Product Offensive in the World’s Largest Car Market
Mercedes-Benz continues its product offensive at the 14th Auto China in Beijing. Four exceptional automobiles celebrate their world premieres in the Chinese capital – the long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class and the new smart BRABUS fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour. Added to that are three more new Mercedes models for the Chinese market – the GLC Coupé, the SLC Roadster and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé.
The inventor of the automobile is keeping its Chinese line-up young and fresh with a total of seven new models, laying the groundwork for further growth in the world’s largest car market. It delivered 364,000 vehicles to Chinese customers in 2015, marking a growth of 35 percent over the previous year. In the first quarter of 2016, Mercedes-Benz Cars delivered 105,000 vehicles on the Chinese market – a sales increase of 39 percent compared with the same period in 2015.
“March was our 37th record month in a row. And China is once again a decisive growth driver for us,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We have more and more products in our line-up that are specifically designed to meet the needs of Chinese customers. The long-wheelbase E-Class is a prime example.”
Tailor-made for China – the new long-wheelbase E-Class
Mercedes-Benz presents a luxury saloon tailor-made for the growing Chinese market in the shape of the long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class. “We very carefully developed the new long-wheelbase version of the E-Class to suit the preferences of our Chinese customers. “Made in China, for China” is more than lip service for us,” says Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China.
Rear seat area with first-class feel
The long-wheelbase version of the E-Class is stretched by 140 millimetres, meaning rear-seat passengers enjoy generously extended legroom and seating with a wide array of comfort functions. The saloon’s interior conveys modern luxury, stylishly reinterpreted with premium materials for the Chinese market. The China-specific details include the quarter light in the C-pillar inspired by the Mercedes-Maybach models, the ambient lighting with 64 colours and the touchpad in the rear armrest for operating the infotainment system and adjusting the seating positions.
Furthermore, the long-wheelbase E-Class also offers the full range of comfort and assistance systems that make it the most intelligent vehicles in its class – including DRIVE PILOT, which facilitates semi-autonomous driving.
Three Asia premieres at Auto China 2016
Three new Mercedes-Benz models set to trigger further growth in China celebrate their Asia premieres at Auto China 2016: The GLC Coupé, the SLC Roadster and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé show how Mercedes-Benz is making 2016 the “Year of the Dream Car”.
The GLC Coupé celebrated its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show and is a new, exceptionally sporty dream car in the continually growing Mercedes-Benz SUV portfolio. The combination of multifunctional SUV and emotional coupé is a skilful fusion of emotion and intelligence.
“This vehicle unites the benefits of an SUV with the design of a Mercedes coupé. For me, the GLC Coupé is one of the most dynamic and beautiful SUVs we’ve ever built,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche. Besides its stunning design with distinctive base body and elongated greenhouse, the GLC Coupé represents a compelling proposition with the brand’s hallmark safety, modern assistance systems and exceptionally sporty and dynamic handling characteristics. This is thanks in part to direct sports steering, DYNAMIC SELECT and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive.
New name, new performance – the new Mercedes-Benz SLC
Perfectly timed for its 20th anniversary, the pioneer of the compact roadster segment is getting a new name, appearing as the SLC as of April 2016 with major technical and visual improvements. The name change refers to the roadster’s close family ties to the C-Class. Notable visual elements are the standard-fit diamond grille and the optional LED Intelligent Light System.Â
The new Mercedes-Benz SLC has big shoes to fill. Its predecessor, the SLK, attracted a worldwide fan base, with around 670,000 units sold since its launch in 1996. However, it is very well equipped to take this in its stride, thanks to multiple updates and a model range spanning from the torquey and fuel-efficient SLC 250 d to the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 performance sports car. The SLC 250 d, SLC 300 and SLC 43 come as standard with the sporty and comfortable 9G-TRONIC converter automatic, which is available as an option for the new 115 kW (156 hp) SLC 180 and the SLC 200.
The sportiest C-Class ever – the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé
As the bestselling model range from Mercedes-AMG, the C-Class forms the backbone of the specialist sports car manufacturer. The Mercedes-Benz performance brand is setting a further milestone with the new C 63 Coupé. Distinctively flared wings front and rear, a broader track and larger wheels give the AMG coupé a more powerful look compared with the production model, while providing the basis for exceptionally agile longitudinal and lateral dynamics.
The AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine with 350 kW (476 hp) or 375 kW (510 hp) imbues the C 63 Coupé with the brand’s hallmark “Driving Performance”. It was likewise developed entirely in-house in Affalterbach, as were the sophisticated AMG RIDE CONTROL chassis with electronically controlled shock absorbers, the configuration of the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programmes, the rear differential lock and the dynamic engine mounts.
Energy efficiency and performance – the GLE 500 e 4MATIC
Also celebrating its market premiere in China is the new GLE 500 e 4MATIC: “With our first plug-in hybrid model for the Chinese market, we are showing that the very highest energy efficiency can be combined with amazing performance,” says Nicholas Speeks, President and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd. (BMBS). In the GLE 500 e 4MATIC, a system output 325 kW (442 hp) guarantees impressive performance – paired with CO2emissions of just 78 g/km (3.3 l/100 km) in the NEDC. Plus, the GLE 500 e 4MATIC has best-in-class electric-only consumption of 16.7 kWh/100 km. Moreover, the hybrid can drive up to 30 kilometres with zero local emissions.
Another model celebrating its market premiere in China is the Mercedes-Benz V-Class – likewise tailor-made to the wishes and needs of Chinese customers. Production of the MPV at local Daimler Joint Venture Fujian Benz Automotive Co. Ltd (FBAC) in Fuzhou has already commenced.
Triple world premiere – the new smart BRABUS
There is a hat trick for smart at Auto China – with the world premieres of the high-performance smart BRABUS fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour. smart is thus addressing the growing demand in China for individually equipped top-of-the-range models. The smart brand has hit the mark with customers in China, having performed extremely well since its market launch there in 2009. “109 hp make the smart BRABUS fortwo the most powerful smart ever,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche. Rated power and maximum torque are up by 5 kW and 23 Nm respectively compared with the previous model to 80 kW (109 hp) at 5,750 rpm and 170 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The performance figures are equally sporty. The smart BRABUS fortwo accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds, while the smart BRABUS forfour reaches a top speed of up to 180 km/h.
Standard equipment includes the dynamically tuned direct steering, the BRABUS performance sports suspension, the sporty twinamic 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with race-start function and the BRABUS sports exhaust system. The design features of the three smart BRABUS models include the rear diffuser insert in matt grey with chrome-look end pipes and BRABUS Monoblock IX alloy wheels painted in matt grey.
The smart forfour is making its market debut in China. The four-seater smart is notable for achieving maximum space from minimum dimensions and for its intelligent load management, making it the ideal urban family car. Advanced assistance systems that were previously the preserve of higher vehicle classes come either as standard or are available to order as options.
