.

Web autointell.com

February 24, 2005
.
This Week:

• BMW at the 75th Geneva Motor Show

• Honda Unveils New Civic And Showcases Technological Innovation At The Geneva Salon

• Double premiere for Mercedes-Benz at the International Motor Show in Geneva

• Nissan Announces New Leadership Team

• Lexus at Geneva Motor Show 2005

• New Name in Porsche's Model Range

• Audi RS 4 - Leadership through Passion

• Ford Vehicles Help Florida Jump Start Its Hydrogen Highway

• MINI Plant Oxford To Expand With New Investment

• Mazda Hydrogen Filling Station Given The Green Light

© 1998 - 2005 Copyright &
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.net

.
Double premiere for Mercedes-Benz at the International Motor Show in Geneva

• World debut of the B-Class

• M-Class presented to the European public for the first time

Stuttgart - The Mercedes stand at this year's Geneva Motor Show provides the setting for a double premiere: the B-Class is being presented to a worldwide public for the first time, while the new M-Class is making its European debut. In addition, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the CLK-Class with further enhanced design and technology, as well as nine new six-cylinder models from the C-Class, E-Class and SLK-Class.

The innovative Sports Tourer concept developed by Mercedes-Benz is entering series production for the first time in the form of the new B-Class. It takes the advantages of different vehicle concepts and combines them in an interesting and distinctive profile of its own: as a Compact Sports Tourer, the B-Class is a spacious vehicle with exemplary comfort, practicality, an exciting design and a high level of driving pleasure. In other words, the B-Class is a Mercedes-Benz in new dimensions.

High-torque CDI diesel engines and up-to-date petrol units do justice to the requirements of the Sports Tourer concept regarding effortless performance and a high level of driving pleasure. There is a choice of six four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 142 kW/193 hp. The top-of-the-line B 200 TURBO accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 225 km/h.

The CDI models in the B-Class meet the stringent EU 4 exhaust emission limits even without a particulate filter, though Mercedes-Benz offers a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter system on request.

The Sports Tourer concept developed by Mercedes-Benz provides the basis for a new model family which will be founded in summer 2005 with the B-Class. It will shortly be followed by the Grand Sports Tourer, which Mercedes-Benz is exhibiting as the "Vision R" in Geneva. This study is designed as a 4+2-seater. Passengers can enjoy the journey on comfortable individual seats and benefit from a level of spaciousness which exceeds that in many a luxury saloon.

CLK-Class: powerful V6 engines and a new, decidedly sporty appearance

The CLK-Class Coupé and Cabriolet will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show with more powerful V6 engines, a more sporty design and further enhanced equipment and will then appear in the showrooms of Mercedes-Benz outlets and dealerships. Newly added to this model series are the CLK 280 (170 kW/231 hp) and the CLK 350 (200 kW/272 hp), which offer up to 36% more output than the previous six-cylinder models. Diesel fans will also find more driving pleasure and dynamic performance in the CLK-Class in future: the new CLK 320 CDI with its state-of-the-art direct-injection diesel engine (165 kW/224 hp) will shortly be available in both Coupé and Cabriolet form. Mercedes will now also be offering the smooth-running four-cylinder diesel engine with 110 kW/150 hp in the CLK 220 CDI Coupé.

M-Class: refined power

Photos: DC

The new M-Class is making its first appearance before the European public at the Geneva Motor Show. This Mercedes Off-Roader debuts on the US market in spring 2005, reaching the European market in summer 2005.

Three of the four engines available in the M-Class are new developments. Mercedes-Benz is offering the new V6 diesel engines with two levels of power rating: the ML 320 CDI has an output of 165 kW/224 hp and delivers maximum torque of 510 Nm from as low as 1600 rpm while the ML 280 CDI develops 140 kW/190 hp and achieves a peak torque rating of 440 Newton metres. In terms of fuel economy, the CDI models return 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres (combined consumption) - making the new M-Class one of the most fuel-efficient off-roaders in its class.

Another new arrival is the V6 petrol unit powering the ML 350, with 200 kW/272 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Newton metres. The engine range is headed by the eight-cylinder powerplant in the ML 500, which now has an output of 225 kW/306 hp.

Mercedes-Benz has taken the permanent four-wheel drive and 4ETS traction systems to the next level by incorporating additional functions such as Downhill Speed Regulation, Start-Off Assist and the off-road ABS system. In addition to the basic version, the new Off-Road Pro engineering package is optionally available. Its primary features include a two-speed transfer case with an low-range ratio, manually or automatically selectable differential locks (100%) between the front and rear axle and on the rear axle, and a modified version of the AIRMATIC air suspension system tailored to off-road driving.

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class also sets the pace for other off-roaders in terms of safety with its newly developed NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints and its PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system.

(Feb 23, 2005)