Originally Posted by K-A (Post 11694170)

Apologies, to each their own, but I couldn't help but LOL. To me, they're at the bottom of their competition in both of those, especially looks and more especially, drive.

I think this AMG is the nicest looking design M-B has released in some time (the only nice M-B I've seen in some time). Though, like most modern M-B's, it's not "quite right" and isn't saying a lot as I feel M-B have been putting out some of the most ugly and flawed designs. A lot of popping-smoke for immediate effect, but even with a much cleaner surface than other modern M-B's, gawky and awkward things like the headlights, bloated rear, etc. and futuristic like what an 80's movie anticipated the future would be like- interior, IMO will not age well.

The biggest issue facing M-B design is an increasing loss of trademark and confident design language. Every M-B seems like they're throwing whatever they can at the wall to see what sticks. The new CL ("S Coupe") and this both look like M-B has mixed their aping of Bangle-era BMW design to now aping Porsche design (blasphemy). But most of all, they're throwing Jag in there now, as well. The entire side and greenhouse of M-B's Coupes lately reek of classic Jag. To me, this one looks like they wanted to absolutely evoke some 911, i.e basically latch on to the iconic 911 to gain some traction in this space, and then undo all the staunch M-B Coupe virtues of the past, to go after a more British-esque, Jag type look. M-B's designers seem to be furthering what has already become a very uncharacteristic identity crisis that M-B has embarked on, since about 2007.

Originally Posted by TRAKCAR (Post 11704686)

I see a Mercedes AMG GT in my future.

Originally Posted by K-A (Post 11696322)

I also think that if the new AMG was trying to seriously go after the 911, they'd at least have made it a mid engine (which is what I thought they were doing when I first heard about it).

That super long nose just looks like it'd have to work a lot harder than a 911 to not be inherently clumsy on a track. The 911 isn't a standard proportion car with a standard style engine in a standard area (V8TT, great, but not bespoke and nowhere near as unique, exclusive, iconic and idolized like Porsche's inherently balanced Flat 6) for a reason, and that's what makes it the one-and-only icon that it is, and why it's the only car out there that changing dramatically works against it.

Originally Posted by Cheekymonkeyman (Post 11695011)

I'm not a mercedes fan (despite enjoying 9 years in an AMG) and would NEVER consider buying it myself... but if this came up in my rear view mirror I'd feel like a legitimate challenge was on...

.

Originally Posted by SnakeBitten (Post 11706797)

They don't need to make it mid-engine to go after a 911. As you can see, the C7 Corvette is doing just fine dynamically against the 991. Does the Ferrari F12 need to be mid-engine as well? Don't think so.

As far as the long nose is concerned, the engine is well behind the front wheels so it will be far from clumsy. This car is supposed to be dynamically superior to the SLS, which was never described as clumsy. This car won't be as oversteer happy and dangerous at the limit as that car to boot.

Mercedes is completely aware that it won't have the golden icon status that the 911 enjoys- that's not the point here. It is supposed to be a formidable competitor; and I have no reason to believe it won't achieve that goal. Looks great here:

Originally Posted by K-A (Post 11708358)

Fair enough, I'm sure they got the dynamics right. IMO the design looks too close to like an SLK or SL (or the increasing number of MB's using that front) at first glance. That's one issue I think MB will keep facing as more cheap cars (and many of them straight up ugly and awkward) come out, all sharing design and parts. It makes it hard to justify spending such money for the upper range models, as they lose their presence to the increasing normalcy of MB's in general. Of course the the AMG SLS and GT, being much more exotic and bespoke in nature separate them from the fray (also offer unique chassis and dynamics that give a fundamental reason to pay up from common Benzes), but IMO still resembles the lesser cars to make justifying such high prices, more difficult.

Mercedes has become a more "bottom to up" brand, while Porsche is still very much a "top to down" one.

Originally Posted by rnl (Post 11708570)

Certainly not understated. Looks like the designers were high school boys

Originally Posted by rnl (Post 11708570)

Certainly not understated. Looks like the designers were high school boys

Originally Posted by Noah Fect (Post 11709456)

That seems to be the current fashion, as exemplified by the C7 Corvette. I guess if the high-school doodle look sells cars it's hard to argue. Kids have more money nowadays than they (we) used to.