At the 40th Tokyo Motor Show Mercedes-Benz is presenting, for the first time in Asia, four innovative new models with trailblazing drive concepts for a cleaner and more fuel-efficient future of the premium motor car. The C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID and the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID use BLUETEC diesel emissions control technology, which was successfully introduced in the United States in 2006, to achieve the cleanest internal-combustion engines in the world, combined with a compact hybrid module. In addition, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a B-Class model with fuel cell drive. And the F 700 research vehicle, as the luxury long-distance saloon of the future, is set to redefine the meaning of driving refinement. This way the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer continues with its “Road to the Future”, which it began at the Frankfurt International Motor Show only a few weeks ago, with a unique variety of particularly economical and environmentally compatible models. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the new C 63 AMG and the new Viano X-CLUSIVE.
Fuel-efficient and environmentally compatible premium automobiles that do not compromise on safety, comfort or supreme driving pleasure: this is the long-term objective of the development strategy defined by Mercedes-Benz under the heading “Road to the Future” which focuses uncompromisingly on sustainability. The development priorities along the way include modular drive technologies; first and foremost, optimised combustion engines with individually configured hybrid solutions that can be used singly or in combination, depending on the vehicle class, usage and customer.
One of the main focuses will be on the diesel engines equipped with BLUETEC diesel emissions control technology, which was successfully introduced in the United States in 2006. As a modular drive concept in conjunction with a hybrid module, “BLUETEC HYBRID” makes possible the most economical and cleanest internal-combustion-engine-powered vehicles in the world. Both BLUETEC models presented in Tokyo have the potential to continue to comply with the most stringent exhaust emission standards applicable anywhere in the world in the future too, including the European EU6 and the US- American BIN5 standards. Apart from this, in Tokyo a Mercedes-Benz passenger car with fuel cell drive, due to go into series production in 2010, celebrates its Asian premiere.
The modular concept means that innovative technologies can be introduced into all Mercedes-Benz model series in a flexible manner and with a minimum of delay. As Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of
Daimler AG said: “In this way, we are giving our customers the certainty that their Mercedes will continue to meet even the highest expectations in terms of safety, comfort and assured performance – and do so in an environmentally compatible way that is quite unrivalled.”
F 700 with DIESOTTO: the best of both diesel and petrol engines
A very tangible idea of what the future holds in store for large premium saloons is given by the F 700 research vehicle. This features an innovative DIESOTTO engine that combines the best elements of both diesel and petrol engines. A turbocharger enables the 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit to deliver a rated output of 175 kW/238 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Newton metres; but when coupled with a 15 kW/20 hp hybrid module the DIESOTTO hybrid drive develops a combined maximum output of 190 kW/258 hp – yet the F 700 still only uses 5.3 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres.
“The CO2 emissions of the F 700 – just 127 grams per kilometre – equal those of today’s diesel-powered compact models, making the F 700 a luxury long-distance saloon with the lowest petrol consumption of any saloon in the history of the car,” explains Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG with responsibility for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. In spite of its unequalled low fuel consumption figures, the performance of the F 700 is on a par with that of a luxury model. It thus accelerates from a standstill to 100 km per hour in just 7.5 seconds.
The new C-Class Estate: safety, comfort, agility and unrivalled spaciousness
Just a few months after the market debut of the saloon, Mercedes-Benz is now unveiling the estate version of the new C-Class. The Estate takes the trademark strengths of the Saloon, such as safety, agility and comfort, and combines them with a significant increase in spaciousness and versatility. Quite apart from being able to hold a maximum of 1500 litres, giving it a larger load capacity than any other premium-class estate in this market segment, the new C-Class Estate also offers a host of handy features for easy loading and safe transportation – a tailgate which opens and closes automatically at the push of a button, for example. Compared to the outgoing model, the new Mercedes estate burns as much as twelve per cent less fuel. With an official NEDC consumption of 6.0 litres/100 km, the new C 200 CDI can make a single tank of fuel (66 litres) last for over 1000 kilometres. Just like the saloon, the estate version of the new C-Class has also been awarded an Environmental Certificate, which attests to the environmentally oriented development process as conforming to the international ISO standard.
In terms of safety, the new estate blazes a trail with innovations of the likes of PRE-SAFE® and the Intelligent Light System, and distinguishes itself as the safest car in this vehicle class. Seven airbags, belt tensioners and belt force limiters, as well as crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints all make up part of the standard specification.
C 63 AMG: from the racetrack to the road
The new C 63 AMG is the future top model in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class series. Powered by the AMG 6.3 litre V8 engine with an output of 336 kW/457 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Newton metres, this high-revving, naturally-aspirated engine delivers figures unrivalled in this segment. The C 63 AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (estate: 4.6 seconds); its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Viano X-CLUSIVE: spaciousness and luxury
The airy, spacious feel of an MPV coupled with the exclusive appointments of a luxury saloon and the technical and visual attributes of a sports car – the new Viano X-CLUSIVE brings together this extraordinary combination. The name says it all: the Viano special model appeals to all the senses without compromising the Viano’s basic values of spaciousness and variability.
