Beijing, January 12, 2010 – When the North American International Auto Show 2010 in Detroit opened its doors to the world today, leading luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz dazzled the show with an eye-catching display of more than 20 models, including the much-anticipated world premiere of the new E-Class Cabriolet. This four-seater, year-round cabriolet completes the successful E-Class family and presents a world first AIRCAP® wind deflector, which considerably reduces air turbulence when the top is down. Another highlight on the Mercedes stand is an automobile sculpture that uses a stunning approach to communicate the notion of the car as a new art form, and offers a glimpse of the future Mercedes design language. The stars of Detroit also included the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, as well as the ML 450 HYBRID and the globally successful S 400 HYBRID, which set benchmarks for efficiency in their segments and demonstrate the brand’s expertise in hybrid technology.

"The new E-Class Cabriolet offers unique driving pleasure for four people and I am certain that it will further strengthen our successful E-Class family, plus deliver even more emotional momentum to the brand," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars at the Mercedes-Benz press conference. "It is our stated objective to continue to expand the leading position held by Mercedes-Benz in the luxury segment – with new, stunning models and intelligent solutions for sustainable mobility that we have in the pipeline and will bring to market in quick succession."

True to the motto of "four seasons, four people", the new Cabriolet combines comfort, elegance and year-round usability. In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the SL model series. Now Mercedes-Benz once again demonstrates its groundbreaking technological innovation with the world's first AIRCAP automatic draught-stop. At the touch of a button, this new feature in the E-Class Cabriolet greatly reduces turbulence and interior noise level, thus significantly enhancing riding comfort. Compared to conventional draught-stops, the new AIRCAP is much easier to implement, allowing the two individual rear seats to remain free and the flowing side lines of the vehicle to remain uninterrupted. Moreover, the new AIRCAP exemplifies the functionality, comfort, elegance, and safety of classic Mercedes innovation, while ensuring the E-Class Cabriolet is a delight to drive in any occasion.

Another advanced feature that epitomizes the idea of "four seasons, four personalities" and makes open-top driving a highly pleasurable experience year-round is the upgraded AIRSCARF neck-level heating system. This unique innovation has been specifically modified for the E-Class Cabriolet, with a wheel that pivots the outlet nozzle by 36 degrees over and above the head restraint height adjustment, thus allowing the driver and front passenger to enjoy this unique neck-level heating regardless of their size.

Moreover, thanks to its acoustic fabric soft top as standard, the E-Class Cabriolet offers one of the most peaceful interiors of its segment. The soft top's exceptionally high-quality insulation absorbs and reduces external noise, such as by other vehicles and wind, allowing for an extraordinarily quiet drive. It also boasts waterproof and windproof features, giving it an outstanding level of durability. Furthermore, at 23.5 millimeters thick, this fabric soft top offers excellent thermal insulation, making the new E-Class Cabriolet ideal for winter driving.

Like all E-Class models, the Cabriolet also offers an outstanding level of safety.
Standard equipment includes the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, PRE-SAFE® predictive occupant protection, the intelligent light system and numerous other features. The newest member of the E-Class family also offers a wealth of safety innovations for which Mercedes-Benz is renowned. The E-Class Cabriolet is the first Mercedes-Benz cabriolet to feature headbags, which optimize the level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body. Other safety highlights include roll-over protection, which consists of two robust bars housed in the rear head restraints that quickly and precisely detect imminent danger to occupants based on extreme movements or acceleration. In combination with reinforced A-pillars and plug-in B-pillars, the new E-Class Cabriolet continuously offers the most effective protection in the event of a crash.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales & Marketing said, "Our E-Class Sedan is already the global best-selling vehicle in its segment. I am certain that the new Cabriolet will further strengthen this positive trend."

The new SLS AMG is already bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing even faster, representing development expertise and heritage of the highest order. This most alluring sports car of all time is nothing short of a masterpiece with its purist design, lightweight construction and outstanding handling. Additionally, the new SLS AMG reinterprets the breathtaking lines of the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – one of the great design icons of the three-pointed star. Its gullwing doors, hallmark wide radiator grille and wing-shaped cross fins also rekindle memories of the sports car legend.

Beyond its stunning design, SLS AMG also boasts an unparalleled dynamic performance. Its 6.3-liter V8 engine produces a powerful output of up to 420 kW and a maximum torque of 650 Nm, while a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and lightweight aluminum space frame body guarantee driving dynamics of the highest order. Meanwhile, this super sports car is capable of reaching a top speed of a staggering 317 km/h, and accelerates from zero to 100 km in a mere 3.8 – all thanks to its unrivalled technology package.

Beyond these new models, Mercedes-Benz also presented Detroit with a beautifully executed automobile sculpture, embodying a creative fusion from its five international design studios in Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan and China. The shimmering and flowing sculpture represented a vehicle body in a sophisticated and sensuous manner, evoking the idea that automobiles are not only exclusive creations, but car design also happens to be the newest form of art. Moreover, with its contoured surfaces and sharp lines, the sculpture subtly hinted at the designs of many future Mercedes-Benz products to come. Akin to this special work of art, all Mercedes-Benz models, including the new E-Class Cabriolet and SLS AMG, reflect the classic but striking elements of the three-pointed star's design philosophy, exquisitely combining dramatic details with endless harmony, style and passion.