While many of the world’s auto shows are struggling to keep long-time exhibitors at their events, it appears Mercedes-Benz – which didn’t participate in this year’s NAIAS – will ensure the Geneva Motor Show keeps at least one automaker on the show floor.
At the 89th Geneva Motor Show, the company will present the new CLA Shooting Brake and, for the first time, the Concept EQV and the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC. In addition, Mercedes will take the covers off its Formula E showcar, the smart forease+ and the new V-Class.
The big product story is the world premiere of the CLA Shooting Brake. It’s a “design counterpart” to the CLA Coupé. The shooting break’s exterior borrows from the coupe’s contoured and muscular rear haunches for its rear storage space.
The Shooting Brake’s interior is a bit of a departure, described as “a cool and stylish user interface for intelligent digital technology.” Naturally, it’s loaded with the newest in driver safety technology as well as state-of-the-art infotainment borrowed from the S-Class.
(And another one bites the dust: farewell Mercedes SLC. Click Here for the story.)
The new GLC makes its world debut at the show as well. The new SUV continues Mercedes’ tradition of building true off-roaders that offer plenty of space and comfort. The new look is wider and more athletic while the interior makes use of the latest in gesture controls for the infotainment system as well as offering advanced driver assistance systems.
The Concept EQV is Mercedes first electrified multi-purpose vehicle. Running solely as a battery-electric, it combines locally emission-free mobility with impressive performance, maximum functionality and aesthetic design, Mercedes notes.
The V-Class is celebrating its show debut at the Geneva Motor Show after making its world premiere last month. The new model gets a major revision to its front end as well as a new four-cylinder diesel option.
(Click Here for more about Mercedes leading in U.S. luxury car sales.)
Two further world premieres in Geneva provide an outlook on the future: The Formula E showcar represents the entry of the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E team into the ABB FIA Formula E Championship from the 2019/20 season onwards. This series is the ideal platform to demonstrate the high performance of battery-electric vehicles under the technology brand EQ.
With the smart forease+, the smart brand is not only presenting a trailblazing designer showcar, but also the latest developments in “ready to” services as a pioneer in comprehensive mobility services. More than eight services such as private carsharing or package deliveries directly into the vehicle make urban living easier, and operation is childsplay with the new user guidance system.
There are also three other models from Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG on display in Geneva: the SL 500 Grand Edition, the SLC 300 Final Edition in exclusive sun yellow and the S 65 Final Edition, which crowns and brings to an end the long success story of the 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine in the S-Class Saloon.
(Debut of EQC launches Mercedes into long-range, all-electric market. To check it out, Click Here.)
The German automaker isn’t abandoning the sports car market entirely. It’s been rolling out more versions of the Mercedes-AMG GT in recent months and, for roadster aficionados, there’s a new Grand Edition that adds even more high-line touches to the familiar SL line.
