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Editor in Chief, David Johns commented that “few cars have reigned over such competitive sectors with such complete authority as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. To many there simply isn’t a better limousine. Beautifully engineered both inside and out, it’s one of those rare cars that is as good to drive as it is to be driven in”.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz said: “S-Class has been an enduring success with press and customers alike and accounted for one in every four luxury saloon sales last year. We are delighted that Auto Express still recognizes S-Class as the best luxury car in the sector.”

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Satisfaction levels among new vehicle owners is the focus of J.D. Power and Associates’ annual “APEAL” study. As the best car among all premium models available in the USA, they chose the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The result for the C‑Class, which has been able to make significant gains over its predecessor model since its market introduction, is equally positive.

At the start of this month, J.D. Power had already honoured the E-Class and the CLK with the coveted Gold Award for top product quality. The Mercedes-Benz works in Sindelfingen also received a Platinum Award as the production plant delivering the best quality worldwide among all car manufacturers.

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It’s still not fully know which vehicle might get this technology, but if we look at some of the most recent developments, we can probably find the one that will most like be released with a electric motor. In a post we wrote in late February, we reported that Mercedes has acquired 25 patents for a lithium-ion technology to be used in the S 400 BlueHYBRID beginning next year. We also reported a couple of time on the GLK and its Hybrid intentions. If we were to throw out a educated guess here, we would probably say that the S-Class and the GLK, maybe even ML, will be the first “luxury’ all electric powered vehicles in the market.

Here is the most important questions for consumers. When will it come out? According to our source, a fully electric powered vehicle from Mercedes will come in the form of a new model/generation vehicle. If our prediction is right, and it is the S-Class, then we can expect the EV sometime in 2011 or possibly even as early as 2010, as that is when a new model is scheduled.

The key advantage available from the newly engineered lithium-ion battery is the small size as well as its performance compared to the conventional nickel metal hydride batteries. Other areas where the lithium batteries excels is the high ampere hour efficiency, their long service life, but also great reliability. The batteries safety is comparable to today’s auto batteries, so drivers would not need to worry about their safety.

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- In 2008, Mercedes-Benz will be launching the first three diesel SUVs in the world in the guise of the R, ML and GL 320 BLUETEC, which will comply with the stringent U.S. 50-state BIN5 standard and future EU6 emissions standard.

- April 2008 will see the launch of the C 200 CDI, which according to NEDC ratings requires just 5.1 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions of 135 grams per kilometre).

- The A 160 CDI is set to follow in June 2008 with fuel consumption of 4.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions of 119 grams per kilometre).

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- Mercedes-Benz will also be launching the B 170 NGT in June 2008, the brand’s first compact model with natural-gas drive. Its CO2 emissions of 135 grams per kilometre are some 20 per cent lower than those of a comparable petrol model. Running costs have been cut by around a half.

- Mercedes-Benz will be launching its new generation of 4-cylinder diesel engine in 2009 in the shape of the C 250 BLUETEC. The strong, clean and extremely economical 2.2-litre powerplant delivers 150 kW/204 hp. The vehicle sets new standards in its output class with average fuel consumption of 4.9 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 130 grams per kilometre.

- 2009 will also see the launch of the Mercedes-Benz ML 450 HYBRID.

- In parallel with the ML 450 HYBRID, Mercedes-Benz will be launching an S‑Class with petrol hybrid. The S 400 HYBRID with 205 kW/279 hp and hybrid module delivers outstanding performance and fuel consumption of just 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions: 190 grams per kilometre) in the NEDC cycle, making the S 400 HYBRID the most fuel-efficient luxury petrol-powered saloon in the world, irrespective of whether competitors pit a petrol, diesel or hybrid drive against it.

- Mercedes-Benz already has the largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles on the road in Europe, Asia, the USA and Australia. And even Iceland’s power utility sector already runs a fleet of A-Class F-Cell vehicles. In the summer of 2010, Mercedes-Benz will launch the first series-production car with a local zero-emission fuel-cell drive in the guise of the B-Class Fuel Cell. The powerplant for this innovative vehicle will be a new-generation fuel-cell drive that is completely practicable for everyday use.

- In the summer of 2010, Mercedes-Benz will be leading the way in the business class with the launch of the new E-Class – the first of three Mercedes-Benz models with the unique combination of BLUETEC, 7G-TRONIC and hybrid technology. The E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is set to become the cleanest and most economical business saloon in the world with fuel consumption of 5.1 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, corresponding to CO2 emissions of 134 grams per kilometre.

- 2010 will also see the market launch of the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID.

- The C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is set to follow in spring 2011 – fuel consumption of 4.6 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, CO2 emissions of 122 grams per kilometre.

- The S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID will go on sale from autumn 2011. Boasting fuel consumption of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions: 154 g/km), this luxury saloon combines fuel efficiency and excellent environmental compatibility together with supreme driving pleasure and comfort.

Mercedes-Benz provided 2007 IAA International Motor Show visitors with a taster of the future of the luxury long-distance saloon: the F 700 research car with innovative DIESOTTO drive combines the very best of the diesel and petrol engine to comfortably deliver the lowest fuel consumption in the history of the petrol-engined car. Thanks to turbocharging and the hybrid module, its 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine delivers combined maximum power of 190 kW/258 hp whilst consuming just 5.3 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions of 127 grams per kilometre).

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The two first places for the R and S-Class were the second double victory in succession for the Stuttgartpremium brand in the important “Auto Trophy” vote. A total of more than 100,000 knowledgeable readers of the “Auto Zeitung” Internet site cast their votes for the best cars of 2007 in the competition, which was held for the 20th time this year.

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class was able to prevail over 17 competitors. In voting it the best van, the readers of “Auto Zeitung” acknowledged its unique vehicle concept, with which Mercedes-Benz has set trends. It excels with exemplary travelling comfort, a high degree of variability and outstanding spaciousness, coupled with a striking design and the safety typical of a Mercedes.

In the vote for the best car in the luxury class, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class won through against 13 competitors. This flagship model from Stuttgart is acknowledged as an example to the entire field of passenger car development. It is also the top seller in the luxury segment, and occupies an exalted position with its refined stylishness, self-assured elegance and innovative ideas. The technical milestones realised for the first time in the S-Class include AIRMATIC air suspension and DISTRONIC proximity control. With these the luxury saloon opens up new dimensions in handling dynamics, while treating its passengers to an outstanding level of comfort. Standard features include unique technical innovations such as Brake Assist PLUS with radar sensors, the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, night view assist with infrared technology and the PRE-SAFE® brake. As the only system in the world of its kind, this can help to prevent an impending rear-end collision by automatically braking the car beforehand.

Mercedes-Benz employs six short-range radar sensors for the new assistance system, which can be found in the front and rear bumpers. The sensors monitor the zone to the side and rear of the car on both the left and the right. In so doing, they cover the area known as the “blind spot” which drivers are unable to see in the exterior mirrors.

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If the system detects another vehicle in the danger zone, a red warning symbol appears in the exterior mirror glass. This symbol informs the driver that it may be dangerous to change lanes. Should the driver ignore this warning and switch on the indicators, the red symbol in the mirror will start to flash and an audible warning will also sound.
Blind Spot Assist is offered for the S and CL-Class in conjunction with other radar-based assistance systems, such as DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, Brake Assist PLUS, the PRE-SAFE® brake and Parking Guidance. In Germany, this package is priced at between €2594.20 and €3391.50 (ex factory, incl. VAT).