Where have all the bonnet/hood stars gone on new cars?

[PINBALL]

Went to my local MB dealer in Crawley, Sussex last week, and was somewhat disappointed to see that none of the 15 or so brand new models in the showroom had or came with a bonnet star anymore.

Wasted my breath (as usual) asking a sales executive who after asking others on his team knew nothing about it, and only suggested they may still be available on S Classes, but wern't sure as there wasn't one in the showroom.

Makes me wonder if any of them take an interest in these cars or are they just seen as sales units to fatten their paychecks at the end of the month, in their eyes - probably the latter.

Went to service to ask if stars were available for fitting to new cars and they too were dumbfounded, or usually - maybe, just dumb maybe.

Oh well the coffee n biccy's are still nice at least, so not a complete waste of time.

 

[LostKiwi]

They were removed due to pedestrian safety laws. All modern Mercedes have the 'Sports grille with the large star in the middle of the grille as seen on SL models since the 50s.

It is possible in many cases to fit the old style star but it's considered tasteless to double badge (As in fit the old style star to a car with a sports grille).

You'll possibly note the leaping cat is also missing from Jaguar vehicles.

 

[tode]

"All modern Mercedes have the 'Sports grille with the large star in the middle of the grille as seen on SL models since the 50s."

Except the S class

 

[00slk]

They were removed due to pedestrian safety laws..............................

Didn't Mercedes sort this out with the W116 and make them spring loaded?
A great design the spring loaded star. You run some one over in the W108 and your star is ruined. run them over in your W116 and your star bounces back.......Those guys at Mercedes are the best

 

[mikestrivens]

My W124 has the proper gun sight which springs back nicely after the occasional cyclist has had the temerity to roll over the bonnet. Both cylist and bonnet remain unharmed. Though the same cannot be said of the velocipede that doesn't react too well to being run over by the large heavy Mercedes.

 

[Blobcat]

I think my W213 is available in Europe with a bonnet star and plain slatted Grill. I'd much prefer it that way, I suppose I could try and get the star and grill from a European dealer

 

[Srdl]

I think my W213 is available in Europe with a bonnet star and plain slatted Grill. I'd much prefer it that way, I suppose I could try and get the star and grill from a European dealer

Like this?

 

[Naraic]

They were removed due to pedestrian safety laws. All modern Mercedes have the 'Sports grille with the large star in the middle of the grille as seen on SL models since the 50s.

It is possible in many cases to fit the old style star but it's considered tasteless to double badge (As in fit the old style star to a car with a sports grille).

You'll possibly note the leaping cat is also missing from Jaguar vehicles.

Not strictly speaking true. It seems to be more to do with MBUK and what they want:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mercedes+c+class.de&safe=active&rlz=1C1AVNC_enPL567PL567&tbm=isch&imgil=g6wT4Lb1w27k1M%3A%3BQfsmF1aflUulOM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%25253DSDSJnT5DYz8&source=iu&pf=m&fir=g6wT4Lb1w27k1M%3A%2CQfsmF1aflUulOM%2C_&usg=__FO0hYDrMSEwiNXPqvFosaHn7NPs=&biw=1920&bih=950&ved=0ahUKEwj75dezv4vWAhWJDMAKHQkGBK4QyjcIZA&ei=I0KtWbvILYmZgAaJjJDwCg#imgrc=g6wT4Lb1w27k1M:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?saf...-ab..0.2.211.ZZIR1ufW3WY#imgrc=FeTwqU9JU4_4iM:

 

[Naraic]

"All modern Mercedes have the 'Sports grille with the large star in the middle of the grille as seen on SL models since the 50s."

Except the S class

...and the E and the C...

 

[Craiglxviii]

...and the E and the C...

Yes. It's MB styling at work rather than the law; regulations say that hood ornaments must either break off or fold down when a force greater than 98N is applied.

I believe that MB have been pushing for the "Sport" grille to be more widely adopted, but interestingly the customer base has pushed back on this. The original brand direction for MY2016 vehicles onwards was Sport grille for all but S Klasse... However, strong customer feedback for traditional plain grille and hood star have forced them to reconsider and offer that on more of the grades within each model lineup.

 

[Blobcat]

Like this?

View attachment 38743

Yes, exactly like that

 

[tode]

...and the E and the C...

The MBUK site doesn't agree with you . .

 

[Craiglxviii]

The MBUK site doesn't agree with you . .

It's not terribly well laid out, and doesn't cover all spec/ grade available. They had an embarrassing problem 2 years ago where MB UK's car configurator allowed cars to be configured that the plant couldn't build... don't take it as gospel.

 

[Naraic]

The MBUK site doesn't agree with you . .

I think it's already mentioned that MBUK are the ones who have decided against the more traditonal grille and star...other markets get them.