Following the best start to the year in company history, with record sales in January 2015 (+13.6%), Mercedes-Benz Cars is pushing forward at full speed with its product offensive. At the Geneva Motor Show, the brand with the three-pointed star is presenting a full programme of new models and innovations. The spectrum ranges from the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 – a racing machine for the very highest levels of customer sport – to the highly exclusive Mercedes-Maybach Pullman limousine, embodying the automotive luxury class in the very best Maybach tradition. Further Mercedes highlights at this high-profile springtime motor show in Geneva are the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e with plug-in hybrid drive, which is as dynamic as it is efficient, the avant-garde CLA Shooting Brake and the Concept V-ision e, based on the successful V‑Class and likewise equipped with plug-in hybrid technology. The ‘star-studded’ SUV offensive continues with the GLE Coupé and the spectacular G 500 4×42.
The resounding start signal for this year’s Geneva Motor Show was fired up bright and early at eight in the morning on the Mercedes-Benz stand. The latest race car from the brand with the three-pointed star rolled onto the stage with a rich V8 sound. “The new Mercedes-AMG GT3 is the perfect vehicle for customers who prefer to get their adrenalin kicks on the race track,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “That’s why we are starting 2015 not only as reigning double Formula 1 champions, but are also continuing our battle for supremacy in the hard-fought customer sport sector. Motorsport is a major part of our DNA.”
Following a record year for Mercedes-Benz in 2014 in terms of sales figures, turnover and profit, the company has already set a new sales record in 2015. Mercedes-Benz enjoyed a magnificent start to the year, with an increase of 13.6 percent. “We will use this powerful momentum for dynamic growth throughout the year,” continued Dr. Zetsche. “Playing a major role in this is our product offensive, which we are pursuing at full speed with a total of eight new models in 2015. The first highlight in the Mercedes-Benz ‘Year of the SUV’ is the new GLE Coupé. It will attract new customers with its sporty design and agile handling characteristics.”
C 350 e continues the hybrid offensive
The same applies to the new C 350 e. It is already the second hybrid model in the new C-Class and the second after the S 500 e to appear with Mercedes-Benz’s highly advanced plug-in hybrid technology. The company is applying full force to its offensive with this forward-looking technology, “We will bring ten new plug-in hybrid models to market by 2017,” said Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes‑Benz Cars Development. “In Europe, our fleet emissions are already less than 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The new models based on our scalable hybrid platform will make a significant contribution to the continued reduction of CO2 emissions.”
The C 350 e makes a compelling case as a saloon and as an estate car with its exceptional dynamics and efficiency, enabling 31 kilometres of electric-only, zero-emissions driving. The drive delivers a system output of 205 kW (279 hp) and system torque of 600 Nm. This means that the new C 350 e achieves the performance of a sports car, yet has a certified consumption as saloon and estate of just 2.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. This equates to CO2 emissions of merely 48 grams (estate: 49 grams) per kilometre.
V-Class Concept V-ision e – more performance with fewer CO2 emissions
A plug-in hybrid with a four-cylinder engine and system output of 245 kW (333 hp) also drives the concept V-ision e. “This concept vehicle shows the potential offered by the Mercedes of MPVs to address customer and market needs even more individually and exclusively in future,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes‑Benz Vans. “With pioneering Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid technology, we are able to increase the output of the most powerful V-Class currently available by a further 105 kW, while lowering consumption to that of a compact car. That’s what I call a forward-looking performance increase.” Inside, the Concept V-ision e offers a unique ambience of wellbeing with a modern loft-like character, Executive seats that can be controlled by app and the biggest panoramic roof in the segment.
Mercedes-Maybach Pullman – automotive high-end luxury
The new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman guarantees the very finest on-board accommodation. “The second model from Mercedes-Maybach takes over the role at the absolute pinnacle – as a state limousine with a classic face-to-face seat configuration in the rear,” said Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales. “The length of 6.50 metres and the wheelbase of 4.42 metres deliver an incredibly spacious interior and first-class comfort. It goes without saying that the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman also embodies the very best in exclusivity.” This is further enhanced by the uncompromising sound quality and perfect musical enjoyment supplied by the exclusive Burmester® High-End 3D Surround-Sound system – the most expensive surround-sound system in an automobile.
