Mercedes-Benz at the 77th Geneva Motor Show / Triple premiere for the new C-Class

Geneva (ots) -

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The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is celebrating a triple premiere at
the 77th Geneva Motor Show: in addition to the standard-production
model, the "AMG-Mercedes C-Class DTM 2007" racing version and the
highly economical and environmentally friendly Vision C 220 BLUETEC,
which is powered by the first four-cylinder engine to feature this
innovative emissions control technology, have their debut at the
show. With a fuel consumption of 5.5 litres of diesel per 100
kilometres, this study demonstrates how the even more stringent EURO
6 exhaust emission standard coming into force throughout Europe from
2015 can be achieved. Clean and economical engines are also the
hallmark of the new C-Class, which is available on the European
market from March 31.

"Since the sales release date at the end of January, more than
55,000 customers in western Europe alone have decided in favour of
the new C-Class," said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of
Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of the Mercedes Car Group,
in his preliminary remarks at the Mercedes-Benz press conference in
Geneva. "We are confident that the new C-Class will continue the
success story of its predecessor, of which more than two million
units were sold," Zetsche continued.

The fourth-generation C-Class has captured the enthusiasm of
customers with its unique combination of safety, comfort and agility.
The standard appointments of all variants include the innovative
AGILITY CONTROL package with its situation-responsive shock-absorber
control, which opens up new dimensions in handling refinement: it
combines typical Mercedes comfort with extraordinarily agile driving
characteristics. The new C-Class is powered by state-of-the-art four
and six-cylinder engines which consume up to six percent less fuel
than the preceding models, accompanied by an increase in output of up
to 13 percent. Despite a variety of technical innovations and even
more generous standard appointments, and taking inflation into
account, the price of the new C-Class remains at the same level as
that of the preceding series. In Germany and other European
countries, the entry-level price including tax is still below 30,000
EUR.

Exemplary safety and a versatile product concept

The C-Class also sets new standards in its segment where safety is
concerned. Examples include the Intelligent Light System with five
different lighting functions and the PRE-SAFE(R) system with its
anticipatory occupant protection features. In addition, the new
C-Class Saloon excels with a particularly versatile product concept
which meets the expectations of different customer target groups. In
the form of the AVANTGARDE, ELEGANCE and CLASSIC lines, Mercedes-Benz
offers three individual model variants which place different emphases
on comfort or agility.

The concept of two different product personalities within the same
series is also given a visual emphasis in the new C-Class, as it is
the first Mercedes saloon to appear with two different "faces": the
AVANTGARDE models have the Mercedes star at the centre of the
radiator grille and thereby follow the styling lead of the sporty
Mercedes models, especially the coupés. The more traditional ELEGANCE
and CLASSIC variants bear the star on the bonnet as before.

World premiere of the first BLUETEC four-cylinder engine in the
Vision C 220 BLUETEC

In a study based on the new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz is also
presenting its innovative BLUETEC emissions control technology in
combination with a highly fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine for the
first time in Geneva. In terms of ensuring compliance with the even
stricter EURO 6 emission standard, applicable to all new vehicles
Europe-wide from 2015, the Vision C 220 BLUETEC shows the way ahead.
Boasting an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and a peak torque of 400 Nm,
the Vision C 220 BLUETEC consumes a mere 5.5 litres of diesel per
hundred kilometres.

"The sophisticated four-cylinder diesel engine with BLUETEC
emission control is a prime example of leading-edge,
future-compatible technology," explains Dr Dieter Zetsche. "Our
diesel strategy is an effective answer to the question of how to save
fuel and, therefore, CO2, how to further reduce all exhaust emissions
including NOx and yet still ensure effortlessly superior driving
enjoyment. In this respect, we believe our state-of-the-art diesel
concept is currently the best and most efficient solution available."
With the Vision C 220 BLUETEC, Mercedes-Benz is providing a taste of
things to come as part of its BLUETEC initiative which was launched
in the US last autumn. The initial impetus came from the market
launch of the E 320 BLUETEC in North America in October 2006, which
was timed to coincide with the introduction of low-sulphur diesel in
that part of the world. A fuel consumption figure of 6.7 litres per
hundred kilometres makes the E 320 BLUETEC one of the most economical
vehicles in its class in the US.

With the first four-cylinder BLUETEC model, Mercedes-Benz
illustrates just how versatile this innovative technology can be.
Following the US launch, the company will also introduce BLUETEC in
other markets. The technology is currently being adapted to European
market requirements and further Mercedes-Benz models, the aim being
to also offer this environmentally friendly and highly economical
technology for European customers as well from 2008, first of all in
the E-Class.

New C-Class: CO2 emissions already reduced by 15 percent

The standard-production version of the new C-Class is testament to
the successful work performed by Mercedes-Benz in its quest to
consistently reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. A lifecycle
assessment carried out on the new Saloon, certified by the German
technical inspection authorities (TÜV), confirms that the carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions for what is now the fourth-generation C-Class
have been reduced by 15 percent. This corresponds to nine tonnes per
vehicle. This makes the new C-Class the only car in its market
segment to possess an environmental certificate.

Contacts
Christoph Horn, tel. +49 711 17-75841,
christoph.horn@daimlerchrysler.com

Internet
More news from DaimlerChrysler is available at:
www.media.daimlerchrysler.com


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