Three stars, one date: March 26. New Generation C-Class and New SLK Roadster Hit the Showrooms — Sales Start of New C-Class Coupé

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Mar 25, 2011 – Mercedes-Benz will start into spring on a sporty, dynamic, and elegant note. On March 26, 2011, the sedan and estate of the new generation C-Class will be hitting showrooms throughout Europe, along with the new SLK roadster. Sales of the new C-Class coupe are also commencing on March 26.


“Along with the start of spring, we are presenting customers with two fascinating star-brand vehicles,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The new generation C-Class and new SLK are sure to impress with their sportiness, stylish comfort, and outstanding efficiency. The two new vehicles are therefore ideally situated to continue their predecessors’ success stories and give our sales a further boost in the weeks ahead. Even ahead of their market launch, the customer response to these two vehicles has already been outstanding.” The new C-Class coupe will hit the showrooms in June. “This youthful and sporty addition to the C-Class lineup will enable us to enter a new market segment and directly address new customer groups,” says Dr. Schmidt.

C-Class: The successful bestseller from Mercedes-Benz

The C-Class is the Mercedes-Benz model range with the highest sales volume and has thrilled more than 8.5 million customers since the first models were introduced to the market in 1982. The current model range has built on this success, with around 1.2 million sedans and estates sold to date. As a result, sales have even surpassed those of the successful predecessor in the same period of time following market launch. Although the new generation was about to be introduced, the previous sedan and estate models continued to be very popular with customers, with sales increasing by 12 percent to 42,000 units during the first two months of 2011. The sedan was the best-selling vehicle in its segment last year for the third time in a row, and it has continued to maintain its market leadership in the first two months of this year.

In addition to its dynamic design, the new C-Class generation’s many new driving assistance systems are especially impressive. Thanks to features ranging from the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, the vehicle achieves a new level of safety. And it also boasts higher fuel efficiency: The new engines, enhanced 7G TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission, and the ECO start-stop function reduce fuel consumption by up to 31 percent compared to the predecessor model.

SLK: Most successful roadster in its segment

The third generation of the SLK will be celebrating its market launch in 2011. Since the model range was first introduced in 1996, more than 500,000 units of the roadster have been delivered to customers, making it the most successful sports car in its segment.

The new SLK also sets standards for safety and fuel efficiency. Features that are standard equipment include the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system. As is the case with the new C-Class generation, powerful new four- and six-cylinder engines with the ECO start-stop function as standard ensure exemplary efficiency. Despite their outstanding driving performance, these engines consume up to 25 percent less fuel than their predecessors. The new SLK is now offering customers another groundbreaking innovation with the world premiere of the panoramic vario-roof MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which can be turned light or dark at the push of a button.

C-Class coupe: The first classic compact coupe from Mercedes-Benz

The new C-Class coupe is equipped with the progressive technology of the new
C-Class generation and delivers exemplary efficiency and a comprehensive range of safety features. Three gasoline and two diesel engines of the latest generation provide the C-Class coupe with lots of power.

All are equipped with direct injection and the ECO start-stop function as standard and can be ordered with the new maximum-efficiency 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission. The coupe provides drivers with extensive protection and support thanks to numerous driver assistance systems ranging from the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.

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