Gorden Wagener, the person who penned the legendary Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and numerous desirable vehicles after it, has announced a voluntary resignation from his office at Mercedes. His replacement remains to be announced.
After joining Daimler Group in 1997, Wagener had spent the next decade working his way up the Mercedes design department. He emerged at the top of it in 2007 aged 39, becoming known as the youngest design director at any major automotive business on record.
Nine years later, Wagener became responsible for all of the company’s main product directions, including commercial transports, Maybach and AMG. His most notable works included the iconic Mercedes W222, the A-Class and the S-Class as we know them, the AMG GT and even the AMG One to some extent. Most recently, he personally introduced the Vision Iconic Concept (see video).
Wagener, now 57 years old, will be formally leaving his office on January 31, 2026. It remains to be seen whether he chooses to retire or team up with another carmaker.
