Detroit.  At the first major motor show of the year, Mercedes-Benz is moving seamlessly forward from a record-breaking year in 2014, when the brand achieved an increase of 12.9 percent and marked the best sales result in company history. The focal point of its appearance at the 2015 North American International Auto Show is the world premiere of the new GLE Coupe, with which Mercedes is launching a product offensive in the globally-booming SUV segment. In addition to many more new models, the inventor of the automobile is also presenting the spectacular F 015 Luxury in Motion research vehicle in Detroit, which caused a sensation at the International CES in Las Vegas just a few days ago.

"The SUV market continues to grow," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Analysts expect the luxury SUV segment in the U.S. to grow at twice the rate of the overall market in 2015 and 2016. That is why we will bring four new or revised SUV models to the market by the end of 2015."

The vanguard for the "Year of the SUV" at Mercedes-Benz is the new GLE Coupe, which celebrates its premiere at the NAIAS in Detroit. "For Mercedes-Benz, the GLE Coupe paves the way for a versatile and highly-attractive class of vehicles and one that we will use to win new customers for our brand," said Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Marketing & Sales Mercedes-Benz Cars. The GLE Coupe is characterised more by its coupe genes than by the distinctive lines of a robust SUV, meaning that its precise on‑road handling is also paired with an impressive visual presence. The GLE Coupe premieres with diesel and gasoline engines in power variants ranging from 190 kW (258 hp) to 430 kW (585 hp). The top model of the production version is the GLE 450 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, representing the new AMG sports model product line for the first time. Alongside the DYNAMIC SELECT handling system, Sports Direct-Steer system and the brand's familiar driver assistance systems, the extensive standard equipment also includes the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Celebrating its world premiere together with the production version is also the AMG GLE 63 Coupe 4MATIC, which fulfils the highest demands in performance, design and comfort.

New C 350 PLUG-IN HYBRID continues comprehensive hybrid offensive

Following its premiere in the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is now also offering its most advanced hybrid technology in the C-Class and, for the first time, as an estate. "For us, the PLUG-IN HYBRID will mark a major step towards zero-emissions driving over the next ten years," commented Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "Thanks to our modular hybrid platform, we will be offering no less than ten models with PLUG-IN HYBRID drive - and not just for our SUVs, but our core models, too."

The C 350 PLUG-IN HYBRID demonstrates exceptional performance and amazing efficiency, not to mention 31 kilometres of electric-only and therefore zero-emissions driving. In unison with the powerful electric motor, the four-cylinder petrol engine offers a system output of 205 kW (279 hp) and system torque of 600 Nm. Thus, the new C 350 PLUG-IN HYBRID achieves the performance of a sports car while consuming just 2.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (certified). This equates to CO2 emissions of 48 grams (Estate: 49 grams) per kilometre.

The new C 450 AMG 4MATIC, also celebrating its world premiere in Detroit, expands the product range of the performance and sports car brand of Mercedes‑Benz with another new AMG sports model. As an attractive entry into the world of AMG, the C 450 AMG 4MATIC combines a 270-kW (367-hp) 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a permanent Performance all-wheel-drive system and sophisticated suspension technology adopted from the Mercedes-AMG C 63.

Engadget Tech Award for F 015 Luxury in Motion research vehicle

Shortly after its world premiere at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the F 015 Luxury in Motion will drive into the spotlight of the Detroit Auto Show as the "Best of CES 2015" winner and the new holder of the "Best Automotive Technology" award. Technology blog Engadget, which reports daily from the world of entertainment electronics, is one of the most-read blogs in its sector and awards the "Best of CES" in several categories. Among other things, Engadget praised the boldness demonstrated by the future study, expressing the desire for more of this at CES.

Mercedes-Benz is using the self-driving luxury saloon to show how the car is changing from being a vehicle to being a private retreat. A maximum degree of space for four individuals and the lounge-like character of the interior offer whole new levels of comfort and luxury, enabling all passengers in the F 015 to spend their time in the vehicle working, relaxing or communicating as desired. One central idea of the research vehicles is a continuous exchange of information between vehicle, passengers and the outside world.

Launch of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class in the core U.S. market

Rounding off Mercedes-Benz's blistering start to the New Year in the U.S. is the launch of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class in one of its core markets. The new luxury limousine arrives as the top model in the S-Class line-up, which now consists of four variants. With worldwide sales of more than 100,000 units in its first full year of availability, the new range is the best-selling S-Class ever and by far the most successful car in its segment. This year will see the variants offered within Mercedes-Benz's successful top model range further expanded by two newcomers.

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