is even bigger than Bangle's.

It also appears that he's trying to establish some sort of Hofmeister kink thing (BMW's repeating trademark on all their cars) with the side profile and that Ponton thing. The problem with the Ponton is that very few people even know what the Ponton was and it ends up not being a historical nod to the past but instead a weird kind of dog haunch looking thing.

The automotive press has been lukewarm to his designs and I personally think he won't ever be considered in automotive design history as anybody special. I don't find the new Mercedes line as sexy, mysterious, or aesthetically pleasing. They aren't seductive at all. They're uninspiring.

Jeremy Clarkson said it best: "There’s a curious and extremely ugly styling detail on the rear wings of the new Mercedes E-class. It’s a crease that sets off from the back end with much purpose and drive, but when it reaches the door, it sort of gives up and, like the Okavango river, meanders about before giving up on the idea of existing in the first place. One thing is for sure. It serves no purpose. It will make the car no faster, no more stable at speed and no more economical. And it’s not a traditional Mercedes thing either — it’s not like the BMW Hofmeister kink in the rear window, which is present on all models.

Mercedes says, apparently, it added the crease as a nod to some model in the company’s dim and murky past. Probably the one Hitler drove. But this makes no sense really. When I buy a new iPod, I don’t want it to look even remotely like my grandfather’s gramophone player. So why should I want my new car to have a feature from the days of running boards? And, anyway, no one is going to say: “Ah so. I see you’ve hinted at the 1942 Doogleburger model with that crease on the flank.” They’re just going to do what I did: spend hours wondering if Mercedes has the first idea about form and function."

And now we see this mishmash design signature on the new ML, too. The new "Bangle-butt."

VelociRaptor

Well, I seen it in person before I really got a look at it in pictures. It looks spot on compared to in person but mainly for this reason is that makes any sence lol. I like it equally as much as the 164.

GMW

Looks better to me, outside and especially inside! I look forward to buying one of these.

dbtk

The new ML looks a little chunkier than the 164 (especially up front where it looks like a chimpmunk carrying nuts in its mouth). The area aft of the the doors appears slightly bloated like the new BMW X3 in profile.

hazee

Front seems ok but not catchy.
Bulky side view, check white MLs in the gallery.
Rear is as bad !!!

Once again this ML won't be able to beat the sales of X5. I was expecting a better make over but it stands no where closer to competitors. I would prefer buying X5 or Cayenne.

Stesl

veloci , wich are the heigh from the ground with the off road pack pro?

max 285 mm ?

jtorrebl

side view looks like an X5

nicolak

I am sure most on these forums are familiar with this website but for those interested check it out.


http://www.netcarshow.com/mercedes-benz/2012-m-class/

azzurribaggio

You know what's funny...I'd be scared to death driving my ML in locations like the desert or the mountains...I'd feel a lot better being in a Range Rover or a Jeep. Where it would roll up it's sleeve and look at the terrain and go, "Right, let's have a go at it now...." where our ML's would be "I just had my nails done..."

VelociRaptor

Dont under estimate the M class' off road ability.

dbtk

I was pretty impressed with what the Cayenne can do. Not quite an RR but still capable given its track prowess.

I am sure the new ML will have similar strengths as it competes with other brands, and especially with the new optional off-road, adjustable suspension package.

Stesl

well...about off road the w 164 was better..better approach angle, and so on , + 20 mm while the airmatic are raised...

minus...the unlinkable anti roll bar

AVB-AMG

Here are some side-by-side photos of the 2012 ML next to the 2011 ML, that I took this weekend at the Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters in Montvale, NJ. Judge for yourself and say what your first impressions are by comparison....

AVB-AMG


https://mbworld.org/forums/4724059-post7.html

GregW / Oregon

Thanks - good to see them together. The new one obviously looks fresher. Hate the hidden talpipes, though.

VelociRaptor

I do too. Theres always going to be some odds and ends that will not be liked by someone on any new vehicle.

GregW / Oregon

Do you have access to any weight figures for the W166 compared to the W164 - it's not in the ordering guide specs. The press release does say the weight is "on par" with the previous one.

GregW / Oregon

From Daimler global site:

Cyber GS

If the 2012 didnt have MB emblems on it in the side by side pics I would (and I bet others would too) think it was a new version of the X5..

jonasro

not pleased with the new look, especially the front... looks like someone took off a few too many inches.... glad i won't be replacing my '06 any time soon...

GregW / Oregon

Earlier design concept model: