The world premiere of the new SL and two all-new hybrid models took centre stage on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the opening of the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The new models from Mercedes-Benz delivered a strong impetus for the new automotive year and for the future of the brand as a whole – directly in the wake of the best sales year in company history. For the first time, the all-new SL Roadster is made almost entirely from aluminium and weighs up to 140 kg less than its predecessor thanks to intelligent lightweight design. The result is more agility and dynamic character combined with improved comfort and increased crash safety. The new BlueDIRECT engines are more powerful, yet up to 29 percent more fuel efficient than the engines in the outgoing model. More driving fun with even lower fuel consumption is also on offer from the two new E-Class hybrid models – the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the world’s most fuel-efficient full-size car, consuming just 4.2 litres of diesel per 100 km (109 g CO₂/km). The gasoline-powered E 400 HYBRID, which will be launched first in the USA, delivers fuel economy of 27 mpg (combined).
“In 2011 we sold more than 1.36 million cars worldwide – more than ever before. 2012 will see us push forward with our product offensive and repeat two things that worked extremely well last year – we will launch another six new models and we will set the bar even higher by making green cars cooler and cool cars greener,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the NAIAS press conference. To back this up, Mercedes-Benz presented the sixth generation SL. Compared with its highly successful predecessor, the new model offers a considerable boost in sporting character and comfort and sets new benchmarks in the luxury roadster class. Plus, it comes with a full serving of everyday usability.
Classic proportions and outstanding aerodynamics
The stylish luxury sports car has classic proportions with a long hood and a compact cockpit set well back. Finely honed details and air vents with chromed fins from the dynamic tradition of Mercedes-Benz Design add visual emphasis to the SL legend.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche: “There are around 900 million cars on this earth and thousands of models. But there is but a handful of automotive icons. Our SL is one of them – it has class, it has style, it is the embodiment of comfort and luxury. But it combines all of that with an unbelievably sporty and dynamic character.”
Moreover, the new SL boasts outstanding aerodynamics. Alongside the lowest drag coefficient (cd = 0.27 in the SL 350), it also offers the lowest level of wind noise – almost on par with a closed saloon – as well as the very best airflow and noise characteristics with the top down.
“The new SL offers everything that defines an absolutely top-class premium roadster,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing. “It is two things rolled into one – a dynamic sports roadster and a luxurious coupé. Or, as we say, it is both athlete and connoisseur.”
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Perfect proportions and purist lines for an exciting presence: the design of the SLS AMG Roadster stirs the emotions. Whether with the soft top open or closed, the Roadster exudes passionate sportiness and sheer exclusivity. The new super-sports car reinterprets the breathtaking lines of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster from the 1950s, and continues the legend of exciting sports cars bearing the Mercedes star.


The short overhangs characterise the athletic proportions as strongly as the overall engineering concept for this super-sports car, with its low-mounted front-mid engine and dual clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration.


Powerful AMG V8 engine with 420 kW
The SLS AMG Roadster has the same, muscular engine as the gullwing model. The 6.3-litre V8 with a peak output of 420 kW at 6800 rpm makes the open-top SLS one of the most powerful sports cars in its segment. The open-top SLS AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, reaches 200 km/h in 11.3 seconds and has a top speed of 317 km/h (electronically limited) – which means that the Roadster has a performance comparable to the gullwing variant.



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• Mercedes-Benz will race the DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé based on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé in the 2012 DTM season
• New, improved safety concept with state-of-the-art carbon fibre monocoque, a high-strength steel roll cage and six crash structures

Mercedes-Benz chose the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt to present the new 2012 DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé. The new car is the successor to the AMG Mercedes C-Class, which scored 84 victories in 156 races to become the most successful vehicle in the 27-year history of the DTM. HWA AG began development, design and construction of the DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé in June 2010. The first chassis was assembled in June 2011, with the first vehicle completed in August.
The DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé was designed to meet the new and improved safety concept for 2012, which includes a state-of-the-art carbon fibre monocoque and a roll cage made of high strength steel. In order to improve driver protection in the event of an accident, all safety-related components such as the fire extinguishing system and fuel tank have been incorporated into the monocoque. Furthermore, each vehicle is equipped with six crash structures to give the driver additional protection to the front, rear and sides. These carbon fibre crash structures are designed to gradually absorb impact energy, so that the driver is not exposed to high deceleration forces.
The new safety concept was developed jointly by rights holder and promoter ITR e.V., the DMSB and the three manufacturers – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In order to verify the performance of the DTM safety concept, the DMSB developed a test programme, which was carried out and analyzed by DEKRA, the independent testing organization. All tests were completed without any problems.
The new DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé is based on the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé, which celebrated its world premiere in summer 2011. The C-Class Coupé rounds off Mercedes-Benz best-selling range and is offered with a choice of five engines – two diesel and three petrol units – developing from 115 kW (156 hp) to 225 kW (306 hp). The C-Class Coupé is manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. It’s the fourth model to be built on a single production line alongside the saloon and estate versions, plus GLK – a new production method for Daimler.
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Spectacular design, technology transfer from the world of motorsport and driving dynamics at the highest level; the new Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series embodies the new AMG brand claim, Driving Performance, like no other AMG model. The new high-performance vehicle is the most powerful C-Class of all time, boasting a maximum output of 380 kW and a maximum torque of 620 newton metres. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine impresses with its hefty torque, tremendous pulling power and responsiveness, and ensures high-calibre performance: the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds (all data provisional). Exclusive fun at the wheel comes courtesy of the adjustable AMG coil-over sports suspension, the AMG high-performance compound braking system and the functional standard equipment. The AMG Track Package is available as an option to enhance driving dynamics even further. It boasts sports tyres and active rear-axle transmission cooling, plus the AMG Aerodynamics package including flics, a functionally tuned front splitter and an adjustable carbon-fibre rear aerofoil.

Broad, low, brawny and ready to pounce from a standstill – the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series makes a mighty impression. It’s clear right from the first time you set eyes on it that the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series is made for ambitious laps on a closed-off race track. In visual terms the new high-performance vehicle is reminiscent of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sports car and symbolises the transfer of technology from the sphere of motorsport, which has been part of the corporate philosophy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH for 44 years now.

With its new C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series, AMG is presenting an exciting sports car for enthusiasts who are passionate about sports cars which are big on horsepower, and this marks the impressive continuation of theBlack Series strategy, which began back in 2006. AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz Cars, is once again demonstrating its expertise when it comes to designing and developing emotionally appealing high-performance cars.

“AMG has its roots in international motorsport. The new C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series is the best proof there is for the permanent transfer of technology from the race track to the road. The numerous successes in the DTM, the customer sports range featuring the SLS AMG GT3 and our commitment to Formula 1, where we have been providing the Official F1Ô Safety Car and the Official F1Ô Medical Car for the past 15 years, continuously spur on our engineers and technicians. The C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series embodies the new AMG brand claim, Driving Performance, like no other AMG model”, comments Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
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Mercedes-AMG has developed a new 5.5-litre V8 engine which combines powerful eight-cylinder performance with the decidedly economical fuel consumption of a four-cylinder. Unrivalled efficiency is achieved thanks to the AMG Cylinder Management cylinder shut-off system newly developed by Mercedes-AMG. This new technology exclusively developed by AMG is inspired by Formula 1 racing. In the eight-cylinder racing engines developing around 750 hp, cylinder shut-off is likewise used primarily to save fuel.

Thanks to a fuel saving of around 30 percent compared to the existing AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine, the naturally aspirated, high-revving eight-cylinder demonstrates the great innovative strength of AMG. At the same time it is AMG's demonstration of the potential still residing in the naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine.

The distinctive AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine with AMG Cylinder Management and direct petrol injection will find exclusive use in the new SLK 55 AMG, which will celebrate its world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main in September. This means that the latest version of the SLK 55 AMG will remain the only roadster in its segment with an eight-cylinder engine.

Even with peak output increased by 45 kW to 310 kW and torque increased from 510 to 540 newton metres, the fuel consumption of 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined, provisional figure) is 3.5 litres less than that of the preceding model – a real quantum leap of around 30 percent which places the new SLK 55 AMG among the top performers in its segment. CO₂ emissions have likewise been considerably reduced, as witness the figure of 199 grams per kilometre (NEDC combined, provisional figure).

New naturally aspirated eight-cylinder closely related to the V8 biturbo

In line with its "AMG Performance 2015" strategy, Mercedes-AMG is meeting its promise to continuously reduce both the fuel consumption and emissions of new models over the next few years with the new V8 unit – while reaching new heights with the central brand claim of "Driving Performance". Moreover, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz is also demonstrating its social commitment with the M152.

The new M152 is based on the AMG M157 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine presented in 2010, which powers the E 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG, S 63 AMG and CL 63 AMG. Numerous components and systems are basically identical, e.g. the displacement, bore/stroke, distance between cylinders, stop/start system and direct petrol injection technology. Distinguishing features versus the M157 include the new intake air ducting, new cylinder heads, the modified valve drive, an adapted oil supply system and an optimised crankcase.

"Top performer for fuel economy and maximum output: with the new 310 kW AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine we have once again created a real masterpiece. The M152 sets an outstanding example for efficiency, while demonstrating the creativity and expertise of our engineers, who took their inspiration from Formula 1 when developing the cylinder shut-off system. This makes the new, naturally aspirated eight-cylinder the perfect power unit for the new SLK 55 AMG, which will celebrate its premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt/Main in the autumn," says Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
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A generation ahead: with the CLS, Mercedes-Benz created a new vehicle category in 2003 which for the first time combined the elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon. The customers were delighted, the competition taken aback: for many years the CLS remained the only four-door coupé in its class and since October 2004 it has been the car of choice for some 170,000 buyers around the globe. "Customers all over the world have rewarded us for our courage in launching a completely new vehicle concept onto the market," explains a delighted Dr Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz. "And with its exciting design and refined sportiness, the
new edition of the CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door Coupé."

The engines: higher output, yet up to 31 percent lower fuel consumption

Efficiency at the highest level: that is what characterises all four engines deployed in the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The output and torque of each engine is greater than in its predecessor; at the same time, fuel consumption has been drastically reduced, by up to 31 percent. Two variants will be available from market launch this month (June 2011): the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 195 kW and 620 Nm of torque (combined, 6.2 litres per 100km) and the CLS 63 AMG.

Note: The CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY will be launched in quarter four 2011.

AMG V8 biturbo engine consuming 10 litres per 100 km: CLS 63 AMG – the benchmark in design, performance and efficiency

As with the S 63 AMG and CL 63 AMG, drivers of the CLS 63 AMG will benefit from an eight-cylinder powerhouse, designated internally as the M 157: the new AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine boasts a combination of innovative high-tech components which, in addition to spray-guided direct petrol injection with piezo injectors, also include a full aluminium crankcase, four-valve technology with camshaft adjustment, air/water intercooling, generator management and stop/start system. The weight-optimized AMG sports exhaust system with dual twin chrome tailpipes ensures a distinctive engine sound. With a displacement of 5461 cc, the eight-cylinder engine develops a peak output of 386 kW and torque of 700 Nm. In conjunction with the AMG Performance package, these figures increase to 410 kW and 800 Nm. Both variants of the CLS 63 AMG achieve exceptional performance: acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 4.4 and 4.3 seconds respectively, and the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).
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