Since the last batch of spy shots of the new CLK and E-Class Wagon, there's not much new to see on the outside. But our intrepid spy photographer got up close and managed shots of the interior revealing a few interesting details. Based on the new C-Class, the CLK's center instrument panel gets a built-in navigation monitor instead of the flip-up unit in the C-Class. However, the big surprise is that the gear shift lever on the E-Class, seen with a shining chrome button on the end, gets moved from the traditional location of being in the center console to the right side of the steering column. Ironic since BMW is reportedly moving their gear shift lever back down to the center console in the next gen BMW 7-Series.
New Mercedes CLK and E-Class Interior Spied
Autoscoop.biz / New E-Class gear shifter on steering column
Comments
bimmerboi14
December 28, 2007 7:29 PM
Bad dog mercedes bad dog!!! shifter belongs in the center console.... bmw is changing back so should you
MB6.3
December 28, 2007 9:04 PM
I agree that the shifter should be in the center for the sake of aesthetics. These interiors are resembeling the Land Rovers more and more.
TomJonesCirca1969
December 29, 2007 6:24 AM
I think the column mounted shifter is incredibly retro. Looks cool too!!
ck314
December 29, 2007 2:18 PM
that girl on the passenger car's my cousin angela, she showed me pics of the actual dashboard... there will be cloaking radar detector box
phobos
December 30, 2007 11:19 AM
...angular interior design ? column mounted shifter is the best way to create a clean center console, gives the interior a new atmosphere, i hope they can pull this right, because the present e-class interior looks like crap if we compare it with the Audi A6 and 5-series... i am a fan of merc e - class
Suckio
December 30, 2007 9:10 PM
I like it... no, a joke. I love it! Adore it! It is too good for me...
djcocum
December 30, 2007 10:13 PM
They are going to have to work hard to make an interior as elegant, modern and refined as the current E-Class one
dolcegabbana
December 31, 2007 8:56 AM
uhm completely disagree with phobos ,( btw phobos sounds creepy) e class is gorgeous comparing to an a6 or 5 series , and those pics makes me think , that soon i'll stop liking mercedes benz , hopefully i'm wrong
kerenGermany
December 31, 2007 12:01 PM
Wow, great pictures.. I mean great spy shots!
WCF you are doing best job - always with top car news ahead!
Cheers, Keren
coopergt
December 31, 2007 10:39 PM
M-B used to let u order a column shifter and my dad always did. so cool to see it come back, i hope!
wjaprep
February 8, 2008 11:11 PM
I hope that the Clk takes after the E=class like the w208 and w210. Also, I like the new boxier(?) desgin my favorite Mercs are from the 1980s and 1990s but, I do think the gear shifter should be in the console, if nothing else its a good place to rest the hand.
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