Mercedes-Benz at the 13th North American International Auto Show in Detroit: Exciting six-seater Mercedes Saloon study

· Vision of a "Grand Sports Tourer" for a new market segment

· Innovative concept for an unforgettable driving experience

· SBC, 4-ETS, AIRMATIC and the new safety system, PRE-SAFE

· 265 kW/360 hp of power with V8 AMG engine

· US premiere for the new SL-Class sports car

· M-Class and G-Class even more high-tech and with powerful V8 engines

Stuttgart -- At the North American International Auto Show in January 2002, Mercedes-Benz will yet again be underlining its role as an innovator and trend-setter among premium-segment car manufacturers. The Stuttgart-based brand will be presenting the exciting Vision GST design study in Detroit -- a study which embodies a totally new vehicle concept, designed to meet the changing require-ments and wishes of today's customers.

The abbreviation GST stands for "Grand Sports Tourer" and describes an original, new vehicle category which brings together features from established car concepts, combining them to create a new, independent profile: the Vision GST is Saloon, Estate, MPV and Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in one -- but, above all, the study is a car with an unprecedented feel which gives new meaning to the concept of long-distance driving pleasure.

Elegant design with echoes of a sports car

The Vision GST is Mercedes-Benz's response to the frequently voiced demand for a stylish, active and technologically sophisticated car to suit every occasion -- for a car which offers plenty of space for the family, leisure equipment, travel needs or work, but at the same time delivers outstanding handling and supreme performance. In the design study these qualities are ensured by a sophisticated design, coupled with groundbreaking technological innovations from the Mercedes range and a high-performance, high-torque AMG engine.

The dynamic looks are dominated, above all, by the striking roof line, which links the A and C-pillars in a gentle curve. It emphasises the elongated silhouette of the vehicle study and indicates, in no uncertain terms, that under this spacious body-work beats a thoroughly sporty heart. The large, 22-inch wheels and the wedge-shaped side profile reinforce this impression.

At roof level, a large area of special electrochromic glass extends from the front windscreen to the rear, and the occupants can alter the tint at the touch of a button according to the intensity of the sun. Equally striking are the side windows of the design study: omitting the B-pillar has created a large area of glass, reinforcing the sporty appearance of the vehicle. Butterfly doors are a further highlight of the Mercedes study. They open is opposite directions, each at an angle of 90 degrees, offering unique ease of access and opening up new design possibilities for the interior.

Hand-crafted materials in the interior

Fine-quality, hand-crafted materials such as wood, leather and aluminium underline the exclusive feel of the interior of the Vision GST. A sophisticated lighting concept with a new type of illuminated strip in the roof liner, in the door panels and on the centre tunnel reinforces the luxurious atmosphere. There are comfortable, electrically adjustable individual seats for the driver, front passenger and the rear passengers, with an integral belt system. A third row of seats for two further pas-sengers is also available in the rear, which means that the Vision GST can com-fortably seat a total of six.

The eye-catching feature of the instrument panel is a centre console which appears to hover in mid-air. It consists of two aluminium panels and tinted glass and houses the colour screen, CD player, car radio and a large proportion of the control elements. The monitor belongs to the navigation system; it is controlled by a new type of software, which projects direction arrows, road maps and the graphic display elements onto the display with a three-dimensional effect. The blue, gleaming cockpit instruments also make use of this cutting-edge display technology. An entertainment system with a DVD player and video games is available for the rear passengers.

High-tech equipment with trailblazing Mercedes innovations

Beneath the bonnet of the Vision GST is a 265-kW/360-hp 5.5-litre V8 engine from Mercedes-AMG. Other technical highlights of the vehicle study include the elec-tronically controlled 4-ETS four-wheel drive system used in the M-Class and G-Class, the AIRMATIC air suspension system and the new high-pressure brake system, Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC). The large brake discs are made from carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramics. Occupant protection is enhanced by the new safety system, PRE-SAFE, which detects the threat of a collision in advance and activates the belt tensioners before impact.

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz

--

Vision GST -- Mercedes-Benz presents design study for a six-seater tourer of the future

· "Grand Sports Tourer" vision for a new market segment

· Innovative concept for exciting and enjoyable motoring

· Spacious interior with four rear seats

· Dynamic body lines with sporty styling touches

· SBC, 4-ETS, AIRMATIC and the new safety system PRE-SAFE

· 265 kW/360 hp V8 AMG engine

Detroit -- At the North American Auto Show in Detroit, Mercedes-Benz is once again showing its class as a leading innovator and trend-setter among premium-class automotive brands. With Vision GST, the marque with the longest tradition of any automotive brand in the world is presenting a radically new vehicle concept closely focused on the needs and wishes of people of today.

The letters GST stand for "Grand Sports Tourer", a new and tantalising class of vehicle which combines features of a number of established vehicle concepts into a new and distinctive format: Vision GST is a touring saloon, estate, people carrier and sport utility vehicle (SUV) rolled into one. Above all, it is a vehicle which lends unprecedented excitement and new meaning to the concept of long-distance driving pleasure. This Mercedes study oozes luxury from the moment the occupants step on board, allowing them to savour and enjoy every minute of the journey.

Sporty, elegant design with sports car styling touches

The design study unveiled by Mercedes-Benz in Detroit offers an intriguing window onto the future of the automobile. It answers frequently aired desires for a vehicle for all occasions which is consummately styled, exciting to drive and highly engineered - a car which offers lots of room for family and leisure outings, for touring and for professional use but at the same time combines this with sharp handling and effortless performance. All of this is achieved with the aid of high-quality Mercedes-Benz design and ground-breaking technical innovations, plus a high-performance engine with beefy torque.

Of various dynamic styling features, the striking arc-shaped roof line which runs in a gentle sweep from the A-pillar to the C-pillar deserves particular mention. It emphasises the long, sleek silhouette and hints strongly at the powerful, sporty power plant lurking beneath the capacious exterior. This impression is further reinforced by the large, 22-inch wheels and the wedge-shaped side view.

At roof level, a large area of special electrochromic glass runs from the front windscreen to the rear of the vehicle. At the press of a button, the occupants can vary the degree of tinting depending on the intensity of the sunlight. The side windows of the design study are equally striking. The absence of a B-pillar means the window area gives the effect of a continuous band, which again helps to communicate a sporty temperament. Another highlight are the rear-hinged "butterfly" doors, which open to 90 degrees, offering highly convenient access while at the same time opening up new possibilities in interior design.

Hand-crafted interior materials

Sumptuous, hand-crafted materials like wood, leather and aluminium underpin the exclusive interior ambience in the Vision GST. The ingenious lighting with new-design luminous panels in the roof lining, in the door trim and on the transmission tunnel accentuates the cosy atmosphere. The driver, the front passenger and the occupants of the rear seats can feel completely at their ease in the comfortable, power-adjustable single seats with integrated belt system. With a third seat row for two additional passengers in the rear, the Vision GST offers comfortable accommodation for six people. The large side window areas and the panoramic glass roof allow them to enjoy the journey to the full.

In the area of the instrument panel, the eye is drawn to the centre console which almost appears detached from the rest of the dashboard. The centre console, with its two aluminium panels and tinted glass, houses the colour monitor, the CD player, the car radio and many of the controls. The monitor, which is part of the navigation system, incorporates new software which gives the arrows, road maps and other graphic display features a spatialised, "3D" effect. This advanced display technology is also used for the shimmering blue cockpit instruments. An entertainment system comprising DVD player and video games keeps passengers in the rear occupied during long journeys.

High-tech specification incorporating trailblazing Mercedes innovations

Underneath the bonnet of the Vision GST lurks a 5.5 litre V8 Mercedes-AMG power plant, developing 265 kW/360 hp. The design study is also equipped with the four-wheel drive electronic traction support system 4-ETS from the M- and G-Classes, AIRMATIC air suspension and the new high-pressure brake system Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC). The large brake discs are of carbon fibre-reinforced ceramic.

The occupant protection features are rounded off by the new PRE-SAFE safety system which can detect an impending collision in advance and activates the belt-tensioners before the impact actually occurs.

The Vision GST measures 5.15 metres in length - the same as a long-wheelbase S-Class. The wheelbase measures 3.22 metres.

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz

--

Engine & performance:

Position: front

Type: V8

Power: 360 hp

Dimensions:

Length: 5150 mm

Wheelbase: 3220 mm