Stuttgart – When every second counts: with a small yet effective innovation, Mercedes-Benz wants to make the rescue of accident victims safer and swifter. In future a QR code, which can be read by smartphones and tablets, placed on Mercedes-Benz cars, will provide a rescue map for every vehicle type, which can be shown on the device’s display. This chart contains all the information necessary to rescue any injured occupants speedily.

This Mercedes-Benz innovation makes use of the rescue sheets developed by the ADAC, the German Automobile Association, and which are already provided by all automakers for every one of their vehicle models. The sheets show firefighters, police and paramedics the design details they need to know in order to use the rescue shears effectively, for example. The rescue sheet, specific for each vehicle type, also informs about the location of the airbags, the battery, the tanks, electric cables, high-pressure cylinders and other components – in the case of hybrid models the location of the additional batteries and high-voltage cables, too. This information can save lives, because in an emergency every action counts and every second is precious.

In future a QR code, which can be read by smartphones and tablets, placed on Mercedes-Benz cars, will provide a rescue map for every vehicle type.

However, in many cases rescue workers have to do their best without a rescue sheet, either because the driver neglected to carry one in the car, or because the rescuers cannot find it in the car. There are different proposals for the best location for the rescue sheet. Most favour the sun visor.

If there is no rescue sheet on board, then the rescue workers have to identify the accident vehicle with absolute certainty – something that does not always lead to the correct result in the presence of severe accident damage and missing model identification. In such cases only a telephone inquiry based on the number plate can help.

This Mercedes-Benz innovation, on the other hand, offers – in almost all cases – a swift and reliable way to a vehicle-specific correct security identity card – and can do this without requiring any action on the part of the driver. As from this year all new vehicles from Mercedes-Benz will be provided with two stickers with a so-called QR code. This square symbol with black and white sectors is often used by magazines, for instance, to direct readers via internet to a specific web page. Thanks to an app, QR codes can be read by every smartphone and every Tablet equipped with a camera.

The Mercedes-Benz QR codes identify the vehicle reliably, make fundamental information about the vehicle visible immediately and automatically direct to the website with the specific rescue sheet – generally a matter of only a few seconds. In order to make it easy to find the label with the potentially lifesaving QR code, Mercedes-Benz places one on the fuel tank flap and the other on the B-pillar on the opposite vehicle side. For it seldom occurs that both these parts are badly damaged at the same time in an accident, and they are furthermore easily accessible from the outside.

Further benefits of the innovative QR code solution from Mercedes-Benz:

• Rescue workers do not need to identify the vehicle themselves and navigate through Internet pages for this.
• Suitable for all vehicle types, both with conventional and with alternative drive systems.
• The stickers with QR code can be easily retrofitted.
• All automakers can continue to update their own rescue sheet links themselves and thus use the QR system to advantage, because Mercedes-Benz has waived the right to a patent registration in order to make the system available to everyone. 

For all model series from production start in 1979, Mercedes-Benz has rescue sheets in different languages available to download at info-rettung@daimler.com.

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• Black Falcon win endurance classic
• ROWE RACING finish third and fourth 
• Bernd Schneider secures first place

Nürburg/Affalterbach – Mercedes-Benz and AMG today secured the first overall win in the 24-Hours of Nürburgring. Bearing starting number 9, Black Falcon with Bernd Schneider (Germany), Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Sean Edwards (GB) and Nicki Thiim (Denmark) went from sixth position on the grid to finish the legendary endurance race 2:39 minutes ahead of the second placed car after 88 laps. This historic overall victory in the legendary endurance classic in the Eifel represents the first success for Mercedes-Benz. Record-breaking five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider had a largely trouble-free race in the SLS AMG GT3 Black Falcon– an excursion off track on Monday morning ended without drama. The victory was rounded off by positions three and four for ROWE RACING.

Wining SLS AMG GT3 Black Falcon with Bernd Schneider (Germany), Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Sean Edwards (GB) and Nicki Thiim (Denmark)

Thomas Jäger was a double entrant, taking the cockpit in two SLS AMG GT3s prepared by ROWE RACING. In Gullwing #22, the former DTM driver, along with Klaus Graf, Jan Seyffarth and Nico Bastian (all Germany), came home in third place overall. Jäger, at the wheel of car number 23, aided by team-mates Lance David Arnold, Alexander Roloff and Jan Seyffarth (all Germany), finally took the chequered flag in fourth place.

Alexander Böhm, Black Falcon General Manager: “The ultra-reliable SLS AMG GT3 was once again the cornerstone for this historic victory. All the drivers did a great job – we were really fast, especially in the wet. A big thank you to all team members!”

Hans-Peter Naundorf, ROWE RACING Team Manager: “I am extremely pleased with securing P3 and P4 with #22 and #23, especially as we were forced to retire last year while in the lead. My thanks go to all drivers and team members. Congratulations to the winning team, Black Falcon.”

Thomas Jäger in Gullwing #22, along with Klaus Graf, Jan Seyffarth and Nico Bastian (all Germany), came home in third place overall.

Uli Fritz, Head of AMG Customer Sports: “We were not among the favourites to win, as we are not a works team but simply a customer outfit. We are very excited about this historic success. So far in 2013, we have won every major endurance race with the SLS AMG GT3 – in January, the Dubai (UAE) 24-hour race, in February, the Bathurst 12-Hours (Australia) and now the legendary 24- hour race here at the Nürburgring. My congratulations go to all AMG customer teams, and many thanks to tyre partner Dunlop for the excellent manner in which they have supported our team.”

Gullwing #23, ROWE RACING, took the chequered flag in fourth place

Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “A great success for our customer teams Black Falcon and ROWE RACING. I am very pleased that we have succeeded at only the third attempt in taking the top spot in the SLS AMG GT3. This victory is the best confirmation of our customer sports programme.”

Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger

Toto Wolff, Head of Motorsport at Mercedes-Benz: “This victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is the just reward for the loyalty of our customer teams. Mercedes-Benz has a magnificent tradition in endurance racing that stretches back as far as the 1950s. The Nürburgring has always had a great importance and symbolic meaning for Mercedes-Benz, because this is where the legend of the Silver Arrow was born, so it is all the more gratifying to witness the success here today of the AMG customer teams. The Mercedes-Benz name stands for performance, quality and reliability – which are the perfect prerequisites for winning such a tough race on the most demanding racetrack in the world. I extend my congratulations to our customer teams, Black Falcon and ROWE RACING. Credit is also due to Mercedes-AMG for their outstanding support without which this success could not have been achieved.”

Wining SLS AMG GT3 Black Falcon with Bernd Schneider (Germany), Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Sean Edwards (GB) and Nicki Thiim (Denmark)

Bernd Schneider, Black Falcon, # 9: “Our car was super to drive, especially in the wet, and even while the surface was drying out, we were always up with the leading group. I’ve attempted the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring on several previous occasions, but this is the first time I’ve ever crossed the finish line. My congratulations and thanks go to the whole team. The guys at Black Falcon did a great job.”

Gullwing #23, ROWE RACING, took the chequered flag in fourth place

Thomas Jäger, ROWE RACING, # 22: “Once again, we have seen what a fabulous car the SLS AMG GT3 is to drive, even under these very difficult conditions here at the Nürburgring. Our third and fourth place finishes represent a great team result for ROWE RACING, and obviously I’m delighted for the guys at Black Falcon on their historic victory.”

Thomas Jäger in Gullwing #22, along with Klaus Graf, Jan Seyffarth and Nico Bastian (all Germany), came home in third place overall.

Lance David Arnold, ROWE RACING, # 23: “I’m very pleased that I was able to finish fourth on my very first outing for the AMG customer team ROWE RACING. This was very tough race, not least because of the heavy rain and the constantly changing conditions. I’d like to express my gratitude and congratulations to the whole team.”

Seven SLS AMG GT3s in 24-hour race at Nürburgring

There were no fewer than seven SLS AMG GT3s contesting the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. Car number 63 entered by Black Falcon and driven by Vimal Mehta (IND), Kaled al Qubaisi (UAE), Daniel Keilwitz and Christian Bracke (both GER) finished in 19th position. Number 125 (ROWE RACING) with Michael Zehe, Reinhold Renger, Marko Hartung and Mark Bullit (all GER) sharing the cockpit crossed the line in P27. Car number 10, also entered by Black Falcon and driven by Andrii Lebed (UKR), Andreas Simonsen (SWE), Dennis Rostek (GER) and Hari Proczyk (AUT), spent much of the race under repair and eventually finished in 130th position. The ROWE RACING number 21 driven by Marko Hartung, Kenneth Heyer, Roland Rehfeld and Christan Hohenadel (all GER) had to retire from the race after an accident.

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Robert Wickens, STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Brands Hatch – Robert Wickens (STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) finished third in the second race of the season at the historic Brands Hatch circuit in Kent. The Mercedes-Benz Junior Team member thus claimed his maiden podium after contesting 13 races in the world’s most popular touring car series. Over the course of the 98 race laps, the Canadian advanced ten places up the field after starting from 13th on the grid. He moved up from fourth to third in a dramatic final twist after fellow Mercedes-Benz driver Gary Paffett (EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) was hit with a late penalty.

Robert Wickens, STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

The Englishman, competing in his home race, took the chequered flag in third position but was subsequently handed a five-second time penalty for having exceeded the speed limit in a sector where the yellow flags were out for the removal of Augusto Farfus’s car from the track. Paffett not only had to yield his podium spot to Wickens but also fell back to sixth.

Gary Paffett, EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

After finishing third in the opening race at Hockenheim, Christian Vietoris (DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) placed eighth to finish in the points for the second time this season. DTM rookie Pascal Wehrlein (DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) in tenth position secured his first point in the DTM in his second DTM race. Mercedes-Juniors Roberto Merhi (THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) and Daniel Juncadella (stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) came home in positions 16 and 20 respectively.

Robert Wickens, STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Overall standings: Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller won the race at Brands Hatch and now leads the drivers’ standings with 29 points. Gary Paffett (20 points) and Christian Vietoris (19 points) occupy positions four and five respectively. In the team standings, the team of STIHL/AMG Mercedes with Vietoris and Robert Wickens is in third place on 32 points after securing two podium finishes in two races. Mercedes-Benz is in second place in the DTM manufacturers’ standings with 56 points.

Gary Paffett, EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

VIP at Mercedes-Benz: 21,000 spectators attended the second race weekend of the 2013 DTM season at Brands Hatch – among them British Formula 1 stars Jenson Button (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) and Paul Di Resta (Sahara Force India Mercedes), whose duties included taking other guests for rides around the circuit in a Mercedes-Benz DTM racing taxi.

Jenson Button (GBR, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes), Paul di Resta (GBR, Sahara Force India F1 Team)

The next race: The third round of the 2013 DTM season takes place from 1st to 2nd June at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. This year marks the sixth time that the Austrian circuit will host the world’s most popular touring car series.

Comments after the Race

Robert Wickens (24, Canada, STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Third place

„This is my first podium in the DTM and, what’s more, it comes after starting from 13th on the grid at Brands Hatch where overtaking is notoriously difficult. I certainly wasn’t counting on that before the race. My target was just to finish in the points. To make that happen, I knew I would have to get off to a good start and overtake the drivers on the prime tyres. This strategy worked well. I was pleasantly surprised by my race pace and I was even able to go past drivers on options when I was on primes. The middle stint went perfectly for me. I had two excellent pit stops and was able to control my part of the race right through to the end. Afterwards, I was in the middle of an interview when I was told to hurry along to the podium. So after a physically draining 98-lap race, I had to run the full length of the pit lane to the podium ceremony. But it was well worthwhile. It was a great feeling to taste champagne for the first time in my DTM career.“

Gary Paffett (32, England, EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Sixth place

„I just don’t understand this penalty. I came off the accelerator when the yellow flags were out, but how am I expected to lose half a second inside ten seconds? In a championship race as tight as the DTM, every last point counts. I hope that the points we lost today because of this penalty don’t make all the difference at the end of the season. Our race pace and strategy were very good and were enough to get us onto the podium here through our own efforts. Let’s hope we can build on that in the next race at Spielberg.“

Christian Vietoris (24, Germany, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Eighth place

„Eighth place is not the result I had hoped for. I had expected more from the race weekend at Brands Hatch after my podium in Hockenheim. My car was really good today, and more would have been possible but for a mistake in qualifying. Unfortunately, Brands Hatch is not a circuit where overtaking is easy, but the bottom line is that I made the best of the situation and even secured some points.“

Pascal Wehrlein (18, Germany, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Tenth place

„Securing my first championship point in the DTM in my second race is a decent result, especially when you consider how difficult overtaking is on this track. I moved up ten positions during the race and secured one point – that’s not bad going at Brands Hatch. Of course, it would have been better to have started further up on the grid, but this was a good result for me after a tricky qualifying session.“

Roberto Merhi (22, Spain, THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• 16th place

„That was an action-packed race that ended for me, unfortunately, when I received a drive-through penalty. So, despite the car’s good pace, it was impossible to do better than P16. All in all, my weekend was disappointing, and I want to draw a line under it as quickly as possible. In two weeks’ time, we’re off to Spielberg, where I’ll go all-out on the offensive again.“

Daniel Juncadella (22, Spain, stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• 20th place

„Unfortunately, that was one of those races that it’s best to forget. From Lap 1 onwards, I was having problems with the car – it felt as if I was driving on ice. Really crazy! It may have been caused by contact on the first corner – we’ll have to analyse the reason why. Obviously, I can’t feel satisfied with 20th position. We’ve had a difficult weekend here, and I just hope that things go better for us in Austria.“

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:

„Overnight, it’s as if a minor miracle has taken place – Sunday certainly turned out better for us than Saturday. I would like to see the same thing happen in next weekend’s Formula 1 race, because the situation was the exact opposite on our last outing. This is a good result from a DTM perspective, with all three manufacturers being represented on the podium. Mike Rockenfeller and Audi deserved their victory today, and BMW were also strong this weekend. After the disappointment of qualifying on Saturday, I am satisfied with having four of our cars finish in the Top Ten. Gary powered through from eleventh on the grid, and once again our juniors demonstrated their talent, in particular Robert Wickens who claimed his first ever DTM podium with a fantastic performance. But credit also to Pascal Wehrlein who scored his first point and to Christian Vietoris who drove an excellent race. This is a venue where fortune favours the brave, and today luck was on our side. On a track like this, you need a bit of luck occasionally. “

Race results: Top Ten

Drivers‘ Championship: Top Three

Teams‘ Championship: Top Three

Manufacturers‘ Championship: Top Three

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Stuttgart/Cannes. Once again, Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG are supporting the Cannes Film Festival with a wide range of activities. Twelve high-performance models from Mercedes-AMG will be adding to the glamour along the Croisette between 15 and 26 May 2013. They are there to provide an exclusive shuttle service, for spur-of-the-moment test drives and as display vehicles. One particularly special star will, in addition, be putting in a sparkling appearance in front of the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc: the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class which, in a parallel event to the opening of the Film Festival, yesterday celebrated its world premiere Hamburg.

The new luxury saloon, which includes such features as a hot-stone ENERGIZING massage function and individual perfume atomisation, will be making its debut on the Côte d‘Azur at the legendary Cinema Against AIDS gala evening in aid of the amfAR foundation, to be held on 23 May at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.  Mercedes-Benz is a Signature Sponsor of this star-studded gala, considered one of the most prestigious events held during the Film Festival. As well as the new S-Class, Mercedes-AMG will be presenting the world’s most powerful electric super sports car in the grounds of the hotel – the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive. And ensuring that guests arrive in style at the red carpet will be a shuttle service provided by Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG.

Exclusive shuttle services and test drives with AMG vehicles

Each day of the Film Festival, the shuttle vehicles will carry celebrity guests and visitors to “Le Club by Albane” at the Hotel JW Marriott and to the Boulevard de la Croisette for film shoots for the daily show “Le Grand Journal” on French TV channel Canal+, and from there to the red carpet outside the “Palais du Festival.” Attracting attention outside the Hotel InterContinental Carlton, directly on the Croisette, will be a display incorporating the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Black Series. A vast LED wall behind the vehicle will share special impressions of the world of AMG with visitors.

And last, but not least, Mercedes-AMG will be offering individual test drives for guests and visitors on each day of the Festival. Participants will be able to take the wheel of one of a range of current AMG models and experience for themselves the AMG brand claim of “Driving Performance” along the twisting coast roads of the Côte d‘Azur. From 15 to 26 May, daily between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., anyone interested can sign up for a test drive outside the Hotel 3.14.

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Stuttgart/Silverstone. With the combined power of more than 1400 hp, Mercedes-Benz is taking to the starting grid of Gran Turismo^® 6 with three of its latest models. All set to provide pure excitement and fascination in the new version of the gaming classic for the PlayStation^®3 are three high-performance vehicles from AMG: the SLS AMG GT3 producing over 367 kW (more than 500 hp), the E63 AMG producing 410 kW (557 hp) and the A45 AMG producing 265 kW (360 hp). In addition to the three new vehicles, no fewer than 21 further vehicles from Mercedes-Benz which featured in Gran Turismo^® 5 will also be taking to the track to set the pulses of gaming fans racing. Gran Turismo^® 6 will be celebrating its market launch this holiday season. Details of the game were announced yesterday by Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer and Game Director of Polyphony Digital Inc., on the occasion of the celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the popular Gran Turismo^® series at Silverstone in England.

SLS AMG GT3 in Gran Turismo® 6

“Together with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Polyphony Digital, we are delighted with the unique success which Gran Turismo^®  has enjoyed over the last 15 years”, said Anders Sundt Jensen, Head of Brand Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We are particularly proud that three of the latest models from our high-performance AMG brand are all celebrating their digital premiere in the latest version of the legendary game series. Mercedes-Benz and Gran Turismo^® have a number of things in common. Above all, they share the same vision: to provide their customers – whether in real life or in the virtual world – with the ultimate in driving pleasure.”

Globally the PlayStation^® 3 racing game has so far sold more than 70 million copies, with version 5 alone being enjoyed by more than ten million gaming fans since November 2010. Mercedes-Benz can look back over a long and successful history as part of this race series. Models from the star brand have been represented in the game since the market launch of Gran Turismo^® 2 back in 1999/2000. According to Anders Sundt Jensen: “Both Carl Benz in 1886 and Kazunori Yamauchi, the inventor of Gran Turismo^® in 1998 recognised that a car can do more than just take us from A to B. Both lived the automotive dream. Driving a Mercedes or playing Gran Turismo^® each therefore reflects a unique experience: unprecedented driving pleasure.”

Anniversary wishes from Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz prepared a very special surprise for the guests at the anniversary celebrations in Silverstone. They were able to experience the breathtaking driving performance of the SLS AMG GT3 both live on the race track, courtesy of professional racing driver and AMG Driving Academy instructor Jan Seyffarth, as well as in the virtual world of the games console. The two other AMG models from the game were also on hand for onlookers to admire. The anniversary celebrations were rounded off with an exclusive shuttle service for guests.

“PlayStation”, “PS” Family logo, and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Gran Turismo TM/© 2009 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game in some cases include trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners.

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Stuttgart/Hamburg. Yesterday evening, Mercedes-Benz presented the S-Class in a special event. At the Airbus A380 delivery centre in Hamburg-Finkenwerder, the new Mercedes-Benz flagship met up with the world’s largest and most advanced passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. As “Germany’s most valuable package”, the star of the event had previously been flown from Stuttgart to Hamburg in an Airbus A300-600 freighter operated by DHL – just in time to celebrate the world premiere with around 750 international guests from politics, industry and the media.

On an LED video screen measuring some 200 square metres, the guests were able to witness the new S-Class being unloaded and driven across the runway to the launch pavilion equipped with multimedia facilities – flanked on each side by current Mercedes models. 15 cameras recorded the event and broadcast the images around the world via an outside broadcast truck. 96 loudspeakers and 20 kW of sound output ensured that every word was heard.

Meeting of two flagships: The Airbus A380 as the backdrop for the world premiere of the new S-Class

The choice of the A380 Delivery Center as the location for the world premiere was no accident. Like the A380, the new S-Class will set new standards in luxurious travel. “Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were ‘the best or nothing’ in every respect. No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

2000 square-metre pavilion for the launch celebration

As a logistical tour de force, Mercedes-Benz had a launch venue constructed where Airbus customers from Europe and the Middle East normally take delivery of their new A380, with a multimedia presentation stage, S-Class showroom, product display, VIP lounge and extensive backstage areas for technical facilities, logistics and catering. This included a kitchen for five German Michelin-star chefs, who opened a unique “ten-star restaurant” on the evening of the premiere to celebrate the S-Class.

Constructing the temporary building took around 14 days, employing up to 100 personnel from various trades each day. A total of 160 semitrailer trucks delivered the necessary materials: more than 500 tonnes of steel, 4000 square metres of wood, 400 spotlights, 96 loudspeakers and an LED video wall measuring 28 metres in width and seven metres in height.

The additional power supply with 3000 KVA of output required 25 kilometres of newly laid cables, 40 distributors and its own generators. Sound quality, for example during the live appearance of the international star Alicia Keys, was not only ensured by the precisely positioned loudspeakers, but also by 26 out­put signal channels and a mixing console with 168 input channels. 400 spot­lights with 130 electric motors in around 1000 metres of traversing rigs shed the best possible light on the S-Class.

The new S-Class: Luxurious travel at the highest level

The new Mercedes-Benz flagship model is the epitome of a modern luxury saloon. The S-Class is an exclusive first-class office along the lines of a business jet, as well as a haven of relaxation with the ENERGIZING massage function based on the hot-stone principle and individual interior fragrancing.

“Our completely newly developed S-Class establishes a never-before-seen dimension in luxury, comfort and efficiency in a saloon, and raises the standard of safety equipment in automobiles to a new level. More than ever, this makes it synonymous with luxury and innovation in automotive engineering,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

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Grand unveiling of the new flagship model from Mercedes-Benz

Hamburg. This evening, the new flagship for luxurious motoring landed in Hamburg on board an Airbus A300-600 DHL cargo plane. Mercedes-Benz had the new S-Class flown in exclusively from its birthplace in Stuttgart for its world premiere at Airbus in Finkenwerder. At the delivery centre for the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft and a benchmark in travel comfort, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new luxury saloon in front of around 750 international guests from the worlds of politics, industry and media. Flanked by the 20 current Mercedes-Benz models and musically accompanied by the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, the new top-of-the-line model from Stuttgart rolled across the tarmac as part of a spectacular show. In a dazzling display, it took up its position at the head of the Mercedes-Benz family and drove onto the stage with its first passenger, the global superstar Alicia Keys.

Just as the Airbus A380 has set new standards in air travel, the new S-Class is the technological spearhead of automotive development. “Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were ‘the best or nothing’ in every respect. No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class,” said Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The new S-Class In a dazzling display, took up its position at the head of the Mercedes-Benz family and drove onto the stage with its first passenger, the global superstar Alicia Keys.

The new S-Class is the true embodiment of a modern luxury saloon: it is an exclusive first-class mobile office akin to a business jet and also an exquisite centre of well-being at the same time. While achieving fuel-consumption and emissions values that appeared utopian just a few years ago even for a mid-size car, it raises the standard for automotive safety equipment to a new level.

In addition to featuring high-grade materials, the interior boasts numerous world firsts, opening up a completely new dimension in luxury and comfort. These include the ENERGIZING massage function based on the hot stone principle, active seat ventilation with innovative reversing fans, active and individually adjustable fragrancing as well as the executive rear seat with a revolutionary fully reclined position. Equally unique is the musical experience. The new S-Class is the first saloon to feature Mercedes-Benz’s front bass system and the new Burmester^® high-end 3D surround sound system – for a superlative listening experience. For the first time, each passenger can individually access the entertainment system from their seat – another world first.

The American R&B singer Alicia Keys performed two of her famous world hits at the premiere of the new S-Class together with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra

The new S-Class also makes its mark in terms of lighting technology. The first car in the world to completely dispense with conventional electric bulbs, it makes exclusive use of energy-saving LED technology both inside and outside. Equally efficient are the engines, which set new standards in the luxury segment. For example, the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID consumes just 4.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. And this will soon be followed by the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID, the first S-Class to boast a fuel consumption with a three in front of the decimal point.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development and Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales & Marketing, presenting the new S-Class at the Word Premiere at Airbus in Hamburg Finkenwerder.

A new benchmark in safety is assured by a host of innovative and intelligently interlinked safety and assistance systems. Thanks to their 360-degree all-round vision, these systems provide early detection of potential dangers, warn the driver and sometimes intervene to correct the situation. Mercedes-Benz calls this “Intelligent Drive.”

Launch party with global superstars and unique “Ten Star Restaurant”

S 400 HYBRID in AMG Alubeam Silver

The new S-Class’s uniqueness and leadership aspiration were conveyed to the guests at the world premiere not just through the vehicle itself, but also by a varied range of sensory experiences. For the dinner, Mercedes-Benz had opened a unique “Ten Star Restaurant.” Five German star-rated chefs specialising in different culinary styles each cooked their own dish, which they also served themselves as a flying menu: Juan Amador from Mannheim (3 stars), Douce Steiner from Sulzburg (2 stars), Tim Raue from Berlin (2 stars), Matthias Schmidt from Frankfurt am Main (2 stars) and Wahabi Nouri from Hamburg (1 star).

S 350 BlueTEC in Anthracite Blue Metallic

The musical accompaniment was equally excellent and diverse. Global superstar Alicia Keys had come specially to Hamburg just a few days ahead of the start of her European tour. With 19 musicians under conductor Prof. Johannes Schild, the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra played various pieces that had been specially composed for the world premiere of the S-Class by the internationally successful film composer Marius Ruhland. There were also appearances by two internationally acclaimed German musicians: the Berlin-based jazz singer Lisa Bassenge, who won last year’s German Jazz Award in Gold, and Alice Francis from Cologne, who received critical acclaim in 2012 for her debut album. In an original and elegant way, she combines elements of swing, Charleston and jazz from the 1920s with modern hip-hip and an electro-sound.

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• Product of ongoing partnership between Google and Mercedes-Benz
• New version of Digital DriveStyle App to feature additional Google services in the first half of 2013

San Francisco. Google I/O is an annual developer conference featuring highly technical, in-depth sessions, and showcasing the latest from Google’s product teams and partners. This year’s conference, which has taken place annually since 2008, will showcase Mercedes-Benz and its latest integration of Google services in the car.

In one of its SL models, Mercedes-Benz will be demonstrating the Drive Kit Plus, a system which in combination with a smartphone and a special app enables the seamless integration of the smartphone into the vehicle’s infotainment architecture. And with the Digital DriveStyle App developed by Mercedes-Benz, the main functions of the smartphone can be organised under the headings Social, Media and Places and called up on the vehicle display – and also accessed safely and conveniently while driving via the COMAND controller or by using the voice based intelligent personal assistant. The Drive Kit Plus is available as an accessory for virtually all current Mercedes-Benz model series.

Digital DriveStyle App makes use of Google’s Places API

In the concept version of Digital DriveStyle on display at Google I/O, Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating the capabilities of Google’s Places API with four new features.

“Faster search, everywhere you go”: Whether it’s a street address or nearby restaurant, find your destination faster with the Google Places Autocomplete API, which predicts the most likely destinations as you type.

“Preview destinations on-the-go”: Explore landmarks, parks, and storefronts from around the world with 360-degree Street View imagery and Google+ Local photos.

“Know the hottest spots in town”: Radar View uses the Google Places API Radar Search and Heatmaps to guide you to the center of the action by visualizing areas with high concentrations of night clubs, restaurants and shopping centers.

“Get live traffic conditions”: integration of Google’s traffic service, providing a color-coded overlay of real-time traffic conditions on a Google Map.

Digital DriveStyle App due to be updated in the first half of 2013

These features are still expected to be integrated into the Digital DriveStyle App in the first half of 2013. Customers who already own a Drive Kit Plus and are using the app can obtain an updated version via the App Store. This avoids customers having to visit their Mercedes-Benz dealer or workshop to be able to use the new services.

While the majority of the product as demonstrated at Google I/O will be released to the public, Mercedes-Benz is additionally previewing a proof-of-concept feature whose market introduction plans have yet to be determined: a City Guide using Places API Radar Search to visualize the concentration of various features (nightlife, shopping, etc) as a graphical overlay on a Google Map.

Mercedes-Benz at the centre of innovation

Back as early as the beginning of the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz recognised the importance of having a presence in the innovation centre of Silicon Valley – and as a result in 1995 became the world’s first automotive manufacturer to open a research site in Palo Alto. Today, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA) has around 140 employees, the largest workforce of all of the automotive manufacturers located in Silicon Valley.

The Digital DriveStyle App has been fully developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz, with all of the functionality and design having been worked on by MBRDNA. The integration of Google content is a result of the close cooperation between the developers from Mountain View. This has been made possible thanks to a partnership between Google and Mercedes-Benz, announced at CES 2012.

The Drive Kit Plus, which enables the smartphone to be connected to the vehicle, was developed by Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH. Additional information on the Digital DriveStyle App and the Drive Kit Plus is available online at: http://drive-kit-plus.com

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Nico Rosberg

Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg

I had a very tough race this afternoon. The start was good and I managed my first stint well to keep some of the quicker cars behind me. From there, I had to drive my own race and we began to go backwards as it made no sense to destroy my tyres by trying to stay ahead. We didn’t have the pace of the quickest cars today and there’s a growing gap to three teams ahead of us which we need to get on top of. We have a very quick car but we have to make it work for us in the race.

Lewis Hamilton

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Niki Lauda

A difficult afternoon today and going backwards is never fun. We switched to a four-stop strategy during the race but I suffered with a lack of grip and balance throughout and we were never really able to get the tyres working. I know that everyone at the team is working so hard and we need to keep positive. I’m sure we will figure the problem out and we’ve got to keep pushing together to close the gap. I will be doing my best to help and encourage the guys. 

Ross Brawn

Nico Rosberg

We endured a very difficult afternoon and the comparison between our competitiveness in qualifying and in the race was particularly disappointing. Nico did an excellent job managing the tyres to make just three stops and his level of performance showed what our car is currently capable of on tracks like this. Lewis didn’t have a good balance at any point and that simply made a critical situation worse, which forced him to convert to a four-stop strategy midway through the race. We must find the key to why we are losing performance on Sunday afternoon and find the right solutions to improve.

Toto Wolff

Today’s race showed a similar pattern to what we have seen with our team in recent seasons: we have a quick car but it works the tyres too hard. The drivers experienced the reverse situation to what happened in Bahrain: Nico drove a very controlled race and was able to make a three-stop strategy work, while Lewis was forced to stop four times because he simply didn’t have enough grip at any point through the race and the car was sliding around. It is very clear that we have not yet found the right compromise between our performance on Saturday and Sunday and that we will need a lot of hard work to get it right.

The post Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton finished the Spanish Grand Prix in sixth and 12th places today appeared first on mercedesclass.net.

Christian Vietoris at season-opener in Hockenheim 

• Christian Vietoris (DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) and Gary Paffett (EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) finish in top four at first race of season
• Excellent DTM debut for ‘young guns’ Pascal Wehrlein and Daniel Juncadella
• Wehrlein: First laps in lead for youngest driver ever in DTM history

Christian Vietoris, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Hockenheim: In the DTM season opener at Hockenheim, Christian Vietoris (DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) claimed his maiden DTM podium. Vietoris started on the prime tyres from third on the grid, completing his mandatory pit stops on Laps 6 and 33. In the closing stage of the race, he overtook fellow Mercedes driver Gary Paffett (EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) who then followed him across the finish line in fourth.

Gary Paffett, EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Roberto Merhi (THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) began his second season in the world’s most popular touring car series by securing tenth place. For the Spaniard, this is the best result so far of his fledgling DTM career.

Pascal Wehrlein, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Mercedes-Benz juniors Pascal Wehrlein and Daniel Juncadella started their first DTM season with a strong performance, achieving eleventh and twelfth positions respectively. Wehrlein in eleventh place narrowly missed securing points in his debut race. He set two new records on his DTM debut: Today, Wehrlein officially becomes the youngest DTM driver in the history of the series, aged just 18 years and 199 days. In addition, he posted his first DTM kilometres in P1 during the race when he led the field from Lap 9 to 25, making him also the youngest driver ever to lead a race in 28 years of the DTM.

Roberto Merhi, THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Robert Wickens (STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) retired after five laps with a technical problem. The Canadian moved up a position at the start to a place on the podium but had to park his car in the Parabolica while lying in fourth position.

Daniel Juncadella, stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Overall standings: Christian Vietoris is in third position and Gary Paffett fourth in the drivers’ standings after the first race. In the team standings, STIHL / AMG Mercedes are in third place with 28 points. In the manufacturers’ standings, Mercedes-Benz is second with 28 points.

Pascal Wehrlein, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

VIP at Mercedes-Benz: 87,000 spectators attended the first race weekend of the year at Hockenheim, including Formula 1 star Nico Rosberg, who visited the DTM season-opener on Saturday and Sunday as a guest of Mercedes-Benz. As part of the weekend’s programme, the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS driver took the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz DTM racing taxi, enabling guests and fans to experience the magic of the DTM for themselves.

Robert Wickens, STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

The next race: The second round of the DTM will take place at Brands Hatch (18th-19th May), and will be a home fixture for Gary Paffett. Paffett won last year’s race at the shortest track on the DTM calendar.

Christian Vietoris, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Comments after the Race 

Christian Vietoris (24, Germany, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Third position
• Pit stops on Laps 6 and 33
• Tyre choice: option/prime/option

„That race was huge fun. The introduction of DRS and option tyres has given us drivers a lot more to do out on track, which makes it all the more interesting. Going into the race, I was optimistic about putting in a good performance. Because of all the different tyre strategies, it was difficult to know what your real position was. I lost some ground early on, but thanks to our excellent pit stops and a faultless drive, I was able to claw my way back and finish on the podium for the first time in my career. I’ll be delighted if the season carries on this way.“

Gary Paffett (32, England, EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Fourth position
• Pit stops on Laps 6 and 28
• Tyre choice: prime/option/prime

„That was a tough race, but a P4 finish and my first points of the season are a reasonable outcome. Christian had the better tyres and the better strategy towards the end of the race, so congratulations to him on his first DTM podium. The two different tyre compounds and the use of DRS made for an exciting race. Unfortunately, there were some moves out on track that weren’t totally acceptable. Fourth place is OK, but I know I was capable of a better result today.“

Roberto Merhi (22, Spain, THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Tenth position
• Pit stops on Laps 6, 7 and 32
• Tyre choice: prime/option/prime

„Considering that I started the race from 21st position on the grid, then I can be quite satisfied with the end result. I moved up the field a number of places at the start, but there was a problem with the tyres on my pit stop, which is why I had to come in twice in a row and had to stop three times altogether. On my final pit stop, my pit crew did a great job, producing the second fastest stop of the race. Placed tenth, I’ve secured my first championship point in the DTM – I can build on that in the next few races.“

Pascal Wehrlein (18, Germany, DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Eleventh position
• Pit stops on Laps 25 and 32
• Tyre choice: option/prime/prime

„I’ll be leaving Hockenheim with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I led the race for several laps on my very first outing, which must count as a big success; on the other hand, I was starting to think that I might get a better result. The first stint of the race went really well on the soft tyres, but when I switched to the harder compound, the car didn’t feel as good as it had before. We now need to analyse the reason for that. Even so, it was a good performance to almost finish in the points on my DTM debut.“

Daniel Juncadella (21, Spain, stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• Twelfth position
• Pit stops on Laps 26 and 31
• Tyre choice: option/prime/prime

„I’m well satisfied with my DTM debut. The main thing was to see the finish line and so to get as much experience as possible. I’m pleased to say that I managed to do that. The result could have been better, but I drove over a kerb, which didn’t do my car any good. However, mistakes of that kind are all part of the learning process and have to be expected on your first outing. I’m going to work hard on my driving and try to learn the lessons from today in time for Brands Hatch.“

Robert Wickens (24, Canada, STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):

• retired on lap 6
• Pit stops: none
• Tyre choice: option

„The start went well, but my accelerator pedal suddenly got stuck as I was tackling the hairpin. Luckily, I was able to avoid a collision with Bruno Spengler. But for the problem, we would have been in the points today, for sure, maybe a podium would even have been possible. It’s a pity that it didn’t come off, but the season still has a long way to go. I see no reason why we should not be up with the front-runners again at Brands Hatch. So, I’ll draw a line under this weekend and focus on the next race.“

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:

„Congratulations to BMW on a strong performance and a well-deserved victory in the season opener. We now need to analyse this first race weekend and learn the lessons for future encounters. At the midway stage, the situation was looking very promising for us, but towards the end, the performance fell away for some of our cars on the hard tyres, which came as a bit of a surprise for us. Our Mercedes Juniors deserve special praise: they were brilliant in the race and have been faultless in every aspect this weekend. Christian put in a great performance to claim his maiden DTM podium, and our rookie Pascal has now had his first experience of leading the race over several laps. Unfortunately, he and Daniel were out of luck on the hard tyres towards the end, but they can travel to Brands Hatch with their heads held high.“

Race results: Top Ten

Drivers‘ Championship: Top Three

Teams‘ Championship: Top Three

Manufacturers‘ Championship: Top Three

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