[kaputt]

This looks awful imo. There isn't a single car in Mercedes line up that does anything for me.

Actually there are barely any cars out there these days that do anything for me.

Personally I'd rather drive the Corolla Hatchback with a manual transmission than most of the tech laden luxo barges out there these days.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by kaputt

This looks awful imo. There isn't a single car in Mercedes line up that does anything for me.

Actually there are barely any cars out there these days that do anything for me.

Personally I'd rather drive the Corolla Hatchback with a manual transmission than most of the tech laden luxo barges out there these days.

Is it that you want a bunch of switches to push and flick?

[See5]

The S-Class is always going to push the limits so I think the new layout fits.

If the reception by customers is good, I can see many others moving to a similar, lower-cost UI in the near future.

As for the exterior, people have been saying Mercedes have looked like Hyundais for years. Do I agree? No, its a lazy comparison especially since Hyundai/Kia has made a concerted effort to apply Germanic design features to their higher end cars over the past decade plus.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by See5

The S-Class is always going to push the limits so I think the new layout fits.

If the reception by customers is good, I can see many others moving to a similar, lower-cost UI in the near future.

As for the exterior, people have been saying Mercedes have looked like Hyundais for years. Do I agree? No, its a lazy comparison especially since Hyundai/Kia has made a concerted effort to apply Germanic design features to their higher end cars over the past decade plus.

I don't think it's a lazy comparison. It really does resemble a Genesis from the front end especially. That said as you say Hyundai has been stealing German designs for years now so eventually there was no way for the Germans to change or evolve their designs without it possibly crossing into the territory of the copycats that have been basing their designs on the same German cars. When it comes to styling there's only so much you can do that hasn't been before. IMO the new 3 series features the best taillights on a BMW in some time. Some people complain it looks like a Lexus but to me it's worth it to have a better look.

[TXSTYLE]

Maybe some of you have not yet seen the official and final spec photos?
Here ya go. Notice the "Yacht" influence...

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

looks like a hyundai.

Well, it does have Korean license plates.

[arashir]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Maybe some of you have not yet seen the official and final spec photos?
Here ya go. Notice the "Yacht" influence...

This looks like they are trying hard to use lighting to distract you from the emptiness of the interior. The door cards are ok but there is just nothing appealing about that console.

One gets the feeling they observed very carefully how Tesla got away with their phoned-in interior and now that the bar has been lowered they will gladly follow suit for the sake of improving their margins.

Given the competitiveness of the industry it's understandable. They don't need to make it very beautiful, they just need to make it slightly more beautiful than the current competition. Although some other competitors have more beautiful interiors. And I'm not entirely sure why they seem to be tactically positioning their interior so close to the Model 3 since it is arguably not a direct competitor. I can only guess they either feel like they are losing a lot of market share to them and/or savings on eliminating switchgear must be astronomical

[Burrcold]

I can't stand so many of these new interiors...center console slab screen, instrument panel slab screen, flat dash, and seats. The only thing they have to think about is size of the screens, and the door card design (which is getting boring as well...quilted leather, aluminum handles, done).

[GuyOh]

That interior looks terrible!!!!

[Top speed]

[SteveinArizona]

I have a real problem with cars that do away with all the buttons and switches. I want buttons/switches for activities that I will engage in while driving such as adjusting the temp on the AC, changing the volume on the radio, turning on the seat ventilation, adjusting my seat, adjusting the steering wheel, etc. For the rest of the car's features, go ahead and put them in the infotainment system and make me go through the menus. I don't care at that point as I will not be driving. But I don't want to take my eyes off the road to do these activities.

[GeorgeA]

Oh man I hate touch screens. They’re extremely annoying to use while driving. This interior is too simple, cold and bland for an S class imo.

Also, looks kind of similar to a Tesla interior.

[chassis]

It's growing on me. I like all of the details (leather, seats, door panels, etc.) but the total harmony of the interior isn't coming to me, yet.

[aftercorbu]

Originally Posted by See5

The S-Class is always going to push the limits so I think the new layout fits.

If the reception by customers is good, I can see many others moving to a similar, lower-cost UI in the near future.

As for the exterior, people have been saying Mercedes have looked like Hyundais for years. Do I agree? No, its a lazy comparison especially since Hyundai/Kia has made a concerted effort to apply Germanic design features to their higher end cars over the past decade plus.

This... is correct...

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by jstein55

80+ official photos

https://www.motor1.com/news/439063/2...rior-revealed/

I've never considered the interiors of Tesla's to be a strong selling point. People that buy them simply want an EV or want the status of owning a Tesla. I'm not exactly sure why MB would emulate that style of spartan interior with an ipad screen. I'm a firm believer in keeping buttons for climate control, volume, next track at an absolute minimum.

[LOW4LYF]

Benchmark as usual!

Full of Tech and expensive, this is how a Flagship should be. Well done!

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

Benchmark as usual!

Full of Tech and expensive, this is how a Flagship should be. Well done!

Agreed.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

"Good" is a good descriptor, plain jane good. I wouldn't give it a second glance though. If the goal was to make a large car that's inconspicuous, then mission accomplished.

I like this post.

Perhaps they did/do see a niche for the S Class where they're designing for someone who isn't looking for flashy. I used to work at place in Manhattan where we sold ultra-high net worth individuals bespoke automobiles. Our clients were generally old money, finance types and they usually wanted to keep a low profile. The (US) S Class customer can likely afford something more flashy, but here's a quality discrete option.

[GenXer]

I would rather have this instead.

[See5]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I would rather have this instead.

As Frank Stephenson said, in the automotive world if you're moving backwards or staying the same, you're dead in the water.

[GenXer]

I grew up riding and driving a Mercedes and our family have gone through a lot of them.
As far as I can remember, we had 280C, 450SEL, 190E, 500SL, CLK430 cabriolet, C240, SLK280, C300, CLA250 and finally E400 cabriolet and GLC300

They used to feel like a vault and when you sit inside, it felt special. (with the exception of 190E of course. That was a piece of crap)

These days a Mercedes feel more delicate and fragile. Even the $80K E400 doesn't feel quite as special. It's still a fantastic vehicle mind you.

Granted, a Mercedes has gotten less expensive and you could see the cost cutting measures. You won't see titanium grille slats on a new one like you would a 500SL. Not that it does anything for the vehicle but WOW! How's that for attention to details.

Perhaps I was seeing older Mercedes with rose colored glass from my childhood. Which audience is Daimler targeting these S class and high end sedans? Millennials?

Do I have to sit on the front porch and yell "get off my lawn?"
Am I just getting too old for the new Mercedes?

[RM7]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I would rather have this instead.

Schoolbus steering wheel w/no controls: Check!

Annodization/paint to wear off of switches: Check!

Goofy gear-shifter without leather: Check!

I'm not saying I want the highest tech that will fail in 5 years, I'm not sure cars are being made to last more than a few anymore, but I also wouldn't get into one of those archaic things without a few modern amenities.