EnI

I can't argue that, because I agree. If looking through the industrial design prisma, we can say modernism-postmodernism-deconstructivism.

I agree with you a lot when saying Audi design still derives from function, and remained to the true Teutonic heritage. Like I said in "New Teutonic design language" thread, Audi is still staying in 80' - 90's with the Bauhaus "function over form" design philosophy, while BMW & MB have gone a step further: to "function & form" philosophy - giving products more emotions & excitement. Functionalistic modern design is over - its a reminescent of late 20th century. The trends now are heading to more emotional design. Bauhaus is nice, but cold: mechanical, too machine-like.
While A4, A3 interior is still somwhere in 90's, A6 & Q7 are given more modern tech touch - but still following Bauhaus theme - in modernistic variant. While A8's interior is best interior Audi has made - design wise: more emotions, less Bauhaus.

Btw, De'Silva said for AMS, Audi would depart from the Bauhaus design and follow the MB & BMW in more emotional design.

So, guys: enjoy the Audi of today - until it lasts.

ALI

To be honest , I have no idea what makes the Audi interior so special to some of you . Like klier said , it makes me puke !!! I have no attraction for anything in that car , as simple as that . And as far as quality ,,,, I dont see any sign of it in that interior .

On the other hand The E-class looks rich , the new inst. cluster , steering wheel , and column shifter makes it look even better , the quality should be good as promised . I love this interior , the only thing I hate is the size of the side windows , I like them to be more narrow .

The 5er interior , I love the design , very fresh , modern , exciting , looks good . But the quality seems to be very short . The interior looks modern , but modern plain , again too much plastic . But I love that interior .


For me this is how it goes for interiors :
1. E class
2. BMW 5er
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Audi A6 .

SDNR

EniLab, when you say Modernism is dead, they have been saying that for decades. Modernism today, is a strange kind of Post-Modern version of Modern - Modernism without the ideology. In this regard, Modernism has been reduced to a design language or style rather than an ideology or doctrine.

EnI

I'm not saying modernism is dead - but it's definitely fading away from the mainstream.

The Artist

i have to agree with some of the comments here..
the E has lot of curves and loads of luxury so it looks good...
the 5er challanges.. with the speciall design and the sharp lines..
and the audi..well its not exciting..good quality..but hardly good looking..

PS
all comments above are only on design..

SDNR

It's a traditional German design language, strict functionalism - limited surface decoration - it's an aesthetic in it's own right. As EniLab suggested, BMW and Mercedes have interiors that give more direct and immediate emotional responses. The Audi's interior is more academic - I would call it a secondary emotional response; by this I mean the emotional response comes from an understanding of the context of Audi's design philosophy - it's a philosophy of technology, of engineering, of functionalism. This is a very German aesthetic - perhaps some of the intention gets "lost in translation"; popular American taste often tends to be rather indifferent to subtlety and also favours "warmer" design with a particular emphasis on comfort and luxury. Traditional German design is very cool - some might find it sterile - but this is the aesthetic of technology and machines - like Techno music (another German invention).



The aesthetics of high technology and engineering.

GTA8.5

According to JDPower the owners rate the E-Class and 5er better than the A6 in body and interior quality!!

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EnI

Nice summary. You've described this very well. The aesthetics of technology, machines & engineering.

BMW intentionally brake away from that. Starting to use more "organic" design, less "machine-like" one.

I must admit I like Bauhaus design a lot. But ... I get bored with it very quickly. It's not challenging enough. It's too pure, too simple. It's very nice to look at, but evokes no emotions - it leaves me cold. It's like lacking its personality.

And while Audi are still producing perfectly designed commuting machines, BMW want their vehicles to evoke emotions, to challange, to have personality - to be alive, to be driving organisms.

notic

A6 for me. I've driven all three multiple times and the A6 has a very "complete" feel to it. Hard to explain, but it provides the feeling of cohesion and sturdiness that the other don't. the E feels spacious and luxurious, but its just not my cup of tea. as for the 5, its nice...idrive was definitly harder to use than mmi, but its still nice.

so
1. a6
2. e-class
3. 5 series

Star&Car

E class for me..it's even the most appealing interior in MB's lineup imo of course..