Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-Benz signals new design direction - 'The days of creases are over'

Cleaner surfaces and less ornamentation for future Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz has released images of a sculpture that should point towards the brand's future design direction - one that focuses on purity, rather than superfluous decoration.

The "Aesthetics A" sculpture takes the form of a typical four-door saloon car, so it could represent several future Mercedes model lines, from the compact CLA to the luxury S-class.

Advertisement - Article continues below

> Mercedes-Benz CLA review - does sporty saloon's drive match its looks?

There are definite hints of the firm's current design language in the sculpture too, albeit more confident, more toned than existing production models. Less complex too, as Mercedes' claims of 'sensual purity' imply - the slightly odd scalloped sides of the existing CLA and C-class in particular are nowhere to be seen.

A confident, sharp shoulder line, which in current models fades in over the front wheel arch and fades out again before the rear wheel, now stretches the entire length of the car, appearing to start where the front light units would begin and ending at their counterparts at the rear.

That line (known within the industry as a 'tornado line') slightly contradicts claims from Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG, Gorden Wagener, that 'the days of creases are over', as does a sharp edge to the boot, but it's undoubtedly a cleaner design than the company's current products.

'Form and body are what remain when creases and lines are reduced to the extreme,' says Wagener. 'We have the courage to implement this purism... the upcoming generation of the compact class has the potential to herald a new design era.'

> Also read: Mercedes-AMG A45 review

That reference to compact class cars suggests that, as it did with the current generation of Mercedes-Benz products, the A-class and its ilk will be some of the first models to adopt the new style. Given the current A-class made its debut in 2012, it may still be a year or so before we see its replacement in production form.

Other notable elements of the Aesthetics A study are the colour - something Mercedes-Benz describes as 'a new signature colour' for the brand (so expect some future concepts to bear this shade, rather than the traditional silver) - and a more rounded grille design, more similar to the AMG GT than the company's existing saloon cars.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mercedes-AMG’s 1000bhp Lotus Eletre fighter spied testing
Mercedes-AMG electric SUV front
News

Mercedes-AMG’s 1000bhp Lotus Eletre fighter spied testing

Don’t ask and ye shall receive, as development of Mercedes-AMG’s monster performance electric SUV continues at pace
5 Mar 2025
From V8s to solid state: Mercedes’ future powertrains will be diverse
Mercedes EQS solid state battery mule
News

From V8s to solid state: Mercedes’ future powertrains will be diverse

EQS test mule will evaluate new solid state battery tech co-designed by Mercedes F1 partner, while elsewhere in Affalterbach, a new V8 is prepared
26 Feb 2025
HWA Evo is a £730k resto-mod Mercedes 190E Evo II tribute
HWA Evo Mercedes 190E restomod front
News

HWA Evo is a £730k resto-mod Mercedes 190E Evo II tribute

The makers of the Mercedes CLK GTR and the Pagani Huayra R’s screaming V12 have developed their modern take on the iconic Mercedes 190E Evo II
2 Jan 2025
The 577bhp Mercedes-AMG Purespeed is Affalterbach’s answer to the McLaren Elva
Mercedes-AMG Purespeed
News

The 577bhp Mercedes-AMG Purespeed is Affalterbach’s answer to the McLaren Elva

The PureSpeed speedster is the first in Mercedes-AMG’s mythos series of ultra-exclusive specials, featuring a V8 powertrain and an AMG One-inspired de…
11 Dec 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Porsche 911 Carrera S 2025 review – a 473bhp BMW M4 CS fighter
Porsche 911 Carrera S – pictures
Reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera S 2025 review – a 473bhp BMW M4 CS fighter

A new Carrera S has arrived with supercar-baiting pace and a £120k starting price – is it the sweet spot of the 992.2 range?
25 Apr 2025
Aston Martin Vantage (1993 - 2000) review – Britain's 550bhp hand-built muscle car
Aston Martin Vantage V550 – front
Reviews

Aston Martin Vantage (1993 - 2000) review – Britain's 550bhp hand-built muscle car

One of Aston Martin's last true hand-built models, the ludicrous twin-supercharged Vantage was a muscle car crossed with a stately home
24 Apr 2025
Used Ford Mustang (S550, 2015 - 2023) review – Ford’s V8 muscle car for £20k
Ford Mustang (S550) front
In-depth reviews

Used Ford Mustang (S550, 2015 - 2023) review – Ford’s V8 muscle car for £20k

The S550 appeared ten years ago as a more sophisticated kind of Mustang, in right-hand drive and with the job of tempting European sports car buyers. …
23 Apr 2025