To celebrate the 30th birthday of the G class Mercedes is launching a special edition called G class Edition 30 pur (yes without an e). Unlike the normal civilian G class, this will be based on the W 461 which until now has only been sold to governments and militaries. That means it is 4x4 unlike the AWD W 463 and instead of luxury items it has usefull features like three 400A batteries and two 12/24V alternators. However a manual air condition and heated seats are on board as a shred of luxury. It will only be available as a 183hp V6 diesel.
(http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com/wp-content/gallery/g30/1024_08C1392_029.jpg)
(http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com/wp-content/gallery/g30/1024_08C1392_027.jpg)
(http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com/wp-content/gallery/g30/1024_08C1392_028.jpg)
(http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com/wp-content/gallery/g30/1024_08C1392_015.jpg)
(http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com/wp-content/gallery/g30/1024_08C1392_002.jpg)
source: http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com/2009/02/sonderserie-g-klasse-als-280-cdi-edition-30-pur/
There will also be an Edition 30 based on the W 463, no info available as of yet, but it is expected to be a standard "special edition" meaning new paint, new wheels and some fancy badging.
Excellent and cool.
What is manual air conditioning?
Quote from: 2o6 on February 14, 2009, 07:48:26 PM
Excellent and cool.
What is manual air conditioning?
No automatic climate control. Push the button for A/C, and adjust the thermostat dial accordingly. Same A/C system as the one in your parent's Econoline (if it has it).
And this thing is freakin' awesome, I want one!
Quote from: The Pirate on February 14, 2009, 09:31:24 PM
No automatic climate control. Push the button for A/C, and adjust the thermostat dial accordingly. Same A/C system as the one in your parent's Econoline (if it has it).
And this thing is freakin' awesome, I want one!
Oh. It's got A/C........I just never knew that that was called
manual A/C, I just thought that every car does it that way.
Quote from: 2o6 on February 14, 2009, 09:33:34 PM
Oh. It's got A/C........I just never knew that that was called manual A/C, I just thought that every car does it that way.
Well, the other version is automatic climate control. In my brother's car, you set the temperature that you want, and the HVAC system automatically adjusts itself to maintain that temperature.
I have never heard it referred to as that, though I suppose it is logical enough.
Quote from: TBR on February 14, 2009, 09:57:17 PM
I have never heard it referred to as that,
Because it never was. :thumbsup:
(until recently)
Fuckin' A.
I want one. This may be my favorite SUV.
God I love the G-class.
The wooden boot deck is awesome, as is the classic interior...much more unique looking than the current design...not to mention, I love the old school look it carries, compared to the new model.
Quote from: Submariner on February 15, 2009, 12:08:40 PM
God I love the G-class.
The wooden boot deck is awesome, as is the classic interior...much more unique looking than the current design...not to mention, I love the old school look it carries, compared to the new model.
+1
The G500 in Germany costs E 88,200. The G280 costs E 49,900-62,000.
Meaning that this little piece of work would be "cheap" if it were sold in the US.
I want it.
As much as I like it...it's time to bring out a new G-class. Unibody, but very similar style wise to the current model.
Quote from: Submariner on February 16, 2009, 06:21:58 PM
As much as I like it...it's time to bring out a new G-class. Unibody, but very similar style wise to the current model.
Nah, I think the G-Class is still at the top of the off-road game. The GL is the Range Rover, LX, etc. competitor.
Quote from: Submariner on February 16, 2009, 06:21:58 PM
As much as I like it...it's time to bring out a new G-class. Unibody, but very similar style wise to the current model.
No thanks. It was done right the first time.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 16, 2009, 06:24:30 PM
Nah, I think the G-Class is still at the top of the off-road game. The GL is the Range Rover, LX, etc. competitor.
True...and should they continue it? Absolutely. But the G-class needs to be competitive with the Range Rover, and in terms of ride, interior space and luxury features, it does not.
Quote from: Submariner on February 16, 2009, 06:27:53 PM
True...and should they continue it? Absolutely. But the G-class needs to be competitive with the Range Rover, and in terms of ride, interior space and luxury features, it does not.
That's where the GL comes in.
Quote from: sandertheshark on February 16, 2009, 06:26:38 PM
No thanks. It was done right the first time.
So keep a 30 year old design rolling?
It's a very sound platform, but the entire vehicle is showing it's age. At the very least, could give it an interior more suited to a 100,000 dollar vehicle.
(http://image.motortrend.com/f/car-news/redesigned-merecedes-benz-g-class-announced/6237489+w600+cr1+re0+ar1/mercedes-benz-g-class-interior.jpg)
vs.
(http://images.myride.com/images/no-transform/myride/promotions/images/images/2009/2009MercedesBenzGL320/2009MercedesBenzGL320Dash400.jpg)
or, vs.
(http://www.carpages.co.uk/land_rover/land_rover_images/land_rover_range_rover_interior_28_12_04.jpg)
The way I see it, the G is a niche vehicle, and MB doesn't expect to sell a lot of them. Since that's the case, why not just let the GL compete with the Range Rover, and the G exist as a niche vehicle? It's at the top of its niche.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 16, 2009, 06:35:17 PM
The way I see it, the G is a niche vehicle, and MB doesn't expect to sell a lot of them. Since that's the case, why not just let the GL compete with the Range Rover, and the G exist as a niche vehicle? It's at the top of its niche.
It is it's own niche, now that the H1 is out of the market.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 16, 2009, 06:35:17 PM
The way I see it, the G is a niche vehicle, and MB doesn't expect to sell a lot of them. Since that's the case, why not just let the GL compete with the Range Rover, and the G exist as a niche vehicle? It's at the top of its niche.
No I get that, but for what they are selling the G-class for, I would think they could give it a vastly improved interior.
Quote from: Submariner on February 16, 2009, 06:37:06 PM
No I get that, but for what they are selling the G-class for, I would think they could give it a vastly improved interior.
I guess. I wouldn't completely revamp the chassis, however.
Remember, this podunk version is only the equivalent of $60k or so. It's not going to and it's not meant to be that luxurious.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 16, 2009, 06:53:52 PM
Remember, this podunk version is only the equivalent of $60k or so. It's not going to and it's not meant to be that luxurious.
Im not talking about this one. The idea of a stripped out diesel is actually quite awesome. However, for the 100k+ market, it really needs to do better.
If they sell, evidently not.
This is really the only Mercedes that I yearn to own.
Quote from: R-inge on February 16, 2009, 09:18:54 PM
This is really the only Mercedes that I yearn to own.
Add this to some other older models (particularly C class AMGs), and I'm with you.
Is that hardwood flooring?
Quote from: Raza link=topic=17618.msg999744#msg999744 date=1234900558
Add this to some other older models (particularly C class AMGs), and I'm with you.
Didn't you just bitch about recent Mercedes quality, and now you want an old C class? :confused:
Quote from: Tave on February 17, 2009, 12:57:51 PM
Didn't you just bitch about recent Mercedes quality, and now you want an old C class? :confused:
I know. But the C43 AMG is just so pretty.
:lol:
It's irrational, but I still like the company. I can't help it. I grew up around them and had one as my first car.
Might like one of those. How much $24K?
Quote from: R-inge on February 16, 2009, 09:18:54 PM
This is really the only Mercedes that I yearn to own.
SLR McLaren? UNIMOG?
Quote from: NomisR on February 17, 2009, 04:50:29 PM
SLR McLaren? UNIMOG?
UNIMOG yes, I forgot that one. SLR McLaren? Nah, I'd rather own a Porsche. Not interested in a supercar that comes only with an automatic.
Quote from: Tave on February 17, 2009, 12:57:51 PM
Didn't you just bitch about recent Mercedes quality, and now you want an old C class? :confused:
C-43 and E-500 were both awesome cars
Quote from: Submariner on February 17, 2009, 11:21:54 PM
C-43 and E-500 were both awesome cars
Oh gag me. The 43 was a good performer, but the interior quality of the W202 was wretched.
Quote from: Tave on February 18, 2009, 06:57:49 AM
Oh gag me. The 43 was a good performer, but the interior quality of the W202 was wretched.
No...certainly no worse than the 3 series of the same vintage, and while it was no A4, it had cars like the ES and I30 beat hands down on build quality and materials.
And, before you say "You're a troll" I have been in every car I mentioned for at lease a half an hour, plenty of time to dash stroke and assess the quality.
Quote from: Submariner on February 18, 2009, 08:32:03 AM
No...certainly no worse than the 3 series of the same vintage,
:wtf:
The point is, if he doesn't like the interior quality/durability/reliability of the 2002 E-Class, he's going to fucking despise that of the 2000 C-Class.
I don't have a clue how BMW, Audi, Lexus, or Infiniti entered the discussion. :wtf:
Quote from: Tave on February 18, 2009, 08:47:31 AM
:wtf:
The point is, if he doesn't like the interior quality/durability/reliability of the 2002 E-Class, he's going to fucking despise that of the 2000 C-Class.
I don't have a clue how BMW, Audi, Lexus, or Infiniti entered the discussion. :wtf:
No...The C was designed before Mercedes took a nosedive. It's not going to be poorly built.
Say that about the W203, then you have a case, a strong, strong case.
Quote from: Tave on February 18, 2009, 08:47:31 AM
:wtf:
The point is, if he doesn't like the interior quality/durability/reliability of the 2002 E-Class, he's going to fucking despise that of the 2000 C-Class.
actually, the 2000 c classes were among the best of the W202s because of them being the final year of production with all the kinks worked out. my dad's car has been pretty much trouble free for most of it's life.
The interior didn't impress me in the slightest.
There are no decent W202 C-Class interior photos on the net. :huh:
This is the best and biggest I could find.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hZrcIHMIYxg/R80FxiPYQzI/AAAAAAAAAHo/vfanRdHlnL0/s400/w202sport+interior.jpg)
Anyway I don't see a problem with the cabin. It was typical solid MB and the materials are the exact same found in the R129 SL, W140 S-Class and even the W124 E-Class. Competitor interiors at the time weren't much different, some even looking worse.
Here's a 1994 Lexus ES. It looks even worse (and has a Camry feel to it).
(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/1990-96-Lexus-ES-250-300-94806051000417.jpg)
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 20, 2009, 02:16:25 PM
There are no decent W202 C-Class interior photos on the net. :huh:
This is the best and biggest I could find.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hZrcIHMIYxg/R80FxiPYQzI/AAAAAAAAAHo/vfanRdHlnL0/s400/w202sport+interior.jpg)
Anyway I don't see a problem with the cabin. It was typical solid MB and the materials are the exact same found in the R129 SL, W140 S-Class and even the W124 E-Class. Competitor interiors at the time weren't much different, some even looking worse.
The Audi A4 B5 simply blew away the competion when it came to the interior. It was that B5 A4 which almost single handidly put Audi back in the game.
(http://www.fourtitude.com/gallery/generated//Audi/A4-S4-RS4%20(B5,%20B6,%20B7%20and%20B8)/A4%20Sedan%20(B5)/Interior/001__scaled_600.jpg)
I disagree. The ES has a quality feel to it, and still looks OK. Nowhere near as staid and boring as the W202.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 20, 2009, 02:16:25 PM
There are no decent W202 C-Class interior photos on the net. :huh:
This is the best and biggest I could find.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hZrcIHMIYxg/R80FxiPYQzI/AAAAAAAAAHo/vfanRdHlnL0/s400/w202sport+interior.jpg)
Anyway I don't see a problem with the cabin. It was typical solid MB and the materials are the exact same found in the R129 SL, W140 S-Class and even the W124 E-Class. Competitor interiors at the time weren't much different, some even looking worse.
Here's a 1994 Lexus ES. It looks even worse (and has a Camry feel to it).
(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/1990-96-Lexus-ES-250-300-94806051000417.jpg)
The W202 wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good. That said, the Lexus did have a nicer interior. It felt richer, and less bargain-basement.
That Lexus looks very Camry-esque. I can't say it'd be my cup of tea. B5, please.
But given the time and the options, even the E36's interior sucked unless you had an M3 Lux or a 328i with all of the bells and whistles. No one really had amazing interiors back then except Audi with the B5 in 1996.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2009, 02:43:07 PM
That Lexus looks very Camry-esque. I can't say it'd be my cup of tea. B5, please.
But given the time and the options, even the E36's interior sucked unless you had an M3 Lux or a 328i with all of the bells and whistles. No one really had amazing interiors back then except Audi with the B5 in 1996.
The B5 was a given. It was leaps and bounds ahead of the class.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 20, 2009, 02:44:45 PM
The B5 was a given. It was leaps and bounds ahead of the class.
Dare I say it, but Saab had decent interiors back then, too. They haven't really changed much in the last 15 years, so while people say they suck now, by the standards of the 1990s, they were pretty good.
That Lexus ES interior looks terrible. Where does it look rich or premium? It's clearly a gussied up Camry interior that screams Toyota all over it. Oh, and it is mega boring too.
The W202 interior was conservative (boring) but with the right trim (Elegance / Avantgarde) had a premium feel to it.
People in 1989 were going nuts over the LS400 cabin while slamming the W126 S-Class interior. Why? :huh:
Pardon me for thinking that the MB interior does look better than that Lexus's.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2009, 02:56:09 PM
Pardon me for thinking that the MB interior does look better than that Lexus's.
That's not a sin. :thumbsup:
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 20, 2009, 02:58:25 PM
That's not a sin. :thumbsup:
But the ES's interior now is absolute r0xx0r.
I guess to compensate for spending so much on the interior and gizmos, they can't afford to make the suspension anything more than jello.
I've driven a few Camrys, though, and they really aren't terrible cars. They just feel like dependable appliances.
I'm not saying that the Camry or ES are bad cars but when it comes to interiors Lexus leaves me baffled. People rave about them as if they're "all that".
Personally I am not impressed with many Lexus interiors, including the IS, RX and LS, models I have sat in and examined. They're overrated from a material POV IMO and the design lacks simplistic elegance that is found in many European cars. The GS interior is great and I have a feeling from looking at photos that the current ES also has a great interior. Those two really good but I have only been in the GS, but something tells me the ES cabin is similar from a material POV.
I hope I don't sound biased but I honestly prefer the conservative, yet elegant cabins of European premium cars. Lexus designs their interiors "too Japanese", which might appeal to a certain group but to me such interiors completely lack any form of elegance and class. If Lexus wants to design interiors that appeal to me (and probably other Europeans), then they need to maybe start COPYING European premium car interiors. Seriously. :devil:
Lexus interiors don't have the same quality of materials as MBs or Audis, but then again, an LS starts at $60k and not $90k here.
That, and the Lexus up at the $80-90k mark is most definitely more feature-laden than a similarly priced Benz, and it does have a definite feel of quality.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2009, 03:10:33 PM
That, and the Lexus up at the $80-90k mark is most definitely more feature-laden than a similarly priced Benz, and it does have a definite feel of quality.
They definitely do have quality interiors, but they just don't feel on the same level as that of the Germans, especially in the S-Class, A8 and 7er class. I find the LS interior to lack elegance and class. It looks busy and all that silver plastic ends up looking real gimmicky (and almost cheap). The cabin is not helped by that dreadful "fake-looking" wood the LS uses. Overall I feel it is a notch below the interiors of the Germans.
The previous LS430, W220, A8 and 7er had interiors which were pretty much all similar and evenly matched. Now, I feel that the Germans raised the bar in this specific department and Lexus didn't react.
Oddly enough, I agree with Wimmer on this. The only Lexus interior I like is that of the IS, the rest just don't do anything for me.
In the '90s it was a bit more of a mixed bag, the GS and SC had nice interiors in my eyes, but I still preferred the very conservative, but high quality look of the Mercedes interiors, particularly in black.
Real Mercedes Benz
(http://www.pinzgauer.com/shfull.php?table=pics_vehicles&picid=1569)
One of the things I personally think a luxury interior should have is a "simple design layout that radiates elegance and class". Lexus interiors fall short here, big time. They're well-made, obviously, but they lack this simplistic elegance which I think a number of people want in a luxury car. These type of simplistic interiors tend to relax people and reinforce the comfort feeling of the cabin. Every Lexus interior to me, with the exception of the GS and ES is bulky, BUSY, appears to have terrible ergonomics and looks different from the "norm". That's a not a bad thing, but it is something that just doesn't appeal to me. The GS and ES are the only Lexus interiors that are simple in design, elegant and I feel have more fitting materials than other Lexus products. The rest of the lineup lacks elegant interiors.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2009, 03:01:27 PM
But the ES's interior now is absolute r0xx0r.
I guess to compensate for spending so much on the interior and gizmos, they can't afford to make the suspension anything more than jello.
I've driven a few Camrys, though, and they really aren't terrible cars. They just feel like dependable appliances.
The current ES's interior appears very cheap when you're in it. And, I couldn't stop opening that damn center console storage whenever I wanted to use the shifter. And the accelerator surged when you let off the brake.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 21, 2009, 02:32:05 AM
One of the things I personally think a luxury interior should have is a "simple design layout that radiates elegance and class". Lexus interiors fall short here, big time. They're well-made, obviously, but they lack this simplistic elegance which I think a number of people want in a luxury car. These type of simplistic interiors tend to relax people and reinforce the comfort feeling of the cabin. Every Lexus interior to me, with the exception of the GS and ES is bulky, BUSY, appears to have terrible ergonomics and looks different from the "norm". That's a not a bad thing, but it is something that just doesn't appeal to me. The GS and ES are the only Lexus interiors that are simple in design, elegant and I feel have more fitting materials than other Lexus products. The rest of the lineup lacks elegant interiors.
I need a good laugh. Demonstrate simplicity in
any current top level luxury car, with the possible exception of the Jaguar XJ.
And don't tell me that iDrive and iDrive ripoffs (I'm looking at you, Mercedes) makes it simple because it takes away the buttons.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 21, 2009, 02:32:05 AM
One of the things I personally think a luxury interior should have is a "simple design layout that radiates elegance and class". Lexus interiors fall short here, big time. They're well-made, obviously, but they lack this simplistic elegance which I think a number of people want in a luxury car. These type of simplistic interiors tend to relax people and reinforce the comfort feeling of the cabin. Every Lexus interior to me, with the exception of the GS and ES is bulky, BUSY, appears to have terrible ergonomics and looks different from the "norm". That's a not a bad thing, but it is something that just doesn't appeal to me. The GS and ES are the only Lexus interiors that are simple in design, elegant and I feel have more fitting materials than other Lexus products. The rest of the lineup lacks elegant interiors.
If there's one thing Lexus walks all over MB on, it's electronics. The Lexus touch screen is much easier to use than COMAND is.
Quote from: Raza on February 21, 2009, 08:14:46 AM
The current ES's interior appears very cheap when you're in it. And, I couldn't stop opening that damn center console storage whenever I wanted to use the shifter. And the accelerator surged when you let off the brake.
My assumption was based on the last generation ES which really did feel like a much more expensive car from the inside. I have not gotten to play with the new ES yet (Two weeks from now is the Cleveland Auto show, so...), but it wouldn't surprise me about the interior materials.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 21, 2009, 09:37:35 AM
My assumption was based on the last generation ES which really did feel like a much more expensive car from the inside. I have not gotten to play with the new ES yet (Two weeks from now is the Cleveland Auto show, so...), but it wouldn't surprise me about the interior materials.
Cleveburg's is in two weeks?
Quote from: Raza on February 21, 2009, 08:18:32 AM
Demonstrate simplicity in any current top level luxury car, with the possible exception of the Jaguar XJ.
Audi A8, MB S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ come to mind.
LS? Not even on the list. That interior is a design mess.
Quote from: Raza on February 21, 2009, 08:18:32 AMAnd don't tell me that iDrive and iDrive ripoffs (I'm looking at you, Mercedes) makes it simple because it takes away the buttons.
I'm talking about
design, not user interface.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 21, 2009, 04:57:13 PM
Audi A8, MB S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ come to mind.
LS? Not even on the list. That interior is a design mess.
I'm talking about design, not user interface.
Who gives a flying fuck about design if the damn thing is hard to use? The LS has a fine interior, it's about as good as the S-Class'.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 21, 2009, 04:59:34 PM
Who gives a flying fuck about design if the damn thing is hard to use? The LS has a fine interior, it's about as good as the S-Class'.
Sure, the LS interior is great but it doesn't have that elegance which the Europeans have. Come to think of it there are no real elegant Japanese interiors in luxury cars. Even the famed Toyota Century has an interior that is....bah. :tounge:
(http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/3439/century24cd.jpg)
It's funny, I consider the Acura RL / Honda Legend to have one of the best Japanese luxury interiors. Despite being very high-tech in appearance and modern, it does possess an elegance that is lacking in the Lexus LS cockpit.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 21, 2009, 05:15:10 PM
Sure, the LS interior is great but it doesn't have that elegance which the Europeans have. Come to think of it there are no real elegant Japanese interiors in luxury cars. Even the famed Toyota Century has an interior that is....bah. :tounge:
(http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/3439/century24cd.jpg)
It's funny, I consider the Acura RL / Honda Legend to have one of the best Japanese luxury interiors. Despite being very high-tech in appearance and modern, it does possess an elegance that is lacking in the Lexus LS cockpit.
I hate the RL interior, it looks like a cheap boom box.
Infiniti makes the best interiors of the Japanese in my opinion:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2981543218_1b27406a23.jpg?v=0)
(http://media.automotive.com/izmo/pix_320/infiniti/m/2008/4sa-4%2035/dashboard.jpg)
(http://photo.netcarshow.com/Lexus-LS_600h_L_2008_photo_0c.jpg)
(http://photo.netcarshow.com/Lexus-LS_600h_L_2008_photo_0e.jpg)
I'm no Lexus fan, but you do have to give them credit where it's due. If that's not elegant, I don't know what is.
(http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/images/2007-s550-interior.jpg)
I like the S-Class' interior more than the LS', but as for elegance, the LS is just as elegant as the S is.
This is what I think of every time I see the LS's interior:
(http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6725/spock2ft1.jpg)
I hate it.
I like the Lexus' more if only because I like buttons. I like easy access. The Germans used to be all about 200 buttons on the dash and being able to find what you're looking for. Now, they have scroll wheels, that while effective, are often cumbersome and redundant.
Simplicity makes my heart flutter. Give me the Lex, worse materials and all.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 21, 2009, 08:25:06 PM
I like the Lexus' more if only because I like buttons. I like easy access. The Germans used to be all about 200 buttons on the dash and being able to find what you're looking for. Now, they have scroll wheels, that while effective, are often cumbersome and redundant.
Simplicity makes my heart flutter. Give me the Lex, worse materials and all.
But the materials really aren't worse. :huh:
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 21, 2009, 08:59:46 PM
But the materials really aren't worse. :huh:
Worse in this case is still better than 99.9% of automobiles made today, but I do think the MB's materials feel a little richer.
Worse in this context doesn't mean bad by any stretch.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 21, 2009, 09:06:03 PM
Worse in this case is still better than 99.9% of automobiles made today, but I do think the MB's materials feel a little richer.
Worse in this context doesn't mean bad by any stretch.
Yeah, I got that, but it seriously isn't any worse than the MB's interior.
Again, I prefer the S-Class' interior, but once again, give credit where it's due.
Quote from: TBR on February 21, 2009, 05:35:14 PM
This is what I think of every time I see the LS's interior:
(http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6725/spock2ft1.jpg)
I hate it.
Racist.
Quote from: TBR on February 21, 2009, 05:26:40 PM
I hate the RL interior, it looks like a cheap boom box.
Infiniti makes the best interiors of the Japanese in my opinion:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2981543218_1b27406a23.jpg?v=0)
(http://media.automotive.com/izmo/pix_320/infiniti/m/2008/4sa-4%2035/dashboard.jpg)
The first picture looks like shit.
Quote from: thecarnut on February 22, 2009, 12:35:34 AM
The first picture looks like shit.
Still a nice looking interior, I'd say nicer than the C, 3, and perhaps even the A4.
The M interior on the other hand is just...meh.
Quote from: TBR on February 21, 2009, 05:26:40 PM
I hate the RL interior, it looks like a cheap boom box.
Infiniti makes the best interiors of the Japanese in my opinion:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2981543218_1b27406a23.jpg?v=0)
(http://media.automotive.com/izmo/pix_320/infiniti/m/2008/4sa-4%2035/dashboard.jpg)
Now that is where we disagree. I saw the Acura RL up close once in the form of the Honda Legend it sold as here. The interior was really good-looking to me from a material POV. And despite being a busy design, it still manages to come across somewhat classy and elegant in its own way.
Infiniti interiors don't speak to me at all. Their designs make me go "Eh...". :tounge:
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 21, 2009, 05:28:35 PM
I'm no Lexus fan, but you do have to give them credit where it's due. If that's not elegant, I don't know what is.
I like the S-Class' interior more than the LS', but as for elegance, the LS is just as elegant as the S is.
These are our individual opinions which are always going to be subjective. The LS interior is really busy and just doesn't seem "settled" enough for me. I suppose it is the Lexus way - many buttons mean more features and more clueless people going "Yay!". :tounge:
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 21, 2009, 04:57:13 PM
Audi A8, MB S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ come to mind.
LS? Not even on the list. That interior is a design mess.
I'm talking about design, not user interface.
You're so brand blind, it's not even funny anymore.
Quote from: Raza link=topic=17618.msg1004895#msg1004895 date=1235357529
You're so brand blind, it's not even funny anymore.
No kidding.
Quote from: Raza on February 22, 2009, 07:52:09 PM
You're so brand blind, it's not even funny anymore.
Isn't his sig quote a little ironic too? Remember, Mercedes makes the CLS, the R-class, and the G-wagon.
Quote from: TBR on February 22, 2009, 08:15:06 PM
Isn't his sig quote a little ironic too? Remember, Mercedes makes the CLS, the R-class, and the G-wagon.
Well, in his defense, Mercedes fills niches with more of point than the ones BMW fills. That said, they aren't saints in the matter.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 22, 2009, 08:18:53 PM
Well, in his defense, Mercedes fills niches with more of point than the ones BMW fills. That said, they aren't saints in the matter.
Eh, I don't see how a 4-door coupe makes any more sense than a SUV sedan or how an AWD, $50k minivan makes any more sense than a $50k hatchback luxury car.
Quote from: TBR on February 22, 2009, 08:38:16 PM
Eh, I don't see how a 4-door coupe makes any more sense than a SUV sedan or how an AWD, $50k minivan makes any more sense than a $50k hatchback luxury car.
Whatever the case, all of them make more sense than the X6 (which I would probably buy over an R-Class)
Quote from: Raza on February 22, 2009, 07:52:09 PM
You're so brand blind, it's not even funny anymore.
:rolleyes:
Since when is an opinion considered "brand blindness"? The A8, 7er and S-Class interior are simple and elegant. The LS interior is busy and lacks elegance. It's my opinion.
If Lexus comes along with a nice interior which I like, then I will give credit where credit is due. For now, the only Lexus interiors which follow this "simple and elegant" design language appear to be the GS and ES. The rest of their interiors are all FUGLY.
Quote from: TBR on February 22, 2009, 08:15:06 PM
Isn't his sig quote a little ironic too? Remember, Mercedes makes the CLS, the R-class, and the G-wagon.
G, GL, GLK, ML, R.
:lol:
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 23, 2009, 03:58:47 AM
:rolleyes:
Since when is an opinion considered "brand blindness"? The A8, 7er and S-Class interior are simple and elegant. The LS interior is busy and lacks elegance. It's my opinion.
If Lexus comes along with a nice interior which I like, then I will give credit where credit is due. For now, the only Lexus interiors which follow this "simple and elegant" design language appear to be the GS and ES. The rest of their interiors are all FUGLY.
The S and 7 don't have simple and elegant designs. They are sparse and barren. The A8 is a better interior than the LS, that much is true.
And I find it odd that you like the ES and GS interiors, when I consider them to be the worst of all the Lexus interiors. Huge expanses of plain plastic in the GS and cheap, fake looking (I don't know if it is fake or not) wood in the ES.
Quote from: Raza on February 23, 2009, 10:40:02 AM
The S and 7 don't have simple and elegant designs. They are sparse and barren. The A8 is a better interior than the LS, that much is true.
And I find it odd that you like the ES and GS interiors, when I consider them to be the worst of all the Lexus interiors. Huge expanses of plain plastic in the GS and cheap, fake looking (I don't know if it is fake or not) wood in the ES.
They are horrid, especially that ovular theme that runs down the center of the ES...yuck.
I actually really like the interior in the LS, they just miss out on the details that Mercedes, BMW, Audi honed in on.
I actually like the overall design of the LS over the A8.
For me the best looking interior of a luxury car at the moment is the XF. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with the next XJ.
When is the next XJ due?
Quote from: nickdrinkwater on February 23, 2009, 11:37:31 AM
For me the best looking interior of a luxury car at the moment is the XF. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with the next XJ.
Really?
I hate the XF.
Quote from: Raza on February 23, 2009, 11:56:15 AM
Really?
I hate the XF.
I am still warming up to the exterior, but the interior is just about perfect:
(http://www.33rebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/jaguar-xf-3.gif)
Though I wish they hadn't abandoned the traditional shifter, but oh well.
I like wood better than (possibly fake) aluminum, so I wish you could get that interior with a swath of wood on the dash instead, and I'm not sure about the perforated seats, but otherwise, I do have to agree that the interior is a nice place to be.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 24, 2009, 12:38:32 PM
I like wood better than (possibly fake) aluminum, so I wish you could get that interior with a swath of wood on the dash instead, and I'm not sure about the perforated seats, but otherwise, I do have to agree that the interior is a nice place to be.
I'd normally agree with you, but this is a particularly good combination of the two and the aluminum trim actually looks like aluminum.
Quote from: Raza on February 23, 2009, 10:40:02 AM
The S and 7 don't have simple and elegant designs. They are sparse and barren. The A8 is a better interior than the LS, that much is true.
Sparse, yes, barren no. The sparseness of those interiors is the "simplistic elegance" I am talking about. Add to that pleasing design and that is what I am getting at.
Quote from: Raza on February 23, 2009, 10:40:02 AMAnd I find it odd that you like the ES and GS interiors, when I consider them to be the worst of all the Lexus interiors. Huge expanses of plain plastic in the GS and cheap, fake looking (I don't know if it is fake or not) wood in the ES.
I've only see the GS interior in real life and it makes a decent impression on me, despite the massive plastic and little wood. The ES interior looks similar from a quality and material POV. Strangely I find the GS interior better put together than the LS from a visual point of view (panel gaps etc.).
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 24, 2009, 03:43:56 PM
Sparse, yes, barren no. The sparseness of those interiors is the "simplistic elegance" I am talking about. Add to that pleasing design and that is what I am getting at.
This is simplistic elegance:
(http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/P2006_1031.jpg)
This is barren:
(http://thepassionatepursuit.com/images/weblog/07-09-07-2008-lexus-gs-interior.jpg)
Quote
I've only see the GS interior in real life and it makes a decent impression on me, despite the massive plastic and little wood. The ES interior looks similar from a quality and material POV. Strangely I find the GS interior better put together than the LS from a visual point of view (panel gaps etc.).
Probably reminds you of this:
(http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/7/h/s/ag_08cclass_luxint_tan.jpg)
That Volvo, GS and C-Class interior in my book are all simplistic elegance.
Quote from: TBR on February 24, 2009, 04:22:59 PM
This is simplistic elegance:
(http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/P2006_1031.jpg)
This is barren:
(http://thepassionatepursuit.com/images/weblog/07-09-07-2008-lexus-gs-interior.jpg)
Probably reminds you of this:
(http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/7/h/s/ag_08cclass_luxint_tan.jpg)
That volvo is very elegant, but the materials let an overall very nice design down.
Quote from: Submariner on February 24, 2009, 07:30:37 PM
That volvo is very elegant, but the materials let an overall very nice design down.
It looks nice enough and that's all I care about.
Quote from: TBR on February 24, 2009, 08:27:19 PM
It looks nice enough and that's all I care about.
No doubt there...it does look very good.