DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche Outlines In Greater Depth Mercedes' Future Hybrid Plans

I ran across this article a couple days ago but it completely slipped my mind until this morning. In a recent interview with the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche outlined in greater depth the company's plans to launch Mercedes-branded hybrids by 2009.

According to Dieter: "We won't develop any future models without a hybrid option," adding: "We will offer our customers the right product."

The statements were made as a reference to customer's wishes the company focuses more on hybrid technology as opposed to diesel power, as is the current philosophy.

As for whether Mercedes will implement mild or full hybrids? Initially, models will adopt the mild variant, meaning the vehicle's gas or diesel powerplant is supplemented by an electric motor to provide lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. This contrasts Toyota's preference of utilizing full hybrid technology - a system that gives vehicles the ability to run exclusively on electric power for no emissions over short to medium distances.

Again, here's what Dieter had to say on the subject: "We will combine our know-how with BMW in a bid to accelerate development. With a mild hybrid we can obtain up to 70 percent of the effect offered by a full hybrid with just 30 percent of the effort."

And that's about it as far as what's being revealed for Mercedes' future hybrid plans. We will of course keep you posted if we hear anything new; in the meantime, head over to Inside Line where you can find an English overview of what Dieter had to say.

Lexus lacks personality

By Derek Price

When you're within the sinfully luxurious confines of the LS 460 - Lexus' top-of-the-line model - you'll notice how comfortable it tries to make you feel.


There's a power sunshade that motors up and down at the touch of a button, seats that are heated and cooled, a navigation system that talks in a soothing voice, and enough sound insulation to keep it perfectly silent when Hamas blows up the synagogue next door.

The only problem? Lexus is trying a bit too hard.

The LS has long competed with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a luxury heavyweight that seems more German than sauerkraut, to win the hearts and wallets of gazillionaires across the globe. Both cars are ridiculously quiet, smooth and comfortable, and both are expensive. The Mercedes starts at $85,400, while the Lexus rings up at a more affordable $61,000.

In some ways, the LS is the better car. It's slightly quieter, and many people think it looks better than the S-Class, which undergoes styling changes on a geologic time scale.

But you also can't help but wonder how much better this car could have been if Lexus wasn't constantly trying to one-up the German competition.

For example, the S-Class came out with a seven-speed automatic transmission recently, which is at least one gear too many. It hunts and pecks for the right ratio like a 5-year-old on a typewriter, never quite settling on the perfect gear. Not wanting to be outdone, Lexus fitted the new LS with an eight-speed tranny, which makes it even more indecisive than the Mercedes.

It's a shame, really. Lexus' team of incredibly talented and well-educated engineers wasted their time trying to cram another gear into an already overworked transmission rather than tackling the LS's real problem, which is its utter and complete lack of a soul.

This car does everything a luxury vehicle should. It coddles you on long highway trips, letting you travel with the serenity of an angel fluttering across the universe. It looks fantastic, drawing attention and giving you a dose of devilish pride. And it's packed with so much technology that the role of the driver is almost inconsequential. Heck, if you can afford the options list, it'll even parallel-park itself.

But it feels like an appliance. While a great car - that is, one that has a soul - becomes a partner and a family member when you take the wheel, the Lexus is a simple transportation tool engineered to accomplish a task.

That's why I think the new LS isn't great. It's merely a car that does great things.

Mercedes-Benz E 200 NGT: The most powerful natural-gas-driven saloon ever

With CO2 emissions reduced by more than 20 percent and a more than 50 percent reduction in operating costs, the Mercedes-Benz E 200 NGT has been available since the spring of 2004. As well as making it one of the most cost-effective models in the Mercedes range, the 120-kW/163-hp four cylinder engine under the bonnet of the bi fuel E 200 NGT also makes it the most powerful natural-gas-driven saloon currently in production.

Natural-gas-powered vehicles are a key element of DaimlerChrysler's overall concept for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and for safeguarding a sustainable form of mobility. The E 200 NGT (Natural Gas Technology) was developed at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center on the platform of the E 200 KOMPRESSOR.

The four-cylinder powerplant has a power rating of 120 kW/163 hp and generates a peak torque of 240 Newton metres. Thanks to the elaborate solutions which have been used to integrate the additional technical components, power delivery, comfort, quality and safety have not been compromised in any way aboard the E 200 NGT.

DaimlerChrysler In A Quandry

There's something that just does not ring true when the owner of a sparkling new Mercedes-Benz opens the door and finds on the B-pillar an information plaque that says that the car was manufactured by DAIMLERCHRYSLER.


If it were me, I'd probably say, "What the #@$*! I did not just pay $134,000 for a Chrysler!" But that's just me.

Yet there are rumblings back home in Stuttgart from investors that want not only to be rid of the money-losing Chrysler Group, they want a return to the original Daimler-Benz AG - days when Mercedes-Benzes were products of, well, Daimler-Benz AG and not the misnomered "merger of equals." Company management is being squeezed from both sides on the issue. Still, DCX says that Chrysler hasn't been sold yet and may not be sold so its keeping the name.

Quirky cars you won’t see on U.S. roads

A sampling of oddball vehicles at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show By Michael Bettencourt

This year’s two press preview days at the Geneva Auto Show were like high school all over again, but on a corporate level: There was the popular crowd — big international carmakers and noted specialty market players — introducing their latest vehicles on the first day with the fanfare and production value of a rock concert; while the second day was left over for the beanie-wearing boutique manufacturers lucky to have a podium and press conference time slot at all, but pushing hard to get in with the cool kids.
It was a big year for world debuts relevant to North America, but many fascinating new models were unveiled in Geneva that will likely never make it to the U.S., where stricter federal safety and emissions laws become a barrier to small firms who can’t afford the hundreds of thousands — and sometimes millions — of dollars required for developing and testing expensive emissions and safety equipment for their vehicles.
Here’s a sampling of oddballs unveiled at this year’s Geneva Auto Show that are intriguing enough to merit a closer look, even if they never make it to North America:

Artega

Penned by designer extraordinaire Henrik Fisker — famous among automotive industry watchers for creating the stunning and timeless look of the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage and BMW Z8 — the Artega is a new car from a new German company, that aims to build high-performance sports cars for everyday use. The two-seat 2008 Artega uses a 3.6-liter Volkswagen-sourced V6 and that company’s well-regarded DSG twin-clutch gearbox to get its 300 hp to the ground via the rear wheels. The body is immaculately proportioned, with a footprint about the size of the petite Lotus Elise, but with a sultry silhouette that resembles a Porsche Cayman that magically shrunk in all the right places. This is almost a move downmarket for Fisker, who works on his own rebodied BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz SLs, which he calls the Latigo CS and Tramonto, respectively.

Carver One

Dutch company Carver revealed what it calls “the world’s first commercially available self-balancing, tilting, three-wheeled vehicle.” This contraption is part motorcycle, part car, and all about thrills over practicality. Its bike-like single front wheel guides an enclosed body with a door for the driver/rider and a space directly behind for a passenger (preferably someone small). When the pilot of the Carver turns the steering wheel, the front wheel and body bank into the turn, just like a motorcycle, while the rear end is kept planted by two wheels at the back that do a grown-up, high-speed imitation of training wheels. The Carver One has a removable roof panel and is powered by a tiny, 660-cubic-centimeter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, putting out 68 hp and 74 pound-feet of torque. Carver plans to produce 500 models per year and estimates a basic cost of about 30,000 Euros, or roughly $39,000.

Gumpert Apollo Sport

German manufacturer Gumpert, founded by Roland Gumpert, the former head of Audi Sport, hit the scene at the 2006 Geneva show with its first model, the Apollo, a high-performing, street-legal (not in the U.S.), mid-engine supercar powered by a 4.2-liter Audi V8 engine. This year Gumpert follows up its initial offering with the Apollo Sport. The design features a fixed rear wing and more aggressive body that looks like a race car straight out of the FIA GT European supercar series. The Apollo Sport features an 800-hp twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8, to go along with gullwing doors that flip up on their roof-mounted hinges. The 0-62 mph run is reported at an insane three seconds flat, with a top track speed of 224 mph.

Peraves Monotracer

Swiss firm Peraves calls its country the “home of the cabin motorcycle” and is positioning its new Monotracer as a modernized version of a vehicle type that has tooled about the mountainous roads of its country for nearly 20 years. The vehicle’s futuristic monocoque body is composed of glass, Kevlar and carbon-weave bonded together and reinforced with aluminum roll bars. Powering the two-wheeler is an inline four-cylinder engine putting out 130 hp, which gives the Monotracer a 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds. Its driver uses handlebars similar to a motorcycle’s; air-conditioning and other basic amenities are optional. A low curb weight of about 1,000 pounds helps the Monotracer attain a healthy 57 mpg at a constant 56 mph, the company says. Europeans will be able to purchase the vehicle for a base price of 52,500 Euros, or about $68,850.

Rinspeed eXasis

In its third collaboration with one of the largest plastics producers in the world, Bayer MaterialScience AG, Swiss manufacturer Rinspeed has come up with this drivable “glass” car that features an aluminum frame with a clear plastic body and floor. Powered by a 150-hp two-cylinder engine, which, oddly, sits above the transmission, this car’s power-to-weight ratio puts it in line with the likes of a Porsche. The two-seat eXasis’ insect-like yellow body with exposed wheels was built by Swiss engineering specialists Esoro and houses a lightweight Weber engine that runs on ethanol, a fuel derived from renewable natural resources. The rear-wheel-drive car with a six-speed sequential-manual gearbox features a top speed of 130 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds.

A.D. Tramontana

The Spanish company A. D. Tramontana created this carbon-fiber road missile as a melding of Formula One cars and fighter planes. With a twin-turbo V12 engine that puts out 720 hp, it’s about as powerful as a race car. The company says the Tramontana was “modeled on the streamlined curves of the Costa Brava’s winds.” A concept version of the Tramontana was shown at the Geneva Auto Show two years ago. The full production version unveiled this year will go on sale this summer in Europe. Typical of European haute couture cars, prices were not part of the announcement. But judging from production that’s said to be limited to 12 vehicles a year — plus an interior treated with gold, silver and platinum accents, as well as stainless steel, exotic leathers and specially treated wood — the Tramontana will be priced such that those who can afford it probably won’t even be asking, “How much?”

Driving to hell and back in the new sport sedan from Mercedes

We've heard the Spanish locals call this road the "Calle del Fuego." It's a twisty stretch of newly laid asphalt in the hills above Valencia with wide shoulders painted blood red. It looks like a river of molten lava running down each side of the pavement, and we're thinking it's the Highway to Hell. As ominous as it looks, this smooth stretch of winding road is the perfect place to wring out the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport. Fully redesigned this year, this car is aimed directly at the BMW 3 Series, just like nearly every other C-Class before it.The C350 Sport in our hands has an aggressive front fascia unique to the Sport model, newly developed adjustable suspension, and optional 18-inch wheels and tires. It also has shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel, its own iDrive-like computer control, and even a bit more interior room. If this 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class doesn't get the attention of BMW buyers, nothing will.

A meaner C-Class

Before we even started the engine, the C350 Sport's styling scored a few early points with us. Subjective as it might be, we're glad to see the last of the previous model's peanut-shape headlights and soft curves.Sharp creases in the hood and quarter panels make the new car look chiseled instead of sculpted, while a wider track both front and rear plus a stretched wheelbase make the overall stance far more assertive. Rectangular headlights give it a scowl instead of a smile. Both the C350 Sport and base C300 Sport make a statement of purpose by replacing the customary Mercedes-Benz hood ornament with a large three-pointed star planted front and center on a unique grille. The C300 Luxury model retains the traditional setup along with a chrome grille and a wood-trimmed interior.

No news isn't necessarily bad news

Even a more dramatic new look will only get the C350 so far, so we hit the road to get a feel for the new mechanical bits. There's no big story under the hood, as the C350 is powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 as last year's model. Its output remains pegged at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.In the past, Mercedes has reluctantly offered the C-Class with a six-speed manual transmission, but now it has pared down the availability of this transmission to only the C300 Sport model. A seven-speed automatic is now the sole transmission for the top-of-the-line C350 Sport. For now, it sends power only to the rear wheels; an all-wheel-drive 4Matic model comes later.With 268 hp and all those gears, the C350 makes good time in a straight line. Mercedes estimates a sprint to 60 mph will take just over 6 seconds, which puts this car well ahead of the Audi A4 yet well behind the 300-hp BMW 335i sedan. Along the way, the engine has the feel of a typical V6 — soft off the line, strong in the midrange and a little breathless as it approaches redline. To get the most out of the seven-speed automatic, the new Sport Agility package quickens up shift action generally and also adds shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Unfortunately the Sport Agility package won't be available in the U.S. until the 2009 C-Class is introduced, and without it there's too much delay for us during downshifts.

Subtle suspension improvements

The basic suspension layout remains the same with struts up front and a five-link independent layout in back. Up front there's an additional control arm, and the use of aluminum for all the suspension links reduces unsprung weight for more precise wheel control.Meanwhile, all four dampers feature what Mercedes calls Agility Control. You might know them as self-adjusting shock dampers, not exactly new technology. In keeping with their aspirations, both the C300 Sport and C350 Sport get a more sporting suspension setup compared to the C300 Luxury. Firmly controlled damping settings and stiffer sway bars complement springs that lower the ride height by a half inch. The forthcoming 2009 Sport Agility package makes this setup even more aggressive. Once you engage the "Sport" button, the dampers adopt firmer settings. In addition, throttle response is stronger and transmission shifts are quicker. Moreover, the Sport Agility package includes a quicker steering ratio of 13.5:1 (a step beyond the 14.5:1 steering ratio of the C300 Sport and C350 Sport), and speed-sensitive hydraulic assist.

A little bit of everything

Although the chassis changes seem minor in detail, they add up to exceptional ride quality on the highway, and there's even a little S-Class in the way the C350 glides over rough pavement. Move the steering wheel off center, and you get an immediate yet progressive level of resistance that gives the car a precise feel at high speed. Of course, a Camry can feel pretty good on the highway, too, so we hit the roads among the hills in back of Valencia in search of more demanding terrain. With our car's Sport Agility package set to "Comfort" mode, the C-Class settles into tight corners easily, but it's slow to make the transition to the next turn. Dialing up the "Sport" setting gets rid of the sluggishness, but the steering remains thin on road feel. We've got plenty of grip thanks to the optional Continental ContiSportContact2 tires, 225/40ZR18s in front and wide 255/35ZR18s in the rear. And there's the ever-present electronic stability control system to rein in things when you push too hard. As with all Mercedes models, left-foot braking is deterred by a similar electronic barrier.When the bends are longer and faster, you just lean on the stiff chassis and wait for mild understeer to creep in. When a tight turn comes up, the brake pedal needs a strong leg to get full braking effect, but the pedal feel remains consistent despite repeated hard stops.

Mercedes goes Audi

Overall, the interior is slightly larger in most dimensions, although front headroom is down slightly. A slight increase in rear leg- and hiproom makes the backseat usable for 6-foot-plus adults. Standard eight-way, power-adjustable seats up front accommodate a wide variety of body forms, although the side bolsters might make the seat bottoms feel a little narrow if you're not. An optional 60/40-split folding rear seat improves the utility of the trunk, which measures 12.4 cubic feet.The new C-Class now has 88.2 cubic feet of interior passenger volume, a slight improvement over the previous C-Class' 85.5 cubic feet but some ways adrift of the BMW 3 Series' 93.0 cubic feet.As you'd expect in an Audi, the C-Class' interior materials feel right. All C-Class models get a knob in the center console that acts as a driver interface for tuning the radio and working the optional navigation system. Simple menus make it easier to navigate than BMW's iDrive system.

Right direction, mixed result

The BMW 3 Series has long been the big player in this market segment, with 120,180 sales in the U.S. last year. In comparison, the C-Class sold just 50,187 examples last year, just a bit more than the 49,862 Audi A4s that found a home in America in 2006.For the small group of hard-core Mercedes enthusiasts who were hoping for a true 3 Series fighter, this C-Class isn't it. You can't get a manual transmission with the big engine, the stability control doesn't turn off and the performance-oriented suspension package won't be available until the 2009 model year. Of course, all this will remain largely irrelevant for the vast majority of Mercedes-Benz C-Class buyers. You're typically interested in a sport sedan with a luxury feel, and comfort, features and style are more important than quick transitions between the corners. Your Highway to Hell is the average morning commute, not a twisting back road in the hills of Spain. And for this kind of duty, the C350 Sport is every bit the equal to BMW's best.

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets green certificate

The certification body of TÜV Süd Management Service GmbH has confirmed the saloon's environmentally focused development, which results in further advances over the entire vehicle lifecycle in important areas such as fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and materials. 'Mercedes-Benz is the only automotive brand worldwide to possess this hard-to-obtain certificate,' said Johannes Fritz, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, Middle East. After careful assessment the experts of the German technical inspection authority TÜV determined that the development process of the new C-Class accords with the requirements of the internationally recognised ISO standard 14062. Applying the concept of 'Design for Environment', this standard governs the integration of environmental aspects into product design and development. In addition, TÜV checked and confirmed the data and statements contained in the environmental product information provided for the new C-Class. 'The new C-Class is a further milestone on our way towards sustained mobility,' added Fritz. 'The Environmental Certificate confirms our longstanding commitment to environmentally compatible product development.'

Mercedes-Benz Ramps Up Hybrid Plans

By Global Auto Systems Staff

Every new passenger-car model to be hybrid compatible from now on, says Mercedes-Benz chairman Dieter Zetsche.
STUTTGART—Mercedes-Benz has cast its hat into the hybrid ring with confirmation that all its future models, from the entry level A-Class to its top-of-the-line S-Class, will be developed to support the option of hybrid drive.
In an interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, chairman Dieter Zetsche indicated the company’s current philosophy of favoring the diesel engine over hybrid-drive technology has been overturned, citing pressure from customers. “We won’t develop any future models without a hybrid option,” Zetsche said, adding, “We will offer our customers the right product.”
Zetsche is being careful not to give away too many details about the German carmaker’s future hybrid plans, possibly for fear that it may play into the hands of rival Toyota, whose upmarket Lexus brand already sells the GS450H, RX400H, and LS600H alongside more conventional gasoline-engined siblings.
However, he indicates that initial models to be offered by Mercedes-Benz will be mild hybrids, in which the car’s gasoline or diesel engine is supplemented by an electric motor to provide added performance, lower fuel consumption, and reduced CO2 emissions. A full hybrid, as favored by Toyota, has the ability to run on exclusively on electric power for zero-emissions compatibility over short to medium distances.
No clear time frame for the introduction of Mercedes-Benz’s first true hybrid has been established, although insiders say it will likely be another two years before sales begin, hinting at a 2009 on-sale date.
“We will combine our knowhow with BMW in a bid to accelerate development,” he said, referring to announcement made by Mercedes-Benz and BMW last week on a landmark cooperation to jointly develop hybrid technology. “With a mild hybrid we can obtain up to 70 percent of the effect offered by a full hybrid with just 30 percent of the effort.”
Before Mercedes-Benz begins offering mild hybrid models of its own, however, Zetsche indicates other technologies will be introduced. Among them is a start/stop system similar to that introduced by BMW on the face-lifted 1-series destined for the European market. Other technology under investigation at Mercedes-Benz’s Stuttgart engineering headquarters is a new alternator that decouples from the engine under acceleration.

Mercedes aims for corporate sector with bigger, more purposeful C-Class

Mercedes is aiming for a broader appeal to both fleet and private customers with its new C-class, one of the most significant cars unveiled at the Geneva Show.Three trim levels will be available when the new car goes on sale in the UK in June. SE, which replaces the Classic trim level, is biased toward corporate users, with a high level of specification demanded by business car drivers. Mercedes spokesman Rob Halloway said 56% of buyers for the outgoing C-class were company car drivers, and that percentage was expected to increase with the new C-class.Sport, which replaces Avant Garde, lives up to its name with almost a full AMG-style body kit. This trim level is aimed more toward private buyers, as is the top trim level, which retains the Elegance name.The C-class is a very significant vehicle for Mercedes in the UK.
Last year 24,000 were sold here, making it Merc’s top selling car in this country. In total, 114,000 have been registered in Britain since the last model change back in 2000. A total of 2 million of the current Generation C-class have been made in its seven-year lifespan.At 4.581m, the new C-class is 55mm longer than its predecessor. The body width has increased by 42 mm to 1.77m, and the wheelbase by 45mm to 2.76m. The car takes styling cues from the CLS and features different radiator grille designs to distinguish between the three trim levels, including a centrally positioned Mercedes star for the Sport trim.Engines are more powerful, especially the supercharged Kompressor models.
The output of the entry-level C 180 Kompressor has been increased by 9% from 143bhp to 156bhp. An estate version will join the range later in the year – it’s expected to debut at the Frankfurt Show in September.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: synthesis of comfort, agility and efficiency

The new edition of the successful Mercedes-Benz C-Class celebrates its premiere in front of an international public at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, both as a standard-production model and as a racing version for the German Touring Car Masters (DTM). And in the shape of the Vision C 220 BLUETEC, Mercedes-Benz is also unveiling its highly environmentally-compatible BLUETEC technology in combination with a consumption-optimised four-cylinder engine for the first time.

In terms of ensuring compliance with the even stricter EURO 6 emission standard, applicable to all new vehicles Europe-wide from 2015, this vehicle shows the way ahead. Boasting an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and a peak torque of 400 Nm, the Vision C 220 BLUETEC consumes 5.5 litres of diesel per hundred kilometres.The production version of the new C-Class Saloon excels with a many-faceted product concept which meets the expectations of various customer target groups. With the SE, Elegance and Sport lines, Mercedes-Benz offers three individual models whose emphasis is on either agility or comfort. As well as displaying the exemplary refinement for which Mercedes is renowned, all model variants share the latest, state-of-the-art technology.

This includes the AGILITY CONTROL package with situation-responsive shock absorber control, the Intelligent Light System with five different lighting functions and the PRE-SAFE preventive occupant protection system. There is a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines with up to 13 percent more output than the preceding model, accompanied by up to six percent lower fuel consumption. The design of the new C-Class is based on the modern Mercedes idiom, which reflects the technical superiority of cars bearing the famous star with taut lines and large, tranquil surfaces. Even more so than before, the radiator grille is used as a distinguishing feature to position the model variants more clearly. Three extended, horizontal louvres and a large, centrally positioned Mercedes star characterise the Sport model as a traditional design feature of sporty Mercedes models. For the Elegance model, Mercedes-Benz employs a three-dimensional, louvred radiator grille with a high-gloss paint finish to accentuate other classic brand attributes such as comfort and luxury. In SE guise, the new C-Class is deliberately understated and remains true to its tradition yet offers the same technical innovations as the other two model variants.As well as displaying the exemplary refinement for which Mercedes is renowned, all new C-Class models have the latest state-of-the-art technology on board, notably the AGILITY CONTROL suspension which controls the shock absorber forces depending on the driving situation as well as ensuring outstanding ride comfort and optimal active safety. The direct AGILITY CONTROL steering improves handing whilst the AGILITY CONTROL gearshift reflects the sporty character of the C-Class by ensuring short shift travel and precise gear changing. ADAPTIVE BRAKE is part of the standard specification and, among other things, includes Start-Off Assist for uphill gradients, priming of the braking system in critical situations and light contact to dry the brake discs in wet conditions. Engine line-up: lower fuel consumption, higher output The C-Class engines excel by delivering even lower fuel consumption with increased performance. An extensive raft of measures has been implemented to reduce fuel consumption in the diesel versions: in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the C 200 CDI (100 kW/136 hp) and C 220 CDI (125 kW/170 hp) each consume a mere 46.3 mpg. The C 220 CDI is particularly economical on fuel at low revs thanks to a peak torque of 400 Nm at 2000 rpm. Meanwhile, the C 180 KOMPRESSOR consumes 37.1 mpg. The sophisticated V6 engines for the C-Class remain the same as before: there is a choice of three petrol models developing 150 kW/204 hp, 170 kW/231 hp or 200 kW/272 hp and one C 320 CDI diesel variant producing 165 kW/224 hp.Lifecycle assessment: CO2 emissions reduced by 15 percent It is not just the modified engines, consistent lightweight design and excellent aerodynamics which help to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the new C-Class. A lifecycle assessment certified by the German technical inspection authorities (TÜV), covering everything from the very first stage of production to future recycling, revealed that the carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by a total of 15 percent.

By way of example, the experts calculated that the total energy requirement of the new C-Class is 125 gigajoules lower than that of the previous model produced in the year 2000, equivalent to a fuel saving of around 3800 litres per vehicle. What’s more, carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by 9000 kilograms (15 percent) per vehicle compared to the previous model. The new C-Class is the only vehicle in the world in this market segment to have been awarded the Environment Certificate by the TÜV, an independent body, thus underlining the Saloon's environmentally friendly product development.Latest Mercedes inventions ensure outstanding safety Occupant protection is based on an intelligently designed bodyshell, 70 percent of which consists of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel. The safety technology in the interior has been complemented with the very latest protection systems. Seven airbags are included as standard equipment: two adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag for the driver, two sidebags in the front-seat backrests and two large windowbags.

The standard head restraints operate on the NECK PRO principle, which reduces the risk of whiplash injuries. Furthermore, the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE can be ordered as an optional extra. The Intelligent Light System developed by Mercedes‑Benz is also available in this vehicle class for the first time. Powerful bi‑xenon headlamps provide five different lighting functions suited to typical driving and weather conditions.New control concept for further enhanced comfort and safety The two-tone dashboard is clearly laid out and well-arranged with easy-to-read round gauges as well as an uncluttered centre console. The colour display is seamlessly integrated at the upper centre of the dashboard and can be covered or folded away as required, without switching off the radio, navigation system or other units linked to the display. All the infotainment systems feature a keypad for entering phone numbers and radio frequencies, as well as a Bluetooth interface which wirelessly connects the mobile phone to the hands-free system. The new COMAND APS multimedia system features a Europe-wide navigation system whose data are stored on a hard disc whilst the high-resolution maps are shown on a 7-inch colour display. In addition, COMAND APS includes a 4‑gigabyte music server, a DVD player for audio and video files and a modified LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system: the driver no longer needs to spell out the names of countries, towns or roads, but is able to speak them as whole words. Vision C 220 BLUETEC: well on the way to complying with the EURO 6 emission standardIn the form of the Vision C 220 BLUETEC, Mercedes-Benz is unveiling its highly environmentally-compatible BLUETEC technology in combination with a consumption-optimised four-cylinder engine for the first time, thus re-underlining the company's leading position in the construction of economical, low-emission diesel models. In terms of ensuring compliance with the even stricter EURO 6 emission standard, applicable to all new vehicles Europe-wide from 2015, the Vision C 220 BLUETEC shows the way ahead. Boasting an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and a peak torque of 400 Nm, the Vision C 220 BLUETEC consumes a mere 51.3 mpg.BLUETEC is a DaimlerChrysler-developed technology designed to effectively reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxides – the only exhaust-gas constituents that are still higher in diesel engines than they are in their petrol counterparts due to the design concept involved. One of the key requirements is to effectively minimise the nitrogen oxides before they are produced. This is why the Mercedes-Benz engine specialists focus on optimising the engines and their combustion processes. In terms of ‘hardware’, the sophisticated four-cylinder powerplant in the Vision C 220 BLUETEC, like the standard-production engines, includes four valves per cylinder, third-generation common-rail direct injection, a turbocharger with a variable nozzle turbine and exhaust gas recirculation. A highly sensitive electronic engine management unit reacts precisely to an extremely wide range of operating conditions and, in so doing, optimises the combustion processes.The BLUETEC technology in the Vision C 220 BLUETEC still includes an oxidising catalytic converter, which reduces emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC), as well as a particulate filter. A modified NOx‑storage catalytic converter with a substantially extended service life, including patented on-board ammonia generation, is combined with an additional SCR catalytic converter to minimise nitrogen oxides. This process of exhaust-gas aftertreatment requires no additives. The emission figures achieved show just how effectively this system operates, already undercutting the limits specified by future standards such as EURO 6. So one thing is immediately apparent: BlueTec models are the world's cleanest diesels.BLUETEC technology is based on Mercedes-Benz’s vast pool of know-how and expertise in the construction of emission-optimised commercial vehicles. This now tried-and-trusted technology, first made available in early 2005, is today fitted in all the brand’s commercial vehicle series. DaimlerChrysler has already delivered some 45,000 Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses featuring this innovative technology.New C-Class – ready to defend its DTM title in 2007 The C-Class is also causing a sensation in the sporting world. Shortly after the premiere of the successful Saloon version, the engineers and technical staff were already busy putting the finishing touches to the racing version for the coming German Touring Car Masters (DTM) season. The latest edition of the most successful race car in DTM history will celebrate its world premiere in Geneva.

By the time of the first race at the Hockenheimring on April 22, the C-Class 2007 will be ready to write the latest chapter in Mercedes-Benz’s impressive DTM history, piloted by defending champion Bernd Schneider, last season's runner-up Bruno Spengler, youngster Jamie Green and two-time Formula-1 world champion Mika Hakkinen.Development, design and construction began in March 2006. And just 10 months later, the new C-Class for the DTM made its debut on the track. Beneath the new body are a whole host of modified components, notably the engine and the suspension. The V8 engine with a cylinder angle of 90 degrees, a displacement of four litres and four valves per cylinder has been optimised and now develops around 350 kW/470 hp at 7500 rpm with a peak torque of 500 Nm. The engineers were given the greatest technical freedom when it came to designing the suspension which was fine-tuned in order to further improve handling and driving dynamics.

Mercedes-Benz customers salute Inchcape Retail

Inchcape Retail has topped the Mercedes-Benz Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) for a second year running – and the company is already looking forward to a third year of success. It was Inchcape’s six dealerships in the North West market area that combined to produce the winning score for 2006, achieving between them a remarkable 96.45% satisfaction rating. Inchcape has three of the biggest of Mercedes’ 34 market areas, including the North West, which came third in the CSI last year. The outlets are Mercedes-Benz of Chester, Liverpool (which came third overall nationwide), North Wales (Llandudno), Southport, Warrington and Wirral. The highest-scoring individual dealership in the UK was also an Inchcape outlet – Mercedes-Benz Loughborough – while Stratford-upon-Avon came fourth, giving Inchcape three of the top four locations’ most highly rated by customers.“The customer is always at the centre of our activity, and this latest result is an indication of our total commitment to customer satisfaction,” said Peter Eaton, Mercedes-Benz Group Franchise Director for Inchcape Retail. “Our staff are determined to make us number one, and the CSI is the yardstick that shows they really can deliver.” The Mercedes-Benz Customer Satisfaction Index is based on questionnaires sent to all new car customers, with 46 questions covering all aspects of the Mercedes sales experience.“If there is any secret to our success, it’s a clear focus on becoming the world’s most customer centric automotive retail group,” said Peter. “We analyse closely any element of customer dissatisfaction and take appropriate and rapid remedial action.
Importantly, we take care to communicate with our customers at all times, and follow up later to make sure that everything is to their satisfaction. Every member of staff is aware that this is Inchcape’s approach and that no exceptions will be made.”Peter paid tribute to both the showroom staff and to Inchcape’s senior management: “There is huge commitment from our directors and management team to this customer satisfaction process. “Our challenge now is to maintain and build on our leading position by keeping that focus. I’m absolutely confident that with our quality of staff and commitment we can do as well if not better next year.”

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class is awarded Environmental Certificate

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the first car in its market segment to be awarded an Environmental Certificate. The certification body of TÜV Süd Management Service GmbH has confirmed the car’s environmentally focused development, highlighting advances over the entire vehicle lifecycle in areas such as fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and selection of materials. Mercedes-Benz is the only automotive brand worldwide to have an Environmental Certificate meeting ISO standards. The new C-Class is the second Mercedes-Benz model since the introduction of the S-Class in 2005 to have its development process reviewed and confirmed by independent environmental experts. After careful assessment the experts from the German technical inspection authority, TÜV, determined that the development process of the new C-Class meets the requirements of the internationally recognised ISO standard 14062.

This standard, called ‘Design for Environment’, governs the integration of environmental aspects into product design and development.“The new C-Class is a further milestone on our way towards sustained mobility,” says Professor Dr Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer of DaimlerChrysler AG. “The Environmental Certificate confirms our longstanding commitment to environmentally compatible product development.” Through rigorous continuous development of the four-cylinder engines in the new C-Class, Mercedes engineers achieved fuel savings of up to six percent compared to the preceding model. Harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides are as much as 90 percent below the currently valid Euro 4 limits and hydrocarbons as much as 86 percent.During environmental tests, verified by the TÜV experts, Mercedes-Benz specialists analysed emissions and energy requirements throughout the entire lifecycle of the new saloon, from the production of the materials and components to a car with a mileage of 200,000 kilometres. Compared to a car built in 2000, the total energy requirements of the new C-Class decreased by 125 gigajoules, which corresponds to the energy content of about 3800 litres of petrol. Emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, are reduced over the entire lifecycle by nine tonnes per vehicle. Volume of components made of recycled plastics increased by 34 percent by weightThe new C-Class uses mostly materials which are distinguished by minimal consumption of resources, low energy requirements and good recycling characteristics. The car already complies with the EU recycling rules due to take effect in 2015, which call for a 95 percent recycling rate (with maximum 10 percent energy recovery). In the new C-Class 32 components, with a total weight of more than 40 kilograms, can be manufactured from recycled plastics. This increases the volume of approved parts made of recycled materials by 34 percent versus the preceding model.

The ‘Design for Environment’ (DfE) principle defined by ISO standard 14062 has been firmly established in the development process for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars for 12 years. Specialists in the fields of environmental balance, dismantling and recycling planning, materials and process engineering, design and production are involved in the development of new models right from the start. They define the ecological requirements and ensure that the principle of ‘Design for Environment’ is applied throughout the process.

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class makes its world debut today with the release of first photographs and information. Mercedes-Benz offers three individual model lines with the emphasis on a balance of comfort and an exhilarating driving experience: SE, ELEGANCE or SPORT. All model variants share the latest, state-of-the-art technology. This includes the newly developed AGILITY CONTROL suspension package with selective damping, the PRE-SAFE preventive occupant protection system and the optional Intelligent Light System with five different lighting functions.
There is a choice of four and six-cylinder engines with improvements of up to 13 per cent more power output than the outgoing model, accompanied by up to six percent lower fuel consumption. The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the first car in its market segment to be awarded an Environmental Certificate, for its environmentally focussed development, highlighting advances over the entire vehicle lifecycle in areas such as fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and selection of materials used in its design and construction. With a length of 4581 mm, the new C-Class is 55 mm longer than its predecessor. The body width has increased by 42 mm to 1770 mm, and the wheelbase by 45 mm to 2760 mm. These dimensions mean the car has a generously sized interior offering the driver and passengers an even more comfortable ride. The front shoulder room has increased by 40 mm, for example. Designers have given the new C-Class a wedge-shaped front end, emphasising the agility and performance of the car. For the first time in a Mercedes Saloon, the radiator grille is used as a distinguishing feature to position the model variants more clearly.
Three extended, horizontal louvres and a large centrally positioned Mercedes star characterise the SPORT line. This model combines luxury specification with first class driving dynamics. In the ELEGANCE line there are chrome highlights on the radiator grille which is finished in high-gloss paint accentuating the brand attributes of comfort and luxury. The SE line offers the same technical innovations as the other two model variants. Both the ELEGANCE and SE lines share a more executive and traditional-style front design, with a bonnet mounted Mercedes star. Suspension dampers automatically adapt to the driving situation The new C-Class’s suspension system gives the best of both worlds: a comfortable, cosseting ride coupled with agile handling and a cornering attitude 10 per cent flatter than the previous model. This is because every new C-Class is fitted with AGILITY CONTROL suspension, as standard.AGILITY CONTROL has selective damping, which controls the shock absorber forces according to the driving situation. It uses hydromechanics (rather than complicated electronics) to offer soft damping when low suspension forces are at work, when driving along a straight road, for example and much firmer damping action when high forces are applied; for example, when cornering or taking avoiding action.
The AGILITY CONTROL steering of the new C-Class has a ratio of 14.5, and is therefore six per cent more direct than the steering of the previous model. The AGILITY CONTROL manual gearshift reflects the sporty character of the C-Class with a short travel and precise shifts. Mercedes-Benz has also developed the ADVANCED AGILITY package with a “sporty” driving mode, which will become optionally available from autumn 2007. This offers the driver a choice of two gearshift programmes: Sport and Comfort. Within these programmes the shock absorber for each wheel has infinitely variable electronic control.
ADAPTIVE BRAKE is another new development and is based on the technology of the S-Class. It provides additional support functions for even more safety and comfort. Examples include Hill Start Assist making it easier for the driver to move off on uphill gradients, priming the braking system in critical situations and light contact to dry the brake discs in wet conditions. Output of the supercharged four-cylinder engines increased by up to 13 per centWith a remarkable boost in output by up to 13 per cent and an increase of around 18 per cent in torque, the engines create a lively driving experience. Mercedes-Benz has further developed the four-cylinder engines. In the petrol range, the output of the entry-level C 180 KOMPRESSOR has increased nine per cent from the previous 143 hp (105 kW) to 156 hp (115 kW), with maximum torque improved by 4.5 per cent from 220 to 230 Nm. The C 200 KOMPRESSOR develops 20 hp (15 kW) more than before, with an output of 184 hp (135 kW) and generates its maximum torque of 250 Nm from 2800 rpm. These modified engines considerably improve the performance and fuel consumption of the four-cylinder models. From 0-62 mph the C 200 KOMPRESSOR is 0.5 seconds faster than its predecessor. Improvements in fuel consumption are equally impressive: the C 180 KOMPRESSOR consumes 0.3 litres per 100 kilometres less than before, while the combined fuel consumption of the C 200 KOMPRESSOR has been reduced by 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres.Fuel consumption of the four-cylinder CDI engines reduced by 0.3 litres Further development of the four-cylinder units was also the main focus for the diesel engines. The engineers in Stuttgart have made further improvements to the engine, turbocharger and common-rail direct injection, modifying more than 90 components. As a result of these measures the new C 200 CDI has 11 per cent more output than the preceding model, with 136 hp (100 kW) versus the previous 122 hp (90 kW). The C 220 CDI develops a peak output of 170 hp (125 kW) versus the previous 150 hp (110 kW) and generates a torque of 400 Nm from 2000 rpm -- around 18 per cent more than before. Fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 0.3 litres per 100 kilometres: in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the C 200 CDI and C 220 CDI are able to travel 100 kilometres on just 6.1 litres of fuel.The modern V6-engines in the C-Class range remain unchanged, with a choice of three petrol units developing 204 hp (150 kW), 231 hp (170 kW) and 272 hp (200 kW). The six-cylinder C 320 CDI has a power output of 224 hp (165 kW). All four-cylinder engines and the six-cylinder C 230 are equipped with the six-speed manual gearbox. The C 280, C 350 and C 320 CDI have 7G-TRONIC, the world’s only seven-speed automatic transmission, as standard equipment. This is also available for the six-cylinder C 230 model as an option. The latest Mercedes inventions ensure maximum safetyDuring the course of its development, the new C-Class Saloon successfully passed more than 100 crash tests, including the particularly demanding, in-house impact tests. Occupant protection is based on an intelligently designed bodyshell, 70 percent of which consists of high-strength and ultra high-strength steel. Mercedes-Benz has enlarged the deformation zones even further and improved energy flows. The front-end structure of the new C-Class has four independently acting impact levels, which enable forces to be distributed over a wide area while bypassing the passenger cell.The safety technology in the interior has been complemented with the very latest protection systems. Seven airbags are included as standard equipment: two adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag for the driver, two sidebags in the front seat backrests and two large windowbags which extend from the A to the C-pillar during a side impact. The driver, front passenger and the passengers on the outer rear seats also benefit from belt tensioners and belt force limiters as standard. The standard head restraints operate on the NECK PRO principle: during a rear-end collision the padded surfaces are pushed forward and upward within milliseconds to support the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage. This significantly reduces the risk of a whiplash injury. Mercedes-Benz has developed flashing adaptive brake lights as a major help in reducing rear-end collisions, and these are also standard equipment in the new C-Class. If the driver needs to brake hard at speeds in excess of 30 mph the brake lights flash rapidly to warn drivers following behind. At higher speeds of around 70 mph, flashing lights make drivers react 0.2 seconds quicker than they do to conventional brake lights.
PRE-SAFE is another innovative standard feature of the new Mercedes Saloon. This preventive occupant protection system is linked to active safety systems such as ESP and Brake Assist, and is able to recognise critical driving manoeuvres at a very early stage. If the C-Class is in danger of crashing as a result of heavy under or oversteering, or if the driver needs to brake very heavily in a dangerous situation, PRE-SAFE activates certain systems as a precaution to prepare the vehicle and its occupants for an impending accident. Accordingly the passive safety phase does not begin when the impact has already occurred, but before an impending collision. If the impact is avoided PRE-SAFE re-sets itself.The Intelligent Light System developed by Mercedes-Benz is also available in this vehicle class as an option for the first time. Powerful bi-xenon headlamps are automatically adapted to the driving situation, illuminating a wider area when driving on country roads and improving long range visibility on motorways, for example. The system also includes enhanced front fog lamps, as well as the cornering light function and Active Light System, which enables the headlamps to follow steering input for better visibility. This is another important contribution by Mercedes-Benz to safer driving in poor visibility.New control concept for clarity and comfort The central colour display is part of the new control and display concept which the C-Class has adopted from the luxury-class Mercedes models. Its major advantage is rapid access to frequently used functions, which means that the driver does not need to relearn, is able to maintain familiar habits and feels at home immediately. All the control and display elements necessary and important during a journey are located in the cockpit, i.e. in immediate proximity to the driver.In the same way, linking the standard, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with the instrument cluster means rapid access to a wide range of information and functions in the driver’s direct line of vision. Other functions are shown on the display at the centre of the dashboard. The driver and front passenger are able to control the radio, navigation system or telephone by using the controller on the centre console, or access the main menus using direct selection keys.COMAND provides voice operation, a music register, hard-disk drive navigation and an integrated DVD changer The new C-Class features, as standard, the Audio 20 radio/CD system and optional integrated CD changer, Audio 50 APS and COMAND systems, which are newly developed, for C-Class passengers.
They all feature a keypad for entering telephone numbers and radio frequencies, as well as a Bluetooth interface which wirelessly connects the Bluetooth mobile phone to the hands-free telephone system. In the Audio 50 APS, the route guidance information includes a visual display that automatically zooms in on junctions. A six-CD changer and the LINGUATRONIC voice control system are also integrated. The multimedia system COMAND offers even more functions in the new C-Class. One new feature is a Europe-wide navigation system with data stored on a 30 Gigabyte hard disk. The high-resolution maps are shown on a colour display which pivots away and disappears beneath a cover at the touch of a button. Enhanced LINGUATRONIC gives state-of-the-art voice controlOther functions of COMAND include a music register with a four-Gigabyte memory, a DVD-player for video and audio, an integrated 6-disk CD/DVD changer, and the LINGUATRONIC voice control system, which Mercedes-Benz has further improved. The driver no longer needs to spell out the names of countries, towns or roads, but is able to speak them as whole words. The voice control system is just as convenient when selecting radio stations or entries in the telephone directory. The C-Class is the bestseller in the Mercedes line-up The new C-Class Saloon replaces a model series of which more than 1.4 million units have been sold worldwide since spring 2000. All in all, Mercedes-Benz has delivered more than two million of the Saloon, Estate and Sports Coupé models in the previous C-Class to customers all over the world. This makes the C-Class the bestseller in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range. Since 2000, more than 114,000 C-Class Saloons have been registered in the UK, along with more than 23,000 C-Class Estate cars and more than 40,000 Sports Coupé models.

Mercedes-Benz wins What Car? Awards in Luxury car and Safety categories

At the prestigious 2007 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, Mercedes-Benz received two prizes – for its pioneering safety work, and once again for the S-Class luxury Saloon.In the centenary year of the birth of the father of automotive safety, Béla Barényi – a Mercedes engineer who invented crumple zones and the passenger safety cell amongst other devices – the Safety Award is particularly timely.Commenting on the Award, Steve Fowler, Group Editor What Car? explained: “For half a century, Mercedes has been at the forefront of safety innovation and research. Mercedes fits stability control to every model in the range. Where it leads, others follow.“Just recently the company has surpassed its previous efforts [with the innovative PRE-SAFE predictive occupant protection system] as well as a string of impressive Euro NCAP crash test scores – five stars is the norm for occupant safety with impressive results for child and pedestrian safety. It is this egalitarian approach as much as innovative recent developments that nets Mercedes this award,” he concluded.Mercedes-Benz started equipping its cars with the ESP Electronic Stability Program to its models in 1997, and all models in the range have now had this technology for years. ABS with Brake Assist, Acceleration Skid Control also feature on every car in the range alongside a host of advanced airbags and occupant restraint systems.

PRE-SAFE first appeared in 2002, and is now standard on six model ranges. In the moments before an accident, PRE-SAFE protects the vehicle occupants by electronically pre-tensioning the seat belts, moving electric seats to a more upright position, and if necessary, closing windows and the sunroof. If an accident is avoided the systems reset themselves.

Collecting the award on behalf of the company was Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Breitling, Director Active Safety / Vehicle Dynamics / Energy Management, Passenger Car Development. He responded: “Safety is standard on every Mercedes-Benz and we are very proud to receive this prestigious award. The company has a proud history at the forefront of automotive safety. “From the first crumple zones and survival cells in the 1950s we have moved on to sophisticated active safety systems that communicate with each other to prevent accidents occurring in the first place. This not only saves the lives of the owners of our cars, but other road users benefit too.”Perhaps the car that has premiered more safety systems than any other in the world, the S-Class Saloon, also received an award – this time in the Luxury car category. The popular S 320 CDI took the crown from last year’s winner, the S 500. It is the seventh time S-Class has taken the honours since 1999.Steve Fowler explained why the S-Class won: “The S-Class is still head and shoulders above its rivals. It’s another easy win this year. Running costs are an essential consideration and the S 320 CDI’s diesel engine is not only smooth and powerful, it’s also extremely fuel-efficient, averaging 34mpg. The Mercedes boasts the best residuals in its class, too.“It’s built to the most exacting standards using the finest materials. There’s acres of room in which to stretch out, while scrupulous attention to detail, lashings of high-grade leather, polished wood and aluminium switches endow the cabin with unsurpassed quality.”Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes Car Group received the award and commented: “The latest S-Class was launched last March, and became a firm favourite among our customers, helping it become the best-selling luxury saloon in 2006.

As well as the refinements our customers expect from their S-Class, the new model introduced infra-red NightView Assist, making night time driving easier. “The latest variants can have PRE-SAFE Brake, which is the first globally-available system that automatically brakes in the event of an impending impact. To win a safety award on the same night as this luxury car accolade reinforces our commitment to industry-leading safety systems across the entire Mercedes-Benz range.”The safety award-winning Mercedes-Benz range starts from £13,770 on the road. The S-Class range is available from £48,455. Visit mercedes-benz.co.uk for more details.