I'm really having a difficult time discerning what AMG (even some non-AMGs) is on the opposite side the road these days. Can you identify all of the Mercs below immediately? It sure takes me more than a quick glance.
I'm not a big fan of MB's going back to the russian-egg approach on exterior designs, evident by the C and S class. The current facelifted E-class's attempt on retaining the quad headlights is mediocre, at best, in result.
Pathetic, what would be the reason to put the same generic front end on these cars?
The pre facelift CLS looked so mean with the unique led drl headlight and led in the bumpers. Now only W212 has unique led drl that somewhat barely makes it different from the rest.
Pathetic, what would be the reason to put the same generic front end on these cars?
The pre facelift CLS looked so mean with the unique led drl headlight and led in the bumpers. Now only W212 has unique led drl that somewhat barely makes it different from the rest.
The homogenization of the front ends has served to distinguish the new crop of AMG cars from their standard brethren. The new "A-wing" front splitter design is a pretty unique styling cue.
If you go back a few years, the stylistic differences between AMG cars and their standard counterparts were quite subtle.
Heck, even the LCI C300 Sport has nearly the same lower front fascia as the LCI W204 C63. The C300 has its light strips in the middle of the side air dams instead of at the top. And while each car's front air dams have the same shape, the C63's are larger/more menacing (an enthusiast would easily be able to spot the size difference).
When concentrating on the entirety of the front ends, the C63, compared to the C300, has a few extra defining characteristics (e.g., twin power domes on hood, single-blade AMG grille, blacked out headlight housings, etc.).
The way I look at it now, it might be harder to distinguish between some of the AMG models based on their front ends, but it is easier to distinguish a '14 E550 from a '14 E63.
The Mercedes enthusiast can usually pick out the subtle differences but to most people they all look the same. Show those pictures to your wife or girlfriend and see if she can differentiate any of those cars. Even many of the non-AMG models have this very similar face. Prominent front Star/grill and large air intakes on the lower fascia.
Zibby, you win a pass for the use of two TOU violations, to be used at your discretion with no repercussions.
I'm not a big fan of MB's going back to the russian-egg approach on exterior designs, evident by the C and S class. The current facelifted E-class's attempt on retaining the quad headlights is mediocre, at best, in result.
This, absolutely. The W212 facelift was well-intended and all, but ill-executed. The 4 lights approach was correct, and trying to retain it with just the DRLs was a nice attempt that failed. Add to that they they did a front-only facelift getting front and back of the car out of sync, and to tip it all off put the bigger E rear end on the slimmer C body for the coupe.
Horizontal brand integration has been taken way too far, as this thread shows in an excellent manner. Now they have horizontal equality with no upsale support. Unless their plan is to make everybody end up in a W205 that seems ill-advised.
Compare that to what we had around the time of the W211 facelift. Now that was a lineup with brand identity and car identity.
Having said that, a dark E63 with LED lights looks very nice from the front. When it's on.
The Mercedes enthusiast can usually pick out the subtle differences but to most people they all look the same. Show those pictures to your wife or girlfriend and see if she can differentiate any of those cars. Even many of the non-AMG models have this very similar face. Prominent front Star/grill and large air intakes on the lower fascia.
Absolutely agree. BMW and Audi are going for the homogenized look as well. Where I live though, non-enthusiasts pretty much view a BMW as a BMW and a Merc a Merc (sad, but true). I have still yet to see an F8X M3/M4 "in the wild." It's been about a month since I've seen a fellow C63 owner.
My C63 tends to attract a lot of attention at petrol stations (usually because of the sound, unless it is on the rare occasion I do run into an enthusiast).
One of my recent interactions: Random guy - "Whoa that sounds wicked. What is that? A Mercedes hot rod?" Me - "It's a C63 AMG." RG - "What kind of engine?" Me - "It's all electric actually." RG - "Really? Wow. Well it sounds great!"
I meant it as a joke but when he just went with it, I felt like an a-hole.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rock
Zibby, you win a pass for the use of two TOU violations, to be used at your discretion with no repercussions.
I'll take it, gladly!
