Mercedes-Benz launches campaign for its dream cars
by Philipp Deppe | 17.Mai 2013
“Mercedes-Benz dream cars” is a combined concept for the Stuttgart-based manufacturer’s sales and marketing activities around its coupé, cabrio and roadster model series.
The campaign is currently being rolled out in its core markets. The dream cars include the new E-Class coupe and cabrio models, the SLK and SL sports cars, the CL as well as the CLS and the CLS Shooting Brake. Selected classics such as the SL Pagoda or the SE Coupé round off the portfolio of the Mercedes-Benz dream cars.
“We have always made automotive dreams come true. ‘Mercedes-Benz dream cars’ is intended to underline this as a new umbrella term,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales and Marketing. “Those models in particular are what make the Mercedes-Benz brand so exciting.”
Approximately 133,000 of these dream cars were sold worldwide in 2012. The aim is to increase model sales further during 2013. The E-Class cabrio and coupe are set to play an important role when they take to Europe’s roads from 1 June 2013 onwards.
Adaptable communication activities around the globe
Advertising and marketing tools featuring a standard design, and which can be used in various different ways worldwide, are to be stepped up. Markets will have access to a “dream car toolbox” containing print visuals and moving image material. There are also dealer communication modules and event guidelines to assist dealers in implementing point-of-sale events. This gives all markets the flexibility to respond to their specific target audience. In Germany, the print ads will run from mid-May 2013. A concurrent radio campaign starring the E-Class cabrio and coupe will invite listeners to “dream car weeks”. Special formats like the 2014 Mercedes-Benz calendar will also be entirely dedicated to the dream car theme. Long-term, this extensive package of activities will not only ensure that the dream cars fully live up to driver expectations, but also contribute to the Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy. MORE »
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The Airbus A380 as the backdrop for the world premiere of the new S-Class
by Philipp Deppe | 16.Mai 2013
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.
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.
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The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class – The aspiration: the best automobile in the world
by Philipp Deppe | 15.Mai 2013
With the three engineering priorities “Intelligent Drive”, “Efficient Technology” and “Essence of Luxury”, the new S-Class extends the boundaries of technology on many levels. The S-Class is not just a technological spearhead for Mercedes-Benz but for automotive development as a whole.
As with every generation before it, the customers expect the new S-Class to set standards across the board to retain its accolade as “the best automobile in the world”. Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars:”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.”
Perfection to the last detail results in “The Essence of Luxury”. This pursuit of the best is particularly noticeable in the interior: whether it is the seats or the air conditioning, the controls or the design, the infotainment or the comfort and safety in the rear – new ideas, their painstaking realisation, and highest perceived quality underpin the high standards that the engineers have set for the Mercedes-Benz flagship model – and for themselves.
The same applies to safety. What started with PRE-SAFE ten years ago and continued with DISTRONIC PLUS has now resulted in a new dimension of motoring: comfort and safety are merged into one. Mercedes-Benz refers to this as “Intelligent Drive”. A whole host of new systems makes the new S-Class even more comfortable and even safer.
The S-Class is so efficient that it almost sounds utopian: within ten years Mercedes-Benz, by realising “Efficient Technology”, has almost halved fuel consumption in the 150 kW output category to 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres, for example, while the drag coefficient of the new S-Class (cd=0.24) clearly undercuts the previous model’s figure and sets a new benchmark in this segment. The S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is set to go even lower still with a cd figure of 0.23 thanks to additional aerodynamic optimisation measures. Furthermore, the new model is the world’s first car to dispense entirely with light bulbs in favour of LEDs, pointing the way ahead once again. MORE »
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Innovation made in Silicon Valley: Mercedes-Benz presents new features of its Digital DriveStyle App at Google I/O
by Philipp Deppe | 14.Mai 2013
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. MORE »
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Daimler Trucks Appoints New Chief Developer
by Philipp Deppe | 13.Mai 2013
The Daimler Board of Management made the following personnel decision today: Effective August 1, 2013, Sven Ennerst (49) will take on global responsibility for the development department at Daimler Trucks.
Ennerst will succeed Georg Weiberg (65), who will retire after working for Daimler for more than 40 years.
After ten years as Head of Engineering Mercedes-Benz Vans, Weiberg has also had a big impact on Daimler Trucks’ development unit during the past seven years. The development departments of Trucks NAFTA, Trucks Asia, and Trucks Europe were closely integrated under his management. They are now extremely well networked and can thus exploit synergies. Weiberg had major responsibility for the renewal of the entire Daimler Trucks model portfolio in NAFTA, Europe, and Asia, and for the introduction of the new engine platforms at Daimler Trucks. In addition, as a member of the Supervisory Board he helped to launch BharatBenz, the youngest Daimler Truck brand. As a result of the founding of the global hybrid center at the Fuso facility in Japan, Weiberg was responsible not only for conventional but also for alternative drive technologies.
The Board of Management would like to thank Weiberg for his many years of successful work at the company. “Thanks to his great technological expertise, extensive range of personal contacts throughout the world, and outstanding knowledge of different cultures, it was possible to closely integrate the global development department under his leadership. Georg Weiberg’s decisions and strategic projects have helped to bring Daimler Trucks to the top,” says Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses. MORE »
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F1 GP of Spain 2013 – Disappointing race for Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton
by Philipp Deppe | 12.Mai 2013
Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton finished the Spanish Grand Prix in sixth and 12th places today.
Nico salvaged a sixth-place finish after starting from pole running an option/prime/prime/prime three-stop strategy. Lewis was forced to convert to a four-stop strategy during the race and finished outside the points in twelfth position. During his five race stints this afternoon, Lewis used option/prime/prime/option/prime tyres.
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
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. MORE »
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2013 Spanish Grand Prix – Qualifying: First row for Mercedes AMG
by Philipp Deppe | 11.Mai 2013
Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton locked out the front row of the grid in Barcelona today for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS.
Nico scored his second consecutive pole position and the team’s third in a row at the Circuit de Catalunya this afternoon. With Lewis in second, both Mercedes will start from the front row for the first time since the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix. Both drivers used three sets of option tyres during qualifying and saved four fresh sets of the prime compound for the race.
Nico Rosberg
It’s a great feeling to be on pole again. So far this weekend has been very positive and it’s a pleasure to see that the team is improving and fighting through the problems together. I know everyone back at the factory and at home will have been watching this afternoon and it’s a great feeling for all of us. However, we know that this is only half of the job completed and have the painful memory of what happened in Bahrain to prove that. We’ve worked very hard on our race pace but this track is tough for the tyres, particularly with graining. So it will be a big challenge tomorrow and our goal is to make the most of the opportunity we have from starting at the front and get a strong result for the team.
Lewis Hamilton
A great job by the team and I’m so happy that we got a one-two qualifying result today. It’s a real bonus for us to be so high up, and that’s all down to the hard work that the team have put into this car, I can’t thank them enough. Of course, I’d like to be one place higher but Nico did an awesome job and really nailed his lap. I’ve not been totally happy with the balance of my car all weekend, even today, so we need to look at it this evening and see what we can do for the race. Limiting the degradation is going to be my major challenge as the general pace isn’t too bad. It’s going to be tough to keep these positions tomorrow but we’ll give it our best shot. MORE »
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Russia Votes the Sprinter “Van of the Year 2013”
by Philipp Deppe | 10.Mai 2013
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been voted “Van of the Year 2013” in Russia, thus winning the country’s largest nationwide automotive competition for the third time in a row.
With this spectacular achievement, the vehicle that lent its name to the large van segment has demonstrated how well the Russian growth market receives its key attributes reliability, high quality, and versatility.
“Due to the vehicle’s wide range of variants and areas of application, customers all over the world can adapt the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to their specific needs. In a sense, you could say that the Sprinter also ‘speaks Russian’,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, commenting on the global vehicle’s success in the world’s biggest country. “The title ‘Van of the Year’ gives us another boost in Europe’s fastest-growing van market, where we are currently preparing local production of the Sprinter Classic with our partner GAZ.”
The van received the distinction after more than 1.3 million people had cast ballots for their favorite vehicles on the Internet, by mail, or by text message over a period of three months. Participants were able to choose from a total of 385 models in 23 segments and three special categories. The Sprinter won the title in the Vans category. The competition was first held in 2000 and is organized by Russia’s leading automotive publications.
Source: Daimler AG
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Test comparison between Formula 1 and Mercedes-AMG cars driven by Nico Rosberg, Bernd Schneider, Karl Wendlinger and Bernd Mayländer
by Philipp Deppe | 9.Mai 2013
As part of the programme for the 24-hour race on 19th May 2013, Mercedes-Benz will put on a special event highlight for fans at the Nürburgring:
As part of a high-performance demonstration, four Mercedes-AMG vehicles will go up against Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 Silver Arrow. The vehicles will start at different times in front of the Mercedes-Benz grandstand but will cross the finish line simultaneously. The Mercedes-AMGs will be driven by: Formula 1 star Nico Rosberg, DTM record-breaking champion Bernd Schneider, ex-Formula 1 and DTM driver Karl Wendlinger and by the official driver of the Formula 1 Safety Car Bernd Mayländer.
The first vehicle to go out on track will be an A 45 AMG driven by Bernd Mayländer, followed by: Karl Wendlinger in the E 63 AMG S, Nico Rosberg in the SLS AMG Black Series, and Bernd Schneider in an SLS AMG GT3.
Finally, Michael Schumacher will set off in a Formula 1 Silver Arrow on the 20.832km lap around the Nordschleife (excluding grand prix circuit). On this special occasion, the Formula 1 record world champion will be the first driver to cover the Nordschleife in a state-of-the-art Silver Arrow since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954.
Michael Schumacher: “This Mercedes AMG Performance Drive will be simply great, affording spectators at the 24-hour race a really top-class spectacle. Driving around the Nordschleife in a Formula 1 car will be an unforgettable experience both for me and for the motor racing fans. The legendary Nordschleife, famous throughout the world, is the perfect place for this demo, and the Mercedes-Benz vehicles taking part are all fascinating, powerful cars, a unique parade for all the spectators and car enthusiasts gathered there as they hurtle past.”
Nico Rosberg: “The Nürburgring will play host to two super motor racing events with the 24-hour race and this year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. Our Mercedes-AMG Performance Drive on the Nordschleife with five Mercedes-Benz cars makes a fantastic warm-up for both events. It will be interesting to see how long Michael can delay starting before catching up with us at the finish. As for me personally, I am, of course, really looking forward to the German Formula 1 race in the Eifel (5th-7th July, but this too is going to be a fantastic weekend and I hope that many of the fans present for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring will be on hand to cheer us in our Silver Arrows.”
The vehicles and their drivers
Car: Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (360bhp, 0-100km/h: 4.6secs), Driver: Bernd Mayländer.
Car: Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S (585bhp, 0-100 km/h: 3.6secs), Driver: Karl Wendlinger.
Car: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 (more than 500bhp), Driver: Bernd Schneider.
Car: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series (631bhp, 0-100 km/h: 3.6secs), Driver: Nico Rosberg.
Vehicle: MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 W02 (approx. 750bhp, 0-100 km/h: 2.7secs), Driver: Michael Schumacher.
Source: Mercedes AMG
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smart-share: car2go starts in Birmingham
by Philipp Deppe | 8.Mai 2013
car2go, the simple-to-use car sharing service from Daimler and Europcar, launches in Birmingham on 8 May with 250 environmentally -friendly smart fortwo vehicles available to use over an area of 21 square miles.
The idea behind car2go is simple: it’s the first fully-flexible and on-demand car sharing scheme – it’s a whole new way of getting around that’s easy to use, easy on the pocket, and easy on the environment. car2go is the future of Urban Mobility.
“We are proud to launch car2go in Birmingham”, said Stefan Mueller, CEO at car2go Europe GmbH. “car2go gives you the ability to go where you want, when you want – and in comfort – but without all the costs associated with owning, running and insuring a car full-time. We’re confident everyone will find car2go an easy, cost-effective and environmentally responsible way to get around Birmingham.”
Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, jobs and skills, today launch the 12 month pilot scheme. He said: “We want to develop a range of green transport initiatives, reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions and encouraging people to think of alternative ways of getting about. I’m pleased to welcome car2go to Birmingham, particularly as they are making the city their UK headquarters, with the associated jobs that will bring. I will be monitoring this pilot closely for all the benefits it is expected to bring.”
car2go will start with a fleet of 250 smart coupés in an area of 21 square miles in Birmingham. The car2go zone covers the city area between Oxhill Rd, Pershore Rd, Vicarage Rd, Highfield Rd, City Rd, Grove Park, Stratford Rd, and Aston Park. Within this area people are allowed to park in any Pay & Display bay without time restrictions and wherever it is free to park without affecting private resident or business parking.
car2go perfectly complements the already well-established public transportation network (bus, train and Metro) in the City of Birmingham. car2go delivers the last mile of travel which helps commuters with their journey and can help to reduce congestion and pollution in the city. MORE »
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Mercedes-Benz raises April sales by 11.7% to a new record high
by Philipp Deppe | 7.Mai 2013
Mercedes-Benz delivered 116,566 vehicles to customers in April (+11.7%), more than in any previous April. Unit sales since the beginning of the year totaled 441,464 vehicles (+5.6%).
The brand with the star was able to grow strongly, especially in the NAFTA region, Russia and the Asian markets. In April, Mercedes-Benz also posted double-digit sales in Europe, gained market shares, and secured its market leadership in several markets at the same time. On the domestic market Mercedes-Benz maintained its position as the premium manufacturer with the highest new vehicle registrations, holding a market share of 9.6% in April and 9.4% per April. The new Mercedes-Benz compacts and SUVs posted significant new growth and the launches of the new E-Class models and the CLA were very successful.
„April was a very successful month for the Mercedes-Benz brand. We again posted new records in many growth markets and are thus continuing the positive sales trend“, said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales and Marketing. „We are particularly pleased that we are growing in the difficult market environment in Europe and have gained market shares in many markets. Our new products are enjoying an excellent response from our customers, and we are already feeling the first sales impetus from the new E-Class and the CLA.“
Mercedes-Benz sold 56,988 vehicles in Europe in April, thus achieving growth of 11.8%. The brand posted significant gains particularly in Russia (+18.1%) and Turkey (+78.5%), as well as in the UK (+14.5%), France (+19.8%) and Belgium (+11.1%). Also in Germany the brand with the star posted growth (+6.3%) and secured its market leadership among the premium manufacturers with a market share of 9.6% in April.
In the USA, Mercedes-Benz again posted a new sales record with 23,635 vehicles sold (+5.8%) and was once more the premium manufacturer with the highest new vehicle registrations. April sales also moved very strongly in Latin America with more than twice as many vehicles sold than in the same month of the prior year.
The growth in the Asia/Pacific region was driven mainly by Japan (+47.3%) and South Korea (+42.4%). The start into the second quarter was also positive in China (incl. Hong Kong), where Mercedes-Benz posted 10.7% growth with sales of 16,241 units, thus continuing the positive trend of the preceding month.
Among the model series of the Mercedes-Benz brand, the new compacts continued to sell especially well with deliveries of 107,488 units of the A-Class, B-Class and the CLA (+52.0%) since the beginning of the year. The A-Class celebrated its market premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show in China two weeks ago and is now also available on the Chinese market. The popularity of the A-Class on its domestic market was proven in April by a poll of the Europe-wide online car market AutoScout24. About 223,000 users in eight European countries voted and elected the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the “Best Car” from 55 new releases in 2012. The third model of the new compacts, the CLA, had its launch in mid April amidst enthusiastic customer reviews. With the coupe’s positioning as a sports car, Mercedes-Benz is targeting a young, lifestyle-oriented target group to attract new customers for the brand with the star. MORE »
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Genuine Accessories for the new CLA: Sporty, original and practical
by Philipp Deppe | 6.Mai 2013
Advanced multimedia systems, dynamic individualisation options from Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipment and practical transport solutions are the highlights of the Genuine Accessories range on offer from Mercedes-Benz for the new CLA.
Over 170 top-quality products are among the items making up the range, which also includes stylish products from the CLA Selection series, such as yellow nail varnish in the genuine colour of the stitching used in the CLA Edition 1.
Just as modern as the shape of the CLA “style rebel” are the advanced multimedia systems in the Genuine Accessories range. The Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone, together with the Digital DriveStyle app specially developed by Daimler, makes it possible to seamlessly integrate iPhones 4 and 4S in the CLA. Highlights here include Siri voice control, the advanced navigation solution from Garmin® with internet-based real-time traffic information, Google online POI search including Street View and 3D map view as well as the real-time location sharing system Glympse. Additional functions come in the guise of Facebook, Twitter and AUPEO! Personal Radio, as well as internet radio for national and international stations.
The Becker MAP PILOT turns the Audio 20 radio into a high-performance navigation system with 3D map display. The Becker MAP PILOT uses the system’s standard 14.7 cm colour display and can be operated conveniently via the vehicle controller and the Audio 20 keypad. The detachable navigation module can also be conveniently connected to a PC via USB for downloading the latest updates and additional services from the Becker MAP PILOT website.
Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipmentis the label under which Mercedes-Benz offers a range of elegant yet sporty individualisation products. For the CLA, the range includes illuminated door sill panels. Made of stainless steel, these high-quality door sill panels feature “Sport” lettering which lights up when getting in and out of the vehicle. Another highlight is the custom-fit rear spoiler which accentuates the spoiler lip on the rear of the Coupé without appearing obtrusive. A high-grade primer enables the spoiler to be finished in a choice of paint colours. Installation is possible without having to bore holes, and registration in the vehicle documentation is not necessary. MORE »
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DTM Race: Round 1, Hockenheim I
by Philipp Deppe | 5.Mai 2013
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.
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.
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.
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DTM Qualifying: Round 1, Hockenheim I
by Philipp Deppe | 4.Mai 2013
In the first qualifying of the new season, Mercedes-Benz Junior Team members Christian Vietoris (DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) and Robert Wickens (STIHL Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) booked the second row of the grid. Five of the six Mercedes-Benz drivers qualified in the Top Ten, including DTM rookies Pascal Wehrlein and Daniel Juncadella.
Vietoris posted the third-fastest lap in the final shootout: 1:36.194 minutes. His team-mate, Robert Wickens, set a time of 1:36.920 minutes to claim fourth place. Gary Paffett (EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 1:40.496 minutes) narrowly missed out on going through to Q4 on a drying track. The 2012 championship runner-up will be starting from sixth on the grid in tomorrow’s season opener.
The two DTM rookies Pascal Wehrlein (DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 1:41.337 minutes) and Daniel Juncadella (stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 1:43.775 minutes) start their first DTM race from positions eight and ten respectively. Wehrlein even managed to secure the fastest lap time in the second qualifying session. On Sunday, aged 18 years and 199 days, he will become the youngest competitor of all time in the history of the DTM.
Roberto Merhi (THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) spun off track in the wet during the first qualifying session, sustaining damage to some of the car’s aerodynamic components. He was able to continue but, placed 20th with a time of 1:50.810 minutes, he did not progress to Q2. MORE »
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DTM 2013 season-opener at Hockenheim
by Philipp Deppe | 3.Mai 2013
The first weekend in May (4th-5th May 2013) marks the start of the new season at Hockenheim and is the home fixture for Mercedes-Benz, featuring new drivers, a new schedule and new sponsors.
The drivers: This year, the brand with the three-pointed star has quite consciously taken the decision to field a young squad of drivers. Joining Gary Paffett, the most successful driver currently competing in the DTM and DTM runner-up in 2012, no less than five talented ‘young guns’ will line up at the start in their DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupés. With an average age of 23 years, the Mercedes-Benz team of drivers is the youngest of all the three manufacturers contesting the DTM.
Team Management: Mercedes-Benz begins the 2013 season not only with a newly established, young driver squad, but also with a fresh DTM management team; Austrian Toto Wolff has been motor racing manager at the brand since 21st January 2013. Wolfgang Schattling is responsible for management and communication of all matters concerning Mercedes-Benz and their involvement with the DTM. The sporting and technical management of the DTM teams is the responsibility of HWA AG Chairman Gerhard Ungar. In addition, Ralf Schumacher has switched roles, moving from the cockpit into team management at RSC Mücke Motorsport, where he will be giving support and advice to young drivers Daniel Juncadella and Pascal Wehrlein.
Sporting and Technical Regulations: Important changes to the DTM regulations have been introduced for the 2013 season. Firstly, race weekends have become more streamlined: Friday practice has been dropped. In future, DTM drivers will work on set-up during a 90-minute session on the Saturday morning. Also, to provide even more excitement and overtaking opportunities, a second, softer compound tyre (option tyre) and Drag Reduction System (DRS) have been introduced. Both these innovations are well-known from Formula 1.
The track: The DTM traditionally starts and finishes the season at the 4.57km Hockenheimring in Baden-Wurttemberg. The section of track from the Parabolic to the hairpin is the fastest piece of track on the DTM calendar and is taken at about 270km/h – the full-throttle percentage over one lap is 64%. Seven turns are negotiated at more than 100km/h and only four at less than 100km/h.
Comments on the DTM season-opener
Gary Paffett (32, England, EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
“Hockenheim simply suits Mercedes-Benz and me. Our brand has been victorious 32 times here and I myself have won four races. Last year, we achieved a one-two victory in the season-opener – a perfect start. I hope we can do it again this year. My batteries are fully charged after the long winter break and I’m really looking forward to the new DTM season. Thanks to many new features, option tyres and DRS, this will certainly be an interesting and exciting year. After the many kilometres of testing this winter, I can’t wait to finally get started in Hockenheim and intend to be back on the attack once again in my EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé. My goal is clear: to fight for the championship and not be pipped at the post again in the finale at Hockenheim.” MORE »
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First Citaros delivered in Budapest
by Philipp Deppe | 2.Mai 2013
The first 56 Citaros were delivered in Budapest on 30 April 2013, right on schedule.
Till Oberwörder, Head of Marketing, Sales & Aftersales Daimler Buses, handed over the vehicles in the presence of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the Mayor of Budapest István Tarlós, the General Director of the Budapest Transport Centre, Dávid Vitézy, and Messrs Mátyás Dósa and Péter Szepesi, operators of the private bus company VT Transman GmbH.
These Citaros are the first vehicles to be delivered from the major contract signed with the Budapest City Authorities last November for the acquisition of a total of 159 Mercedes-Benz Citaros. With the second-generation Citaro, the city has opted for one of the most advanced urban bus concepts available on the market today. In addition, the Citaro is the most successful urban bus of all time. The over 33,000 units sold in just 14 production years express customers’ trust most tellingly.
The complete order consists of over 80 articulated units and 79 solo vehicles of the new Citaro generation. Thanks to Mercedes-Benz BlueTec diesel technology, both the articulated and the solo units comply with the environmentally-friendly EEV exhaust gas standard. Thanks to the buses’ low-floor design, elderly and persons with restricted mobility can easily get in and out of the vehicles or use the wheelchair ramp. Camera monitoring of the passenger compartment and the vehicle surroundings provide that extra quantum of safety to prevent vandalism damage to the vehicle as well as violent assaults on driver or passengers.
As from July the entire Mercedes-Benz urban bus fleet will provide comfortable and environment-friendly public transport in the metropolis on the Danube. Daimler Buses was able to implement a relatively short time of production of the entire slot, by using two production locations – a success of the EvoBus integrated production network. The new Citaro was manufactured in both the Mannheim bus production facilities and the factory in Neu-Ulm.
Source: Daimler AG
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