Autoblog

Following yesterday's news that longtime Mercedes design chief Professor Peter Pfeiffer – known as "the three Ps of automotive design" (but that's only to us here at Autoblog) – was stepping down, Mercedes-Benz has today confirmed the appointment of Gorden Wagener as his replacement. The appropriately-named designer (who bears no known relation to GM chief Rick Wagoner) will take Pfeiffer's place when he steps down after four years with the company in the middle of this year.

On the surface of things, it would seem that changing design directors for the first time in 30 years could mean a drastic shake-up in the styling of new Mercedes models, however Wagener's experience with the company suggests otherwise. He's been with Mercedes for over ten years now, working his way up from head of exterior and interior styling to director of advanced design, heading both the Mercedes design studios in California and Japan, and most recently as head of Strategic Advanced Design. In 2002 alone, Wagener oversaw the designs of the A, B, C, E, CLK and CLS-Classes, comprising the bulk of the Mercedes passenger car range. But if you want an idea of the direction in which Wagener might like to take the company's design, look no further than the F 700 concept, which Wagener and his team unveiled last fall. We'll be watching you, Gorden.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]