Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz at IAA 2009: Green technology in fascinating cars for discerning customers

"No other premium auto maker has such good overall prerequisites as we do to fulfil the entire bandwidth of expectations from sustainable mobility for today and tomorrow," this is the conclusion delivered by Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the Mercedes-Benz press conference at the 63rd International Auto Show in Frankfurt.Exemplifying the excellent efficiency and environmental compatibility of the current Mercedes-Benz product line up is the new E-Class Estate, which celebrated its world premiere at the world's largest auto show and is among the event's most anticipated new models.Refined driving pleasure is delivered by the E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with as little as 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres and 150 grams CO2 per kilometre. The new E-Class Estate enters the market with a choice of five powerful and fuel-efficient power units - three diesels and two petrol engines, including the V6 petrol direct injection unit in the E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. Further engines, including four-cylinder petrol units, will follow."Our new E-Class Estate offers the perfect combination of elegance and space and is equally impressive when it comes to efficient and environmentally compatible drivelines," says Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars."Since 1977, our station wagon has been the most elegant way to drive an estate car. This has been experienced by more than one million Mercedes customers so far, and it goes without saying that the fifth generation also comes with the same comprehensive safety equipment as the saloon version."With the E-Class Estate, Mercedes-Benz is driving forward its "green" product offensive launched at the IAA 2007. Mercedes customers can now choose from a broad range of 58 exceptionally fuel-efficient BlueEFFICIENCY models - from A-Class through S-Class.Dr. Zetsche again, "Overall, we have already sold more than 190,000 BlueEFFICIENCY vehicles. And every single one of them keeps the promise made by our BlueEFFICIENCY badge - the very highest levels of efficiency and cleanliness. Next year, our BlueEFFICIENCY fleet will grow to a total of 76 vehicles - which is almost half of the entire Mercedes-Benz line up."Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID - a three-litre car in the luxury class: With the unveiling in Frankfurt of the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates that large, safe and refined automobiles do indeed have a future.The close-to-production prototype of the innovative plug-in hybrid driveline enables a fuel consumption of only 3.2 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres and an electric-only range of 30 kilometres.Dr. Zetsche, "The roughly 370 hp S 500 Plug-in HYBRID offers a clear glimpse of the future for luxury automobiles ‘Made in Germany'. Green technologies in fascinating vehicles for the most demanding customers - that is our approach, and we are sticking steadfastly to it."