Mercedes-Benz Cars at the Geneva Motor Show 2015: Product Offensive Continues at Full Speed

Following the best start to the year in company history, with record sales in January 2015 (+13.6%), Mercedes-Benz Cars is pushing forward at full speed with its product offensive. At the Geneva Motor Show, the brand with the three-pointed star is presenting a full programme of new models and innovations. The spectrum ranges from the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 � a racing machine for the very highest levels of customer sport � to the highly exclusive Mercedes-Maybach Pullman limousine, embodying the automotive luxury class in the very best Maybach tradition. Further Mercedes highlights at this high-profile springtime motor show in Geneva are the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e with plug-in hybrid drive, which is as dynamic as it is efficient, the avant-garde CLA Shooting Brake and the Concept V-ision e, based on the successful V?Class and likewise equipped with plug-in hybrid technology. The �star-studded� SUV offensive continues with the GLE Coup� and the spectacular G 500 4x4^2.

The resounding start signal for this year�s Geneva Motor Show was fired up bright and early at eight in the morning on the Mercedes-Benz stand. The latest race car from the brand with the three-pointed star rolled onto the stage with a rich V8 sound. �The new Mercedes-AMG GT3 is the perfect vehicle for customers who prefer to get their adrenalin kicks on the race track,� said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. �That�s why we are starting 2015 not only as reigning double Formula 1 champions, but are also continuing our battle for supremacy in the hard-fought customer sport sector. Motorsport is a major part of our DNA.�

Following a record year for Mercedes-Benz in 2014 in terms of sales figures, turnover and profit, the company has already set a new sales record in 2015. Mercedes-Benz enjoyed a magnificent start to the year, with an increase of 13.6 percent. �We will use this powerful momentum for dynamic growth throughout the year,� continued Dr. Zetsche. �Playing a major role in this is our product offensive, which we are pursuing at full speed with a total of eight new models in 2015. The first highlight in the Mercedes-Benz �Year of the SUV� is the new GLE Coup�. It will attract new customers with its sporty design and agile handling characteristics.�

C 350 e continues the hybrid offensive

The same applies to the new C 350 e. It is already the second hybrid model in the new C-Class and the second after the S 500 e to appear with Mercedes-Benz�s highly advanced plug-in hybrid technology. The company is applying full force to its offensive with this forward-looking technology, �We will bring ten new plug-in hybrid models to market by 2017,� said Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes?Benz Cars Development. �In Europe, our fleet emissions are already less than 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The new models based on our scalable hybrid platform will make a significant contribution to the continued reduction of CO2 emissions.�

The C 350 e makes a compelling case as a saloon and as an estate car with its exceptional dynamics and efficiency, enabling 31 kilometres of electric-only, zero-emissions driving. The drive delivers a system output of 205 kW (279 hp) and system torque of 600 Nm. This means that the new C 350 e achieves the performance of a sports car, yet has a certified consumption as saloon and estate of just 2.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. This equates to CO2 emissions of merely 48 grams (estate: 49 grams) per kilometre.

V-Class Concept V-ision e � more performance with fewer CO2 emissions

A plug-in hybrid with a four-cylinder engine and system output of 245 kW (333 hp) also drives the concept V-ision e. �This concept vehicle shows the potential offered by the Mercedes of MPVs to address customer and market needs even more individually and exclusively in future,� says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes?Benz Vans. �With pioneering Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid technology, we are able to increase the output of the most powerful V-Class currently available by a further 105 kW, while lowering consumption to that of a compact car. That�s what I call a forward-looking performance increase.� Inside, the Concept V-ision e offers a unique ambience of wellbeing with a modern loft-like character, Executive seats that can be controlled by app and the biggest panoramic roof in the segment.

Mercedes-Maybach Pullman � automotive high-end luxury

The new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman guarantees the very finest on-board accommodation. �The second model from Mercedes-Maybach takes over the role at the absolute pinnacle � as a state limousine with a classic face-to-face seat configuration in the rear,� said Ola K�llenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales. �The length of 6.50 metres and the wheelbase of 4.42 metres deliver an incredibly spacious interior and first-class comfort. It goes without saying that the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman also embodies the very best in exclusivity.� This is further enhanced by the uncompromising sound quality and perfect musical enjoyment supplied by the exclusive Burmester� High-End 3D Surround-Sound system � the most expensive surround-sound system in an automobile.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright � 2015, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Geneva Motor Show 2013: World premiere of the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman (VV 222)

The new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is being introduced at the Geneva Motor Show. Mercedes-Maybach's second model assumes the top-of-the-range position, with vis-�-vis seating in the partitioned-off passenger compartment, and at the same time stands as a proud example of the high-end automotive luxury traditionally associated with Maybach.

Its length of 6.50 metres alone is a sign of the special status of the Mercedes?Maybach Pullman. It provides the space for a generously-sized and tastefully-appointed club lounge in the rear, with a multitude of creature comforts fitted as standard, thereby ensuring the chauffeur-driven limousine lives up to today's expectations of what constitutes total exclusivity and luxury. The VIP occupants sit on two standard-specification executive seats facing the direction of travel. They can enjoy the greatest legroom in the segment; and can get into and out of the car with the greatest of ease and comfort. As is typical for a Pullman, the four passengers can sit facing each other in the compartment with an electrically-operated partition window. Prices start at around half a million euros; the first customers will be taking delivery of their vehicles, which of course offer unrivalled scope for individualisation, at the beginning of 2016.

Many governments, heads of state and royal families around the world have for decades chosen Mercedes-Benz saloons with the designation "Pullman" to drive them with the stateliness and style befitting their status. With its new model, the company is now extending its unique position in this demanding segment: "Quite apart from providing spacious seating in first-class comfort for high-ranking passengers, the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level," commented Ola K�llenius, Member of the Daimler AG Management Board responsible for sales and marketing of Mercedes?Benz Cars. "One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail."

The Mercedes-Maybach Pullman provides extremely spacious seating combined with unique features characterised by their extraordinary and perfect craftsmanship. It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualise the appointments of their top-class limousines. These include the exquisite Maybach paint finishes, which are applied in several layers.

With a length of 6499 mm, the Pullman is another 1053 mm longer than the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The wheelbase is an impressive 4418 mm. Furthermore, at 1598 mm in height, the Pullman is more than 100 mm higher than a Mercedes S-Class, resulting in a tangible increase in headroom.

The V12 biturbo engine in the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman has an output of 390 kW (530 hp). It has a displacement of 5980 cc and maximum torque of 830 Nm from 1900 rpm.

The name Pullman was originally applied to railway carriages with luxurious open-plan compartments manufactured by the American Pullman Palace Car Company. This name was soon also applied to the motor cars from Mercedes-Benz which were based on an extremely long wheelbase and offered a very generously-sized passenger compartment. In the rear, separated from the driver's area by a partition, there was space for four passengers to recline regally in four single seats facing each other.

Extremely spacious seating in the rear, entire vehicle interior is leather-clad

As its name suggests, the four seats in the rear of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman are arranged vis-�-vis. The owner and VIP guests are seated in the direction of travel on two executive seats which are part of the standard specification; other passengers can sit on the fold-down seats facing backwards. If specifically requested, the Pullman can also be delivered in an exclusive version without the additional seats.

The executive seats offer a unique level of comfort thanks to their special adjustment kinematics. In contrast to the norm, the backrest is adjusted separately while the footwell and seat reference point remain unchanged. The cushion can be adjusted separately, with inclination and horizontal adjustment combined. For the executive seats, the maximum backrest angle is 43.5 degrees. The most upright backrest position of 19 degrees allows relaxed working in the rear. The reclining seats feature a calf support, which is freely adjustable for length and angle. The luxury head restraints come with an extra cushion as standard. The two first-class travellers in the rear have the greatest amount of legroom of any car in the segment, as well as 60 millimetres more headroom than in a Mercedes-Maybach S?Class.

It is easy and convenient to get to any of the seats, thanks to the large rear doors and the position of the passengers on the executive seats, which is even further to the rear. A real boost in comfort for those heads of state and monarchs for whom protocol dictates that they must take their places ahead of their interpreters. This seating arrangement also preserves their privacy, as a large proportion of their bodies is hidden by the rear roof pillar.

The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is upholstered in leather throughout as standard. Not only is the roof liner upholstered in high-quality leather, but also the door frames and seat consoles. As one would expect of a Maybach, there are three analogue instruments in the roof liner informing passengers in the rear of the outside temperature, speed and time.

The partition wall between the rear and the driver's area ensures discretion. The glass partition wall can be lowered electrically. It can also change from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. This allows � in combination with the equally standard-specification curtains for the rear windows � for different levels of privacy. The standard-fit 16:9 format 18.5-inch (47 cm) monitor located in front of the partition can also be extended electrically.

Those who demand uncompromising quality of sound and appreciate perfect music reproduction can choose between two innovative Burmester sound systems. The existing Burmester� surround sound system delivers the legendary and unmistakeable magical sound for which the high-end audio specialist from Berlin is famous. But as an option par excellence, the Burmester� High-End 3D Surround Sound System provides matchless listening pleasure and outstanding sound quality.

It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualise the appointments of their top-class limousines. The key account managers in the exclusive Maybach centres throughout Europe as well as the sales advisors in the Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets are happy to provide further information on this.

The history: Pullman limousines from Mercedes-Benz

Happy birthday: the special protection version of the most famous Pullman limousine, the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman, is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015. The first version of this luxury armoured version was built in 1965 to complement the portfolio of the luxury vehicle that was introduced in 1963. Having said that, the tradition of offering exclusive limousines with the Pullman name goes back even further at Mercedes-Benz: three special-design examples of the model 300 in Pullman dimensions, referred to in the vernacular as the "Adenauer Mercedes", were made in 1960. And following on from the model 600, Pullman versions of the S-Class 109 and 126 model series (special production) and the 140, 220 and 221 (both series production) were produced in subsequent years.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright � 2015, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.