Mercedes-Benz continues with its product offensive. After the best start to the year in company history, with record sales in January (+19.9% against last year) the brand with the three-pointed star presents a wealth of attractive new products at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show,. Celebrating their world premieres are the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet and the cabriolet and coupé versions of the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC. The first cabriolet in the history of the C-Class enhances the unique portfolio of Mercedes dream cars, which also includes the extensively updated SL and SLC roadsters, now shown for the first time in Europe, and the exclusive AMG S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet “Edition 130”. Also making its European debut is the new E-Class. The tenth generation of the globally successful business saloon sets benchmarks in design, efficiency and automotive intelligence.
“We made a tremendous start in January – with another record month just like the 34 previous months,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We delivered almost 20 percent more vehicles to our customers than we did last year.”
The new E-Class, which comes to market this spring, is sure to add further impetus, setting stylish accents with its clear design and premium interior, and presenting a host of technical innovations. The intelligence of the new E-Class is inspired by the F 015 Luxury in Motion. The research vehicle unveiled in 2015 delivered many new ideas that are already finding their way into series production in the new E-Class. One example is the DRIVE PILOT, which marks the next step towards autonomous driving. It automatically maintains the correct distance to vehicles in front and can follow them at speeds of up to 210 km/h on motorways and country roads.
Further intelligent assistance systems in the E-Class, including Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function and Evasive Steering Assist, take the load off the driver and deliver a whole new level of safety and comfort. Also new is the Remote Parking Pilot, which for the first time enables remote-controlled parking via a smartphone app.
The E-Class is now even safer thanks to Car-to-X communication. It is the first production model able to exchange information with other vehicles and with suitably equipped infrastructure. Dangers such as broken down vehicles or slippery roads are thus identified sooner. Added to that are new infotainment and operating systems, offering a whole new multimedia experience.
New diesel engine – the efficiency champion in its class
With the launch of the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz is offering a newly developed four-cylinder diesel. The highly efficient compression-ignition power unit generates 143 kW/194 hp from a displacement of just under two litres. In the E 220 d it delivers a combined average NEDC fuel consumption of 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres. This equates to CO2 emissions of 102 grams per kilometre – a figure previously achieved only by smaller vehicles.
Dr. Zetsche: “At Mercedes, we believe in diesel technology which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year – and in engineering. That’s why we are investing a total of 2.6 billion euros in our new diesel engine family.”
Following shortly is the E 350 e with plug-in-hybrid technology, which can drive more than 30 kilometres on electric power alone. The four-cylinder petrol engine combines with a powerful electric motor to produce a system output of 210 kW (286 hp) and system torque of 550 Nm. The result is sports-car performance with an average fuel consumption of 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres (49 g CO2/km).
Stuttgart dream car offensive
Besides the E-Class, 2016 also belongs to the Mercedes-Benz dream cars, especially the cabriolets and roadsters. The inventor of the automobile is showing a unique line-up of open-top vehicles in Geneva. The range extends from the world’s smallest cabriolet, the smart cabrio, to the highly exclusive Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet “Edition 130”.
The highlights of the dream-car collection include the new C-Class Cabriolet, which celebrates its world premiere in Geneva. “Our first C-Class Cabriolet is a dream car in many respects,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “One reason for that is the elegantly sporty design language. However, the design is not only breathtaking, it also facilitates the best possible aerodynamics – with an outstandingly low drag coefficient of 0.28.”
With modern luxury and a youthful touch, the C-Class Cabriolet is a highly attractive entry point into the world of Mercedes dream cars. The four-seater with a classic soft top offers open-air driving fun 365 days of the year. The broad range of engines spans from the four-cylinder diesel with 125 kW (170 hp) to the V6 biturbo, which generates 270 kW (367 hp) in the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet.
Also celebrating its world premiere is the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupé, which enhances the C-Class performance range with a further variant. With the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and rear-biased AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the C 43 Coupé delivers a huge serving of driving fun.
Three dream cars for even more exclusive open-air driving fun
Exclusive open-air driving fun comes courtesy of the new SL, the SLC and the Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet “Edition 130” – all three dream cars are celebrating their European premieres in Geneva. Significantly updated both technically and visually, the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL will be available to order as of April 2016. More powerful engines, the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, DYNAMIC SELECT with five drive programmes and Active Body Control with curve tilting function lift the legend to a new level of performance dynamics.
Another highlight is the new SLC. 20 years after the introduction of the first SLK, the cult roadster is succeeded by a model with a name that clearly states its close connection to the C-Class. The facelifted model is identifiable by its sharpened design with the diamond grille as standard. The new entry-level variant is the SLC 180 with 115 kW (156 hp) and an NEDC consumption of 5.6 l/100 km. At the top of the model range is the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 with the 270 kW (367 hp) 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine and AMG sports suspension.
The Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet “Edition 130” references the invention of the automobile 130 years ago. AMG, the Mercedes-Benz performance and sports car brand, honours the 130th anniversary with an exclusive special edition notable for its utterly exquisite appointments.
Exclusivity from the V-Class and smart
Also celebrating its world premiere in Geneva is the most exclusive V-Class ever. With the V-Class EXCLUSIVE equipment line, the MPV sets premium accents paired with an exceptionally high level of equipment.
smart is presenting even more opportunities for individualisation with the BRABUS Sport package. Exterior features are the BRABUS front and rear skirts in body colour and the rear diffuser in matt grey. The interior equipment includes a multifunction sports steering wheel, a BRABUS gear knob and handbrake grip in leather and a set of sports pedals.
