Over 2,600 Mid-East customers order new S-Class

The epitome of luxury cars, already being talked about as the benchmark for future passenger car developments, goes on sale in the Middle East just after the motor show and already over 2,600 have been pre-ordered by customers.

"By the end of 2005 we expect to have sold over 3,500 vehicles confirming that the S-Class is the region's favourite luxury sedan," said Johannes H. Fritz, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car group, Dubai."

The S-Class has been the region's best selling luxury car for over a decade and the new generation vehicle features around a dozen pioneering innovations including the anticipatory Brake Assist PLUS, the DISTRONIC PLUS proximity-controlled cruise control and the Night Vision system.

Other new products which Mercedes-Benz will be presenting to the public for the first time in Frankfurt are the short-wheelbase version of the R-Class and the ML 63 AMG high-performance off-roader.

The technological superiority of the new S-Class is evident at first glance, and the flagship model's design expresses its confident, powerful and simultaneously elegant nature, which makes every kilometre a consummate driving experience.

At its market launch, the new S-Class will be available with a new eight-cylinder (388 hp) and a V6 petrol engine (272 hp), which are among the most powerful and fuel efficient engines in their displacement classes. In the first quarter of 2006, the engine line-up will be rounded off by the top-of-the-range S 600. With its enhanced Mercedes 12-cylinder engine, with an output that has been boosted to 517 hp, the saloon can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

Contributing to a user-friendly interior environment is the all-new operating concept, which was designed to allow the driver to quickly access frequently used functions. Depending on the driver's habits, he or she can operate the car radio, TV receiver, CD/DVD changer, car phone, navigation system and climate control by either turning conventional switches, pushing buttons on the multifunctional steering wheel, or using the enhanced COMAND system.

The chief control element is the new COMAND Controller on the transmission tunnel. It is used to select the COMAND system's main and sub-menus and to activate the desired functions. If the car comes with a pre-installed car phone, the soft armrest behind the Controller can be opened to reveal the phone's keypad.

The COMAND system's large, rotatable colour display is positioned at the same height as the instrument cluster and is therefore more in the fields of vision of the driver and front passenger alike.

The Frankfurt motor show will also serve as the backdrop for the world premiere of a short-wheelbase version of the new Mercedes-Benz R-Class. The Middle East will get the long-wheelbase version at the beginning of 2006. This Grand Sports Tourer combines the advantages of the sport saloon, estate car, van and sport utility vehicle (SUV) to create a new, distinct vehicle class focusing on design, dynamism and dimensions.

Raising the power stakes again is the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG which sets a new benchmark for sporty off-roaders.

With an outtput of 510 hp and a maximum torque of 630 Nm at 5,200 rpm, the drive unit is the world's most powerful series-produced eight-cylinder normally aspirated engine. It ensures sports car-like performance for the off-roader giving it a 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).