And the award for the ugliest Mercedes ever go's to...
 

That is HIDEOUS:puke:

Yikes! If they make a convertible version it can tie for the ugliest car ever!
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...no-blog480.jpg

WTF are they thinking, this thing better double as a U boat to justify being that damn ugly

BARF!!!:repuke:

I'd take the AMG one with a V8 Biturbo cranking out 577HP. I'd gladly get the owner drunk and trade it for my 91 Vette since I can't push more than 420 RWHP. Give it a few years and someone will find a way to crank out even more power.

barf me out gag me with a spoon!!

Still prettier than a W163.

Take one Pontiac Aztek, use about 600 sheets of sandpaper...

I don't see a problem with either the GLE or that Nissan in the other picture. Neither one violates any design conventions that I can see.

But maybe that's what people want, bold styling. Witness the Nissan Juke which to me is rolling regurgitation.

GLA still takes the cake in my book.

I like the juke, if anything because it doesn't really take itself seriously. Its a goofy design for a goofy, cheap but fun car. It reminds me a lot of the original RAV4.


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The GLA is like a crossover trying to be a car..but still higher up off the ground but...idk.

Its not as bad looking as the Juke or the Soul..or that Nissan van thing with the stupid shape. Gah.

Just when I thought they could not get uglier than the A-Class... :eek:

I actually like the look and feel of the GLA, especially in the AMG 45 trim. It's a hot hatch.

As you can tell, Daimler has set its sights on a younger, newer demographic. Can't help but notice that many here haven't bought a Mercedes that isn't at least a decade old. :D

Saw a AMG45 the other day, pretty interesting looking car. Wouldn't mind being seen in it and looked like a lot of fun.

What's not to like?

http://lln.mnmcdn.com/photos/content...ive-ri_653.jpg

As part of that "younger, newer" demographic, I still hate it. Performance is great but holy hell it looks like a melted blob.


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In real life it looks very ungainly and awkward. Here it looks like a hot hatch, which it is not. It's bigger and higher than a hatch. I'd wager it is built to compete with the macan and evoque which are both great looking crossover hatches.


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But that's what I like about it. It looks like it's just made to have fun, at least the AMG45. It's for the upscale Subaru WRX STI crowed. And wings are always good :)

I dunno, for the class they're aiming to be a part of, not bad. I think I'd look closely at a Cayenne first though.

The power in this Benz is impressive if not over the top in the 577 hp mode.

The Juke is pug-ugly but a lot of people like that, otherwise nobody would own pugs.

Five-Door Fury: the modern German crossover shootout

After several days of highway cruising, in-town commuting, and flat-out back-road debauchery, it was clear that the Mercedes is the most fun and the Audi the most rational, but the Porsche is the one you'd go to jail for. Even if committing grand theft is the only way you could afford to buy it—or put gas in it.

As Rolls-Royce once said: If you like it the first time you see it then it is already out of date.

That's the case with Audi's. Seeing it the first time; you think nice design, three months later it looks already outdated.

An excellent example.

Ugh, just because BMW & Audi do something doesn't mean you should do it yourself....

Reminds me of a Dodge Caliber!

Looks like a convertible Toyota Echo!

I disagree, I think they're often understated and conservative (maybe aside from the LEDs). The A8 has long been one of my favorite big sedan designs through the generations and has aged better than most big bmws and mercs save for the 90s/early 00s 7 series.


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Well, I think the early '70s Audi 100LS is one if the best looking sedans ever. But then I still believe the W114 and W123 are the pinnacle of Mercedes functional design philosophy.
Even If I liked today's squashed, sloped, bulbous, gnome-like bodies and sinister reptilian frontal styling, the poor visibility, cramped interiors and limited cargo-space really turns me off!

Happy Motoring, Mark

Nice description; and although I agree with you, I would add also the w108/9 and w116 to that lineup of "beautiful, yet highly functional" Mercedes designs that have stood the test of time.

Rolls-Royce, known for their cutting edge, fresh designs. :rolleyes: :D

Mark, while design esthetics are subjective and debatable, there's no argument that the current Mercedes products are appealing to consumers and selling quite well over the past 10 years.

Tail-fins appealed to many consumers in the '50s, even leading Mercedes to adopt them. Though I do find some of those fins tastefull, gracefull, even usefull (and believe some of today's designs might be improved with a pair of fins!)
popular, trendy styling doesn't always equate to good design.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I agree about the 108/109, though I give the W114 & W123 a slight edge for their more up-to-date suspension and more efficient packaging.
Unfortunately, in North America, most W116s were let down by the monstrous bumpers Mercedes cobbled up to meet US federal regulations.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Ah, but aren't those tail fins on those American land yachts garnering their fair share of the collectors market today, being called "classic" designs of their day? They certainly are and the fintail Mercedes are equally charming.

You could say the same about the Toyota Camry


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Never thought of the Camry as a luxury brand, but okay.

Exactly! However, for some reason, a great portion of humans seem to be driven towards "new and different" and seek to distinguish themselves from others as if in constant competition.

If they didn't, designers of all kinds would be out of work.

Isn't good design typically "new and different?"

In the case of mercs being status symbols, newness is likely a key factor of purchase, I imagine aging well is less of a concern than looking trendy for many buyers/leasers.


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I didn't realize we were limiting the discussion to luxury brands, but okay. Take the lexus predator mouth. They sure seem to be selling well despite generally being hideous.


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Poor design can be new and different just as good design.


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Case in point...new and different...yet hideous....

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08...abd8593574.jpg

Damn things are everywhere


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Am I the only person who loves the looks of the QX?

You and about 8,000 new car buyers this year. ;)

However, as soon as their heyday passed, the fins were almost universally reviled, until the cars achieved collector status many years later.
And as I said, I DO find some of those fins tastefull, gracefull, even usefull.
Having owned a couple Mercedes Fintails, I found the fins to be tastefull and very usefull, in that I could see them through the back window and they marked the rear corners if the car when I was backing up.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I find the jelly-bean styling of my '96 Camry sedan to be very tastefull and harmonious. Though it's boring by today's standards, I'll take boring over ugly any day!

Happy Motoring, Mark

From the windshield back, I don't find the boxy styling too objectionable. At least the cabin & cargo areas look as though they might have decent room. However, the dual, stacked-grille styling gives the impression that one car has crashed atop another, and the hump-backed hood and lizard lights are pretty ugly.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I think that's the "kings's new clothes" effect, not because the new models are breathtakingly beautiful.

Happy Motoring, Mark