2012 ML Unveiled
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
2012 ML Unveiled
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...uetec-car_news
I think the interior is waayyy nicer, but the exterior looks cheaper and uglier...
I think the interior is waayyy nicer, but the exterior looks cheaper and uglier...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 304
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From: Guelph, Ont. CA.
2014 ML350 BlueTec.
l agree.................
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 ?????????
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,301
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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?
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
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."
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."
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From: the ML/GL/R assembly line
2005 C230 Kompressor
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.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
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.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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C200 Kompresssor
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.
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.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: North America
2010 GLK 2011 550i 2004 Z4
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/
http://www.netcarshow.com/mercedes-benz/2012-m-class/
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 238
Likes: 8
2011 ML350
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..."
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..."
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,097
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
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.
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.
Last edited by dbtk; Jun 13, 2011 at 08:10 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 119
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From: New Jersey
1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL and 2016 BMW X5M
Photos of 2012 ML next to 2011 ML
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
AVB-AMG
https://mbworld.org/forums/4724059-post7.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Thanks - good to see them together. The new one obviously looks fresher. Hate the hidden talpipes, though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,782
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
W166 weight?
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.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: NYC / LI
2013 CTS-V, 2017 Audi Q7 / Past MB's: 2011 ML350 & 2012 ML350
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..
