iF product design award 2013: Mercedes-Benz design takes top honours in international competition

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The designers at Mercedes-Benz have been rewarded for their one-off Concept Style Coupé vehicle and Actros with the internationally renowned "iF product design award 2013". Last year the Concept Style Coupé laid down the template for the lines of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, which has recently celebrated its world premiere. With its avant-garde design, this four-door Coupé is now establishing a new segment. For the Actros, the “iF product design award” is the fourth consecutive major design prize.

For decades, the "iF product design award" has ranked as one of the world's most important design awards and represents the seal of approval for outstanding design. This year, some 49 experts from the areas of design, industry and education selected their favourite items from among more than 3000 contributions. As part of this process, the Concept Style Coupé and Actros from Mercedes-Benz emerged victorious against some established competitors.

With the Concept Style Coupé, Mercedes-Benz delivered a convincing statement in favour of the avant-garde design of sporty coupés. The four-door Coupé presents itself as a style rebel: non-conformist, provocative and masculine. Technical highlights include a striking headlamp design featuring innovative indicators, the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 155 kW (211 hp), and also the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

"The response to the Concept Style Coupé was overwhelming. The most frequent comment by far was 'Please put this car into series production.' That's precisely what we are doing now," explains Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. As the recently presented newcomer to the range, with its frameless doors the Mercedes-Benz CLA adopts the design of the Concept Style Coupé concept vehicle and seamlessly transfers it into series production. In this way, Mercedes-Benz is once again demonstrating that the concept vehicles of the premium automotive manufacturer are completely at home in the real world.

The Concept Style Coupé has already received the "Best of Best" award at the Automotive Brand Contest.

Also recognised was the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle design. For the Actros, the “iF product design award” is the fourth consecutive major design prize.

The flagship commercial vehicle has already received the “red dot” design award from the Design Centre in North-Rhine Westphalia, the “German Design Award 2013” in the “Transportation and Public Space” category and the “Focus in Gold 2012” from the Design Center Stuttgart.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Movie Star: The new A-Class takes the "Night train to Lisbon"

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For his film version of Pascal Mercier’s international bestselling novel "Night Train to Lisbon", Oscar-winning Danish director Bille August turned to international stars such as Jeremy Irons, Martina Gedeck, Jack Huston, Mélanie Laurent – and two vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. So when Raimund Gregorius (Jeremy Irons), the film’s main protagonist, sets off in search of author Amadeu de Prado (Jack Huston), he is driven through Lisbon by eye specialist Mariana de Eca (Martina Gedeck) in an A-Class. The author himself – in film flashbacks of his life – drives a Mercedes-Benz 280 SE.

The film’s premiere in Germany is on 20 February 2013 in Hamburg and in Switzerland on 21 February in Berne. Both premieres are being supported by Mercedes-Benz with a limousine shuttle service. From 20 February 2013, film fans will be able to log on to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dyFIh4hVwg to see an exclusive "making of" feature about the film. The film can be seen in cinemas in Germany from 7 March 2013.


About the film

Raimund Gregorius, known affectionately by his pupils as "Mundus", is a classics teacher at a college in the Swiss capital, Berne. One day, on the Kirchenfeld Bridge, he meets a beautiful young Portuguese woman. Just as she is about to throw herself into the waters below, he is able to seize hold of her and save her. But the lady disappears soon afterwards, leaving behind only her jacket and a book by the Portuguese doctor and poet Amadeu de Prado. Gregorius is fascinated by the book and determines to find out more about the life of its author. Finding a rail ticket tucked inside the book, he makes an impulsive decision to use it and leaves his class mid-lesson to embark on what proves to be a very eventful journey to Lisbon. Following in the footsteps of de Prado, he becomes involved in a high-stakes game, fraught with political as well as emotional intrigue. His journey transcends both time and space, touches upon questions of philosophy, history and medicine - not to mention love. It takes him on a liberating search for the true meaning of life.

© 2013 Sam Emerson / Concorde Filmverleih (Distributor). All rights reserved.

Further information about the film is available at http://nighttrain-film.com .

Credits: Daimler AG

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Triple victory in the Design Trophy 2013: Mercedes-Benz builds the most beautiful cars

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The readers of the German motoring magazine "Auto Zeitung" have voted for their favourite cars with the most appealing design. Models from Mercedes-Benz took first place in three categories: the A-Class was the winner in the compact class, and the CLS Shooting Brake took the laurels in the Estate Car class while also being voted the most beautiful car of all – the overall champion.

This year 24,258 readers of "Auto Zeitung" cast their votes for the most beautiful cars. The only criterion was: which has the best design? The candidates were the new models that appeared in the last year, voted for in five categories.

Readers voted the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake the most beautiful car of all categories, and at the same time this unconventional creation by Mercedes-Benz designers took first place in the Estate Car category.

In voting the CLS Shooting Brake the design champion of all classes, the readers recognised the conceptual creativity of the designers at Mercedes-Benz. Indeed, the CLS Shooting Brake is surprisingly different from anything seen previously. Essentially it is a completely new form of sports car with five seats and a large tailgate.

A long bonnet, a slim window line with frameless side windows and a roof extending to the rear end with a dynamic rearward slope give the CLS Shooting Brake the dramatic proportions of a coupé. However, a closer look reveals an unexpected "bonus" in terms of function: five doors and a large load capacity under the tailgate – despite the low, sporty contour of the roof. On request the load compartment is available with flooring of American cherry wood featuring contrasting inlays of smoked oak. The luxurious wood floor is protected by aluminium rails. Finished to the highest standards of craftsmanship, these high-grade materials give the load compartment of the CLS Shooting Brake the elegance and hand-built look of yacht decking.

Chairman of the Board of Management Dr Dieter Zetsche: "Every genuine motoring legend appeals to the heart and mind in equal measure. The functionality of a vehicle is a matter of course – it is taken for granted by our customers. The crowning achievement is the allure. The CLS Shooting Brake combines both in a way that no other automobile can match."

The most eye-catching car in the compact class was the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. It thrills with its progressive design and a dynamic, radical design idiom that underlines its exceptional status in this segment. The A‑Class has a particularly distinctive and sporty character. Pronounced feature lines in the flanks lend structure and character to the exterior. The new, dynamic style of the A-Class is harmoniously matched by an innovative interior with an extremely high level of perceived quality.

This year the Mercedes-Benz A-Class also won the vote for Germany's most popular automobile. The motoring organisation ADAC accordingly presented it with the "Gelber Engel 2013" ("Golden Angel 2013") award.

The A-Class also scores on an international basis. More than 100,000 car enthusiasts from 52 countries voted the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the "Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2012". They were able to cast their votes on seven mini-websites, made available in various languages by the TV channel Eurosport.

"The A-Class is a clear statement confirming the new dynamism of the Mercedes-Benz brand," says Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Five new assistance systems bring even higher levels of safety to Vans with the Star

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With five new assistance and safety systems, Mercedes-Benz Vans is continuing to extend its role as an innovation leader among van manufacturers. The systems include three world premieres for this category of vehicle: Crosswind Assist, Collision Prevention Assist and Blind Spot Assist. They were presented yesterday for the first time by the Stuttgart-based automotive manufacturer as part of a Mercedes-Benz Vans TecForum held at the Boxberg testing ground. The new systems are expected to be introduced in vans with the star in just a few months.

Five new assistance systems – three world premieres

Preventing accidents from happening in the first place rather than mitigating the consequences afterwards – active safety is paramount for Mercedes-Benz Vans. The five new assistance systems will increase the high level of safety of Mercedes-Benz Vans even further.

Crosswind Assist keeps a van safely on course when the wind is gusting strongly. The Collision Prevention Assist alerts the driver if the vehicle gets too close to other moving vehicles on the road ahead or to the end of a queue of traffic, while the Blind Spot Assist warns a driver that is about to change lane that vehicles in the next lane are dangerously close. All three systems are celebrating their world premieres in the van class. Also new are the Lane Keeping Assist and Highbeam Assist.

Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans: "When it comes to safety, we have always enjoyed a pioneering role with our vehicles and are now launching a new era in assistance and safety systems for vans. These systems will support the driver and help to avoid accidents, thereby also ensuring the maximum availability of our vans."

Mercedes-Benz Vans has a long tradition of taking a pioneering role in relation to assistance and safety systems: it was the first brand in this sector to introduce Antilock Brake System ABS in its flagship Sprinter model as early as 1995. This was followed by the Electronic Stability Program ESP in 2002. Further trailblazing advances from Mercedes-Benz Vans came in 2006 with the further development of the system to create ADAPTIVE ESP. This system takes the actual weight of the vehicle and its centre of gravity into account when calculating the control characteristics. Both generations of ESP have led to drastic reductions in accident numbers.

Generally speaking, accidents involving vans happen in very similar ways to those involving passenger cars. This has been evidenced by a recent research report undertaken by, amongst others, accident researchers working on behalf of the insurance companies, and Germany's Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt). When it came to looking at the mileage, the researchers even registered a lower accident risk for vans than for passenger cars.

In developing its new assistance systems, Mercedes-Benz Vans was able to benefit from the unique expertise available in the company's Group Research division as well as from the experience gained by its passenger car and commercial vehicle units. Dr Sascha Paasche, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Vans: "We are fortunate in being able to benefit from a very special network and a transfer of knowledge within the Daimler Group. This is just one more reason why we are at the top when it comes to safety engineering."

Credits: Daimler AG

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Retro Classics 2013: Mercedes-Benz S-Class and brand clubs take centre stage

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Mercedes-Benz Classic and the brand clubs officially recognised in Germany are putting the fascinating history of the S-Class on centre stage during their joint appearance at Retro Classics 2013 in Stuttgart. The internationally renowned trade show for classic cars and motorised vehicle culture will be taking place this year at the Stuttgart Trade Fair from 7 March (preview) to 10 March 2013.The Classic Division of the world’s oldest car manufacturer and the brand clubs bearing the three-pointed star standard will have a strong presence on 2,400 square metres of floor space in hall 7. “This year, Mercedes-Benz Classic will be appearing with the officially recognised brand clubs in hall 7. This joint presence is of central importance for us, both in terms of content and from a spatial perspective, as it highlights the strong association between Mercedes-Benz Classic and the highly dedicated members of the brand clubs,” says Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic.

S-Class showpieces from various historical eras

The unique tradition of the S-Class will come alive at Retro Classics 2013 with showpieces from all eras of the premium and luxury class vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and the predecessor brands. The showpiece selection underscores how deeply rooted the S-Class is in the brand’s history – far beyond the more recent model-series history since the 1950s.

Mercedes-Benz Classic have brought an absolutely spectacular showpiece out of the museum and to the exhibit: the 60-hp Mercedes-Simplex, model year 1904, which served as the touring car of businessman Emil Jellinek, the father of Mercedes Jellinek, the brand’s namesake. And from the company’s own collection, the exhibit features a 1929 Nürburg 460 (W 08) and a “Großer Mercedes” (large Mercedes) 770 (W 07) dating from 1931.

The brand clubs have added to the showpiece collection from Mercedes-Benz Classic with cars from the period before the Second World War, such as the Mannheim (W 10) or the 500 K (W 29) model, for instance. But showpieces from the more recent vehicle history will also be on display.

First-rate parts supply for fascinating vehicles

Mercedes-Benz Classic ensures and promotes an active passion for classic motor cars first and foremost with a first-rate parts supply. The parts catalogue currently lists 38,702 model-specific spare parts items plus some 15,000 identical parts; the latest addition to Mercedes-Benz Classic’s parts stewardship is the model 140 S-Class (1991 to 1998). Genuine parts are available from all Mercedes-Benz dealerships, authorised trade partners and via the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center – many items are even available within 24 hours. Mercedes-Benz genuine parts for vehicles from all eras are therefore a further focal point at Retro Classics in Stuttgart this year.

Retro Classics will be held this year for the sixth time at the Stuttgart Trade Fair next to Stuttgart airport. This will be the trade show’s 13th year in all. Retro Classics has long been considered one of the most important dates on the classic scene’s calendar, not only in the Southern German Baden-Württemberg region with its extraordinary historical motor car tradition, but throughout Germany and the rest of Europe.The exhibit will open in the afternoon of Thursday 7 March 2013, with a preview for the press and professional visitors. Once again the hosts are expecting several thousand guests over the next three days: last year, approximately 65,000 visitors came to the 12th Retro Classics, where over 3,000 classic cars were on exhibit.

Credits: Daimler AG

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