You have saved this page | See all saved pages
High End Luxury Cars
24723 messages, Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum.What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan
Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.
A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.
Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.
#5419 of 24723 designman by merc1
Jun 20, 2004 (10:12 pm)
Well the guy that designed every Mercedes from the 1970s until 1999 retired in 1999, Bruno Sacco. Mercedes' styling while still very attractive hasn't been the same since he left. The new SL, CLK and even the E-Class all lost a little something compared to his designs. His last designs were the S-Class and CL, both lookers, especially the CL! I think he did a masterful job during his tenure, but he really deserves credit for bringing Mercedes into the now going from the slab-sided W140 S-Class to the current one and at the same time keeping all the traditional Mercedes styling points."A Mercedes should always look like a Mercedes and symbolize all the values of a true Mercedes, convey innovation and respect tradition."
(Bruno Sacco design chief 1974 - 1999)
A really good writeup on Bruno -
http://www.brophy.com/eodweb/htmls/designers/hd97_1.htm
I saw so many W124 E's today, I still want one. So timeless. The W123 was just a few years before I started paying attention to Mercedes.
M
#5420 of 24723 by lexusguy
Jun 20, 2004 (10:30 pm)
The CL is a gorgeous coupe. It is just a classic design, even though it was released in '00, it still grabs attention today, thats the sign of a great design. Thats the opposite of the 6, which looks ugly now, and will only get worse. I saw a 645 parked next to a CL500 at the air port once, I bet the guy with the bimmer was kicking himself when he got back to his car.#5421 of 24723 by merc1
Jun 20, 2004 (11:33 pm)
Yep.....timeless....classic...
That "Pewter" color on the S-Class (S55 in this example):
M
#5422 of 24723 by designman
Jun 21, 2004 (4:47 am)
I see only token treatments of the Mercedes continuum in the current models. The previous generations really got lost. You know, we are so early in history with regard to the automobile. I think up to this point it was easier to design and stay fresh. We are getting into a period where it's becoming a grind. It's not easy to have a heritage yet bring a car forward. I'd give anything to get a glimpse of what cars will look like in 100, 200 years.#5423 of 24723 by merc1
Jun 21, 2004 (4:59 am)
Well with so many regulations and moden car requirements styling will ultimately suffer the most. Europe has taken the biggest step in the direction of ruining styling so far and it comes for 2005. To pass pedestrian safety standards all cars must have so much space between the hood and the top of the engine. Messy. The 2006 S-Class is rumored to have its hood mounted on struts that will raise it a few inches upon hitting a pedestrian!So far Mercedes, imo has been a leader in continuing their orginal styling theme through the years. Along with Porsche, Ferrari, Aston-Martin, BMW, Volvo, Saab, Jaguar and a few other European makers. With most of these cars (new BMWs excluded) you know what they are instantly. The new Bimmers look like orphans compared to their previous generations.
I think 100 years from now cars will be identified with just their badges, they'll all look the same.
M
#5424 of 24723 2006 S Class by jstyle
Jun 21, 2004 (8:57 am)
Here are the latest photos. Anyone think the lines are like the Maybach and an Acura TL combined and the interior very much going towards the BMW 7. Anyone else think this is a mistake?? Yikes, MB will loose a lot of prestige if they fail to make a compelling S Class.http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7250&sid=17- 8&n=158
http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3065
- michael_mattox (Jun 21, 2004 9:59 am)
Replies to this message:
#5425 of 24723 merc1 by lexusguy
Jun 21, 2004 (9:54 am)
Actually, I really dont think the S has aged as well as the CL. When I see a $110,000+ S600, I just yawn at it. Perhaps I've seen too many.For some reason, Audi and MB seem to think the new 5 and 7 have the best interiors ever put in a car. The must, if they are going to rip them off THAT badly. I come on, the A6 was bad enough, but at least it looks midly different from the 545i. That looks like literally a direct copy of the 7.
#5426 of 24723 Re: 2006 S Class [jstyle #5424] by michael_mattox
Jun 21, 2004 (9:59 am)
Replying to: jstyle (Jun 21, 2004 8:57 am)
I don't think that can possible be the new S Class...Merc would personally blow up the plant before he would allow them to build something that ugly...and what is with that big bulgy thing in the middle of the interior..The interior is even more ugly then the exterior... No way this is an S Class.
#5427 of 24723 by lexusguy
Jun 21, 2004 (10:03 am)
Mercedes built the ML320. That was an ugly car with CRAP on the inside. They've done it before. Not that I'm upset or anything, the uglier and cheesier inside M-Bs get, the stronger Lexus gets
#5428 of 24723 Honda likes the CL coupe styling by footie
Jun 21, 2004 (1:41 pm)
Maybe this post belongs in the 'Styling Cues' forum, but it seems like to me that the current Accord Coupe is very similar to the timeless styling of the CL shown in post #5421.Go to the Honda web site at :
http://www.hondacars.com/models/exterior_gallery.asp?ModelName=Ac- cord+Coupe
Look at the photo three down in the right hand column. Even the color is close.
Maybe Herr Sacco is doing some freelancing since leaving MB.
To POST a message, please
Sign In.
Advertisement
Most Popular in Forums
Search Forums
Enter Keyword(s):
Learn More, Do More
Edmunds Community
Advertisement