What is everyone's thoughts on the concept of the next S class. 2012 is the approximate time frame for this.
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-con...90&idg=1&idi=1

 

Looks like a modified maybach.

 

I don't know about that. I think the W221 is the modified maybach

The grille and bumper sure do extend downwards quite a bit. I guess that is in order to satisfy that "pedestrian friendly" requirement that was in full swing a couple of years ago. What a stupid concept.

The foglight holes (vent looking opening) looks cool.

The headlights have a Cadillac look to them.

The front fender bulges are even more pronounced. Looks OK I guess.

The side looks like an oversized CLS with that arched roof and short height of window glass. Definitely a copy of the CLS, just hope it's bigger as the CLS was too small for me personally.

The trunk and the taillight assemblies look too small to me.
Overall , I feel that it isn't a bad looking car.

The new E class and CLK cars coming out next year look fantastic and are going to be homeruns. I saw them on that site also.

 

...I agree with the taillight assemblies looks too small; otherwise, it has an aggressively elegent and sporty look and design!

 

My guess is, given rapidly slowing sales of S/CL and slowing US economy, MB is struggling w/what to do w/S/CL facelift first....2010+ is an eternity away....

Styling is awfully good on both S/CL right now....IMO, AMG S/CL are easily best-looking cars on road today....brilliant styling and perf jewelry, esp w/030 wheels....

Upon S/CL facelift, am hoping for new-tech AMG V12 (seems absurd to have non-AMG V12 anyway; nearly all <75yo guys want zoomy looks/brakes/wheels/chassis/exhaust of AMG, not a codgerly 600); 600 needs better brakes (w/calipers that look like those of a $150K+, 500hp+ perf limo, not near-identical to those of a $35K C300); more upscale interior leather options avail for S/CL63; proper leather sports steering wheel for AMG V12; elim of std Pano roof on S600/65 (hate to compromise roof strength in any rollover...isn't an S-Class all about being world's safest perf missle??? Can get an SUV/SL if want to maximize rollover risk issues); elim of clutter of TeleAid antenna (need composite trunk lid like '08 CL); and more seamless integr of iPod in Comand....

Am still amazed how many alleged luxury brands still lack features like DistronicPlus/BrakeAssist, AutoBrakeDrying, TeleAid, ventil seats, active headrests, any history of safety innovations, etc.....today's S/CL tech is several yrs ahead of perf/safety/comfort tech of any car on planet today.....latest Porsches have Luddite gearboxes; Prius Turbo-like, effeminate exhaust notes; glaring turbo lag issues; and issues w/wet braking w/otherwise brilliant PCCB brakes.....and latest Ferraris, though demonstrating brilliant perf/gearbox/steering/braking tech, have laughable safety engineering best compared to various inept US/Asian mfrs.....or Fiat....

 

Same reaction as when I first saw spyshots of the present W221; strange tail-light assemblies, otherwise acceptable, not too flashy or pretentious. I am more interested with the comfort that will be offered inside.
( Do we order today in order to get it on the promised delivery date?? )

 

too early to judge yet

 

S-class front, CLS side and Bentley rear. But it's too early to judge. This is some kind of computer generated picture.

 

Should be interesting to see where they place the downshift buttons, trumpet1.

 

To me (if this is real), it looks like a continuation of the CLS influence. The front / side view looks a little like a CLS on steroids. When I look at it, I wonder how much headroom there will be. It just looks a little too "squat."

Let the speculation begin!

 

Its still a long way from the next model.. (w222?) No idea if these renderings source from MB or not but I think "concept" sums it up perfectly... "Best guess" might be another description...

Frankly I think it resembles a CLS crossed with a w221 puffed up with helium...

Chris

 

I bet the real deal will be a really good deal. It's already growing on me. When it is finally produced and you see one on the highway/showroom, I bet this car will be as good of a jump upwards in styling as the W221 was in comparison to the previous models before it.
I can already tell that the presence of this car when viewed from the front is going to be impressive.

 

It's a little better than the F700 concept, IMHO, but still very weird looking.

 

...

 

It looks like the Mazda RX8 - genuinely one of the ugliest cars on the road (ranking just ahead of the Scion and the Honda Element). What's with the exaggerated front fenders? They're one of two features I don't like about the W221 (the other being its BMW/Toyota Camry-like trunk lid).

If they come out with that, I'm going back to Audis.

 

Is 2012 even the right timeframe for the next S class? That would be 7 years after the W221 introduction. Is that right for the 221 life cycle? I know the SL's run as much as 10 - 12 years. What is normal for an S?

 

I in love witl all S-Class's! Just need 120k to buy one! can anyone borrow me 120k? PLZ!

 

Il ne faut pas s'enfaire, mon vieux, un de ses jours vous allez gagner le gros lot!

 

I will never, never again pre-judge a Mercedes product predicated upon pre-release pictures, either spy genre or factory leaked. The W221 S-Class was the first (mistakenly) panned vehicle followed a year later by the new CL. Both cars turned out to be stunning and evolved into much different looking vehicles once the body cladding and camo was completely removed. Mercedes has once again recaptured the top luxury spot by developing new vehicles with forward looking designs that don't copy, but rather inspire. Additionally as WSH mentions, the S and CL are the most completely engineered vehicles in the world, with incredible performance, safety and comfort. You can't spend $100k and get a better vehicle. Obviously, IMO.

 

7 years is actually about right for the Germans.

 

What he said

 

He better depend on a lottery.

 

 

7 years is usually the change over period for the S Class. Remember when the 2000 S class was featured in 1999? Everyone hated its looks and the magazine writers dissed it. Same when the '07's came out.
Eventually you get used to the changed looks, and the improvements in handling, comfort, interiors and technology are incredible.
However after switching cars so much over the years, I'm getting bummed out with the huge financial hits. So at least with this generation S Class, it looks like we'll still be in good shape with our existing cars even when the new models come out. Or we can keep taking those big 50%+ depreciation hits and opt for a 2012 model.
Anybody else tired of losing ?$60-70k every few years???

 

.....
Anybody else tired of losing?$60-70K every few years???

You better believe it. I am. I lost C$76,000 on trading in a 2004 S430-4M (with approx 27,800 Km on it,) for a newS550. I was sold on the new model. Remains to see if it will happen again.