With five world premieres, Mercedes-Benz is setting standards for automotive passion and innovation at the IAA 2013. Every single debutante perfectly embodies the motto "Fascination Mercedes" in his own way: the new GLA, the first compact SUV with a star, as well as four pioneering S-Class innovations. The pioneering achievements in the field of autonomous driving, which Mercedes-Benz succeeded at the end of August, caused a stir in the run-up to the IAA.
The emotional highlight of the Mercedes appearance at the world's largest motor show is the Concept S-Class Coupé. The ravishingly designed four-seater gives an outlook on the next generation of the big coupe, which traditionally tops the Mercedes model range. "The Concept S-Class Coupe is the most beautiful way to drive the S-Class to date," Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
With its expressive design language, the Concept S-Class Coupé reflects the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of sensual clarity. The exclusive features define the current state of modern luxury. The production model will be launched next year. Dr. Zetsche: "Of course we can not reveal all the details yet. But the wow effect is certainly one of them. "
S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE: Autonomous on the move with near-series sensor technology
Mercedes-Benz is the first automaker in the world to prove this with the research vehicle S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE that autonomous driving is also possible in overland and city traffic, The 100 kilometers long route from Mannheim to Pforzheim followed in the footsteps of pioneer Bertha Benz, who had dared to make the first long-distance automobile trip on this route exactly 125 years ago.
In the dense traffic of the Rhine-Neckar agglomeration, the self-propelled S-Class had to master highly complex situations autonomously - with traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrians, cyclists and trams. The special feature: This breakthrough was not realized by the use of extremely expensive special technology, but with the help of close-to-series technology, which - as an INTELLIGENT DRIVE package - is already available today in the new E and S-Class.
Dr. Zetsche: "The S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE uses sensors that are also available in the production version of the S-Class - just more of them. This allows the car to capture the vast amounts of data on the road. It's like the car is constantly playing blitz - but in milliseconds and dozens of games at the same time. Because in city traffic are significantly more figures in the game than fit on a chessboard. "
The S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE marks a milestone on the way from self-propelled (automotive) to self-propelled (autonomous) car. Prof. Weber: "Today, with the new S-Class, we are the first to be able to drive autonomously in traffic jams. And we will continue to expand this lead. We also want to be the first to bring more autonomous driving functions into series production. My personal assessment: In this decade we will be able to drive autonomously in a Mercedes. "
DThe S-Class as a three-liter car: New S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID
The technological expertise of the brand also underlines the most fuel-efficient S-Class of all time, the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID. The third hybrid model in addition to the S 400 HYBRID and the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID achieves an NEDC consumption of just 3,0 liters per 100 kilometers and achieves CO2 emissions of 69 grams per kilometer. "This makes the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID the most efficient luxury sedan," said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Management Board Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales & Marketing. "And what I like best: This new S-Class can fill up at any socket."
The 80 kW (109 PS) strong electric drive with externally rechargeable battery allows emission-free driving with a range of around 30 kilometers. It is combined with the new 3,0-liter V6 turbo engine (245 kW/ 333 PS). The market launch will take place next year. "With the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID, we are setting a further milestone on the way to emission-free mobility on the basis of our modular hybrid construction kit", says Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
The new Mercedes-Benz 63 AMG: driving performance in the luxury segment
As the most dynamic S-Class of all time, the new S 63 AMG is in the limelight of the IAA. The strongest high-performance sedan in the luxury segment sets accents in driving dynamics, lightweight construction and efficiency. Its centerpiece is the AMG 5,5-liter V8 biturbo engine with 430 kW (585 PS) as well as 900 Nm torque. Dr. Schmidt: "The thought of the environment is by no means under the wheels - the performance-enhanced V8 consumes about a liter of gasoline less than its predecessor."
Through consistent lightweight construction, the S 63 AMG weighs up to 100 less than its predecessor. Fuel consumption is 10,1 to 10,3 liters per 100 kilometer. Upon request, the new S 63 AMG will be available for the first time with the performance-oriented AMG four-wheel drive 4MATIC.
The sportiest compact SUV: the new Mercedes-Benz GLA
Progressive in design, confident in everyday life - and even off the beaten track: Mercedes-Benz enters the segment of compact SUVs with the new GLA and consequently pushes ahead with its offensive in the growth market of premium compact cars. The new GLA completes the extensive range of SUVs from Mercedes-Benz. With five model series (GLA, GLK, ML, GL and G-Class), the company has the widest range of European premium manufacturers. At the same time, the GLA is the fourth of the five new compact models from Mercedes-Benz.
Dr. Zetsche: "2011 we started our offensive in the compact car segment at the IAA. The motto was: 'The pulse of a new generation'. Two years later I regularly have an increased heart rate - when I look at the sales figures. With an increase of almost 19 percent, Mercedes-Benz was not only the fastest-growing premium brand in August, but also for the full year. We owe this not least to our new compacts, which since the beginning of the year posted an increase in sales of more than 60 percent compared to the previous year. "
The first Mercedes-Benz in the fast growing segment of compact SUVs is handy in the city, agile on country roads and dynamic and efficient on the highway (cw-value: 0,29). On request, the GLA is the first Mercedes SUV to feature the new generation of the 4MATIC all-wheel system with fully variable torque distribution. "For sand deserts, mud pits and steep slopes, we have the real mountain boots under the SUVs with the Unimog and G-Class," Dr. Zetsche. "We also offer the right equipment for outdoor activities of all kinds with GL, ML and GLK. And now we are completing the program with the new GLA. He is the trekking shoe in the Mercedes portfolio. "
The range of gasoline engines with 1,6 and 2,0 liters displacement initially ranges from 115 kW (156 PS) in GLA 200 to 155 kW (211 PS) in GLA 250. There are also two diesel variants: the GLA 200 CDI with 100 kW (136 PS), and a maximum torque of 300 Nm as well as the GLA 220 CDI with 125 kW (170 PS) as well as 350 Nm. The GLA can be ordered from the end of November, to the dealers he comes next year.
