Unpopular Opinion - I think Mercedes' design has gone downhill.
3w ago
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Credit - Car and Bike
The Mercedes S-Class. Surely the epitome of modern luxury styling. So much elegance, and the V8 and V12 AMG monsters that followed had proper firepower. However... I fear it is all going downhill. Here's why...
The Mercedes-Benz EQC
Credit - TopGear
Let's start with this, Mercedes' first venture into the electric automobile. In terms of performance and battery, it pretty much matched the Audi E-Tron and the Jaguar I-Pace. However, in design terms, I think this was a disaster. The ideology behind the current Mercedes design is that lines and sharp creases should be removed and the shape should tell the story. In this case, however, it makes the EQC look - at best - like a fat GLC. Mind you, the handling matches that, all roly-poly and slow. Compared to the visually pleasing Jaguar I-Pace, it's just not good enough.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
Credit - Car Magazine
This car is essentially the Mercedes Benz copy of the BMW X4. When I first saw the X4 I didn't believe that a car could look more obnoxious and ungainly, but I think Mercedes has done it! It looks like the car has been simply squashed at the back end, and although high trims make it look slightly better (as pictured above), I still think this mash up doesn't quite work.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS
Credit - Autotrader
Once again, the issue is with the rear. The last generation CLS and especially CLS estate were sublime, and although I appreciate they have tried to recapture the 'droopy banana' shape, I think the rear is too bulbous and the lights are too high. I wish they'd bring back the estate though!
Model Differentiation, the C, E and S
Credit - Motor 1.com
Credit - Ken Garff Automotive Group
Credit - Car and Driver
The three above - Mercedes' most iconic trio. And yet, Mercedes feels the need to make them (To the eyes of anyone except a car guy) identical. I understand that it's all in the need of brand cohesion, but I for one would like to see a bit more of an adventurous saloon range. These similarities between the three cars is what helps the C-Class sell, but who buys a £70,000 S-Class knowing that a £30,000 C-Class looks similar, has an almost as classy interior, and still makes people think highly of you. It is no secret that saloon sales are dying, and surely the way to rejuvenate them is to create something radical. I like the EQS concept, but the problem with concept cars is that going from concept to production tones them down.
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