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]

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class has received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award from the North Rhineland-Westphalia Design Center.

The R-Class was deemed worthy of the honor because, according to Peter Pfeiffer, head of design at the MB Technical Center, it creates "a visual association between the concepts of space, dynamism, emotion and speed."

Translated, that means that Mercedes was able to make a six-seater people mover that does not scream, "BOOOORING!" at pedestrians when it drives by. To be fair, the R-Class "grand sports tourer" (don't call it a minivan ... Dr. Z will frown at you) is quite attractive. Based on the number of them this writer sees on the road daily, it would appear that the buying/leasing public thinks it's pretty neat-looking as well.

Mercedes goes on to point out that the R-Class form incorporates design elements seen across the company's passenger car range. They use the dead-sexy CLS as a basis of comparison, which seems preposterous at first. A quick study of some side-by-side photos, however, shows that while the two vehicles are very different, they really do share elements that illustrate the family ties.

This is especially evident in the shape of the side glass, but becomes even more apparent in smaller details that are easily missed upon casual inspection. This meticulous effort to tie dramatically different vehicle types together is admirable, and shows just how much work Mercedes puts into its design. On a personal level, you may not like what you see on some models, but the sense of direction behind it is has now been made abundantly clear.

(Photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]