What is Mercedes-Benz up to?

[tailpipe]

Audi now has direct injection engines across the range, many with advanced forced induction systems that combine power and economy, longitudinal DSG gearboxes, a new Quattro system in the pipeline, and a whole bunch of other interesting technologies that make its cars desirable and sophisticated. More important, Audi's styling is evolving nicely and is both attractive and restrained.

Meanwhile, what's new at Mercedes-Benz? Not a lot it seems. We're only just getting direct injection in a few limited models. And there's no sign of a DSG box. BMW has DSG, so does Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen and now even the Japanese are rolling it out in selected models.

Mercedes-Benz used to have the tag: engineered like no other car. I think it should now read: not engineered liked other other cars. The image has become just so staid and boring. Mercs really are old men's cars. There seems little excitement or pizazz. Worst of all, the styling is ugly.

The new E seems such a miss of different design cues you could be forgiven for thinking that several different designers were each given a pice of it to design, but when they were put together: WTF?

Despite the negative rap, build standards are still rock solid and Benzes still give an impression of rock-like premium quality.

[f1esp]

Worst of all, the styling is ugly.

The new E seems such a miss of different design cues you could be forgiven for thinking that several different designers were each given a pice of it to design, but when they were put together: WTF?



:applause::applause::applause:

[Erik]

I really like the C63 AMG.

And the autos from MB are genereally very good. But I agree, time for a DSG box.

[AndyBG]

After spending some time with new E class, all I can say is that it is good car, proper Merc'... Even styling isn't that bad when you are with car often...

[JavierNuvolari]

Well, isn't their new supercar getting a DSG gearbox?

[itisme]

Daimler invests endless money in alternative engines. I expact, that when time comes, Merc will be back as great star in automotive engineering. My guess is, it won't take that long.... they got stocks from tesla and a big electric energy companie for their future plans... lets see what the first products out of that come together are.... next year the smart electric version is coming! I guess this is a big thing. Financial crisis is almost gone, fuel is expensive as it was before an an electric smart will sell insane with a normal price tag..

[f1esp]

Financial crisis is almost gone


Really???????????????

[itisme]

Really???????????????

i really think its almost done by mid/end 2010... may be I'm wrong, but I don't think so....

[f1esp]

i really think its almost done by mid/end 2010... may be I'm wrong, but I don't think so....


I hope so...
http://medelhi.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/rezar-el-rosario.jpg

[f1esp]

I agree MB cars are very good cars and I like C class, pre-restyling E class and I love the CLS. But I don´t like the new direction the style is getting (new E class)...
Please look at the new exhausts... :noshake:


http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/mercedes-e-63-amg-station-wagon-ecco-il-suo-aspetto-definitivo/e63sw_autoblog1.jpg

http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/mercedes-s-400-hybrid-le-foto-dalla-prova-su-strada/prova_s_hybrid3.jpg

http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/parigi-live-2008-tutto-il-materiale-ufficiale-mercedes/fascination_3.jpg



MB are very good ugly-cars



...waiting the SLS...;)

[tailpipe]

I agree that at a fundamental level, the integrity of Mercedes-Benz engineering is still very strong. I am sure they will yet surprise the industry with Fuel cell/ lithium-ion battery solutions.

They have also hired the hugely talented ex-Hyundai designer, Joel Piaskowski, who created the Genesis Coupe. More recently, they lured, Karim Habib, away from BMW. Both will work under Mercedes-Benz's new design boss, Gorden Wagener.So, maybe we can expect new and better things on the design front.

Although I find the new E-Class alarmingly ugly, I think the current C-Class is extremely attractive. The S-Class/ CL-Class is also good as is the A-Class. i find the B-Class monstrous and while the overall lines on the CLS-Class are very elegant, the headlights are just plain offensive. The new SL messed up a classic design while the SLR was similarly flawed. In a world where so many different car brands offer common functionality, design is an important differentiator, so i hope Mercedes-Benz gets it right.

Of course, what's under the skin is what really matters. So I hope DSG and more direct injection turbocharged engines will appear. As with Audi, I'd also like to see a new touch-screen MMI.

[f1esp]

Stuttgart, we have a problem... with the restylings!!!

E & E coupe
http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/nuova-mercedes-classe-e-la-prova-su-strada-01/prova_classe_e1.jpg
http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/mercedes-classe-e-coupe-nuove-foto-ufficiali/MercedesClasseECoupnuovefotoufficiali_09.jpg

S & S coupe
http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/salone-di-new-york-tutte-le-foto-della-mercedes-classe-s-restyling/classe_s_restyling1.jpg
http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/mercedes-classe-s-coupe-nuove-foto-spia/sclasscoupe1.jpg

SL
http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/mercedes-sl-my2008/MercedesSLmy2008_1.jpg

GL
http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/mercedes-bluetec-01/MercedesBlueTEC_9.jpg

[bilbozilla]

Their 6.3 engine is fantastic, a huge shift from the 5.5 supercharged. Having owned both (and currently an E63 owner), the design leaves quite a bit to be desired, but they are a fantastic car. The electronics for entertainment/navigation are a few years behind the pack, but I have no complaints with the mechanics of the monster. They are rock solid, and I haven't had a single problem beyond needing to change the oil, tires, and brake pads in over 5 years of daily service.

Their 7 speed transmission is much better than their 6 speed. Aside from their debacle with the distronic cruise control crash, they get the bugs out of their new technology before bringing it to light. As much as I'd like to see the latest and greatest with each iteration, they have a habit of bringing the new technologies out once they're in their refinement phase, not while still in beta (anyone prefer an SMG transmission?)

[Zyklon5]

Mercedes has a dual clutch gearbox it's the MCT marketing name AMG 7G Tronic Speedshift and is available for the face lifted SL63 AMG. The 350CGI engine compares favorably to the 3.0TFSI consumption wise. And the 250CDI engine is two times better than 2.7 TDI - wich should be getting a prize as the king of obsolete. :vgrumpy:

The only recent Mercedes that i find mildly atractive is the E Klasse Coupe.