The Mercedes-Benz designer behind the beautiful AMG GT and polarizing EQ EVs is stepping down

• Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz since 2016, will step down on January 31, 2026.
• Mercedes said it was Wagener’s decision to leave the company and that he will be succeeded by Bastian Baudy, who is currently Mercedes-AMG’s chief designer.
• Wagener’s design portfolio includes the AMG GT, concept cars such as the Vision Iconic and the polarizing electric EQ models.

Mercedes-Benz loses one of its most influential designers. Gorden Wagener, who has been the brand’s design boss since 2016, has announced that he will leave the company on January 31, 2026. Mercedes said in a press release that the split was mutual, and the German automaker announced that Bastian Baudy, who currently serves as AMG’s chief designer, will take over on February 1.

Although Wagener has been Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz for the past decade, his career at the company spans almost three decades, dating back to 1997. One of his most iconic creations is the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and he followed that up in 2008 by being appointed Head of Global Design. He was 39 years old at the time, making him the youngest design boss in the industry. Wagener took that role and ran with it, helping transform the look of the entire Mercedes-Benz range from conservative to evocative, a philosophy he called “Sensual Purity.”

Wagener not only played a huge role in rejuvenating Mercedes, but he also oversaw the evolution of the ultra-luxury Maybach models and the modernization of the iconic G-class. His leadership influenced the W176 generation A-class and the W222 S-class, but the first generation Mercedes-AMG GT is perhaps one of Wagener’s most beautiful cars. Its portfolio also includes numerous concept cars, from the Vision One-Eleven to the Vision Iconic that debuted earlier this year.

Of course, not all of Wagener’s creations were a hit, with most electric ‘EQ’ models, such as the EQE and EQS models, largely panned for their blob-like shapes that prioritized aerodynamics over style. Still, it’s fair to say that the 56-year-old designer had far more hits than misses during his tenure as Mercedes-Benz design boss, and he leaves a lasting legacy.

This is what Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said about Wagener’s departure: “Gorden Wagener has shaped the identity of our brands with his visionary design philosophy. Over many years, he has made a decisive contribution by ensuring that our innovative products are synonymous with unique aesthetics worldwide. His creativity and his sense of the future of automotive design have sustainably enriched Mercedes-Benz.”

➡️ Skip Fate. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.

Shop new cars Shop used cars

Eric Stafford’s car addiction started before he could walk, and it’s fueled his passion for writing news, reviews and more for Car and driver since 2016. His childhood ambition was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno-esque car collection. Apparently getting rich is harder than social media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree from Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of essentially burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and driver hired him. His garage currently has a 2010 Acura RDX, a ’97 manual Chevy Camaro Z/28 and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.