Mercedes-Benz At The North American International Auto Show 2004

The diesel hybrid system’s fuel consumption is equally exemplary, delivering 30 mpg according to the American measurement method. With future engine generations, the drive concept of the Vision Grand Sports Tourer will offer the potential for even more impressive fuel efficiency, at 33 mpg. In the European driving cycle, the Vision Grand Sports Tourer with a hybrid drive uses about 20 per cent less fuel than a comparable diesel model.

Electronically controlled distribution of the workload between the diesel engine and the electric motor enables the benefits of both drive concepts to be used to the full: the electric motor kicks in when starting off, parking, driving in stop-and-go traffic or crawling in heavy traffic when less power is required, thus ensuring zero-emission motoring. Only when more engine power is required does the eight-cylinder CDI powerplant spring into life to provide powerful acceleration. During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator and produces current for recharging the drive battery.

The Vision Grand Sports Tourer breaks new ground by featuring a hybrid drive system in conjunction with permanent all-wheel drive – a combination which offers further proof of the concept's immense potential.

Additional technical highlights of this Grand Sports Tourer concept include a set of 21-inch wheels as well as large, perforated brake discs, AIRMATIC air suspension and sophisticated axle assemblies, all of which are designed to ensure optimal long-distance comfort and an outstanding level of active safety.

SLR McLaren: a Gran Turismo for the 21st century

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an impressive testament to the expertise and experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula-1 partner McLaren in the development and production of high-performance sports cars.

With its 5.5-litre displacement, the supercharged engine at the heart of the sophisticated Gran Turismo develops an output of 460 kW/626 hp and delivers its peak torque of 780 Nm from 3250 rpm – a figure which remains constant across a broad engine speed range of up to 5000 rpm. This means that the SLR eight-cylinder is among the most powerful engines currently available for series-produced roadgoing sports cars. This high-performance car takes just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h, it passes the 200-km/h mark after just 10.6 seconds, and it takes only 28.8 seconds to reach 300 km/h. Its top speed is 334 km/h.

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