2012 Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé

Article

Official world premiere at Auto China in Beijing: Mercedes Concept Style Coupé: the style rebel

The heartbeat of a new generation grows stronger all the time: with its Concept Style Coupé, appearing at this year's Auto China (23 April to 2 May 2012), Mercedes-Benz will be making a convincing statement in favour of avantgarde design in the sporty executive coupé segment.

The four-door coupé is a rebel when it comes to style: nonconformist, provocative and masculine. Technical highlights include its striking headlamp design featuring innovative indicators, the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 155 kW (211 hp) and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC.

'The Concept Style Coupé is expressive and powerful in its design', said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. 'We are staking our claim very clearly here. This is the model against which sporty vehicles in the executive segment will have to measure themselves in future.'

'The almost production-standard Concept Style Coupé sets a new benchmark for avantgarde design in the executive segment', emphasised Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. 'Its breathtaking proportions, sinewy fluid surfaces and sculptural lines are the physical expression of our dynamic design idiom.'

Following a brief appearance at the Avant/Garde Diaries event in Los Angeles (20 April to 6 May 2012), the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé (length/width/height: 4637/1891/1398 mm) will be celebrating its official world premiere at Auto China in Beijing (23 April to 2 May 2012).

Provocative and masculine: the exterior

Its breathtakingly sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design idiom, featuring the interplay between concave and convex surfaces that is so typical for Mercedes, give this four-door coupé its unmistakable look.

Among its most striking features are the way the bonnet with its powerdomes is set right into the front end assembly, as well as its diamond-look grille, which follows through on design cues set by the Concept A-CLASS. The paint finish of the concept vehicle is in Alubeam – a colour that helps to emphasise the sculptural quality of its lines.

The innovative headlamps of the Concept Style Coupé are reminiscent of the ever wary, almost intimidating eyes of a predatory animal. In standby mode they shine red. The indicatorsare another special feature: when they are activated, the individual elements light up one after another in a 'Mexican wave' effect.

Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge over the wings flows towards the rear end in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third line extends upward in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Together, these lines lend more depth and dynamism to the side profile. The ripple design of the prominent exterior mirrors takes advantage of the design freedoms enjoyed by a concept car.

The same is true of the 20-inch wheels, with their very sporty turbine design. Perforated pins on the spokes pick up once again on the diamond-theme of the radiator grille. The Concept Style Coupé features frameless side windows and has no B-pillar.

A large panoramic roof creates a light and airy interior. A metal rib, the shape of which evokes a roll-over bar, separates the roof from the rear windscreen, which in turn flows down to merge smoothly into the tail end. The avantgarde lines of the Coupé are further emphasised by the way the tail lights, with their metallic-red colouring, taper to a sharp point both to the front and toward the rear centre. An integrated dual-flow exhaust system underlines the car's sporty credentials and gives added width to the tail end. A narrow rear diffuser picks up again on the dotted pattern of the diamond grille.

High-grade sportiness: the interior

The interior opens up to reveal taut, expressively sculptured surfaces. A large carbon-fibre trim panel spans its full width, giving it the elegance and distinctively 'cool' appeal of a coupé. Standing proud from the instrument cluster are the two tubes, also in carbon fibre and individually glazed. When the indicator is activated, a ring lights up in the tubes.

Flowing back in a long, continuous wave from the instrument panel is the centre console. Embedded in this is an intricately designed fan module for the two rear seats, which also incorporates a stowage compartment.

The world of fashion provided the inspiration for the colour mix of light grey and anthracite. A fresh, sporty touch is added by neon green piping and topstitching, which appear on the instrument panel, steering wheel, seat
and door centre panels, amongst other places.

Fine materials combine with high-grade workmanship to set a new benchmark for quality. There has been no stinting on the use of leather, either: the instrument panel is upholstered in white nubuck leather, providing an interesting contrast with the anthracite-coloured Alcantara®used on the upper section of the instrument panel. Suede is used on the sports steering wheel to ensure better grip. All chrome trim elements and control panels now for the first time feature a black anodised finish, as seen on top-of-the-range limited Sports Edition chronograph watches. The surfaces around the HMI control panel have the glossy shimmer of black anodised aluminium.

The four integral seats with integrated head restraints are already familiar from the Sports version of the new A-Class. An electroplated insert in the upper part of the seat adds to the impression of lightness and is illuminated.

The design of the air vents in the instrument panel evokes an aircraft jet engine. As in the Concept A-CLASS they are backlit and change colour according to the temperature set by the occupants for the climate control system. When cool, fresh air is being brought into the car, they are blue, but they light up red when the airflow is warm. At a mid-range temperature setting the vents are illuminated in fluorescent yellow, and thus match the colour of the piping perfectly.

'Always on', even in the car: the multimedia system

With COMAND Online and the various Mercedes-Benz apps developed specifically to be used and controlled while on the move, as well as with the ability to browse the internet when the vehicle is stationary, the occupants of the Concept Style Coupé are 'always on' and able to maintain their digital lifestyle at all times.

Mercedes-Benz is firmly convinced that the future lies with cloud computing. The software for the COMAND Online applications is not stored in the vehicle, but runs off the Daimler Vehicle Backend. The advantage is that the system can be updated with new applications 'over-the-air' (OTA) through a mobile phone connection, without the car having to be taken into the workshop. The software is thus always up to date, irrespective of the development cycles of either the vehicles or the consumer electronic devices.

Sportiness in tune with the times: the engine

Sporty driving dynamics coupled with exemplary efficiency are the hallmarks of the engine of the Concept Style Coupé. Powerful wheel-hub drive is provided by the 2.0-litre version of the new petrol engine generation with 155 kW (211 hp), combined here with the efficient 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

Among the highlights of the four-cylinder engine are its direct-injection system with exhaust gas turbocharging, an enhanced combustion system and extended stratification ranges for lean-burn operation using fast-acting injectors for the multiple fuel injections, and multi-spark ignition according to need.

Source - Mercedes-Benz

Two Mercedes-Benz world premieres at Auto China 2012. Concept Style Coupé – The rebel. New-generation G-Class – Forever young

With two extraordinary world premieres, Mercedes-Benz cast a broad arc
in Beijing from the brand's unique tradition to its dynamic future. The new-generation G-Class made its debut here today under the motto 'Forever young'. With even more comfort and safety and modern engines, the off-road icon reaffirms its premier position among off-road vehicles that has brought it global success for the past 33 years. This is underscored by the new G 63 AMG with an eight-cylinder biturbo engine and standard ECO start/stop function. The highlight of this year's Mercedes appearance in the Chinese capital is the Concept Style Coupé. The close-to-production study offers an insight into the next member of the new Mercedes-Benz compact car family. The Concept Style Coupé is a clear statement of avant-garde design in the form of a sporty coupe for the mid-size segment. The series-production version is scheduled for market launch next year under the model name CLA.

The four-door Concept Style Coupé is a style rebel – non-conformist, provocative, masculine. 'The design is expressive and powerful,' says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. 'It makes a very clear statement. This is the car against which sporty mid-size vehicles will be measured in future.' In keeping with its dynamic look, the Coupé study offers a host of technical highlights, including the new four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 155 kW (211 hp), 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

Inside the Concept Style Coupé, a new quality benchmark is set by fine materials together with outstanding craftsmanship. The dashboard upholstered in white nubuck leather offers a rich contrast to the anthracite Alcantara® on the upper surface of the dashboard. On the sports steering wheel, suede delivers exceptional grip, while all chrome trim pieces and controls have been anodised in black for the first time. The surfaces around the HMI operating unit shimmer in gleaming black anodized aluminium. The four integral seats with integrated head restraints come from the sport version of the new A-Class.

Sporty, fascinating and 'always on'

While travelling, passengers can be 'always on'. This is made possible by COMAND Online together with Mercedes-Benz apps developed especially for use and operation while driving. Internet surfing is also freely available when the vehicle is at a standstill.

Dieter Zetsche: 'It is our stated objective to attract new Mercedes fans in new markets and market segments. That can be achieved only with fascinating products like the Concept Style Coupé that we are launching next year under the name CLA. And the promise that we kept with the new A-Class also applies to the Coupé – the forthcoming CLA will transfer the fascination of the study into series production.'

Targeted expansion of the Mercedes-Benz product line-up

Mercedes-Benz is conducting a targeted expansion of its product line-up with new models like the CLA. 'That', says Dr. Zetsche, 'Is the key to the success of our 'Mercedes-Benz 2020' strategy, with which we want to be number one in all relevant categories of the premium segment by the end of this decade – and that includes sales volumes.' That the brand is on the right course is evident in the current results – in 2011, Mercedes-Benz returned the best sales figures in its corporate history, followed in 2012 by further sales records set in all three months of the first quarter.

In China, Mercedes-Benz will continue to strengthen its role as an active and successful player in the economy. Dr. Zetsche: 'We will further expand our local production capacity and thus sustainably increase our market presence in China. By 2015, we want to have doubled our current local production capacity to more than 200,000 vehicles per year. Together with our partners, we will invest around three billion Euros in China over the next few years, thus creating the foundation for sustainable growth on the world's largest car market.'

Forever young – the new-generation G-Class

As well as the avant-garde newcomer, Beijing also marked the debut of the latest edition of an equally unique Mercedes automobile. Únder the motto 'Forever young', Mercedes-Benz presents the new generation of the G-Class, which has been in production now for 33 years.

'The G-Class embodies many significant Mercedes-Benz brand values. Tradition is one of them, as is quality, durability and state-of-the-art technology,' says Prof. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. The G-Class has been a success ever since it was launched in 1979 – unmistakable, authentic and solid as the proverbial rock. Its outstanding qualities have been recognized by countless awards, including 'Off-Roader of the Year' more than twenty times – an honour it received once again in 2012.

G-Class 2011 – best sales figures in seven years

Thanks to its loyal and enthusiastic fan base, the 'G' is also a success on the market. With vehicle sales of around 6,600, 2011 saw the forefather of the modern Mercedes off-road family achieve its best sales figures in seven years. The secret of its success lies in the combination of cult status and superior technical characteristics.

State-of-the-art technology and a still unmistakable character

Prof. Weber: 'That is why we consciously made very careful updates to the outer appearance of the G-Class, with new LED daytime running lights and exterior mirrors. The inner values of the new generation, however, are enormously compelling – fine materials and perfect ergonomics dominate the interior. The dashboard and centre console have been completely redesigned. Standard features include the modern COMAND Online infotainment system with navigation and internet access.' The palette of safety features can be augmented by the optional Blind Spot Assist, the PARKTRONIC parking assistant and DISTRONIC PLÚS proximity control.

Three powerful, efficient and refined engines

In China, the new generation of the G-Class comes to market as the G 500, powered by a refined V8 petrol engine with 285 kW (387 hp) and 530 Nm of torque. In Europe, Mercedes-Benz also offers the G 350 BlueTEC (155 kW/ 211 hp, 540 Nm) with state-of-the-art, clean diesel technology. New in the line-up is the G 63 AMG with eight-cylinder biturbo engine and standard ECO start/stop function, which also makes its debut in Beijing.

'With 544 hp and 760 Nm of torque, the 5.5-litre V8 has the power of a dragon,' says Prof. Weber, referring to the Chinese Year of the Dragon. 'The new engine delivers almost ten percent more torque than its predecessor, yet consumes 13 percent less fuel. (concept carz)' The engine line-up is being expanded by the G 65 AMG with a V12 biturbo engine (450 kW/612 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque), which was also presented at Auto China and makes it the world's most powerful series-production off-road vehicle.

Source - Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe makes Debut in Taiwan - THE AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI: A-MIT and Young Artists Dialogue with Asia and the World

Mercedes-Benz Taiwan is pleased to announce that Taipei will be the first city in Asia to set off the artistic campaign by Mercedes-Benz with AVANT/GARDE DIARIES, a part of a series of festivities that premiered in Berlin earlier last year, and continued on to Copenhagen, Los Angeles, and London. Mercedes-Benz Taiwan has invited superstar A-MIT to be the curator for an exhibition with 8 newly rising artists from Taiwan on the theme of 'Voice' as the inspiration. The exhibition will be held at Huashan 1914 Creative Park from November 9-11. A gala event will be held on November 8. As part of the event, the latest concept car by Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe will make its debut appearance to personify the spirit of avant-garde art.

In 1886, Carl Benz boldly conceived a revolutionary idea and dared to turn it into reality – the world's very first automobile was the fruition of his ingenuity. His invention marked the end of man's dependence on animals for movement and transportation. From that point on, innovation, avant-garde attitude and boldness became parts of the Mercedes-Benz DNA. After more than 120 years, as the inventor of automobile, Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the world of cars and writes the vocabulary of innovative automobile for every generation.

In July of 2011, Mercedes-Benz launched AVANT/GARDE DIARIES campaign which was centered on the online interviews by digital platform www.theavantgardediaries.com.

The website combined multimedia interview on opinion leaders in art, music and fashion along with documentaries of event exhibitions to dialogue with the young people of the world and to share innovative and unique vision and trends. By doing so, the website became a new platform of creative ideas.

In July 2011, fashion designer Raf Simons curated the kick-off event in Berlin. Artists such as Peter Saville, Konstantin Grcic and DJ Hell accompanied the festival with art and music. Taking inspiration from Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the festivities continued on. At the Avant/Garde Diaries festivals, which were staged in a variety of the world's major cities, international artists and trendsetters came together under the curatorship of a visionary, to present their view of today's and tomorrow's world and exchange views with experts and the public. In April this year, the festival was held under the curatorship
of Mike D, co-founder of hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, at the Geffen Contemporary at the MOCA in Los Angeles. International artists and musicians such as Santigold, Tom Sachs, James Murphy, Ben Jones and Diplo participated in the 17-day event, which attracted more than 30,000 visitors. Following Berlin, Copenhagen, Los Angeles and London, the Avant/Garde Diaries will be launched in Taipei as the first city in Asia to host the event.

AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI – A-MIT Dialogue with the World

In 2009, performing artist A-MIT appeared. Carrying her heritage as a relative of the ethnic natives of Taiwan named Puyuma, she overtook the world with her resounding, wild voice. The next year, she swept up six Golden Melody Awards. Her bold, unique personality and original musical style make her a perfect example of the avant-garde spirit – a spirit in perfect tune with the essence of Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz has invited A-MIT as the curator for the AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI. A-MIT, a change seeker, will work with Isaac Chen as the Creative Director and 8 young Taiwanese artists to define sounds. In this project, she will show to the world and Asia her new self stemming from the wild dynamic in her Puyuman blood. A-MIT blends together a mixture of unlikely elements to demonstrate her interpretation and concepts of sounds.

'Personally I am really looking forward to this exhibition. The event offers a platform for me to perform with my voice and for more Taiwan's emerging artists to present their talents to the world, to an international stage like the AVANT/GARDE DIARIES. By doing so, the role 'A-MIT' becomes more enriched with depth and layers,' said A-MIT.

The innovative ideas, diversification of different performance styles and her Puyuma-origin makes A-MIT the most authentic voice and power that truly represent the genuine character of Taiwan. AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI works with Taiwanese talents, to give pop music a makeover, transforming sounds to a concrete experience that moves people. Through this exhibition, the invisible energy will reach beyond space and time, and manifest itself in the tide of arts to dialogue with Asia and the world from the perspective of Taiwan's emerging contemporary artists.

The works for the exhibition are predominantly installation artworks. Some attempt to visualize the forms of the sound, while others offer new ways to experience the sound. Dynamic device, digital control, smoke, lighting, lasers and other form or formless materials have been used to transform the popular ballads by A-MIT, such as 'Weight of Soul', 'Are You Looking At Me?' and 'Fallen' into installation artworks, injecting a unique experience to A-MIT's musical consciousness while dialoging with the viewers.

The Premiere of Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe – a Únique Interpretation of Avant-Garde Art

To further add to the excitement of AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEI, the organizer has shipped in Concept Style Coupe to Taipei especially for the exhibition alongside one of the artworks. A piece of bold experimental art along with the innovative concept car interprets the avant-garde approach and imaginative concept of 'moving life'. The Concept Style Coupe is an automobile that combines the streamline design of a two-door sports car with the practicality of a four-door sedan. (concept carz) It is equipped with the M270 engine used in the A-Class. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 211 horse power.

Scheduled to series production next year, it is the third model for the New Generation Compact Car series. The audience will have the chance to preview its unique features in person.

About the Curator and participating Artists

A-MIT, the curator of the AVANT/GARDE DIARIES TAIPEIworks with Isaac Chen as the Artistic Director along with 8 of Taiwan's emerging artists for the event.

Curator: A-MIT
Born in 1972. Ethnically Puyuma, her high pitch, wild voice has fascinated the world. She appeared in 2009 as A-MIT.

Artistic Director: Isaac Chen
Born in Taiwan in 1973. He is executive director of concerts and large ceremonies, lyric writer, song producer, talent manager, film director.

Artist: Chang-Wei Chiu
Born in Taiwan in 1981, his creative works are focused on digital vision and dynamic devices. In his earlier career, most of his works were creations in computer animation and special effects. Recently, he has moved to create installation artworks with physical presence that invokes the cognitive awareness and illusional special effects. Through his works, he hopes to present a human-like organic form that can infiltrate and hide in the reality.

Artist: Wei-Hsiang Wen
Born in Taiwan in 1983, he specializes in visual art and installation artworks of new media. His artworks are focused on the relationship between image, time and space by observing the vibration of changes in the artworks through time and space in order to revisit the daily experiences with the micro-perspectives.

Artist: Chih-Wei Chuang
Born in Taiwan in 1986, his works are mainly installation artworks of light and space which explore the awareness of changes in life and the interaction of human, objects and the environment. In recent years, he has been exploring the possibility of interaction between new media arts and architecture by using high-tech materials as the medium to extend the linkage to the senses and to find the presence that never ceases.

Artist: Ting-Hao Yeh
Born in Taiwan in 1981, he specializes in the installation artwork of sound, vision, and the human-machine interaction. He started with visual art creation, studied computer programming, and constructed the model of coexisting linkage between vision and hearing. Next, he consolidated the technologies in multimedia to record the frequencies of interaction and awareness to find a digital presence for the future.

Artist: Zih Jing Wei
Born in Taiwan in 1983, she specializes in visual art and human-machine interaction. Ink is often used in her works as a way to describe nuances of emotions and imagination. After 2008, her works shifted to development of
a series of chemically interactive devices that use chemical light-sensitive coloring agents to create dynamic 3-dimensional images.

Artist: Chin-Chung Din
Born in Taiwan in 1983, Din Chin-Chung specializes in dynamic devices. His works are focused on structures in space, relationship between movement and interaction, such as the diminishing energy in time and space that only leaves traces of marks, and the 'repetition' of media.

Artist: Chun-Kun Wang
Born in Taiwan in 1982, his works are mainly in sound artwork and dynamic devices that seek to express sound with textures in a series of landscapes in sound. His installation artworks with automatic movement and sound have a sense of purity and aesthetic uniqueness.

Artist: Chia-Chi Yeh
Born in Taiwan, he specializes in dynamic devices. With background in architecture, his designs are structure-oriented that find linkage between human behavior and the environment and describe how mechanical ecology has slowly changed human awareness toward architecture and structures.

Source - Mercedes-Benz