Mercedes 2008 Annual Report Download - page 95

Divisions |Mercedes-Benz Cars |91
The Mercedes-Benz GLK offers cultivated driving, dynamism and safety in a compact SUV format.
luxury-segment BlueEFFICIENCY model in the form of the S 320
CDI. This sedan consumes 7.6 liters of fuel per 100 km – better
than any other model in its segment. Our S 400 BlueHYBRID,
which we unveiled in September 2008, will be the world’s most
fuel-efficient gasoline-powered luxury sedan (7.9 liters per
100 km and 186 g CO2per km) when it is launched in mid-2009.
Mercedes-Benz launched second-generation BLUETEC tech-
nology in the United States in October 2008: The SUVs from the
ML-, R- and GL-Class feature the world’s cleanest diesel tech-
nology, enabling them to meet the stringent BIN5 emission stan-
dard in the US and making them eligible for registration in
all 50 states. BlueEFFICIENCY diesel models will be launched in
Europe as of autumn 2009 (see page 106).
Production start of new four-cylinder engines. In October
2008, we started production of an all-new four-cylinder Mercedes-
Benz diesel engine at the Untertürkheim and Kölleda plants.
A total of 500,000 of the new four-cylinder diesel engines will
initially be manufactured each year to replace several other
engines currently in use in various model series. Application in
several model series is made possible by the engine’s compact
design and wide power range.
Two all-new models and six new model generations. The
Mercedes-Benz brand extensively updated its model range in the
year under review. Design and equipment were completely
upgraded for the SL, SLK, and CLS series, as well as for the A-,
B-, and M-Class. The most important new models launched
were the GLK sport-utility vehicle and the CLC sports coupe.
More than anything else, the compact GLK stands out due to its
attractive and distinctive design, while the model’s AGILITY
CONTROL chassis ensures an optimal balance between handling,
safety, and comfort. The GLK is also equipped with the latest
version of Mercedes-Benz’ 4MATIC transmission, ensuring out-
standing drivability both on and off road. State-of-the-art gasoline
and diesel engines provide superior driving performance com-
bined with low fuel consumption and emissions. As of April 2009,
the GLK will also be available with Mercedes-Benz’s new,
extremely fuel-efficient four-cylinder diesel engine. The GLK was
launched in October 2008 and has met with a very positive
response.
The CLC expands the Mercedes-Benz coupe family to include a
model series that fulfills young customers’ desire for a car offering
outstanding driving experience along with typical Mercedes
standards with regard to comfort and functionality. Customers are
attracted by the model’s distinctive design, while its innovative
direct steering system ensures agile cornering and the highest
levels of driving comfort.
10th anniversary of smart fortwo. On September 3, 2008, the
smart brand celebrated its tenth anniversary and production of
the one-millionth smart fortwo. Today, the smart fortwo is popular
with customers in 37 countries on five continents. Following
its successful launch in the United States in 2008, smart has now
set its sights on other markets: The fortwo will be launched in
Denmark, China, and São Paulo, Brazil in the first half of 2009.
With carbon dioxide emissions of only 88 g/km, the smart fortwo
cdi remains the world’s CO2champion and most fuel-efficient
production car equipped with an internal combustion engine.
smart fortwo models with 45 KW/61 hp and 52 KW/71 hp
gasoline engines now feature an automatic start-stop system as
standard equipment, which reduces fuel consumption by up to
20% in urban driving. In September 2008, we presented the sec-
ond-generation smart fortwo electric drive. A limited number
of the new vehicle, which is equipped with an innovative lithium-
ion battery, will be produced starting at the end of 2009.
Larger-scale production of the model is due to commence in 2012.