- E-Class: Australian premiere of the new Estate
- SL-Class: New six-cylinder SL 350 sports car
- CLK-Class Cabriolet: Powerful AMG V8
- Celebrity designed SL pedal cars for Starlight Children's Foundation
Sydney - At this year's Sydney Motor Show (16.10 to 26.10. 2003) Mercedes-Benz is reasserting its position as the most dynamic and successful premium automobile brand with Australian premieres in three model series.
The Sydney show marks the unveiling of the Stuttgart manufacturer's new E-Class Estate, the six-cylinder SL 350 sports car, which is being added to the successful SL-Class, the blistering CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet and the Starlight Children's Foundation pedal car project and presentation of celebrity cars designed by Ricky Ponting, Cathy Freeman, Nikki Webster and Team McLaren Mercedes.
Leading-edge technology, captivating design, high-quality specification and intelligent interior practicality - the outstanding features of the new E-Class Estate that celebrates its Australian premiere in Sydney. The dynamically elegant Estate version completes the Mercedes-Benz E-Class model range. Scheduled for launch in October 2003 following the successful introduction of the Saloon version in 2002, the new Estate, like the Saloon, represents technological exclusivity at the highest level. The standard specification for the Estate reads like a list of major milestones in automotive technology: Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC™), the electrohydraulic brake system incorporating new convenience functions such as Tailback Assist and Anti-stall Assist, load-adaptive self-levelling rear suspension, adaptive front airbags, two-stage belt force limiters and large windowbags, to name but a handful of the 20-plus innovations that form part of the standard package.
Among the highlights making their debut in the E-Class Estate are the bi-xenon headlamps with Active Light System - which follow the movements of the steering wheel and thus substantially enhance the driver's range of vision when cornering - as well as the new EASY-PACK tailgate, complete with hydraulic drive system for easy opening and closing, and a load compartment floor that can be extended rearwards, all at the mere touch of a button.
A new level of practicality and variability
The EASY-PACK system is the Mercedes-Benz answer to the need for intelligent load compartment management, comprising a whole host of detail solutions which substantially enhance variability, practicality and safety in the new Estate. Highlights of the EASY-PACK system include a newly developed, split-folding rear seat unit which can be folded forwards in its entirety in just a few simple steps. The load compartment capacity is between 690 and 1950 litres (VDA measuring method), depending on how the rear seats are arranged.
The line-up of petrol engines offered by Mercedes-Benz features two six-cylinder models - for the E 240 and the E 320 - with outputs ranging from 130 kW to 165 kW. Mercedes-Benz is equipping the six-cylinder petrol versions of the new E-Class Estate with the tried-and-tested, high-torque V6 engines. These are among the world's most sophisticated power plants in this particular displacement class. They boast a host of classic Mercedes innovations that ensure low fuel consumption, low exhaust emissions and exemplary torque characteristics.
Pricing for the new E-Class Estate starts from $96,900 for the E 240 CLASSIC Estate and 126,900 for the E 320 ELEGANCE Estate.
SL-Class: New six-cylinder sports car with a 180 kW power unit
Mercedes-Benz is also presenting the new SL 350 to the public for the first time at the Sydney Motor Show. The new six-cylinder SL-Class model, which goes on sale this month, is priced from $209,900.
Equipped with an advanced 180 kW V6 engine developing a maximum torque of 350 Newton metres at 3000 rpm, the new SL 350 is ideally suitable for powerful acceleration and rapid sprints. From standstill the new SL 350 accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds and reaches a maximum speed (electronically limited) of 250 km/h.
Even in standard trim the new V6 sports car features the same unique high-tech innovations as the SL 500 presented in 2002. These include the vario-roof, Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC™), an automatic rollover bar, electrically adjustable integral seats, adaptive airbags for the driver and passenger and large head-thorax sidebags.
In addition, COMAND, driver adaptive 5-speed automatic transmission, sensor-controlled automatic air conditioning, telephone pre-installation, xenon headlamps and high-quality aluminium trim with leather upholstered seats are standard in this Mercedes sports car.
Suspension: Exemplary safety with Sensotronic Brake Control
With the exception of the Active Body Control suspension system with ac-tive spring and damper control the suspension of the new six-cylinder SL-Class model has the same high-tech features as standard equipment which are found in the SL 500: four-link front suspension, multi-link independent rear suspension of aluminium, wide-base tyres in size 255/45 R 17 and disc brakes all round, which are controlled by the electrohydraulic, high-pressure braking system Sensotronic Brake Control according to the driving situation. The Active Body Control suspension system is available for the new six-cylinder SL-Class model on request.
Mercedes adds CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet to local line-up
Mercedes-Benz is also presenting the latest addition to the CLK-Class model range in Sydney - the blistering CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet.
Featuring V8 power, dynamic ride characteristics and a high-quality standard specification, the $204,900 CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet is the ultimate open-top sports model in the CLK-Class range. And the four-seater with a 5.5-litre, eight-cylinder engine developing 270 kW more than lives up to this billing. Peak torque is 510 Nm and arrives at 4000 rpm.
Perfectly honed by Mercedes-AMG, the V8 power plant equipped with three valves per cylinder and dual ignition delivers exemplary performance and torque characteristics. The engine is just as at home when accelerating dynamically as it is during relaxed cruising in high gear with immense power reserves. It enables the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
17-inch AMG wheels and powerful, harmoniously integrated AMG bodystyling
The leading-edge technology at the heart of the engine and driveline is matched by the suspension and brake technology in every respect. Equipped with AMG sports suspension, AMG light-alloy wheels (17-inch) with an attractive twin-spoke design and wide-base tyres - size 225/45 at the front and 245/40 at the rear - the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet has absolutely everything it takes to ensure agile handling, dynamic cornering speeds and, in true Mercedes tradition, a high level of long-distance cruising comfort.
The generously dimensioned high-performance brakes ensure exemplary deceleration and optimum sensitivity. Four-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes with internally ventilated and perforated brake discs on the front axle, combined with two-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes at the rear, ensure a high level of safety, whatever the situation on the road. Maximum deceleration is 10.4 m/s2, a vivid indication of the brake system's immense power reserves.
Even at just a brief glance, there is no mistaking the position of the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet as a top-of-the-range sports model. The captivating design of the open-air four-seater is made even more dynamic by the powerful AMG bodystyling: the prominent front apron with large cooling air openings and integrated fog lamps, as well as the side skirts and rear apron, harmoniously blend in with the overall design. At the rear, the chromed oval tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system provide another visual highlight. Furthermore their impressive V8 sound serves to emphasise the sporty dynamism of the car. The spoiler lip on the boot lid reduces the lift acting on the rear axle by over 50 percent. What's more, the CLK Cabriolet from Mercedes-AMG posts an unrivalled cd figure of 0.30.
Exclusive leather interior and high-grade appointments
Sporting prowess and exclusivity abound in the interior of the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet. AMG door sills, AMG aluminium trim with decorative chrome strips, an instrument cluster with white dials and the ergonomically designed AMG sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles all combine to create an extraordinary ambience without compromising on practicality. The electrically adjustable, heated AMG sports seats with multicontour function are available with single-tone leather upholstery or a two-tone nappa nubuck leather combination.
Celebrities support Starlight Children's Foundation
Mercedes-Benz will also use the Sydney Motor Show to officially kick off the Starlight Children's Foundation pedal car project. Twelve Australian fashion designers, celebrities and sporting heroes and one international Formula One team, Team McLaren Mercedes, have each dedicated valuable time to apply their own special flair to Mercedes-Benz SL pedal cars, which will be auctioned on eBay with the aim of raising valuable funds for the foundation.
Starlight Children's Foundation is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families. Working with more than 1000 hospitals, the Foundation provides an impressive menu of both in-hospital and outpatient programs and services. A leader in delivering distractive entertainment, Starlight's programs benefit over 100,000 children each month world wide.
The 2003 Sydney Motor Show marks the official launch of the project, with the curtains officially raised on the designs of Ricky Ponting, Cathy Freeman, Nikki Webster and Team McLaren Mercedes.
Mercedes Australian Fashion Week's (MAFW) Autumn/Winter collections will be the launching pad for the remaining 9 pedal cars including four Australian designers. Following MAFW, all pedal cars will be auctioned on eBay for Starlight to help seriously ill children and their families. The auction will go-live on Nov 14th and bidding closes on Nov 24th.
Wide range of Mercedes models on display at Sydney Motor Show
Visitors to the Mercedes-Benz stand at this year's Sydney Motor Show will also have the opportunity to see a wide range of models bearing the three pointed star including A 160 long wheelbase, C 200 KOMPRESSOR Saloon, C 180 KOMPRESSOR Sports Coupé, E 320 Estate, ML 270 CDI, ML 350, CLK 320 Coupe, CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet, SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR, S 500 long wheelbase,
SL 350 and E 240 Saloon.
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