World Premiere of the New C-Class in Two Attractive Outfits
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Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of Mercedes Car Group presents the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. |
STUTTGART, Germany, January 18/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- An
impressive combination of ride comfort and agility is the hallmark
ofthe new C-Class, which celebrated its world premiere today in
Stuttgart. In
front of some 600 international journalists from over 30 countries,
Mercedes-Benz presented the remake of its biggest-selling model series,
which
sets a new benchmark with its vigorously elegant styling,
state-of-the-art
safety technology and versatile product concept.
"With the new C-Class, we are yet again raising the bar in this important
segment of the market - and that's true right across the board, especially in
terms of safety, comfort and agility," declared Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of
DaimlerChrysler AG (NSYE: DCX)and head of the Mercedes Car Group, at the
world premiere, which was held in the Mercedes-Benz World in Stuttgart.
"With its unique balance of driving characteristics, the fourth C-Class
generation embodies a new driving culture in the compact premium car segment.
We are thus offering our customers the most versatile and majestic C-Class of
all time - and, for the first time, in two attractive outfits."
First Mercedes saloon with two different faces
The new C-Class is the first Mercedes saloon to feature equipment lines
with different faces. In the more traditional Elegance and Classic models,
the star is, as before, to be found on the engine bonnet, while, in the
avant-garde versions, the trademark is positioned in the centre of the
radiator grille, as is typical in sporty models from Mercedes. "Starting
already with the vehicle's external appearance," says Zetsche, "each customer
can decide for him or herself where they want the emphasis to be." With its
distinctive styling, the new premium-segment saloon offers its own unique
interpretation of Mercedes-Benz's current style statement and makes the
technological supremacy and quality of the new C-Class apparent at the first
glance.
Latest safety technology for optimal occupant protection
Alongside its renowned comfort, the traditional strengths of the C-Class
include the vehicle's exemplary occupant protection. Thanks to its integrated
security concept, the new model continues to lead the way in its class, with
greater active safety being afforded, for example, by the adaptive braking
system from the S-Class and the Intelligent Light System with five automatic
lighting functions. A new era in safety and ergonomics is ushered in by the
C-Class's innovative instrumentation and control concept, which noticeably
reduces the burden on the driver and prevents him or her from being
distracted.
As far as passive safety is concerned, the new C-Class meets
significantly higher standards than are required around the world by the
various statutory regulations. The standard equipment includes seven airbags
as well as active head restraints. In addition, the new C-Class - like the
large Mercedes saloons and SUVs - is also available with the PRE-SAFE(R)
anticipatory occupant protection system.
Wide range of economical and powerful engines
Customers can choose from a range of state-of-the-art four- and
six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. At its market launch in the spring,
the new C-Class saloon will come in three petrol-engined versions (C 200, C
280 and C 350) as well as in a four-cylinder diesel variant (C 220 CDI). In
the course of the year, Mercedes-Benz will extend the available range to
include, among others, the C 320 CDI V6 diesel engine as well as two
four-cylinder versions, the C 180 and the C 200 CDI. The development
engineers at Mercedes-Benz have focused above all on improving the popular
four-cylinder engines, the outstanding qualities of which now include lower
fuel consumption, higher power output and superbly smooth operation.
In Germany, despite the rise in VAT to 19 percent, the gross entry-level
price for the new C-Class is still below 30,000 euros, which means that,
adjusted for inflation, the price level of the new C-Class is the same as for
its predecessor, over two million units of which have been sold around the
world since its market launch in 2000.
