[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by R N M

That interior is hideous and a Tesla ripoff.
Tesla has screen double the size and way better tech. MB about to lose lots of loyal old Sclass owners- hopefully new 7 will be great but I doubt it with BMW giant grill styling.

On the surface I felt the same, then I I figured Mercedes must believe that (a) loyal owners will always return to the S-class and (b) this radical departure inside would attract a lot of the Tesla crowd, aka techies.

Clearly playing by the traditional luxury book hasn't helped competitors like the 7-series, A8, and LS much. Only time will tell if this goes down in history as a success or another W220.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by R N M

That interior is hideous and a Tesla ripoff.
Tesla has screen double the size and way better tech. MB about to lose lots of loyal old Sclass owners- hopefully new 7 will be great but I doubt it with BMW giant grill styling.

This more your style?

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

On the surface I felt the same, then I I figured Mercedes must believe that (a) loyal owners will always return to the S-class and (b) this radical departure inside would attract a lot of the Tesla crowd, aka techies.

I believe it's this. The market has shifted and Mercedes must have done their market research which indicated to them that the average age of the buyer is now younger and the ones buying it are more tech-inclined which is typically not the traditional buyers we have attached to the S-Class.

But with that said, the S-Class went from more traditional and almost timeless look with the W222, which I think will age extremely well to the all-out tech, build for today W223.

If there was ever a time for BMW to claw back some market share with the 7er, now is the time to do it with the next-generation 7er.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I believe it's this. The market has shifted and Mercedes must have done their market research which indicated to them that the average age of the buyer is now younger and the ones buying it are more tech-inclined which is typically not the traditional buyers we have attached to the S-Class.

But with that said, the S-Class went from more traditional and almost timeless look with the W222, which I think will age extremely well to the all-out tech, build for today W223.

If there was ever a time for BMW to claw back some market share with the 7er, now is the time to do it with the next-generation 7er.

Yup that's why I posted that photo of the W222 interior....simply timeless with just the right amount of tech without being overbearing. Lovely cabin.

BMW took advantage of the W220 missing the mark with the E65. This could be another opportunity to do the same. The 7-series played it extremely safe with the current generation inside and out (besides the LCI grille). It's frankly been a very forgettable car, BMW was once the industry leader in innovation and needs to show that again.

[stein_325i]

The W222 was definitely a fantastic S-Class, I mean even in the end of its life-cycle it is still the best class in its segment, and the new G90, 7er, A8 and LS have not been able to hold a candle to it. Exyerior wise looks like a light refresh and I'm sure we'll grow to it, I'm honestly fine with it already as its not too many new details, more interested to see the luxury and AMG design styles, as well as the rumored pop-out door handles.

I'm not a fan of the the touchscreen interior, however like others have stated, this was somewhat inevitable. I mean look at Audi, all new interiors are all touch, no more MMI. Merc was transitioning their cars into it with the introduction of the touch pads and MBUX. Luxury is starting to mean technology these days since Tesla has been pushing touchscreens, not to mention its overall cheaper to produce while still looking "impressive" of "cool" to the masses. The large sedan market was dying anyways, so it looks like they are maybe taking a gamble at trying to capture a new buyer and hopefully retain some older buyers. If not they will likely look maybe elsewhere in the lineup. My sales advisor said many W140,220, and 221 owners have since switched from S-Class to the E-Class sedan or wagon or GLE for their families within the last few years.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by jstein55

The W222 was definitely a fantastic S-Class, I mean even in the end of its life-cycle it is still the best class in its segment, and the new G90, 7er, A8 and LS have not been able to hold a candle to it. Exyerior wise looks like a light refresh and I'm sure we'll grow to it, I'm honestly fine with it already as its not too many new details, more interested to see the luxury and AMG design styles, as well as the rumored pop-out door handles.

I'm not a fan of the the touchscreen interior, however like others have stated, this was somewhat inevitable. I mean look at Audi, all new interiors are all touch, no more MMI.

I hate the trend towards touchscreens but like you said, its inevitable but if manufacturers are going to slam us with tech, I think Audi provided the best compromise - design/layout that everyone is accustomed to while giving us the touchscreens. I think the S-Class went too extreme, not really fitting a S-Class even if the buyers are now younger.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I hate the trend towards touchscreens but like you said, its inevitable but if manufacturers are going to slam us with tech, I think Audi provided the best compromise - design/layout that everyone is accustomed to while giving us the touchscreens. I think the S-Class went too extreme, not really fitting a S-Class even if the buyers are now younger.

Agree, although looks like there are possibly controls in the AC vents as well like an Audi TT/R8, I don't mind touchscreens, as long as I get a physical AC controls, sadly most cars now don't have neither.

[Burrcold]

The heads up display "hole" looks gigantic!!

[Mach550]

The S class is supposed to be the leader of the pack but this thing looks like a mixture of base model MB and hyundai bits thrown in. That interior is 10+ steps backward in feeling of luxury. Looks like a economy cars dash with some screens duct taped in.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

The heads up display "hole" looks gigantic!!

I have a feeling their maybe going to use it for AR similar to how they have the AR navigation directions that use the camera's to direct the driver. The S-Class is usually the car that premieres new tech that will eventually get passed down the range so I'm curious to see what will happen there.

[RM7]

Chances are, much of the interior displays are gesture control in addition to touchscreen.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Mach550

The S class is supposed to be the leader of the pack but this thing looks like a mixture of base model MB and hyundai bits thrown in. That interior is 10+ steps backward in feeling of luxury. Looks like a economy cars dash with some screens duct taped in.

Agree the design is too minimalist compared to the gorgeous design and details of the W222 that give it the "ultra luxury" almost show off looks.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Agree the design is too minimalist compared to the gorgeous design and details of the W222 that give it the "ultra luxury" almost show off looks.

And similar to new Audi's, it's going to be a nightmare to clean all of the dust and fingerprints off the screens and the giant sea of gloss black plastic on the dash. I don't understand why automakers think this is a good thing. To my eyes, that interior even with the big screens would look so much better if it maintained the beautifully leather stitched upper IP and dash like the current model.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

The heads up display "hole" looks gigantic!!

From what I've read, it will house some sort of a state of the art HUD and Atonymous Driving System.

[Mingwan]

Prefer the previous version. Also reminds me of the Avalon interior.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

From what I've read, it will house some sort of a state of the art HUD and Atonymous Driving System.

That's what I figured as well, but it is still an enormous hole in the dash! lol

[W///]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I'm sure we will all warm up to the exterior, but the interior is shockingly bad in my opinion. The W222 interior so so opulent and extravagant with its flowing lines, round vents, diamond stitching on the dash, piping, etc. This looks like a dressed up Model 3 in comparison.

I don't understand the logic here, maybe they figure that since Tesla has stolen the mojo of the S-class when it comes to the people's attention toward new automotive trends they had to appeal to the tech crowd? Going with another opulent and traditional looking cabin like that of the W222 may have been playing it too "safe." Only time will tell whether this gamble pays off. Personally I prefer Bentley's approach to modern interior design.

Spot on. The side air vents also look like they were just plopped on there, doesn't flow with anything.

The exterior is also unspectacular in every single way too.

[IllSic_Design]

That thing looks so cheap and hideous inside. S class??? Wtf

[Hegge]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Big sedans are dead, so who really cares?

Not to mention the historical massive depreciation on the S-Class.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Hegge

Not to mention the historical massive depreciation on the S-Class.

Although it's still better than a 7er or A8, much less the poor XJ.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by Hegge

Not to mention the historical massive depreciation on the S-Class.

I think every S-class ends up in the hood after 5 years or so lol.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

I think every S-class ends up in the hood after 5 years or so lol.

How will a low rent drug dealer handle a used one of these?