Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[AbsoluteUnit]

Yep. That. Looks goofy.

M

I'm not sure you can really draw any conclusions from a couple of lines, but it doesn't really look that different...

 

[Merc1]

I'm not sure you can really draw any conclusions from a couple of lines, but it doesn't really look that different...

To me it looks more EQish than E.

M

 

[Serpens]

To me it looks more EQish than E.

M

I find that odd considering it's a very similar outline to the E-class as others have noted. That's a pretty distinct 3 box design.

 

[Uygar]

That looks exactly the same as the ICE E-Class. I can’t see any differences.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

And that exactly is the problem - taking them 5 years to release a new design.
I'm working for one of the Chinese companies (.... With the dreams in the name) and what I had to learn was the speed in execution and the adaptability to the changes. I've been working for 20 years in an American company, and working for a Chinese company was a shock (and still is) for me.
While the Germans (and to a certain extent the Japanese also) take 3-4 years to release a car, and after that another 3 years to make a facelift, the Chinese can make a new model in 6-12 months. The design is "frozen" until a change must be done, even if that means that the car is already in production for one month.
They adapt and make the changes along the way. In China there isn't such a thing as "frozen design" and they don't touch it for another 3 years.

Chinese are still not at the same quality level as the German ones, but the flexibility and speed of execution is getting them there.
Germans will not be able build cheap cars in China like their competitors, because for that they will have to completely change their way of working, which in the end wouldn't be Mercedes or BMW anymore. But sourcing most of the parts locally in China, will help to decrease the cost.

Wolfgang Egger, BYD Design, said: (coming from a reliable source): "At Audi I had to create 10 cars and 9 had to be a success. Here (at BYD) I have to create 100 cars, and 5 need to be a success."

 

[klier]

That looks exactly the same as the ICE E-Class. I can’t see any differences.

Me neither, which is excellent.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

To me it looks more EQish than E.

M

That looks exactly the same as the ICE E-Class. I can’t see any differences.

It's literally 1:1.
The only difference is the greenhouse going a bit further back, but that may well be because the W214 is not perfectly parallel to the camera.

I think you might have a bit of PTSD from the Eggmobiles M

 

[Merc1]

It's literally 1:1.
The only difference is the greenhouse going a bit further back, but that may well be because the W214 is not perfectly parallel to the camera.

I think you might have a bit of PTSD from the Eggmobiles M

Front end looks funny to me. That is possible.

M

 

[Mickaels]

Front end looks funny to me. That is possible.

M

The front grills on future models might be more vertical compared to now, judging by the upcoming glc ev.

 

[Design FIRST]

A bit of a Gemini AI rough draft of an EQE sedan successor-a hodgepodge of W214, EQE sedan and CLE elements.. Of course, it needs the signature M-B retractable door handles and a grill/shield + headlamps similar to that of the upcoming GLC/electric C-Class sedan. Sorry, I have yet to get a good grasp of this AI stuff.

 

[Design FIRST]

...another result of my farting around with Gemini AI and a proposition for a future E-Class segment electric sedan:

At least I got the grill/shield and doorhandles "a bit more "right"".

 

[Design FIRST]

Oh well...one hell of a lot better than the current EQ sedans.

 

[Rolf]

Oh well...one hell of a lot better than the current EQ sedans.

If they could change the grill and front light graphics to be similar to your render and sort out that ugly angled shutline on the fender then it would be make a major difference and the car will at least very appealing and attractive.

 

[Merc1]

The overall shape is still all wrong for a Mercedes.


M

 

[Swissbob]

It looks like a stranded whale.

 

[Design FIRST]

CLS revisited and...electrified.

 

[Design FIRST]

If they could change the grill and front light graphics to be similar to your render and sort out that ugly angled shutline on the fender then it would be make a major difference and the car will at least very appealing and attractive.

...although I doubt that M-B will be embarking on an evolutionary path when it comes to replacing the current EQE/EQS sedans. The AI image clearly reflects an evolution, albeit arguably quite a bit more palatable than the current vehicles. My suspicion is that M-B will be seeking a more "traditional" ("retro") 2 1/2-to-3 box silhoutte on their next electric sedans. The ICE/BEV exterior design "convergence" anchored in an ICE typical architectural silhouette. Of course, going "too" traditional may have it's pitfalls as well. It could be construed as attempting to move forward in a challenging environment with eyes fixed firmly on the rearview mirror. I suppose that markets such as North America or some selected EU markets may buy this...But I have my doubts about the crucial Chinese and other Asian markets. A fine line to walk.

 

[Rolf]

...although I doubt that M-B will be embarking on an evolutionary path when it comes to replacing the current EQE/EQS sedans. The AI image clearly reflects an evolution, albeit arguably quite a bit more palatable than the current vehicles. My suspicion is that M-B will be seeking a more "traditional" ("retro") 2 1/2-to-3 box silhoutte on their next electric sedans. The ICE/BEV exterior design "convergence" anchored in an ICE typical architectural silhouette. Of course, going "too" traditional may have it's pitfalls as well. It could be construed as attempting to move forward in a challenging environment with eyes fixed firmly on the rearview mirror. I suppose that markets such as North America or some selected EU markets may buy this...But I have my doubts about the crucial Chinese and other Asian markets. A fine line to walk.

I think you have a good point about the design direction. The retro type traditional look could appeal more to the US and EU buyers who are more in tune with Mercedes past models more so than the Chinese or Asian markets which only became attuned to the Mercedes models in the 90s and up. The Chinese market seems to a very much "tech" driven car culture with buyers more interested in the latest in car gadgets and tech with avantgarde styling yet following the traditional saloon and now SUV silhouettes. I think for Mercedes or other German car brands the Chinese market will have to be the focus hub for their R&D for high tech in car infotainment and features. They may in future need to build seperate models for the Chinese markets compared to Western markets

 

[Design FIRST]

The Chinese market seems to a very much "tech" driven car culture with buyers more interested in the latest in car gadgets and tech with avantgarde styling yet following the traditional saloon and now SUV silhouettes.

A very goog point. And THIS can be considered a case in point:

In my opinion, the New Xpeng P7 blends various characteristics that you have mentioned with a high degree of acumen. It's combination of high end product design, compellingly balanced modern proportions and that degree of cyberpunk savvy could potentially make this a "cult" vehicle of sorts. Personally, I find it fascinating. I hope that this car receives the success that it appears to deserve. I hope that this car comes to the EU markets.

 

[Rolf]

A very goog point. And THIS can be considered a case in point:

In my opinion, the New Xpeng P7 blends various characteristics that you have mentioned with a high degree of acumen. It's combination of high end product design, compellingly balanced modern proportions and that degree of cyberpunk savvy could potentially make this a "cult" vehicle of sorts. Personally, I find it fascinating. I hope that this car receives the success that it appears to deserve. I hope that this car comes to the EU markets.

This is probably one of the first Chinese luxury saloons that has made me sit up and take a deep notice. It has a very forward looking design that looks sleek and elegant, like a luxury saloon should. It perfectly blends modern design with a eye at the past with its flowing and sharp lines. I do also find it fascinating and really curious to know how it will fair out in sales in the Chinese market.

This Chery on the other hand still shows the old hand of Chinese car brands, where they totally plagiarize the German car designs. Just look at this cars interior, its door cards and design as well as the seats and even some air vents are a full on copy of the Mercedes E and S-class.

Its a pity as the exterior looks ok and the hybrid powertrain tech is quite impressive.

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