Safe, comfortable, efficient - The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sends a positive signal in Detroit for the 2009 automotive year

Detroit (ots) -

- Cross reference: Picture is distributed via EPA (European
Pressphoto Agency) and can be downloaded free of charge at:
http://www.presseportal.de/pm/68912/daimler_ag/?keygroup=bild -

The new star in the luxury segment made its first appearance on
the eve of the 2009 NAIAS - as part of the Mercedes-Benz New Year's
Reception in Detroit, Daimler CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche presented the
latest version of the successful luxury sedan in front of over 650
trade journalists from around the world. With the new E-Class,
Mercedes-Benz is setting the new benchmark, particularly in terms of
safety and comfort, as well as environmental sustainability and
economy. Under the heading "fascination and responsibility", the
Stuttgart automobile manufacturer presented a further two new models
- the SLR Stirling Moss crowns the successful SLR super sports car
range with an uncompromising high performance model. And with the
BlueZERO concept, Mercedes-Benz is leading the way in environmentally
sustainable electric mobility. The intelligent, modular concept
facilitates no less than three models with different powertrain
configurations on the basis of one single vehicle architecture.

"The new E-Class is the safest, most comfortable and cleanest E-
Class ever. It is yet further evidence that fascination and
responsibility go hand-in-hand at Mercedes", commented Dr. Dieter
Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head
of Mercedes-Benz Cars at the exclusive preview presentation. "We are
certain that the new E-Class will send a positive signal for the 2009
automotive year, and will be among the winners in the global market."

The new E-Class - comprehensive safety, exceptional comfort and up
to 23 percent lower fuel consumption

The new E-Class extends even further Mercedes-Benz's leading
position in the luxury class with a unique combination of driver
assistance systems. These include ATTENTION ASSIST, Adaptive Main
Beam Assist (Adaptive High Beam Assist in the U.S.) and automatic
emergency braking, which is activated under immediate threat of a
collision. Mercedes-Benz has improved the already exemplary
long-distance comfort of the E-Class even further in the new sedan.
Advances include intelligent bodyshell technology with up to 30
percent greater stiffness, further improved seats and a newly
developed suspension system with shock absorbers that automatically
adjust to the driving situation. The available AIRMATIC suspension
now works together with a continuously variable electronic damping
system.

The outstanding safety and comfort of the E-Class are matched by
its environmental compatibility and economy. The E-Class comes to the
U.S. market with V6 and V8 gasoline engines, as well as the
groundbreaking 50-state 3.0 liter BlueTEC diesel (launching in CY
2010) - the world's cleanest diesel engine, compliant with ULEV and
Bin 5 standards. The four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines are
direct-injection units, and consume up to 23 percent less fuel than
before. The combined NEDC consumption of the new four-cylinder diesel
engines is just 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to
139 grams of CO2 per kilometer. All the engines for the new E-Cass
meet the EU5 emission standard, and in the case of the E350 BlueTEC
the emissions are already below the EU6 limits planned for 2014.

Concept BlueZERO - triple proof of the everyday usability of
zero-emissions vehicles

With the production-ready BlueZERO concept, Mercedes-Benz is
leading the way in Detroit in the field of environmentally
sustainable electric mobility, without sacrificing interior and
luggage space. The intelligent, modular concept facilitates three
models with distinct powertrain configurations on the basis of only
one single vehicle architecture - all of them able to fulfill
customer requirements for sustainable mobility:

- the BlueZERO E-CELL with a battery electric drive and
battery-powered range of up to 200 kilometers (125 miles),

- the Blue-ZERO F-CELL with fuel cell drive and an electric range
of well over 400 kilometers (250 miles),

- the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS with electric drive and an additional
internal combustion engine as a range extender. This version has
an overall range of up to 600 kilometers (375 miles) and an
electric-only range of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles).

The three BlueZERO variants were realized on the basis of the
unique sandwich floor architecture, which Mercedes-Benz introduced
ten years ago for the A-Class and later also the B-Class, also with a
view to the integration of alternative drivelines. The benefit of the
redeveloped construction is that the major drive components are built
into the vehicle floor, which is lowers the center of gravity, saves
space and provides them with the best possible protection. The
five-seat BlueZERO concept vehicles also set the benchmark in terms
of lightweight construction, interior design and exterior styling.

"The flexible BlueZERO concept facilitates electric mobility to
suit every requirement and demonstrates that Mercedes-Benz is already
in possession of all the key technologies for electric vehicles
suitable for everyday use", comments Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the
Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and
Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

All three BlueZERO variants share major technical components;
design and vehicle dimensions are identical. At only 4.22 meters
(1,072 inches) long, the they combine compact exterior dimensions
with generously proportioned and variable interior and luggage space.
Five full seats, around 450 kg (990 lbs) load capacity and over 500
liters (17.7 cu. ft.) of luggage space make it a vehicle with
unrestricted everyday usability. Thanks to the sandwich-floor
construction and higher seating position, they also offer excellent
crash safety for passengers and technology, as well as outstanding
all-around visibility.

Compared with electric vehicles based on conventional vehicle
platforms and originally conceived only for internal combustion
engines, the BlueZERO concept offers convincing benefits:

- Thanks to the integration of the energy storage device and/or
energy generator within the spacious sandwich floor, the room
available within the vehicle remains fully intact.

- The drive technology built into the sandwich floor ensures a low
center of gravity, as well as safe and agile handling
characteristics.

- The sandwich concept and the packaging of major drive components
between the axles make for the highest crash safety levels.

SLR Stirling Moss - fascination and driving pleasure in its purest
form

Neither roof nor windshield separate the driver and passenger of
the SLR Stirling Moss from the elements - they enjoy pure high-speed
fascination with all the attributes of a speedster. Furthermore, the
new SLR Stirling Moss distinguishes itself with the very latest
technology and breathtaking design that reinterprets the myth of the
legendary 300 SLR. Its V8 supercharged engine with 478 kW/650 hp
catapults the SLR Stirling Moss in less than 3.5 seconds from a
standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph), reaching a top speed of 350 km/h
(220 mph).

"No other car is this open and this fast at the same time," says
Dr. Klaus Maier, responsible for Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz
Cars. This extreme concept makes it the legitimate namesake for the
legendary British racing driver and Mille Miglia record holder
Stirling Moss, who drove Mercedes-Benz SLR race cars from victory to
victory in 1955. The exclusive SLR Stirling Moss represents the
conclusion of the current SLR range and is limited to 75 units. It is
priced at 750,000 Euro. Production of the SLR Stirling Moss begins
June 2009, to coincide with the scheduled wind-down of the SLR
Roadster.

Originaltext: Daimler AG
digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/68912
press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_68912.rss2

Contact:
Christoph Horn, Tel: +49 711 17-75841, christoph.horn@daimler.com
Norbert Giesen, Tel: +49 711 17-76422, norbert.giesen@daimler.com
Eva Wiese, Tel: +49 711 17-92311, eva.wiese@daimler.com
Wolfgang Zanker, Tel: +49 711-17-75847, wolfgang.zanker@daimler.com

Further information on Mercedes-Benz can be found in the internet:
www.media.daimler.com