Mercedes-Benz at the North American Auto Show 2007

Mercedes-Benz at the North American Auto Show 2007

January 08, 2007

BLUETEC, New AWD Technology and a Fascinating Luxury
Convertible That Dreams Are Made of


    DETROIT, Jan. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- At the North
American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mercedes-Benz
presented its broad range of all-wheel drive cars and SUVs
on a 7,250 sq. ft. (570 sq. meter ice rink). This year's
show celebrates two important centennials: the 100th
anniversary of the Detroit Auto Show, as well as the 100th
anniversary of the first all-wheel drive Mercedes
automobile.  Other highlights of the Mercedes-Benz press
conference included the S-Class with the latest 4MATIC
all-wheel drive technology and the V8-powered "Vision
GL 420 BLUETEC" SUV concept vehicle, with which the
luxury brand continues its initiative for clean diesels in
the USA. As a high-point, the red carpet was rolled out for
the striking Concept Ocean Drive - a convertible that
revives the tradition of four dour luxury cars with an open
top.

    ( Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070107/240302 )

    "A hundred years after introducing our first
automobile with four-wheel drive, we offer one of the
largest ranges of four-wheel drive passenger cars and SUVs
on the market: 48 models in seven model series,"
explained Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of DaimlerChrysler AG and
head of the Mercedes Car Group, at the kick-off of the
Mercedes-Benz press conference. The new star of the
four-wheel drive line-up from Stuttgart is the S-Class
4MATIC, the first model to be equipped with the high-tech
fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz four-wheel drive
system. The new 4MATIC combines agility, comfort and
enhanced traction with considerably reduced fuel
consumption which is roughly (0.1 gallons / 0.4 litres)
more than that of a comparable model with rear-wheel drive.
 This is partly due to a significant reduction of the
model's additional weight, which ranges between merely 145
to 154 lbs. (66-70 kg.), depending on the type of engine.
That's approximately 77 lbs. (35 kg.) less than its
predecessor or competing systems. 

    Mercedes-Benz' four-wheel drive models also include the
GL-Class, which was introduced last year and has established
itself in the USA as one of the three best-sellers in the
luxury full-size SUV segment. The leading U.S. automobile
magazine, "Motor Trend," named it the "SUV
of the Year 2007."

    Vision GL 420 BLUETEC - another milestone of the
BLUETEC initiative

    The Vision GL 420 BLUETEC concept car demonstrates that
BLUETEC(R) makes it possible for large and powerful vehicles
in particular to offer good fuel economy and the lowest
possible emission levels. The vehicle with the powerful V8
diesel engine delivers 216 kW (290 hp) and generates 700 Nm
(515 lb-ft) of torque, with an expected fuel consumption of
9.8 litres per 100 km (24 mpg). This impressive combination
of top performance, high torque, fuel efficiency and
impressive range makes all Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC(R) ideal
for the U.S. market.

    "Thanks to our second-stage BLUETEC technology,
featuring AdBlue injection to eliminate more than 80 per
cent of the NOx emissions, this powerful, clean and
efficient engine complies with strict BIN 5
regulations," said Dr. Thomas Weber, head of
Development at DaimlerChrysler. "The same goes for the
three new V6 BLUETEC models - the R 320 BLUETEC, ML 320
BLUETEC and the GL 320 BLUETEC - we will launch in the U.S.
market in 2008."

    Concept Ocean Drive concept car -- a look at the design
of tomorrow

    With its luxury convertible Concept Ocean Drive,
Mercedes-Benz revives the tradition of large four door
convertibles. This striking concept car stands out thanks
to its elegant body design and head-turning appearance. Its
clearly defined lines and vibrant two-tone paint finish make
it exceptionally charismatic. Exotic materials and
uncompromising perfection make it a showpiece for today's
automobile connoisseurs.

    The Concept Ocean Drive inspires automotive dreams -
but its purpose is also to reach out to customers and find
out how the public is reacting to new automotive ideas.
That supports the designers at Mercedes-Benz as they look
into the future, develop new design vocabularies and
implement them in coming vehicles. Apart from the four
doors, the distinguishing exterior features of the concept
car include a very large and upright radiator grille,
headlights and taillights featuring LED technology, its
two-tone paint finish and a striking interplay between taut
lines and large, restful surfaces.  The Concept's dramatic
profile is enhanced by the deletion of traditional
B-pillars or window frames, ensuring a seamless continuity
of the exterior - even when the top is raised.

    By virtue of its long wheelbase, the 12-cylinder
Mercedes-Benz S 600 was chosen as the technical basis of
the design study. The vehicle's special technical
highlights include an innovative soft-top mechanism with
smooth operation and fast closing times and the unrivalled
AIRSCARF neck-level heating system at all four seats, which
allows occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the
colder months of the year.

    Internet site

    More news from DaimlerChrysler at:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com 


    For more information, please contact:

     Norbert Giesen
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 

     Wolfgang Zanker
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 


SOURCE  DaimlerChrysler AG