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Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
2.2
liter diesel inline-4 |
Weight |
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Aspiration |
turbocharged |
Torque |
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HP |
204
hp |
HP/Weight |
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HP/Liter |
92.7
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
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(from Daimler Press
Release) Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz builds the worlds most
desirable coups a claim which the Stuttgart-based car maker is
underlining at the 2008 Paris Motor Show with its ConceptFASCINATION
design study. This unique vehicle, whose innovative and
unconventional proportions interpret the emotional appeal of a coup
in a new way, represents an exciting and intelligent combination of
sporty and elegant design with stylish practicality. Wood, aluminium
and smoked glass give a particularly exclusive look and feel to the
luggage compartment which incorporates a refrigerated compartment
and a humidor as well as offering a large load space. These
attributes embody the two objectives of ConceptFASCINATION to
provide a high level of practical usability and to create a coup
which appeals to the heart with fast, thrilling lines. In developing
this design study, Mercedes-Benz has given fresh impetus to the
long-established (although now rarely seen) shooting brake, a
vehicle category with its own distinctive charisma. Freed from the
constraints of a specifications book, the designers have created an
automotive sculpture with great aesthetic appeal which once again
demonstrates Mercedes-Benzs high level of design expertise.
ConceptFASCINATION is a unique jewel of compelling automotive design
which is distinguished by its irresistibly dynamic lines yet still
offers the benefits of a large luggage compartment. A particularly
notable feature of the design is that the practical load space
develops organically from the exciting and elegant lines of this
lifestyle coup, giving it its special charisma. Inside, the tone is
set by fine, exceptional materials hand-crafted to the highest
standard. Absolute perfection and attention to detail make this
design study an incomparable gem which conveys at one and the same
time a sense of sporty forward movement and elegance, savoir-vivre
and exclusivity of the highest level.
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler
AG, commented: This design study continues the long tradition of
exciting coups from Mercedes-Benz in impressive style. With its
emotionally appealing lines, ConceptFASCINATION offers a completely
new interpretation of the coup. Its aesthetic, dynamic looks and
painstakingly crafted details ensure that this study meets the
highest design standards.
Driven by a new, powerful and
economical four-cylinder diesel engine
Not content with just
indulging the senses, the ConceptFASCINATION design study impresses
with its technical underpinnings, too. These are drawn from the new
E-Class and include the new four-cylinder diesel engine which
features BlueTEC technology and develops 150 kW/ 204 hp from a
displacement of 2.2 litres.
Dr Thomas Weber, Daimler
AG board member with responsibility for Research and Development at
Mercedes Benz Cars, said: The show car not only demonstrates a
fascinating, new design idiom, but - with our new, high-performance
and economical diesel drive system using BlueTEC technology - shows
that Mercedes-Benz vehicles will also set standards in the future in
terms of sustainability as well as emotional appeal, driving
pleasure and comfort.
Taut, sharply contoured lines and
finely sculpted surfaces
The design studys
elongated body is dominated by the dynamic front-to-rear sweep of
its lines which gives it a dynamically charged look, evoking
movement even when the vehicle is stationary. This impression is
emphasised by the long, frameless, side-window line which describes
a continuous arc from front to rear, uninterrupted by a B-pillar. As
a result, the large load space in the rear is integrated in the
vehicle body cohesively and harmoniously while also increasing the
impression of length and creating a remarkable sense of lightness.
The side windows can be lowered completely one of the fundamental
genetic markers of every Mercedes-Benz coup to provide an
uninterrupted view of the stylish way in which fine materials have
been used inside the vehicle.
A sense of
forward-flowing energy is created by the wedge-shaped profile of the
design study whose sides are structured by taut, clearly defined
lines which grow out of the surfaces organically and disappear back
into them in the same subtle way. Sensitively sculpted surfaces,
alternately concave and convex, are defined by the shoulder line,
undercut feature line and an additional line to form a gentle, yet
pronounced linear flow complemented by an intriguing interplay of
light effects. In short, flowing surfaces and arching structures
create compelling forms.
The wheel arches are
powerfully sculpted. In the rear wings in particular, the rounded
treatment of the flared wheel arches is characterised by a degree of
almost sensual exuberance a classic Mercedes-Benz design element
of the past which is taken to an elegant conclusion in the lines
of the rear. In order to maintain the flow of the surfaces and
edges, the door handles are visually extended rearward of the doors
into the sides of the vehicle.
A self-assured front section with
a new take on the dual headlamp face
The distinctive front
section of this gracefully built athlete is a picture of
self-assurance. It remains loyal to the dual headlamp face, but
interprets it in a more contemporary way. The now rhomboid
headlamps, which are set against a grey background reveal the
fascinating technical details of the light units which feature the
latest LED technology as well as C-shaped fibre-optic inserts which
serve as discreet running lights. With its new, sharper eyes and the
surrounding lines and surfaces, the face of the ConceptFASCINATION
vehicle is both exciting and forceful.
The bonnet of the design
study has pronounced contours with a central ridge which picks up
the V-shape of the front end and continues it along the vehicle
body. Powerfully framed, the single-louvre radiator grille with the
central Mercedes star makes a very dominant and expressive statement
of the brand identity.
A distinctive front
apron with a small double-wing assembly at the base gives this
design gem a wide, confident stance.
The great attention to
detail, which can be sensed in the assurance of every line and the
graceful sweep of every surface, is exemplified to perfection by a
special touch in the front apron: a fine chrome trim strip runs all
round the lower body of the vehicle; at the front, LED fog lamps are
set into this strip turning it into a sparkling piece of jewellery.
Forward-sloping rear with
pronounced V-shape
The forward-sloping rear
also has a pronounced V-shape and features a spoiler, below which
the third brake light is reflected in the rear window. Flat,
horizontal LED lights which extend around the back, linking it
visually with the sides, emphasise the width. In a styling move
which is both clever and extremely harmonious, the undercut surround
of the redesigned tail lights flows into the rear wings, serving as
yet another example of the painstaking attention to detail by the
Mercedes-Benz designers. As at the front, the rear is completed by a
small additional wing framed by four exhaust tailpipes.
Exquisite range of materials from the world of equestrianism
A large panoramic glass
roof and the arc described by the uninterrupted side-window line
bring a sense of visual lightness to the interior, too, and help it
to merge with the exterior. Fine materials, such as leather, wood
and aluminium, as well as high-quality woven fabrics and many
carefully crafted details ensure that the sporty and stylish
character of the show vehicle is also underlined by the interior.
The exquisite range of
materials is inspired by the world of equestrianism and satisfies
the most discerning tastes. Recalling the look and feel of a saddle,
thick, dark leather covers the aluminium centre console which, like
a bridge extending from the front to the rear, spans the space
between the four sporty individual seats and translates the taut
lines of the exterior to the interior of the vehicle with minimalist
elements. Strong and natural, this leather also covers the upper
section of the dashboard while its supple, flowing character means
that it also lends itself to enhancing the look and feel of the door
armrests.
Contrast is provided by
light, fine nubuck leather used for the other surfaces and the four
individual seats as well as by the deep-pile carpet with heavy
fibres. The seat centre panels are covered in strong, high-quality
fabric. Trim strips in American walnut with a fine chrome surround
complete the portfolio of materials.
The characteristic
V-shape of the exterior is picked up by the dashboard whose styling
evokes a dynamic wing and which features an instrument cluster with
five tubes and silver dials.
Luxurious load compartment with
stylish details
Painstakingly crafted
details give the load compartment a particularly luxurious and
surprising character. The floor of the load compartment, which
measures approximately one metre square, is made of wood with
brushed aluminium protective rails. Folding up the floor at the left
and right sides reveals two compartments containing two sets of
binoculars as well as a high-quality digital camera with
interchangeable Leica lenses the perfect equipment for a day at
the races, for example.
The centre of the load compartment is occupied by a folding smoked
glass table which rises out of the floor at the touch of a button to
reveal a compartment housing a humidor. The table can also be pulled
to the rear for easier access from outside. Doing so provides access
to a refrigerated compartment for drinks and champagne flutes. The
smoked glass can then be folded up at left and right to allow the
vehicle occupants to enjoy a picnic in a stylish and refined
ambience.
Driven by new, powerful and
economical four-cylinder diesel engine
Not content with just
indulging the senses, the ConceptFASCINATION design study impresses
with its technical underpinnings, too. These are drawn from the
future E-Class Coup and include the new four-cylinder diesel engine
which features BlueTEC and AdBlue technology and develops 150 kW /
204 hp from a displacement of 2.2 litres.
Mercedes-Benz design studies look
to future styling trends
The ConceptFASCINATION
study was not created merely to arouse interest in a new and unusual
design concept. It is much more a matter of giving designers the
opportunity to play around with unconventional topics, to look at
things in a new way and to explore new ideas. Design studies also
serve to stimulate a closer dialogue with customers and to gauge the
public reaction to new ideas for cars. They help Mercedes-Benz
designers to get a feel for future styling trends and to develop new
design idioms.
