|
|
|
|
Models:
© 1998
- 2007 Copyright & |
Mercedes-Benz: Vision GST Concept Interview
Vision GST: "An exciting concept which paves the way for a new class of Mercedes models" Interview with Professor Jürgen Hubbert, Member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and smart Question: The Vision GST from Mercedes-Benz is a completely new concept. Where did the idea come from? Professor Hubbert: It was more than just an idea that prompted us to develop this vehicle. The Vision GST is the result of an intensive dialogue with our customers - a dialogue which we have been actively pursuing for years so that we can identify what drivers want, analyse their requirements and respond to them with new vehicle concepts. The current Mercedes-Benz car range is based on the same principle; in fact, it's true to say that this consistent policy of identifying and responding to customer requirements represents one of the cornerstones of Mercedes' success in recent years - along with the cutting-edge technology and compelling design values with which the brand has always been associated. And we intend to carry on with this approach. We want to keep on learning about our customers' expectations and monitoring social trends closely so that we can draw on the findings and so continue to present new ideas for vehicles which will meet the needs of the future. The Vision GST is an example of where this process can take us. Question: What do you think will be the dominant trend in the car sector in the years ahead?
Question: ... and the Vision GST matches this multifunctional profile? Professor Hubbert: Most definitely. Our designers and engineers have developed something completely new with the Vision GST - it is a type of vehicle unlike any other. It brings together the characteristics of different vehicle concepts and combines them with new ideas to create something entirely original. So you find that its equipment includes the electronic four-wheel-drive and traction-control system from the Mercedes off-roaders, the air suspension from the top Mercedes saloons and the 265 kW/360 hp V8 engine from a high-performance AMG model. At the same time, the Vision GST seats six passengers in a luxuriously equipped and extremely spacious interior which offers the highest possible level of comfort. And thanks to the exemplary flexibility of its interior, this Mercedes concept vehicle also meets the needs of sports enthusiasts who want to take bicycles, skis or other sports equipment with them. The concept which we have developed therefore brings together the qualities of a touring saloon, an estate, a people carrier and a sport utility vehicle (SUV) in equal measure. It is nothing less than a completely new and original vehicle category. Question: What is the significance of the designation "GST"? Professor Hubbert: After giving a great deal of thought to the question of what to call this unique vehicle concept, we decided that "GST" was an extremely ap-propriate designation as it emphasises the key attributes of the vehicle. GST stands for Grand
Sports Tourer: "Grand" in the sense of size, spaciousness and comfort,
practicality, elegance and the very highest degree of safety. "Sports"
represents the dynamism, performance, and excitement which this vehicle
promises. And we chose "Tourer" in order to underline its outstanding
qualities as a comfortable, spacious car for long-distance journeys. |
|
||||
|
Question: These terms reflect the versatile character of this vehicle concept. But you also mentioned "emotional intelligence" as an important success factor for fu-ture cars. What exactly do you mean by this? Professor Hubbert: Today's Mercedes passenger cars are equipped with a remarkably high level of technical intelligence - systems such as Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC™), AIRMATIC, Active Body Control (ABC), ESP®, and many other new developments - which can actively help drivers to avoid accidents. Our customers rightly expect us to provide such systems and we shall continue to pursue our recent and widely acclaimed innovation initiative in the future, too. Question: To what extent does the Vision GST have a future as a real-world model? Professor Hubbert: Concept vehicles from Mercedes-Benz are always more than mere "show cars". We develop and build them to test new concepts and technologies, to engage more intensively in dialogue with our customers and to analyse the public reaction to our ideas for new vehicles. You need only look at the recent past to see that visions presented by Mercedes-Benz can quite rapidly develop into real production projects. And this is also the case with this latest concept. The Vision GST paves the way for an exciting new class of Mercedes models whose development we have now decided to go ahead with. Photos: Mercedes
|
||||||
