newyorktoLA

Check out this article, the new LED headlights look awesome:
http://indianautosblog.com/2011/11/2...s-benz-e-class

I don't know if this is for real or not, but I wouldn't mind the extra additions

K-A

Yeah, that's been around for a bit. Not sure if it's the actual facelift or testing out different things.

I've seen lots of different renderings at this point, some removing the Pontoon crease on the rear fenders, and some actually removing the quad headlights for something more generic (singular headlights on each side). I've even seen a render with the current headlights, but the eyebrows on top cut off, and the hood just lengthened to go further down and cover it.

Of course, the normal grille tweaking I've seen, with a more popping-out, slightly rounded out grille.

Needless to say, none of these renders look promising to me, nor completely believable, considering how extensive the work was (looked more like redesigns than facelifts).

Whatever the case will be (regarding how extensive it'll be), I think we'll definitely see new graphics and more details in the headlights (love it or hate it thing), LED's in the headlights, and maybe an LED headlight Option? Also, naturally, different graphics on the taillight LED's. Other natural tweaks as well, of course.

IMO, the exterior tweaks we've seen thus far to the W212 have only brought it down since its intro year, i.e the generic straight LED's on the 2012 models, and the terrible new Standard Sport Wheels on the 2012 models. Hopefully the facelift isn't too enticing 'cause I'm either keeping this E I have now or forcing myself onto something else (E is my #1 but I've already 2).

YYZ-E55

That's not the facelift.

SolidGranite

Mercedes usually NAILS their refreshes so I wouldn't pay any attention to the renders.

BenzV12

I already saw this on the auto blogs . There is not much difference compared to present W212 E Class .
This new upcoming model is also very lovely as today's W212 E Class

K-A

Except for the headlights of the new C-Class, IMO (especially being hideous reflectors). I don't know why they did that, the front lost some of its sharpness tome.

hyperion667

meh.......no hockey stick led's LOL

BM2BZ

i think they put the led strip, like audi, right below the headlights. ouch .

mnje350

I think it is a test vehicle. Look at the difference between the left and right hand fog lights. I hope the don't go but ugly with LEDs the way some of the competition has.

BM2BZ

same fog lights. one just has tapes on.

LaicepsYdobon

This article got picked up by my RSS reader from Motor Authority today.

Link: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...e-class-report

"Mercedes-Benz used last month’s Detroit Auto Show to unveil its 2013 E Class, which pretty much remains unchanged for the latest model year though offers a new E400 Hybrid model in the U.S. and an E300 Bluetec Hybrid elsewhere.

That won’t be the case when the 2014 model arrives early next year, as the latest reports coming out of Germany indicate that a major facelifted is planned for the car’s mid-cycle update.

According to Autobild, the 2013 E Class will be hardly recognizable standing next to the current model thanks to a new look inspired by the lines of the upcoming A Class.

The sharp and edgy look of the current model will reportedly be dropped in favor of softer lines and a more elegant appearance. Only the roof, windows, and doors will stay the same.

One major difference between the new model and the current one will be the adoption of a single headlamp unit instead of the dual-unit design, something that’s featured on the E Class for the past three generations now.

There will also be more technology installed, including new camera monitoring systems in the front bumper designed to read the road ahead for undulations and adjust the suspension accordingly. A similar system will debut on the new 2013 S Class.

Also in the works is a new E Class ‘Superlight’ model, though this is expected to share more in common with the next-generation E Class due out later this decade. The Superlight would be sold alongside more conventional E Class models as a rival for rival for the upcoming Audi e-tron and BMW i ranges."

K-A

WOW. Sounds like good news to me, as the current model won't look like an "old version" as much as a completely different car, I'd think.

SolidGranite

While I don't think they "nailed" the headlights per se... The rest of the refresh was a MASSIVE improvement over the 2011.

K-A

I like the new bumper which is basically the same sharp bumper as the W212 and new M-B Design Language, but I mostly think the W204 facelift is nice and subtle (and the whole interior was NECESSARILY changed). Those LED's in the headlights I've never seen on one in person though, they all have the nasty new reflector units (not projectors anymore for the Halogen cars).

The taillights are a big improvement as well (graphics), of course, and the rear bumper is subtle, but nicely evolved. Other than that, I dig the W204 facelift, but don't think it necessarily dates the pre-facelift (especially if you swap the taillights). One area I personally definitely like the pre-facelift W204 more is the headlights shape/units, however.

K-A

These look like the most realistic ones yet!

Good way for the car to lose its individuality and visual punch. Though, simplifies it a little and might make it more "universal". For me, as an enthusiast of the car, I like the bolder elements that they seem to be ridding.

I absolutely love the Ponton fender, wouldn't want this car without it, and that has most to do with the vertical crease that they seem to be getting rid of.


[/quote]

Some live pics. I think these are just prototypes though, and might not be the actual facelifts?

BM2BZ

don't really care about the taillights from the second picture.

RobbieRob

I think their really pushing the E to be more luxury based. In that case I probably will be buying something different when I get my next car because I tend to like more sport/luxury vehicles. Maybe a CLS in my future. I think the led's ,in the headlights and down below, isn't the best choice, one place or the other...

BenzV12

I got a car mag yesterday but didn't take a look inside .There was W212 facelift on the cover so this is why I bought it

I think that cover car was exactly what K-A posted . It doesn't look unpleasant but I am still happy with my 2012 order

K-A

Yeah, M-B is overkilling it with the LED's. Both the headlights and lower bumper are too much. IMO, it's a fad-forward kind of look that will date the car faster than the cars design itself might date. Also, it's distracting from the big picture of design, the LED's on the new current S-Class look okay, but also look like Christmas Tree lights, they leave a bigger impression on you than the car itself!

Arrie

Yeah,too Audi-like.

And front is like S-model.

Hope they really change the looks a lot so our W212 stays in value. Our car is extremely good looking car and it will be difficult to make it look better.

But automakers must keep doing it to stay in the game...

Arrie

Is this the new E front?

What is the point having two rows of LEDs? I thought the LEDs at the head lights would make room for fog lights at the bottom but there is another row of LEDs? And that C-shaped parking light..lol.

Is MB getting desperate with lighting now when all others have been ahead with the LED technology?

Wig

No. This is the 2012 C-Class.

K-A

I think that's the case indeed. That is the new C front though, lol.

I agree about the changes, as well. I wouldn't mind a drastic change, as IMO it'll keep the earlier ones possibly more distinct and better looking, allowing them to age more gracefully. It's when a design is subtly but effectively slightly refined that makes the original date.... doesn't seem to be the case with the E facelift so far.

alsyli

The C-class refresh is the only mid-cycle change I've liked in the recent past!

If the GL I saw testing around LA recently is any indication, then the ponton fenders aren't going anywhere soon (the GL *clearly* had them and more full-length taillights, like the new ML; otherwise, the car looks virtually the same on the outside, which is why I haven't bothered to post pics).... On a totally random note, saw an Alfa-Romeo testing in Los Angeles (looked like an update of a current model; quite handsome).

I actually wouldn't mind MB replacing the current headlights w/ a one-piece design since the 2 piece design always seemed like a (very un-MB) silly affectation (and since I *hated* the W210 and all the weird "melted" headlight designs that followed in the late 1990's/early 2000's).

El Cid

Personally I prefer the four round fogs/DRL's on my 2010 to the sticks, but LED sticks seem to be the latest fad.
Big thing though is the four "headlights." That makes the E Class immediately stand out from the C and S classes. Hate to see them go.