Beijing, November 6, 2009 – The paradigm of SUV design for the past three decades now shines even brighter as Mercedes-Benz(China)Ltd. today officially announced the launch of the newest member of the iconic G-Class, the all-new G 500, exclusively priced at RMB 1,698,000. The G 500 preserves the classic design of the timeless G-Class while shining as its newest off-road family member in China. This new model will appeal even more to customers in China who have a passion for life, taste for luxury and thirst for adventure, making it an ideal choice for the country's top elites. Befittingly, the artistic splendor of the new G 500 was specially displayed at the prestigious 'Art Beijing 2009 - Fine Art Fair'. As the strategic partner of this expo the Mercedes-Benz involvement hereby is a clear testament to the extensive support for art and culture. Here, the magnificence of the G 500 complemented other outstanding works of art as it undoubtedly made the three-pointed star shine even brighter.

Since powering into the global market in 1979, the G-Class has already witnessed thirty years of extraordinary success worldwide, setting the SUV standard as the undisputed benchmark in the world. A natural surface and simple straight lines impart a distinctive style to the G-Class family. Featuring pure practicality and the pinnacle of architectural design, the simple yet impressively strong visual impact makes the G 500 design everlasting and timeless. The G 500 is highlighted by a subtly remodeled look that includes 18-inch light-alloy wheels and a three-louver radiator grille, as well as a stylish "V8" insignia emblazoned on both sides of the body – all of which distinguish the G 500 as a brilliant work of art among all off-road vehicles.

The strong exterior design of the G 500 is complemented by a magnificent interior style that seamlessly presents the essence of utility, luxury and timelessness, displaying facets that are charming yet practical. The classic look is highlighted by standard interior touches that include exquisite designo leather upholstery paired with a luxurious walnut trim finish. The model also features the COMAND APS infotainment system with a built-in six-disc DVD changer, navigation and telephone operations, as well as a reversing camera as standard for added convenience. Additionally, the new LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system now recognizes whole-word commands and no longer requires advance set-up, while heated front and rear seats further ensure unprecedented levels of comfort.

Beyond its resilient and elegant design, the G 500 comes equipped with a 5.5-liter V8 engine capable of producing a powerful output of up to 285 kW and maximum torque of 530 Nm. This 2.2-ton off-road masterpiece is effortless in its strong performance, reaching a top speed of 210 km/h and accelerating from zero to 100 km/hr in a mere 6.1 seconds. Moreover, the 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission ensures the engine works with the highest efficiency and allows the driver to choose the optimal gear ratio in any condition, which helps reduce fuel consumption and makes for a much more comfortable driving and riding experience.

As a top luxury SUV, the G 500 is not only aesthetically stunning, but also exhibits an outstanding ability to adapt to all road conditions. The control units of its key off-road features – including the ladder frame chassis, rigid axles, driver-selectable differential locks, low range gear selection, and permanent four-wheel-drive – are all flawlessly integrated into a convenient user-friendly control panel. Through this, the model is able to reach the highest level of roadability and create the most superior driving dynamics. Furthermore, the incredible off-road aptitude and reliability of the G 500 allows the model to lessen gradients of up to 80% and a fording depth of 0.5 m, and thus fully meet the unique needs of off-road enthusiasts.

The G 500 also offers the most advanced and comprehensive Mercedes-Benz active and passive safety elements, allowing drivers to effortlessly handle even the toughest of terrains and weather conditions. The re-circulating ball steering makes for first-class handling dynamics, enabling the driver to maintain control of the vehicle while evading obstacles. The four-wheel Electronic Traction System (4ETS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) provide timely and highly efficient safety assistance, while the Brake Assist (BAS) can identify difficult braking conditions and actively provide brake assistance for the driver.

As the creator of the world's first automobile, Mercedes-Benz has long been recognized for its artistically striking and ever popular automotive artworks for the past 120 years, as well as its long-term support to artists and their work throughout the world. The presence of the new G 500 at the unique and distinctively influential Art Beijing not only further illustrates Mercedes-Benz's dedication to Chinese culture and arts, but also demonstrates the three-pointed star's long-term commitment to the China market.