Spy Photos - 2010 W221 Face-lift
 

SEMA eNews, Vol. 11, No. 21 - May 22, 2008

SPY PHOTOS: A NIP & TUCK FOR THE 2010 BENZ S-CLASS

http://www.semaenews.com/eNewsSizedI...6_Original.jpg

Although it’s a year away, the freshened 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-class is showing its new face, caught here by spy photographer Brenda Priddy. Highlights include a new front fascia with a sculpted bumper and fog lamps, new side-view mirrors with more stylish turn signals and slightly modified headlamp layout.

Priddy says this model also features LED daytime running lights fitted to the outer edges of the fog lamps, although it's unclear if this will be a feature in all markets. A slightly re-designed rear bumper rounds out the facelift. Engine choices, however, will remain unchanged.

http://www.semaenews.com/eNewsSizedI...6_Original.jpg

Is it just me or is the S the most handsome MB? It looks better than the CL to me.

I agree but only with AMG body pkg

Hate those ?new mirrors....'08 S/CL mirrors are rather elegant and functional....

No doubt S65 is handsome; if I could obtain an S65 w/o Pano roof; w/030 wheels; leather sports steering wheel; and cf interior trim, I'd have a hard time choosing btwn S65 and '09 CL65:y

S65's obvious external aesthetic issue (vs '09 CL65) is that tacky TeleAid antenna (CL lacks any external antenna clutter)....and S65's lack of 030 wheels is a non-starter...

And the Pano roof std on S65 is likely a structural weak point in any rollover/major collision, so not clear S65 is any safer overall than CL65, despite more ample rear crumple zones, higher roof line, B-pillars and active front head restraints....:nix:

I agree - I think the w221 is supremely handsome and elegant. The w221 will stand the test of time in the classic MB manner.

Remember when this model was launched everyone was commenting on the wheel arches. No one seems to make a big deal about them anymore - anyway they are not that obvious (especially in light colors) and to me are a natural part of the cars character.

Those new mirrors look a bit contrived to me though... trying to hard to look "fresh" I think. (Just like those hideous small horizontal bars around the fog lamps of the refreshed e-class)

Chris

+1

cjf, you raise great points:y

I recall seeing the first "spy" pics of S-Class and being deeply disappointed (hated the wheel arches and the Maybach-like rear end).....had similar reaction to CL "spy" pics....

Today view both AMG S/CL as being most sexy cars on planet, even over 599/Scud/997GT2....:y:y:y

Suspect many <40yo SF/NYC car nuts, w/no need for a back seat, would readily opt for '09 S65 over '09 CL65 if S65 had no Pano roof....and if S65 had CL65 perf/aesthetic elements of 030 wheels, sport steering wheel, cf interior trim and no visible TeleAid antenna....:y:zoom:

On a totally different note, I went through the exact opposite process with the new Land Cruiser, released MY2008: I found the spy pics decent, but now that it's been out for a while I absolutely detest the appearance. It's so ugly that I might have to go with the problem plagued and blinged out Range Rover for my next SUV. Hopefully I become fond of the new Land Cruiser by the time I start looking to replace my current (2007) model.

2008 Land Cruiser:

http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/...cruiser_12.jpg

Aaaaannnd my hijack is complete.

Mercutio, have seen a few of those LC's live in SF....fugly...

That said, RR's (or any SUVs) are POS from any engineering/aesthetics view as well.....:eek:

Will admit that it took me 2-3 mos to understand aesthetics of CL's rear....had many moments when I was tempted to trade it in for S65.....but past ?9mos I have grown to view CL63 30 (and '09 CL65 which will have 030 wheels and cf interior) as simply most sleek, elegant, high-tech cars on planet today....:y:y:y

Sometimes cars are much like fine Bordeaux.....many subtleties which take time to appreciate and comprehend.....sure, overall styling is up-front, but subtleties like wheels, brake calipers, lack of Parktronic bulletholes/TeleAid antenna/sat radio warts, interior aesthetics, etc etc (and how all these elements play together....and how the overall balance compares vs latest/greatest from F/P) require a few wks of driving and thoughtful obsvns to fully review (and I've owned/driven dozens of interesting new AMG/F/P over past some 10 yrs)....:zoom:

even they don't do the nip tuck, it will still look good and above the rest

The 2010 refresh looks nice. Overall, it's good to see they didn't make too much of a change to the W221 which suggests that MB truly did a terrific job from the get-go and the competition isn't gaining ground upon MB to force major improvements. I actually like my car better than the newer model (totally opposite for the W220 when it got a much needed and much improved refresh in 2003). The mirrors look just like my wife's C class mirrors. Even though we aren't approving of the mirrors , they do provide a better view than our current mirrors which are too small.

I am pretty sure MB changed them for this reason. Many complaints were probably submitted to force this change.

I don't think the current mirrors are exactly "right" either, as they seem too small for the 221, particularly from the user perspective. Is it my imagination or are the CL mirrors larger than the S ?

WSH = You've mentioned safety concerns about the pano roof. Although it appears to be "glass" across the entire roof, isn't there a substantial steel structure under the pano, between the front and rear seats, similar to a roll bar ?

With the new headlights, also comes a new lower fascia - could a revised "sport package" appearance be far behind?

The only other car that seems to catch my fancy is the current Audi A8L. I test drove one today and was very impressed. The materials and finish of this car was the closest thing I've seen to a W221. I thought it handled very well and was quiet on the inside. The one thing I liked was the bigger rearview mirrors on the Audi, which also has the blind spot assist feature along with adaptive cruise.
The Audi does not have the electrically operated rear door window sunshades, something I like on my car. Also panoroof is not available (not a critical must have) and I thought Audi was getting cars with DVD headrest monitors but the salesman said they don't come that way.
The other car I test drove was a Cadillac convertible and a Cadillac STS. Not bad but definitely the S600 has spoiled me rotten as the fit and finish of the Caddys are just way down compared to MB. The throaty exhaust of the convertible was fun to listen to with the top down.

I still have not had time to test drive a Lexus LS460LH.

I guess the
The Audi A8 loaded up was approaching $100K. However, when I returned to my car, about 5 or 6 salesmen were gazing at my car inside and out. For a moment, I thought I was a salesman.

Those new mirrors look like the ones on the C. I dont think they look good on the S.

Do I see two fog lamps on each side?

Do I see split tail pipes also? Ouch.
And that ugly antenna. Why?
Mark.