Chapter8 lowres

Building excitement

Becoming the most dynamic premium brand in the world thanks to their precise adaptation to changing customer needs. Mercedes-Benz South Africa follows this maxim in marketing and sales, with its growth strategy ‘Mercedes-Benz 2020 – Best Customer Experience’

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Previous: ‘A’ is for attack. Perfect vehicle control combined with outstanding fun at the wheel produces a good helping of passion. The technical prerequisites are perfect - the new A 45 AMG features an AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with an output of 265 and 450 newton metres of torque, along with the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheeldrive system.

Right: The A-Class represents an important milestone and a big step forward in terms of quality - both in the materials used and in the consistency of the design. Defined edges and tautly drawn surfaces mark out the constant interplay between concave and convex surfaces.

A characteristic play of light contributes to its unique appearance.

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t is not only new products and vehicle segments that will ensure further growth for the brand, but

The traditional design elements from the rich history

also its ability to precisely service the changing personal

of the SL are met by powerfully sculpted surfaces

preferences of customers. The A-Class (W176) is a

formed by just a few lines and beautifully crafted details.

perfect example of a car that mirrors the lifestyle of a

Alongside top technical performance and innovations,

new generation of young and discerning consumers. It

it is also this, which gives the new SL an unmistakable

opened up a new chapter in the compact segment with

character. True to its ‘sport lightweight’ moniker, the

its markedly emotive in design and powerful engines.

SL is 140kg lighter than predecessor, with weight-loss

Completely new down to the last detail, it communicates

being achieved through the extensive use of aluminium

dynamism at the very first glance. This radical form

in the body-shell – steel only being used for rollover

language has been enthusiastically acclaimed around

protection in the A-pillars.

the world.

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remain the high-performance heart of the brand.

Moving into the SUV world, the 2013 GL-Class

However, the design of every Mercedes-Benz SL

(X166) sets new standards in comfort, dynamics, safety,

has an obligation to a great legend, and yet it always

elegance and efficiency and is regarded as the S-Class

clearly looks to the future. The interplay between style-

among premium off-road vehicles. Relaxed driving

defining traditions combined with new perspectives

both on-road and off-road is a strength of the new GL-

has created an athletic muscular character. 2012 saw

Class. A very rigid body-shell, improved chassis and

the launch of the sixth-generation SL (R231) SL 500,

superb aero acoustic finishing means the GL is really

AMG63 and AMG65 models and true to tradition, they

well equipped for going off the beaten track.

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Right: Visually, the new SL is clearly marked out as a prestigious member of the sports car family, with its very upright classic sports car radiator grille which has been featured on all the Mercedes-Benz vehicles with a sporty character – right from the initial generation of the SL. A minimal amount of artistically styled lines define the surfaces of the flanks. The shoulder line rises from the headlamps and stretches over the length of the vehicle into the taillights. Side grilles with fins in the front wings cite the classic SL legend.

Below: For those with a special appreciation of art, beauty and performance, the SL offers exceptional performance, impressive power delivery and effortlessly superior dynamics. It’s a look that stays true to the traditional SL cocktail of bold elegance, being long-of-bonnet, with an unapologetically large three-pointed star harking back to the R107 SL of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

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Right: Few rivals can beat the GL for practicality. Whether you’re in the front two seats, the middle three, or even the rear pair, you sit in a comfortable, supportive seat with plenty of legroom. Access is brilliant, and the electrically folding rear seats take all the strain out of moving them in or out of the floor. When they’re not in place the boot is immense, and even in seven-seat mode there’s space for a decent amount of luggage.

Below: There are few cars that would be better suited to taking a long family road trip than the GL-Class. Even the third-row seats are spacious enough to accommodate adults, while the available power easy-entry second-row seats make it incredibly easy to get back there. To keep everyone happy in the back, there’s a number of comfort and convenience features, like heated seats, dual-screen entertainment and a panoramic sunroof.

Changes for this second-generation model go deep.

The body is all new and there are more efficient engines with an overall weight reduction by up to 90kg. The range was launched locally with the diesel powered GL 350 BlueTEC, the GL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY and GL 63 AMG which has a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine.

Performance is effortless and refinement is excellent and can be a quiet cruiser.

Behind its iconic chrome grille, every generation of S-Class has unveiled the future of the automobile with groundbreaking engineering, from fuel injection in the 1950s to the first active cruise control. It’s also shaped the future of its design, with advanced aerodynamics, elegantly purposeful details, and an irresistible blend of confidence, character and charisma. Making safety history is part of its history. Since inventing the crumple zone, Mercedes-Benz engineers have spent decades advancing the body structure of their cars.

Among the latest industry firsts from the S-Class is the optional SPLITVIEW front-seat entertainment 7

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Right: The body is not just designed, but sculpted.

Athletic performance is yet another indulgence of the luxurious S-Class, with its aggressive lower bodywork it is in every way crafted to reward your senses. Exactingly top-stitched leather is carefully selected for uniformity of grain and color and fitted to each seat by hand.

Rich, sustainably sourced wood is hand-polished to a deep glow. Brilliantly polished chrome highlights the impeccable fit and elegant design of every element, down to the central analog timepiece. The 2014 S500 Plug-in Hybrid model sets new benchmarks with regard to efficiency, drive-system and climate comfort. With 69g CO2 per km and 3 litres/100 km the S-Class sets a new benchmark for luxury saloons that just a few years ago was thought virtually impossible. It’s another milestone on the road to emission-free mobility.

system. It lets the car’s high-resolution 8-inch LCD simultaneously display normal screens used during driving to the driver whilst the front-seat passenger can enjoy a DVD movie with a wireless headset. It’s a point of view that’s uniquely entertaining.

Combining head-turning styling with the practicality of a compact saloon is where the CLA-Class (C117) represents a landmark in automotive design, carving out a new niche all its own. The drag coefficient of just 0.23 is the lowest on any production car, which enhances the CLA’s impeccable road manners and contributes to its outstanding performance.

Mercedes-Benz has modernised its brand image and numerous new vehicles are planned, offering customers a consistent premium-brand experience whenever they come into contact with the brand. The brand with the star is also moving physically closer to customers, and addressing them directly in their dayto-day environment.

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Right: Hot on the heels of the new A-Class is the four-door CLA. Brimming with the latest connectivity features, it allows owners to link apps like Facebook direct from their smat phone onto the large central infotainment screen. With its surging lines and energetic, expressive surfaces, the new CLA captures your attention and doesn’t let go.

Below: Its breathtaking looks don’t just set the pulse racing – they also give the CLA the lowest drag coefficient of any production car in the world. So it can slice through the air with minimum resistance and maximum efficiency. Powerful engines make it responsive and nimble to drive whilst delivering reasonable running costs. Drivers can opt for Sport or AMG Sport model lines, the latter featuring muscular AMG body styling and lowered sports suspension.

Both offer generous standard equipment, ranging from sports seats to advanced safety technologies such as Collision Prevention Assist.

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