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126 years have passed since the first year of automobile made in Earth
And so of the Mercedes-Benz brand
Mercedes-Benz automobiles roll out again at ME2012
And presenting 2 latest new models
For the first time, the CLS comes as an alternate bodystyle, with more versatility
"Shooting Brake" is one old term for a car bodystyle
M-B just picked this word for this instead of "wagon" or "estate"
Actually, a whole of this alternated variant was just derived from a concept vehicle called "Concept: Shooting Break"
Just 2 years ago after this concept vehicle unveiled
Here in this pavillion featured 2 versions, The CLS500 (Spinning and restricted)
And this CLS250 CDI (Diesel) AMG Premium, only this selected for Thai market with 2 variants
Designed by versatility followed the shapes/forms, and not a reverse way of this
Suggested a character of "The Hunter", not trend follower
0.29 drag coefficient
LED "High performance" headlamps, with intelligent headlamp adaptive system
Cornering light and Adaptive High-beam assist
With its own uniqueness dynamic form by new ways of sophisticated blended lines and shapes
Genuine 19" AMG Wheels, 255/35R19 (front), 285/30R19 (rear)
"Full length" roofline from A-pillar to C-pillar
Lightweight frameless doors
59L fuel tank
And with large hatch indeed
And so it's powered by 2.1 Common-Rail 4-cyl Direct Injection engine, with Twin Turbo Intercooler (204HP)
Maximum Power : 150kw @ 3,800rpm | Maximum Torque : 500nm @ 1,600-1,800rpm
0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds, maximum speed rate at 235km/h
"7G-Tronic Plus" 7-speed transmission, with shift paddle
Cruise control with Speedtronic (speed limiter)
Front: Macpherson Strut (independent), 3-linked front axle, springs & dampers
Rear: Lightweight Independent Multi-link
"Eco Start/Stop" vehicle idle-stop system
Tyre Pressure Loss Warning system
Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Acceleration Skid Control (ASC), Anti-slip Regulation System (ASR)
Pre-Safe(R) system
Distronic Plus system, forward collision mitigation
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Active Blind Spot Assist
"Attention Assist", preventing drowsiness
ABS, Brake Assist, Adaptive Brake with "HOLD" function, wide high-mounted LED stop lamp
Parktronic parking sensors, low-mounted wide LED stop lamp
4 or 6 airbags with Windowbags, SRS system, automatic airbag deactivation system
And with ASSYST Plus as service interval reminder
CLS500 Shooting Brake is powered by 4.7 V8 engine (408HP)
Maximum Power : 300kw @ 5,000-5,750rpm | Maximum Torque : 600nm @ 1,600-4,750rpm
0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds, maximum speed rate at 250km/h
However, Mercedes-Benz Thailand decided not to sell it here
So let's get inside this real Thai spec
Inside of this one is "211 Leather" black tone package
With "Black Ash Wood" decoration
The newly developed "Electromechanical" steering wheel, not only more flexible but also designed to work well with "Active Park Assist"
"Linguatronic" voice control system (English only)
Sporty foot pad set
Genuine AMG floor mats with locking pin each
Factory-fitted door sill kick plates
Analog-styled watch as we expected
COMAND Online screen, navigation system, DVD built-in, Bluetooth interface
Human Multimedia Interface (HMI) controller
Buttons for vehicle's important systems gathered here
Enhanced "Thermatic" climate control
Front seats are "Memory Seats", but meanwhile "Heated seats" have been removed
Up to 3 passengers at second row, also ISOFIX ready
Easy-Pack Quickfold, and that's versatility you'd expect from a true large station wagon
1,550-Litre maximum load volume, thanks to its large hatch
Powered tailgate
Also with "Star Assist" 24-hour Roadside Assistance Programme
Living "lightweight large car", with "Code of the curves"
After all, the CLS is a coupe (as Mercedes-Benz speak), and Shooting Brake is a term for 2-door station wagon
Now let's see this smaller one
The third generation A-Class
It's actually the answer for why this concept car was born for
Mark Fetherston responses for entire design works for 6 years with this W176 project, from concept car to production versions
The result: more dynamic & zesty sense than ever
Not intended as 5-door for shopping spree like its previous predecessors, but still it can do
2 versions displaying here
The "A180 Style"
And "A250 AMG Sport" as main attraction of this pavillion, both were selected for Thai market now
Let's see the entry level first
The "A180 Style" represents both of new way of compact car styling and energy efficiency
Because only this one had its best fuel saving rate at 22km per litre
Thanks to its "Eco Start/Stop" function
Vehicle itself beared its own style personality firmly like never before
Distinctive with classic value front end scheme
Halogen headlamps with daytime running lights
225/45R17
1,157L maximum load volume
A180 is powered by 1.6 4-cyl engine with Turbo Intercooler (122HP)
Maximum Power : 122kw @ 5,000rpm | Maximum Torque : 200nm @ 1,250-4,000rpm
0-100km/h in 9.1 seconds, maximum speed rate at 202km/h
7G-DCT (Dual clutch) 7-speed transmission with shift paddles
Comfort-tuned suspension
Front: Macpherson Strut | Rear: Multi-link
And fitted with original version of Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
At interior, say goodbye to "Sandwhich Floor"
Hip points of drivers and passengers are now in lower position
And immediately with more sporty feel like never before
A180 featured "Checked Pattern" console, seats made by Artico leather with Larochette fabric
As well as Artico leather decoration at door panels
A250 AMG Sport tops the range of W176 A-Class here
"Diamond grille" front end, its design scheme might derived from the said concept car
Bi-Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, and headlamp washers
6 dots of front parking sensors
Front and rear bumpers, lower skirts, sport badges above front wheels, are parts of "AMG Bodystyling" package
AMG's 18-inched wheels, 235/40R18
Side mirrors with LED lamps, in unique style
This is also what raises A250's price tag up: Panoramic Glass Sunroof
Both W176 units actually featured 50L fuel tank
4 dots of rear parking sensors
Twin mufflers (left & right), chrome tipped each, sporty diffuser
A250 powered by 2.0 4cyl engine with Turbo Intercooler (211HP)
Maximum Power : 155kw @ 5,500rpm | Maximum Torque : 350nm @ 1,200-4,000rpm
0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds, maximum speed rate at 240km/h
Additionally, AMG also makes the engine sings "sporty engine sound"
Like this!
7G-DCT (Dual clutch) 7-speed transmission with shift paddles
Not only sport-tuned suspension by AMG, but also lowered the ground clearance
Front: Macpherson Strut
Rear: Multi-link
Front wheels featured ventilated & perforated front disc brakes, with Mercedes-Benz logo on red calipers
Rear disc brakes are with red calipers too
And uses a different modified Electric Stability Program (ESP)
A250's impressive finished interior
Front seats are "Memory Seats"
Leather wrapped with red spun decoration steering wheel
"Carbon fibre" console, red accents around the air vents
Sporty foot pad set
Both W178 units already gave multipurpose 5.8 inch screen, Bluetooth interface, Thermatic climate control
As well as Human Multimedia Interface (HMI) controller
A250's Dinamica Microfibre door panels
Red safety belts
And seats of here are made by Artico leather and Dinamica Microfibre
Now let's see some more about several major components as both W176 units shared
Rear view camera
"Active bonnet" for pedestrian safety
ABS, Brake Assist System, Adaptive Brake with "HOLD" function
"Eco Start/Stop" by a touchable button at center console
6 airbags, SRS, automatic airbag deactivation system
Acceleration skid control system
Speedtronic, Attention Assist, Tyre pressure loss warning system, and ASSYST Plus as service interval reminder
But unlike previous predecessors, this third generation A-Class has no assembly programme in "Thonburi Factory (TAAP), Thailand"
With the new A-Class W176, Mercedes-Benz has presented a more distinguished different compact car yet
But amazingly remained being a genuine Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz already introduced in Thailand over 100 years
Now still seriously struggling with independent import agents
And tried in many ways to persuade people to afford vehicles from only authorized dealers
But meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz still making automobiles with positive forward thinking
And never stood to cease at all
Uncertain automotive future still lies ahead