Mercedes-Benz S-Class ain't no bag lady

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05-23-12, 08:30 AM

#16

xsh0tya

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen K

Spend millions developing a mock city with fake road wear and tear and fake traffic or take the car out with an ugly disguise and save money

You would need about 2 blocks really just 1. Left turn right turn. You could have 1 place and have several companies go there to test. Or just 1 company test all models there.

Just saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX_330

In half the cases the manufacturers don't mind the spy shots. It creates excitement about the product and gets people talking; like it's doing right now. It reveals enough about it to gauge public opinion without fully revealing.

It's smart advertisement. The track is the real world in a small number of cases (performance conditions), however the external environment is.

That was my point it seems like a good marketing tool. Like a nice teaser for folks.

05-23-12, 08:55 AM

#17

Insomnia

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Gojirra99

That can't be a face-lifted E-class

Look for yourself:

http://www.automobilemag.com/new_and..._cycle_update/

05-23-12, 09:46 AM

#18

Sulu

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There is a test track. A major automobile manufacturer cannot rely only on "real world" testing; the real world is just too unreliable. A test track offers the following qualities that the real world cannot offer:

24/7/365 access taking into account the KNOWN closure dates for maintenance: There is no need to worry about unknown and unplanned-for detours and road closures.
Controlled conditions: The conditions you want -- and only the conditions you want and need -- are always available. Development testing must take place in known, controlled, repeatable conditions so that any behaviours observed can be tested again to see it is was real behaviour or just a one-time fluke.
Anything can be tested at any time, without having to worry about traffic jams, prying eyes and people getting in the way. If any incident were to happen, emergency services are immediately available without having to worry about access time and leaving behind unwanted evidence.

I have no doubt that these spy shots are well controlled by the manufacturers, perhaps even the marketing department to be able to show something to the public.

The European manufacturers do seem to like to "test in the real world" (i.e. allow for spy shots) more than the Japanese manufacturers do.

05-23-12, 10:31 AM

#19

rominl

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Gojirra99

Current S class in SWB looks pretty bad, looks like the new one isn't much better in SWB, the older S-class models with boxy design looks alright in SWB ...

lol thank god we don't have that here then