Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. It is currently a division of the parent company, Daimler AG, after previously being owned by Daimler Chrysler and Daimler-Benz. Mercedes-Benz has its origins in Karl Benz’s creation of the first automobile in January
1886, followed by Gottlieb Daimler and engineer Wilhelm Maybach’s original Mercedes automobile in 1901.
The first Mercedes-Benz brand name vehicles were produced in 1926, following the merger of Karl Benz’s and Gottlieb Daimler’s companies into the Daimler-Benz company. Mercedes-Benz has, over
the years, introduced many technological and safety innovations that have become common in modern vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz
Type Division of Daimler AG
Founded 1871
Founder Karl Benz
Headquarters Flag of Germany Stuttgart, Germany
Key people Dieter Zetsche, CEO
Industry Automotive
Products Automobiles
Trucks
Buses
Engines
Parent Daimler AG
Website www.mercedes-benz.com
Purchasing
Mercedes-Benz automobiles are available at dealerships in over 130 countries and their work fleet (trucks and commercial vehicles) are available from a group of dealers worldwide as well as direct from the factory. As with several other European automobile brands, Mercedes has offered a European delivery option for American customers who purchase a Mercedes-Benz automobile.
Mercedes-Benz range today
Today Mercedes-Benz has a full range of passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial vehicles. Production is on a Global basis. The Smart brand of city cars has also been part of the Mercedes-Benz Group since 1994.
Quality
Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz had a reputation for quality and durability. Objective measures looking at Passenger vehicles such as J.D. Power surveys demonstrated a downturn in reputation in this area in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By 2005, Mercedes temporarily returned to the industry average for initial quality, according to J.D. Power. In J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study for the first quarter of 2007, Mercedes showed dramatic improvement by climbing to 29th place, surpassing quality leader Toyota and earning several awards for its models. For 2008, Mercedes quality improved by yet another mark, now in third place. On top of this accolade, it also received the Platinum Plant Quality Award for its Mercedes’ Sindelfingen, Germany assembly plant.
Passenger cars
The following passenger vehicles were in production in 2007:
* A-Class Hatchback
* B-Class Sports Tourer/Hatchback
* C-Class Sedan, Sports Coupe & Wagon
* CL-Class Coupe
* CLK-Class Coupe & Cabriolet
* CLS-Class “4 Door Coupe”
* CLC-Class luxury compact car (Due to be out in 2008)
* E-Class Sedan & Wagon
* G-Class Cross-country vehicle
* GL-Class SUV
* GLK-Class SUV
* M-Class SUV
* R-Class Sports Tourer
* S-Class Sedan
* SL-Class Roadster
* SLK-Class Roadster
* SLR-McLaren High Performance Coupe & Roadster
Significant car models produced
* 1928: SSK legendary racing car
* 1930: 770 “Grosser Mercedes” state and ceremonial car
* 1934: 500 K
* 1936: 260 D World’s first diesel production car
* 1938: W195 Speed Record-breaker
* 1951: Mercedes-Benz 300, knownly as “Adenauer Mercedes”
* 1953: “Ponton” Models
* 1954: 300SL “Gullwing”
* 1959: “Fintail” Models
* 1960: 220SE Cabriolet
* 1963: 600 “Grand Mercedes”
* 1963: Mercedes-Benz 230SL “Pagoda”
* 1965: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
* 1966: 300SEL 6.3
* 1969: C111 experimental vehicle
* 1972: Mercedes-Benz W107 350SL
* 1974: 450SEL 6.9
* 1974: 240D
* 1975: 280
* 1976: 300D
* 1979: 500SEL and G-Class
* 1983: 190E 2.3-16
* 1986: First ‘E-Class’
* 1991: 600SEL
* 1993: First ‘C-Class’
* 1995: First ‘Joint Mercedes-Benz & AMG’
* 1995: Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG Biggest Engine Put Into a Mercedes-Benz, 7.3L V12
* 1996: Mercedes-Benz Renntech E7.4RS
* 1997: Mercedes-Benz M-Class
* 1998: Mercedes-Benz CLK
* 2004: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
* 2004: Mercedes-Benz CLS
* 2007: E320, GL320 Bluetec, ML320 Bluetec, R320 Bluetec
McLaren cars
Mercedes-Benz has also produced a supercar with McLaren Cars, an extension of the collaboration by which Mercedes engines are used by the Team McLaren-Mercedes Formula One racing team, which is part owned by Mercedes. The 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a carbon-fiber/fibre body with a 5.5l V8 supercharged engine. This is the same block as featured in SL55 AMG and the CLS55 AMG, though modified to give 460 kW (630 PS/620 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lb) of torque. The SLR has a maximum speed of 334 kilometres per hour (208 mph) and costs approximately US$500,000. Due to european pedestrian-protection regulations, Mclaren has decided to cease production of the SLR in 2009.
The most recent new joint-venture model, expected to reach production, is the mid-engine P8 supercar. Based around a unique carbon fiber/fibre monocoque, manufactured by McLaren, the P8 was originally predicted to receive the new naturally aspirated 6.3L V8 from Mercedes-AMG, but insiders[citation needed] now say that the engine will be modified for the car and will probably be twin- turbocharged to produce in excess of 600 bhp (450 kW). The car is still in development, but likely to reach production to go on sale in early 2008, and have a price tag less than that of the SLR.
Innovations
The “Safety cage” or “Safety cell” construction with front and rear crumple zones was first developed by Mercedes-Benz in 1951. This is considered by many as the most important innovation in automobile construction from a safety standpoint.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control and airbags in the European market, were Mercedes-Benz innovations. These technologies were introduced in 1978, 1986 and 1980 respectively.
In September 2003, Mercedes-Benz introduced the world’s first 7-speed automatic transmission called ‘7G-Tronic’.
Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce pre-tensioners to seat belts on the 1981 S-Class. In the event of a crash, a pre-tensioner will tighten the belt instantaneously, preventing the passenger from jerking forward in a crash.
In 1959, Mercedes-Benz patented a device that prevents drive wheels from spinning by intervening at the engine, transmission, or brakes. In 1987, Mercedes-Benz applied its patent by introducing a Traction control system that worked under both braking and acceleration.
Stability control, brake assist (Press Release) , and many other types of safety equipment were all developed, tested, and implemented into passenger cars—first—by Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz has not made a large fuss about its innovations and has even licensed them for use by competitors—in the name of improving automobile and passenger safety - In fact, crumple zones and anti-lock brakes are now used on all modern luxury vehicles.
Mercedes M156 engine
Mercedes M156 engine
The most powerful naturally aspirated eight cylinder engine in the world is the Mercedes-AMG, 6208 cc M156 V8 engine. The V8 engine is badged ‘63 AMG’ and replaced the ‘55 AMG’ M113 engine in most models. The M156 engine produces up to 525 bhp (391 kW), and although some models using this engine do have this output (such as the S63 and CL63 AMGs) specific output varies slightly across other models in the range.
The (W211) E320 CDI which has a (VTG) turbocharged, 3.0L V6 common rail diesel engine (producing 224-horsepower), set three world endurance records. It covered 100,000 miles (160,000 km) in a record time with an average speed of 224.823 km/h (140 mph). Three identical cars did the endurance run (one set above record) and the other two cars set world records for time taken to cover 100,000 km and 50,000 miles (80,000 km) respectively. After all three cars had completed the run their combined distance was 300,000 miles (480,000 km) (all records were FIA approved).
Mercedes-Benz’s pioneered a system called Pre-Safe which uses radar to detect an imminent crash and prepares the car’s safety systems to respond optimally. It also calculates the optimal braking force required to avoid an accident in emergency situations and makes it immediately available for when the driver depresses the brake pedal. Occupants are also prepared by tightening the seatbelt, closing the sunroof and windows, and moving the seats into the optimal position.
Mercedes Benz is developing a fatigue-detection system that warns the driver when they are displaying signs of micro-sleep (when the eyes stay closed for slightly longer than a natural blinking action). The system will use a variety of data including the individual driving style, the duration of the journey, the time of day and the current traffic situation. Fatigue mostly sets in gradually.
The first passenger road car to have brakes on all four wheels (1924)
The latest S-Class features Pre-Safe Brake, which is the first globally-available system that automatically brakes in the event of an impending impact.
Half a century of vehicle safety innovation helped win Mercedes- Benz the Safety Award at the 2007 What Car? Awards
The fastest (production) automatic road car in the world is the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at 334 km/h (208 mph). The car was co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars. The fastest street-legal saloon car in the world is the Mercedes-Benz Brabus (tuned) W211 ‘E V12′ - based on the E-Class saloon.