MERCEDES-BENZ 124 SERIES: AN AUTOMOTIVE MILESTONE BECOMES A YOUNG ...
And for the first time in winter 2009, the 124 took its first steps to becoming a Young Classic. From 1993 the 124 series was designated the first E-Class, having already become the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to feature the 4MATIC automatic all-wheel drive back in 1985, and in 1990 the Mercedes-Benz 500 E became the first midsize model to be equipped with a V8 engine. Such milestones provide the framework for the biography of this model series, which appeared not only as a Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Convertible, but also as chassis and long-wheelbase Saloon versions, and as such served up six major players to the Mercedes-Benz model initiative. The first generation of the midsize series made its debut in late November 1984 in Seville, Spain. Mercedes-Benz presented the eagerly awaited new saloon (W 124 series) in the upper midsize segment as the 200 D, 250 D, 300 D, 200, 230 E, 260 E and 300 E models. In addition, there was a 200 E version built for export to Italy. In terms of design and engineering the series borrowed elements from the 190 model (W 201), the precursor of the C-Class built from 1982. Parallels with the compact class were evident, for example, in the use of high-strength steel and other weight-reducing materials. In spite of the lightweight design, the Mercedes-Benz engineers made further improvements to vehicle safety – thanks in part to innovative development and design methods. For example, the 124 series was the first vehicle model subjected by Mercedes-Benz not only to classic crash testing but also to computerised accident simulation. The passenger cell was extremely rigid in terms of side impact and roll-over resistance, and was equipped with ingenious front and rear crumple zones. The saloons from the midsize series also fulfilled the criterion of the asymmetric head-on collision with 40 percent overlap at 55 km/h. In addition, potential contact zones with pedestrians and cyclists were designed to yield on impact should the situation arise....
Geeky gadgetsDubbed mbrace, the new Mercedes system is based on services from Hughes Telematics, which will handle online communications through its servers. Mercedes-Benz USA and Hughes Telematics Launch New Telematics Service: mbrace(TM)all 37 news articles »
This means better fuel consumption figures — 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres, down from 14L/100km — and also a better CO2 emission figure of 307g/km, and more »
GTspiritDubbed the B-Class F-Cell, the environmentally friendly vehicle has better performance than a 2.0-liter gasoline model but with a zero-emission drive system SLS rekindles Mercedes' legendMercedes-Benz SLS AMG, ML450 Hybrid And F-Cell Coming To LA Auto Showall 45 news articles »
Motor ReportThe Mercedes-Benz F-Cell is essentially a zero emission electric car that makes its own power on board. Unlike plug-in electric cars or PHEV hybrids, Green is the word for Mercedes' Alabama plantall 30 news articles »