Attacking with Luxury Cars

Currently, Mercedes-Benz is engaged in a "luxury offensive." In other words, their strategy is to launch a series of luxury cars to challenge rival manufacturers. The centerpiece of this is thenewly announcedin Japan,new S-Classbut at the Frankfurt Show, a concept car corresponding to a variation of it was immediately unveiled.Frankfurt ShowThe "Concept S-Class Coupe" is, as its name suggests, a two-door coupe version of the new S-Class, and is considered the successor to the


"Concept S-Class Coupe" which is considered the successor to the "CL-Class". Its most significant feature is its flowing and beautiful styling. The window graphic, which lacks a B-pillar, is composed of smooth curves like aerodynamically refined airfoil sections.

The "Concept S-Class Coupe" with its flowing and beautiful styling, lacking a B-pillar.

Mercedes-Benz Concept S-Class Coupe | Mercedes-Benz Concept S-Class Coupe

Although the cabin appears very compact due to this, the roof itself extends horizontally towards the rear passengers' heads, so it seems unlikely that headroom will be extremely limited even in the coupe body.


Furthermore, the bonnet is extended with an "inverted slant" shape for the front grille, where the upper part protrudes forward and the lower part recedes backward, achieving visual balance when viewed from the side. This is a well-proportioned design, characteristic of works by Chief Designer Gorden Wagener.

The Third "S-Class Hybrid" Model

In addition to this, Mercedes unveiled three other S-Class models. One is the "S 500 Intelligent Drive." This is a concept car that further evolved the Distronic Plus (with steering assist)搭載 in the new S-Class, enabling autonomous driving on city and suburban roads.


To demonstrate its capabilities, an experiment was conducted to drive approximately 100 km autonomously, the same route that Bertha Benz, wife of Karl Benz, drove 125 years ago to prove the feasibility of long-distance automobile travel. The result was that the "driver" on board for safety precautions did not need to intervene at all, reaching the destination.

Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-in Hybrid | Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-in Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG | Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG

"S 500 Plug-in Hybrid" is the third "S-Class Hybrid" model, following the "S 400 Hybrid" and "S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid" already announced in Europe. The powertrain combines a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine with a maximum output of 333 ps and an electric motor producing 80 kW. With a fully charged battery, it can travel 30 km in EV mode, and its EU-standard fuel economy is announced as 3.0 L/100 km, or 33.3 km/L.

Finally, they announced the most powerful S-Class model to date, theS 63 AMG". Its 5.5-liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivers 585 ps and 900 Nm. The fuel economy is 10.1-10.3 L/100 km, approaching the 10 km/L mark. CO2 emissions are 237-242 g.


While we've been discussing the S-Class, the very first vehicle introduced at their press conference was the compact SUV, theGLA". Its base is the latest "A-Class", but the two character lines on the side of the body follow the design of the A-Class-based four-door coupe, theCLA".

Mercedes-Benz GLA Class | Mercedes-Benz GLA Class

Supported by strong demand for premium cars, Mercedes-Benz expects to achieve its sales target of 1.4 million units this fiscal year. "The best era for Daimler is yet to come." These words from Chairman Zetsche at the end of the press conference were particularly impressive.