Mercedes Could Ditch Panel Creases And It's Actually Kind Of A Big Deal
Here’s a glimpse into the future of what the next generation of Mercedes cars could look like. It’s the Concept A Sedan, which is being showcased at the Shanghai motor show as you read this.
It’s debuting in China presumably because there isn’t enough going on under the skin to make it worth waiting for Frankfurt later this year, but it marks an interesting departure for a German brand: Mercedes is apparently going to get rid of panel creases.
Instead, the bodywork flows elegantly around bulges that play with the light just as effectively as creases without looking stoic or too sober, as so many German designs do. The doors bulge at the top, with a slight kick at the base of the panels. The more you look, the more fundamentally good-looking it gets. Sure, it needs a few tweaks before it hits the showroom, but it’s nearly there.
Okay, so not all the creases are gone; most notably the shoulder line is still a crease, but the chances are that they simply couldn’t make it work without it. Plus, a wholesale cold turkey approach might not be the best for anyone.
When you think about it, this is a significant step. German cars are all easy to recognise by the strength and sobriety in their bodywork creases, whether it’s at the sides of the bonnet, the front wings, the boot or the shoulders. German cars and panel creases have been like reality TV and idiots. Until now, you’ve never had one without the other.
The Concept A is a good-looking saloon nonetheless. The rear lights appear to have been stolen from a Lexus IS, but other than that you’ve got short overhangs, 20-inch wheels, stubby, chunky bumpers and a sleek three-box shape that looks a little more like a coupe than an everyday saloon.
The door handles on the concept are flush with the door itself, and there’s an unusual feature in the headlight clusters, where the ‘grid structure’ has been coated with a UV paint and exposed to UV light, making it look different colours under different kinds of light. Pretty damn cool, but don’t count on it making production.
It’ll be interesting to see what Mercedes does with this by the time the Frankfurt show comes around. Could the humble Concept A be the pointy end of the wedge for a new era in Stuttgart?
Comments
Getting rid of panel creases is a rather pressing issue
I imagine even attempting to repair might be another pressing issue for your wallet :P
“Never mind, I only got a dent on the fender”
Has to change the entire body work
the only ugly thing on this car is the rear end. reminds me of the stupid little poormans Mercedes CLA. other than that im allin
Do the front headlights not look a bit Alfa Giula from the side?
The major issue is the boot. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the design, but it feels like it’s lost all the character of a Merc saloon. It’s gone from a sculpted look to a moulded one; not very German at all.
It doesn’t look that drastic to me.
It’s not a beautiful car but it’s damn sure one of the best looking cars to come from Mercedes in a long time.
More cars take Infiniti cues which is not a positive aspect as they look really generic. One of them is the Giulia, sadly.
Ayy lmao
I just can’t like a car that isn’t boxy… I love all the angles my Merc has. “Flowing” designs just don’t do it for me. It just doesn’t look “masculine” enough… It looks “weak” in my opinion… And it doesn’t really look representative. All of these are just my opinions, so don’t take it too seriously. I am just an old-school kind of guy :D
….This is what every dude driving an old beamer or merc says, if they can’t afford a new one they hate on them.
A stunner though. Good looking Merc. Are they really original MB wheels though?
My dad had that, once we got hit on the right side by a tanker truck and got off with dented doors and body panels, these suckers are tanks
what is crease?
just in case someone answers…
folds, edges, lines, etc.
Interesting, it looks very Japanese.
Hating the rear lights, too much Lexus for me. And GG for anyone buying a Mercedes without the option of replacing the panels, when the rust to cinnamon powder ;)