0 PREVIEW: Early illustrations reveal what could have been the W 213 E-Class

The 213 series E-Class is expected to touch ground by the end of 2015. Recently, a set of images showing some initial sketches (dated 29th July 2011) of the future E-Class have reached the internet, signaled by the W 213 lettering found on one of the drawings.

Signed by former Mercedes-Benz designer Hussein Alattar (currently working for BMW), the drawings reveal a fascinating, quite retro-style design for the executive class limousine. The current design philosophy is evolved into the next step, becoming even more progressive. The headlights resemble an arch and the radiator grille, although rounded, is pointing ahead. When seen from profile, the front section looks like the fascia of a shark.

The roofline looks dramatically arched, with the side windows being completely modified compared to the traditional design of the current days. The C-pillar is triangular and continues fairly close to the bottom end of the car. The third volume, the trunk, is shorter than expected and looks like it has been integrated into the whole architecture - fairly similar to a fastback sedan.

The profile is extremely neat and clean and it features larger and more pronounced wheel arches. While the front overhang is short, the rear overhang is long - a perfect antithesis with the long engine bonnet and the almost seamlessly integrated trunk. All in all, if ever approved by executives, the opera of Hussein Alattar would probably have looked sensational in flesh and would have brought a revolutionary view to the classic Mercedes-Benz design philosophy.

Image Credits: Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: PREVIEW: Early illustrations reveal what could have been the W 213 E-Class

0 Available now from your authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer: Genuine accessories for the new E-Class

The Genuine Accessories range from Mercedes-Benz for the new E-Class Saloon and Estate comprises over 140 high-quality and practical products. The main focus is on advanced multimedia systems and elegant, sporty products from Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipment.

Mobility today is about more than just getting from A to B. With the multimedia products from the Genuine Accessories range, the driver of the new E-Class is mobile on the World Wide Web, too:

The Mercedes-Benz InCar Hotspot brings the internet to the E-Class. This is a special wireless router which uses a data-compatible SIM card and the vehicle's roof aerial to establish a wireless internet connection even when the car is on the move. A WiFi-enabled device of some sort (laptop, tablet computer, mobile phone, MP3 player) is all that is required.

The Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone®, in conjunction with the "Digital DriveStyle" app developed in-house by Daimler, allows seamless integration of iPhone® models 4 and 4S into the E-Class ^[1] . Highlights include Siri voice control, the advanced navigation solution from Garmin® with internet-based real-time traffic information, Google® online POI search including Street View™ and 3D map view as well as the real-time location sharing system Glympse®. Additional functions include Facebook®, Twitter® and AUPEO!™ Personal Radio, as well as internet radio covering national and international stations.

The Mercedes-Benz telephone module with Bluetooth® (SAP) also incorporates a host of multimedia functions. Featuring an integrated UMTS module connected directly to the vehicle's exterior aerial, it provides COMAND Online with a fast, stable and secure internet connection.

The iPad® rear integration Plus docking station offers an ergonomic and safe means of installing Apple® tablet PC models in the rear of the vehicle, whereby all their customary functions are maintained. First-class entertainment in the second row is also made possible by the Rear Seat Entertainment System, which comprises two 17.8 cm displays with integrated DVD player, USB and SD card slot, infrared headphones and infrared remote control.

Genuine individualisation with Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipment

Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipment is the label under which Mercedes-Benz offers a range of elegant yet sporty individualisation products. The following highlights have now been added to the range for the new E-Class:

The front-apron spoiler lip emphasises the vehicle's width and lends the front end an apparently lower centre of gravity. The spoiler lip is made of dimensionally stable polyurethane. The primed add-on part, which does not have to be registered in the vehicle documents, can be painted by your authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer in the colour of your choice and duly fitted.

The 5-twin-spoke wheel lends the new E-Class an elegantly sporty look, thanks to its matt black and high-sheen finish. The new wheel from Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipment is available in size 8.5 J x 19 ET 48 for the front axle and 9.5 J x 19 ET 48 for the rear axle.

An unusual night-time appearance is provided by the illuminated Mercedes star ^[2], available for vehicles with a centrally positioned star. Fibre-optic cables and LED lights illuminate the central star on the radiator grille when the car is locked and unlocked by remote control and when doors or the luggage compartment are opened.

Everything with you, wherever you go: Carrier systems and roof boxes

The large luggage compartments of the E-Class Saloon and Estate have traditionally made these vehicles a popular choice for families. Their transport capacities can be further increased with Genuine Accessories:

A collapsible rear-mounted cycle rack for the trailer coupling is available, for example, enabling the transportation of two or three bicycles. As a practical feature, an ingenious pull-out mechanism allows continued use of the luggage compartment. Those who prefer to transport items on the vehicle's roof can combine the Alustyle basic carrier (Saloon) or the Alustyle Easy-Fix II basic carrier bars (Estate) with the very light New Alustyle cycle rack, for example.

Genuine roof boxes by Mercedes-Benz are available in three sizes. The models with a capacity of 330, 400 and 450 litres can be opened from either side. The 3-bolt system on the lockable transport containers provides effective protection from would-be pilferers.

The Genuine Accessories for the new E-Class and the new Accessories catalogue are available from authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers now. Further information is available at www.mercedes-benz-accessories.com/e-class and www.mercedes-benz-accessories.com/e-class-movie.

Highest standards of quality and safety

The product range from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH meets the same stringent standards of quality and safety that Mercedes-Benz also demands of its vehicles. All products are subject to a meticulous preselection process, exhaustive approval procedures, regular checks and strict manufacturing tolerances. The internal standards applied by Mercedes-Benz are far more exacting than the statutory requirements.

[1] not in conjunction with SPLITVIEW

[2] available from the 3rd quarter of 2013

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: Available now from your authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer: Genuine accessories for the new E-Class

0 AUTO BILD Design Award 2013: The CLA is Germany's most beautiful car

A style rebel has been voted Germany's most beautiful car by readers of the motoring magazine AUTO BILD. The CLA came through in assured style as the overall winner among all automotive new arrivals.

In addition, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class was voted the winner of the beauty stakes in its own particular category. In honouring Mercedes-Benz with the AUTO BILD Design Award 2013, the jury of readers acknowledged the brand's innovative styling, which confidently sets bold and intelligent new design trends in all categories.

"Beauty triumphant" – was this year once again the motto of the AUTO BILD Design Award. More than 90,000 readers heeded the call from the motoring magazine to vote for the winners among the year's automotive new arrivals in five categories. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class took first place in the executive and luxury category, while among the coupés and cabriolets it was the Mercedes-Benz CLA which won. This new four-door coupé was also easily the highest-scoring winner across all categories, so earning it the accolade as Germany's most beautiful car. The result means that this is the fifth time in a row that the overall winner of this prestigious beauty contest has come from Mercedes-Benz.

The four-door Mercedes-Benz CLA secured the AUTO BILD Design Award 2013 for itself based on the avant-garde coupé styling that defines it as a style rebel and makes it stand out from the automotive crowd. Sporty proportions, allied to a powerful and dynamic design idiom characterised by a dramatic interplay between concave and convex surfaces, make the CLA unmistakable. Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz designers have achieved the art of giving the CLA a stunning and sophisticated body that delivers immediate impact, and of combining this with the best aerodynamic performance in the world for a series-production model – beauty that is so much more than skin-deep.

The interior of the CLA matches the progressive and sporty appearance of its exterior.

With its significantly sharpened styling, redesigned front end and overall air of sporty elegance, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class also brings a breath of fresh air onto the scene, so earning it the AUTO BILD Design Award 2013 in the executive and luxury category.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: AUTO BILD Design Award 2013: The CLA is Germany's most beautiful car