The introduction of the extended ESP package for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from January 2012 will improve brake performance in critical situations and enhance the safety of passengers and other road users. ADAPTIVE ESP 9i replaces the current ADAPTIVE ESP 8.1. This is further proof that safety is one of the fundamental values of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
The successor to ADAPTIVE ESP guarantees greater safety
The intelligent ADAPTIVE ESP safety system complements other aspects such as careful driving techniques, effective brakes and sophisticated chassis systems, to achieve the greatest possible active safety. Just like the ADAPTIVE ESP 8.1 safety system, fitted as standard ever since the current Sprinter was introduced, the new ESP 9i takes the vehicle load into account. Depending on the weight and the position of the vehicle's centre of gravity, the ESP sensors ascertain the vehicle load at any given time; this ensures that ESP 9i can stabilise the vehicle with individually modulated intervention action.
This new ESP system will also intervene selectively if a trailer begins to sway, thus helping drivers to stabilise their vehicle and trailer combination.
ADAPTIVE ESP 9i has two important additional functionalities: Brake Disc Wipe and Electronic Brake Prefill.
Brake Disc Wipe accelerates brake response time in wet conditions
In wet weather, light braking pressure is applied to the wheel brake at regular intervals to wipe the film of water off the brake disc. If emergency braking occurs, full braking power is immediately available. This gains valuable stopping distance compared with braking with wet brake discs.
Electronic Brake Prefill ensures that brakes respond rapidly
If the accelerator pedal is released suddenly and quickly, the brake pads will automatically be gently applied so as to eliminate in advance the air gap between brake pad and disc. If emergency braking then occurs, valuable milliseconds will have been won since the friction surfaces of the pads and discs will already be in contact, facilitating effective deceleration.
This functionality also reduces stopping distance which, depending on the circumstances, will either avoid an accident or diminish its severity.
The new ADAPTIVE ESP 9i will be fitted as standard from January 2012 at no additional cost.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Landmark figure in Scandinavia for the Setra Bus and Coach Unit. The Ulm-based Daimler brand delivered its 1500th new vehicle to Sweden. Managing directors Lena Persson and Lennart Robertsson received the milestone vehicle, a Setra ComfortClass S 416 GT-HD, at the Customer Centre in Neu-Ulm from Michael Frey, Head of Market Management Setra Export Markets.
With the new vehicle the company "Karl Everts", which was taken over by the entrepreneurs Persson and Robertsson four years ago, currently has five Setra coaches in service. Lena Persson: "What we have come to appreciate above all about Setra is the high quality along with the comprehensive aftersales service." The coaches owned by the company based in Trollhättan, Sweden, which has been a partner of Setra since 1976, are on the road throughout the whole of Europe.
With its ComfortClass touring coaches, Setra has set the standard throughout Europe in the field of combined touring and occasional-service operations. Two trade magazines awarded the "Green Coach Award" a few weeks ago to the12-metre version, the S 415 GT-HD, as the most economical touring coach at the "Busworld" show in Kortrijk, Belgium.
Setra is now providing the S 415 GT-HD, the 13-metre-long two-axle version S 416 GT-HD and the 15-metre-long three-axle model S 419 GT-HD with a rear entrance. This configuration provides the touring coach with extra room for a generous luggage compartment, a continuous passenger compartment and for a spacious rear galley.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Nine of Mercedes-Benz’ most recent car models celebrated their Japan premieres today at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show. Until December 11, the Stuttgart-based premium car manufacturer will display 23 vehicles of its Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, and smart brands at the international car and commercial vehicle show in Tokyo. These vehicles include the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class and M-Class as well as the SLS AMG Roadster and the new smart fortwo electric drive. All those vehicles will be launched in the Japanese market in 2012. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz’ Concept A-Class is providing a preview of the new A-Class, which will become available in Japan in 2013. With the F 125! research vehicle the brand is looking even further into the future. The luxury class sedan is equipped with a fuel cell plug-in hybrid with a range of 1,000 kilometers. The smart brand shows futuristic design and technologies that enhance energy efficiency, lightweight construction, and temperature management with its smart forvision concept car. Traditionally, the Tokyo Motor Show focuses more on innovative future technologies in automotive engineering than other international auto shows.
Dr. Schmidt: “At the Tokyo Motor Show we are presenting an overview of our product and technology offensive. All these new cars contribute to our growth strategy and underscore our ambition to lead in the premium segment.” As part of its “Mercedes-Benz 2020” growth strategy, the brand will expand its product portfolio with ten new models until 2015. In the future there will be five Mercedes models in the compact segment alone. By 2020 the company plans to be the leading manufacturer in the premium segment. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz also aims to grow on the Japanese market.
Japan is currently one of Mercedes-Benz’ top ten sales markets. Since January, Mercedes-Benz has posted its strongest sales growths in Japan within the C-Class segment (10,260 units, +29.7%). The C-Class estate has achieved year to date record sales of 3,456 units (+43.3%).The C-Class’ great popularity in the country is also demonstrated by the fact that it was voted among the top ten contenders for the Car of the Year 2011 award. Moreover, with the C-Class sedan Mercedes-Benz is the market leader among the importers in its segment. The new generation of the SLK, which was introduced this year, is also very well received by customers. In the luxury car segment, the S-Class sedan is leading the import manufacturers. In the J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) for 2011, Mercedes-Benz was the top-ranking import brand in Japan.
Especially with regard to alternative power train systems, the Japanese market plays an important role. The demand for electric vehicles, for example, is rapidly increasing. That is why Daimler’s smart brand has been operating a test fleet of ten second generation smart electric drive in Japan since last year. The smart electric drive is currently being tested in 18 markets worldwide. From the very start, the two-seater was also designed for electric operation. The first generation of the vehicle was tested in London back in 2007. The third generation of the car will be launched in the market next year. It is the first series-produced electric vehicle from Europe and will be available in more than 30 countries. Dr. Annette Winkler, head of smart: “Response to the third generation smart fortwo electric drive has been overwhelming so far. I am really proud to present it here in Tokyo, one of the megacities the smart has been developed for. As electric mobility has a high status in Japan, we are very happy to offer our Japanese customers the innovative electric smart fortwo starting 2012.” More than 26,000 smart brand vehicles have been sold in Japan since the car was introduced into the market eleven years ago.
The wholly owned Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Japan Co., Ltd. is responsible for importing, selling, and marketing products of Mercedes-Benz Cars in the Japanese market. The company maintains a comprehensive sales and service network in Japan, encompassing 73 dealers with 204 sales outlets as well as 227 service workshops. Since 1993, Mercedes-Benz has been operating one of its five Advanced Design Centers near Yokohama. Besides Mercedes-Benz Japan Co., Ltd., Daimler AG is also represented in Japan by its subsidiaries Daimler Financial Services Japan Co., Ltd. and Mercedes-Benz Finance Co., Ltd. In addition, Daimler owns almost 90 percent of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks division of Daimler AG. All in all, Daimler employs around 13,000 men and women in Japan.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The new Mercedes Benz Actros has taken the “European Transport Sustainability Prize 2012” award in the “Trucks from 7.5 tonnes” category. This is the first year the prize sponsored by the Huss-Verlag publishing house has been awarded. The jury statement highlighted the vehicle’s low fuel consumption, which was achieved in spite of the technology measures required to meet the Euro VI standard.
New Actros fulfils the Euro VI standard
This makes Mercedes-Benz the first supplier to develop a truck that meets the future Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. This achievement includes an 80-percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.
Mercedes-Benz truck sets fuel economy record
The development objective for the new Actros was to reduce fuel consumption in spite of the Euro VI technology requirements. The current Actros 1844 LS was already the record-holder as the world’s most economical series-produced truck in this context. When the two models went head-to-head in a “record run” in summer 2011, the new Actros 1845 BlueTec 6 with Euro VI technology recorded fuel consumption of 25.9 litres / 100 km, 4.5 percent better than the existing record-holder. The new Actros BlueTec 5 with Euro V technology posted an amazing 25.1 litres / 100 km, 7.6 percent below the existing record. The FleetBoard telematics system fitted as standard equipment makes economic driving even easier.
Additional safety features and enhanced driving comfort
As well as offering better fuel economy and Euro VI compliance, the new model also features a stronger focus on safety. Integrated tyre pressure monitoring for the entire vehicle train reduces the risk of blow-outs, and optimum braking performance is ensured with a new water retarder. A Proximity Control assist with stop-and-go function and mirror with manoeuvring function enhance both safety and driver comfort.
These progressive features and compliance with the future Euro VI exhaust emissions standard have made the new Actros a worthy winner of the European sustainability prize sponsored by the Munich-based Huss-Verlag publishing house. Huss-Verlag has established this prize, awarded in 11 categories, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. The firm is mainly a publisher of trade magazines in the transport and logistics sector.
The prize for the Mercedes-Benz Actros was handed to Daimler Trucks Worldwide Product Engineering Manager Georg Weiberg by Bernhard Kerscher, Managing Director of TÜV Süd Auto Service, at the German Museum in Munich.
In the words of Georg Weiberg: “We in Daimler Trucks are absolutely delighted with our victory, and we are deeply grateful to Huss-Verlag for this award. We see the prize as further confirmation that with the Actros we are already able to offer the customer a truck for the future, equipped with Euro VI technology. Our aim is to establish the new Actros in the marketplace as a worldwide best-seller on the basis of its fuel economy and safety performance.”
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Learn more about Mercedes-Benz' dedicated winter customer care program by following the next links:
1. Winter time with Mercedes-Benz: Heading to the slopes (I)
2. Winter time with Mercedes-Benz: Heading to the slopes (II)
3. Winter time with Mercedes-Benz: Heading to the slopes (III)
4. Winter time with Mercedes-Benz: Heading to the slopes (IV)
5. Winter time with Mercedes-Benz: Heading to the slopes (V)
6. Permanent adhesive power: the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system from Mercedes-Benz (I)
7. Permanent adhesive power: the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system from Mercedes-Benz (II)
8. Permanent adhesive power: the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system from Mercedes-Benz (III)
9. Permanent adhesive power: the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system from Mercedes-Benz (IV)
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Superb THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control: Perfect climate aboard M-Class and E-Class
Carefully balanced control of the interior climate is especially important in the winter. This is why Mercedes-Benz offers the THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control system for the E-Class and M-Class. Apart from regulating the climate separately for the driver, front passenger and passengers in the rear, it allows individual pre-settings to be programmed too.
This system furthermore includes a pollutant sensor which automatically switches to air recirculation mode if it detects any sudden increase in the carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide levels in the outside air – when driving through a tunnel, for instance. Another highlight of the THERMOTRONIC system is the residual heat function: pressing the “Rest” button heats or ventilates the passenger compartment for around 30 minutes when the engine is switched off.
THERMOTRONIC heats up the passenger compartment efficiently, even after a cold start on winter mornings. This is thanks to a heating output of eleven kilowatts, equivalent to the capacity of the central heating system in a modern family home. On the diesel models, a heat exchanger with six integral PTC heating elements (PTC = Positive Temperature Coefficient) is also activated when the outside temperature falls below a certain level in order to boost the effect of the main heat exchanger with an electrical output of around 1200 watts. The assistance from the PTC heater is necessary due to the high thermal efficiency of today’s CDI engines, which is precisely what makes them so economical and means that they dissipate considerably less heat to the coolant under partial load conditions than conventional engines. The E-Class and M-Class are equipped as standard with THERMATIC, a two-zone automatic climate control system.
To make long journeys or lengthy winter outings in the M-Class even more enjoyable, the centre console holds a little surprise in store: the tempered cup holders include a Peltier element that is capable of keeping drinks hot or chilled in a temperature range of 8° to 55° Celsius at the push of a button. So, a “take-away” coffee can be kept hot on the morning drive to the slopes, for example. Alternatively, with the cooling function activated, the thermal cup holders are able to stop chocolate bars from melting if a very high interior temperature has been set.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
