Mercedes-Benz celebrates three world premieres at the International Motor Show in Geneva

Mercedes-Benz will use the 74th International Motor Show in Geneva to showcase the latest results of its second strategic product initiative. Three new Mercedes models will celebrate their world premieres: the alluring four-door CLS-Class Coupé, the sporty SLK Roadster and the new generation of the C-Class.

Mercedes-Benz is unveiling a new and totally distinctive model series in Geneva. Never before have two contrasting characters been brought together so effectively and attractively as in the new CLS-Class. The four-door newcomer blends the stylistic inspiration and infectious emotional charisma of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon. The CLS-Class is very much a coupé-generation ahead of the game.

The overall design is an accurate reflection of the coupé's emotional, experience-oriented character. Based on familiar Mercedes-Benz stylistic elements, the lines of the CLS-Class bring out the best in normally conflicting characteristics such as dynamics and size, power and elegance, aesthetics and functionality.

Elegant, luxurious and spacious: The interior of the CLS-Class

The elegant styling of the CLS-Class extends throughout the interior, engaging colours creating an inviting ambience and top-quality materials ensuring an extremely pleasant in-car environment. Soft leather and exquisite wood form the most important design elements of the interior, with the steering wheel and automatic transmission selector lever finished in leather trim as standard and the seats boasting an elegant fabric/leather combination. Customers can also choose from a range of three leather trim options and four interior colour shades.

The four-door coupé concept also allows the rear passengers to get in and out of the car in comfort. Luxurious individual seats offer them impressive freedom of movement, whilst the 829-millimetre gap between the front and rear seats and the 1468 millimetres of elbow room put comparable saloons in the shade. The newly developed seats for the driver and front passenger are electrically adjustable and can be ordered as an option with an active ventilation function or as dynamic multicontour seats.

Powerful, smooth and economical: The engines for the new CLS-Coupé

A choice of two state-of-the-art petrol engines are available for the CLS-Class, both distinguished by majestic power development and exceptional torque characteristics. Dynamic driving pleasure is just a push of the right foot away.

Fitted with the newly developed V6 engine (200 kW/272 hp), the CLS 350 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.0 seconds (provisional data). Maximum torque of 350 Nm is available as low down as 2400 rpm, providing imposing pulling power for mid-range sprints or overtaking.

The responsive V6 engine links up with another new development fitted as standard in the CLS-Class: the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. The first transmission of its type for passenger cars, 7G-TRONIC makes a key contribution to the outstanding acceleration of the CLS 350 and its exemplary fuel consumption figures of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined, provisional data).

The six-cylinder coupé also comes as standard with THERMATIC automatic climate control, a stereo system, speed-sensitive steering, leather steering wheel, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and wide 245/45 R 17 tyres.

With its 5.0-litre V8 engine, the CLS 500 is a match for full-blooded sports cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster in terms of output, whilst also offering the eight-cylinder comfort of a top-class saloon. The engine develops 225 kW/306 hp and generates peak torque of 460 Nm. Once again, the seven-speed automatic transmission is fitted as standard. The CLS 500 powers from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds (provisional data) and on to a maximum speed which is limited at 250 km/h.

Other features of the standard equipment package for the CLS 500 which aren't fitted as standard in the CLS 350 include AIRMATIC DC air suspension, THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control and 18-inch light-alloy wheels with wide 245/40 R 18 tyres.

Thinking ahead and setting the pace: The CLS-Class safety systems, including PRE-SAFE

Equipped with state-of-the-art safety technology such as adaptive front airbags, windowbags and sidebags, plus belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all seats, the CLS-Class offers impressive, typically Mercedes levels of occupant safety. In addition, customers will soon be able to order the multi-award-winning Mercedes safety system PRE-SAFE, which recognises critical driving situations in advance and activates occupant protection measures before an accident occurs.

When it comes to active safety, the new CLS-Class is fitted as standard with the Sensotronic Brake Control SBC™ system and the latest generation of the Electronic Stability Program ESP®. And the coupé is available as an option with a host of other innovations which make life on the road even safer. The high-output bi-xenon headlamps with the active cornering headlamp system, which Mercedes-Benz is offering for the first time with a cornering light function, are a good example.

DISTRONIC proximity control, the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system, the control and display system COMAND APS with its Europe-wide DVD navigation function and the keyless access and drive authorisation system KEYLESS-GO are further examples of Mercedes technology which can be ordered as an option to ensure even greater comfort and driving pleasure.

The CLS-Class Coupé will arrive in Mercedes-Benz' sales and service outlets and dealerships in autumn 2004.

Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG An AMG V8 engine with 5.5 litres of displacement, 270 kW/367 hp and 510 Nm of torque — Mercedes-AMG GmbH is rolling out its most sporty C-Class ever: the new C 55 AMG. With these figures, the AMG high-performance car has posted new records for its segment. The eight-cylinder top model guarantees excellent driving performance and ensures the very best in driving pleasure thanks to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission that employs steering-wheel shifting. The car has extremely dynamic handling as a result of the new, more rigid AMG sport chassis, including the newly tuned ESP?, the AMG high-performance braking system and the more directly transferred steering. As far as looks go, the new eight-cylinder top model stands out from other members of the C-Class, and its unique design creates a dynamic impression thanks to its reworked front end and wider track, 18-inch AMG light-alloy, double-spoke wheels, AMG styling, rear trailing edge (saloon only) and sporty AMG exhaust system with chrome-plated twin tailpipes.

The C 55 AMG’s interior really stands out, thanks to its exclusive sporty equipment and first-class ambience. Excellent lateral support is provided by the new AMG sport seats covered with nappa leather and featuring shoulder-height Alcantara inserts. The strikingly styled sporty AMG steering wheel with gearshift buttons and the new AMG instrument cluster with its classic round gauges enhance the vehicle’s dynamic appearance. The market introduction of the saloon and estate-car versions of the C 55 AMG will begin in April 2004 at the same time as the new generation C-Class.

Athletic, muscular and nicely proportioned — this is how the new Mercedes-Benz C 55 AMG looks. The redesigned front end signals the vehicle’s technological uniqueness. The dominant feature beneath the bonnet is the large power package — an eight-cylinder AMG engine with 5.5 litres of displacement, 270 kW/367 hp and 510 Nm of torque. As a result, the C 55 AMG outperforms its predecessor model, the C 32 AMG, with an additional 10 kW/13 hp and 60 Nm and races ahead of all other vehicles in its competitive segment.

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