Svolta di Källenius…..

In realtà, il futuro della Classe A era già stato deciso da tempo, e non sembrava roseo. Nel marzo 2025 Mercedes aveva dichiarato ufficialmente che non avrebbe sviluppato un modello successivo alla compatta. La nuova CLA avrebbe assunto il ruolo di modello base, mentre la casa di Stoccarda avrebbe orientato la propria strategia in modo coerente verso il lusso e i margini elevati. Ma ora c'è stata una svolta spettacolare: al congresso auto motor und sport, il CEO Ola Källenius ha confermato personalmente che ci sarà un nuovo modello entry-level quando l'attuale Classe A arriverà a fine produzione alla fine del 2027, anche se il CEO di Mercedes evita di usare il termine “Classe A”. Ciò suggerisce che la nuova Mercedes base non sarà necessariamente una berlina compatta con tetto spiovente e, di conseguenza, non si chiamerà più “Classe A”.

La pressione dei concessionari, la domanda dei clienti e la lungimiranza strategica hanno avuto un ruolo decisivo. Per molti clienti, la Classe A rappresenta il primo punto di contatto con il marchio della stella. Chi perde questa opportunità di ingresso sul mercato, rischia di perdere a lungo termine anche potenziali acquirenti delle serie più grandi. Mercedes vuole evitare che ciò accada e coglie l'occasione per valorizzare notevolmente il segmento dal punto di vista tecnologico con una nuova serie di modelli entry-level.

(AutoMotor&Sport, traduzione Deepl)

Il dietrofront più prevedibile dell'anno, e di dietrofront prevedibili ce ne sono stati tanti

Gorden Wagener il 31 Gennaio 2026 termina la sua esperienza in Mercedes-Benz

Gorden Wagener lascia Mercedes!

Comunicato stampa

A true believer in beauty – beauty at the heart of everything

• After three decades, Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener is leaving the company on 31 January 2026 at his own request and by best mutual agreement

• Visionary design philosophy of ‘Sensual Purity’ shaped identity of Mercedes-Benz

• A retrospective look at countless iconic serial vehicles and extraordinary show cars

For nearly three decades, Gorden Wagener has shaped the design language and ‘Stil des Hauses’ of Mercedes-Benz like no other design chief in the company's nearly 140-year history. He leaves behind an internationally-established design team and a portfolio that has had a lasting impact on the global automotive industry. His farewell marks the end of an era characterised by courage, creative drive and a radical modernisation of design language.

After joining the company in 1997, Wagener was responsible for the design of numerous milestones. One of his first and most significant works to date was the design of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. With this super sports car, Wagener demonstrated his ability to create icons that combine technological performance with timeless beauty as early as the late 1990s. At the age of 39, Wagener became the youngest design chief in the industry and fundamentally redefined the design of Mercedes-Benz. From 2016, in the newly created role of Chief Design Officer, he consistently developed the design of the Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and G-Class brands as well as smart. Wagener established an unmistakable aesthetic with his design philosophy of ‘Sensual Purity and fundamentally contributed to a rejuvenated Mercedes-Benz brand. He was also responsible for the design of the van division and, until the spin-off of Daimler Truck AG in 2022, for the design of all the company's trucks.

Under his creative, visionary leadership, the design process was rethought and refocused more strongly on physical design with clay models – as a central tool for perfect proportions, presence and sculptural form language. Models such as the S-Class series W/V222 and the repositioned A-Class of the series 176 marked significant milestones, strengthening the brand’s image of Mercedes-Benz through their design and became a key driver of the company's success. During this phase, he succeeded in rejuvenating the world's longest-established automotive brand. Wagener also made lasting impact as chief designer in the performance and sports car segment. The Mercedes-AMG GT (C190) embodied uncompromising performance and iconic design, taking the sports car brand into a new emotional dimension. The SL (R232) was a modern interpretation of a legend, bridging tradition and the future.

With his unique sense of aesthetics, Gorden Wagener has created icons that are synonymous with desirability, elegance, emotional appeal and technological leadership worldwide. Wagener's creations are already part of the DNA of Mercedes-Benz and will stand the test of time. This makes him not only one of the outstanding designers in the history of Mercedes-Benz – and thus in the history of the automobile.

“Gorden Wagener has shaped the identity of our brands with his visionary design philosophy. Over many years, he has made a decisive contribution ensuring that our innovative products are synonymous with unique aesthetics worldwide. His creativity and his sense for the future of automotive design have sustainably enriched Mercedes-Benz. I would like to thank Gorden for his commitment, his exceptional work and his lasting influence – and wish him all the best for the future.” 
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG

His influence extended far beyond the automotive industry. Under Mercedes-Benz Style, he designed helicopters, luxury yachts, furniture and interiors for apartments and architectural projects in Dubai and Miami, reinforcing the brand's aspiration to lead in all facets of its unique lifestyle. At the same time, he holistically designed all customer touchpoints with the brand – from tradeshow appearances and corporate identity to showrooms and brand centres.

With the highly sought-after all-new CLA launched this year, Mercedes-Benz is consistently focusing on the next generation of customers. High-tech aesthetics, sporty proportions and sculptural beauty represent the next stage in the evolution of iconic design. The all-new electric GLC, which has also been launched to great success, reinterprets the iconic grille to define the face of Mercedes-Benz in the electric age, combining tradition and the future in line with the design philosophy. The Vision Iconic show car, unveiled in October 2025 during Shanghai Fashion Week, is a sculptural homage to the golden age of automotive design, representing timeless elegance and pure brand essence. With flowing lines, Art Deco influences and references to legendary icons such as the 300 SL, it embodies beauty as an emotional statement for the future.

These three vehicles fit seamlessly into Wagener's work, while also marking the creative conclusion of his role as Chief Design Officer at Mercedes-Benz.

Gorden Wagener leaves behind a design legacy that has left an indisputable mark on Mercedes-Benz and paved the way for its future. His signature will continue to be reflected in future products for many years to come, but especially in the outstanding team he has built up over the years in Sindelfingen, Germany, and the design studios around the world.

Via Mercedes-Benz.

era ora!!!!

Magari entro 5/6 anni potremo rivedere delle Merc degne di questo nome!

1 ora fa, Osv scrive:

Gorden Wagener lascia Mercedes!

Comunicato stampa

Via Mercedes-Benz.

Dio bonino che bel regalo di Natale.

Peccato che ci metteremo almeno 5 anni per liberarci dei suoi design sciolti e tamarri.

18 ore fa, Tony ramirez scrive:

era ora!!!!

Magari entro 5/6 anni potremo rivedere delle Merc degne di questo nome!

a me la classe C attuale non dispiace per niente e la trovo molto elegante

1 ora fa, Jack_JCW scrive:

a me la classe C attuale non dispiace per niente e la trovo molto elegante

ti sei risposto da solo, in 30 anni di lavoro in merc te ne piace solo una!