Mercedes-Benz at the 77th Geneva Motor Show

    - Triple Premiere for the New C-Class

   GENEVA, Switzerland, March 6 /CNW/ - 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.

   (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070306/247923 )

   "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 (NYSE: DCX), 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 (TUV),
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.