vraa

Yeah I think so.

YNVDIZW124

Im not an s-class owner but looking at the new one don't you people think it looks too much like a BMW from the back? Also lexus is doing the same thing with their new cars what's going on? Are people just using each others design here and there?

ruykava

yes and no. bmw's have a very "straight", "vertical" boot, while the S-classes' curves outwards gently, from top to bottom. it's a theme developed since the current W211 E-class, and also on the maybach. granted, raising the bootlid was quite a stroke of genius on BMW's part to increase boot space. (although there was something earlier in these forums about a secret 1993 mercedes drawing of some sort which shows a raised boot as well)

i don't think i've seen any lexus looking anything like that, yet! although the nissan teanna looks VERY similar. in the end, if it looks good and works well, i ain't complaining!

whitejava

That pic of the black/dark blue one is a maybach 57S if you look close, you can see the 57S badge, that the MB sign is added, and below the real tail lights is blacked out. I must say though, who ever did this is very good with photo shoppe.

P.S THose tail pipes distinguish it for me, I love those from the 57S and wont forget thats the car they're on.

BenP

waldis

IMO, the new interior of the upcoming S is much better than the exterior. although the interior does look like the BMW 7, but in terms of new technology and comfort, the new S is way better than the BMW.

i also really like the "egg" shape on the front arm rest (above the "i-drive" knob) so here is a picture i would like to share. its actually the dialing pad.

hcden

This photo is not the new S-class. According to one car magazine i've read, this is the new short version of Maybach (even shorter than 57) for those who will drive the car by themselves.

MBZFAN55

The June 13, 2006 Autoweek has an extensive article, with pictures, on the 2007 CL and S-Class. As of this post, the Autoweek website hadn't updated to the print version yet, but should be available soon.

www.autoweek.com

S350, S450, S550, S63, S65, S600
CL450, CL550, CL600, CL63, CL65, CL400CDI

ano0oj

the black looks good! i hate the interior.

Otto

part 1

infiniti style of clock. let all passengers know the time -- the current e, w211, only driver knows what time it is.

Otto

part 2

please note that the "gear" is located to a stick behind the upper right steering wheel -- my personal thought the new s interior design is similar to the current 7er but better.

mbbodytech

I had the chance to drive a mule 221 yesterday - it is awesome!! The Command controller (they are not giving it any other or additional name) is so easy to use. Logical and simple. The egg shaped pad above it is for your hand to sit on, and then your fingers naturally fall around the controller. Really nice!

One of the coolest things is the backup camera. I know other car makers have this, but what makes this different is that there are two grids projected on the screen. One showing the path directly behind your car, and the other based off of steering angle that shows where you are going! And, there are two modes, one for parallel parking and one for strait in parking. Really cool, and it works great!

They are driving several of these mules around the LA area doing testing on the new Distronic plus system - keep your eyes open and you might see one!

CASL55

Looks like there is another way to navigate and select than the "super-iDrive" knob. On the steering wheel implies driver operates this control while driving. Wonder where s/he looks to see the menu? Wonder when this control is used instead of the console knob.

BTW, I don't like twist-and-press selection devices (takes too long to navagate 2D fields), so I hope the center console knob doesn't work that way. NSEW/Select is better. I think soft keys (a la 2005 COMAND) is best, but not much chance of that with the central knob being there.

Jim

LetsJet

Thanks for the update.......

Any info on the back seating. Is there more leg room? Adjustable seats, etc......

Mercedes Benz #

Wow how awesome mbbodytech!! Any other information? Driving impressions? Was the car smooth as silk, quite and refined? How did it handle? What features did the brakes have (e-class features e.g stop, traffic function etc.)? Could you navigate the command controller with the buttons on the steering wheel? Could you adjust the angle of the command controller? Was there a bluetooth connection for phones? What was the interior quality and style like (even though it was a mule). What did the intrument displays look like. You are so lucky...could you please tell us anything and everything you can remember. Thank you.

Otto

May be most of you have seen these two pictures already.

MBZFAN55

"On Monday 20 June the new 2006 (2007 ?) S-Class will be revealed (here) on GermanCarFans.com":

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...id/2050613.003

Otto

waiting for seeing the front and rear lights of w221 on 6/20/05.

shoes

Did Mercedes even read people's mostly negative reaction to the BMW 7 Series when it was introduced? It seems that Mercedes cribbed the two worst features of the 7- the "Bangle butt" and I drive.

It is hard for me to see how the 2007 S Class is an improvement over the current body style, a least aesthetically. I have been making fun of my friends who are buying the S65 telling them how much their cars will depreciate when the new body comes out next year, but now I am thinking the old body is looking pretty good.

Even BMW learned from their own mistakes, toned down the 3 Series and introduced the 7 Series 2.0 with a nicer front end, slightly trimmer butt and improved interior. Once you get past the design and funky features, the current 7 Series driving experience is outstanding.

I think Mercedes just convinced me to order a 2006 BMW 750i.

Otto

I don't like raised butt but time proves Bangle is the winner. (Both Acura RL and W221 raise their flagship trunk lids. I am sure that Lexus LS will follow it, see Toyota Crown Majesta). Based on the spy interior W221 pictures, MB did a better job than BMW in iDrive design -- at least I don't see the dial style temperature controls.

W211 information from autoweek

ruykava

i really don't think it's anything to do with the Bangle butt at all -- heck Maybach had it as well and no one said anything about copying BMW. and lets not forget Volvo has had a raised boot for many, many years. Bangle (or rather von Hooydonk) just designed the worst looking raised butt ever on the 7-series. of course, being BMW, it might have been more influential since neither Volvo or Maybach have the mass appeal of BMW.

it simply is not true that "raised boot = bad design", guys. neither does it mean "computer control = hard to use".

so, lets approach the design for its OWN sake: just because a company makes horrible wines doesn't mean wine tastes horrible.

oh yes, just to continue my BMW bashing : the facelift looks even more horrible to me. now it looks like a big camry from the front and God-knows-what from the rear with those huge lights!