International Motor Show in Paris: Professor Jürgen Hubbert presents two studies of the new Mercedes-Benz Sports Tourer concept
At the International Motor Show in Paris, Professor Jürgen Hubbert, member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and head of the Mercedes Car Group, presented to the public two new studies for a vehicle family of the future: the brand-new Compact Sports Tourer "Vision B" and the European version of the Grand Sports Tourer "Vision R". "The Mercedes-Benz Sports Tourers meet people's requirements for cars with an exciting design and convincing practicality which are suitable for family, leisure and professional use in equal measure. Both of these concepts provide that versatility," said Professor Hubbert in Paris, summarising the key characteristics of the two cars in his final speech as head of the Mercedes Car Group. He is to be succeeded in that capacity by Dr Eckhard Cordes from October 2004.
The Sports Tourer concept from Mercedes-Benz combines the advantages of a dynamic and luxurious saloon car with those of a spacious estate car or van and with those of a flexible sport utility vehicle. In the words of Professor Hubbert: "The Sports Tourers break with traditional categories, offering the people of today a whole new outlook on individual mobility."
In the Grand Sports Tourer "Vision R" the driver and passengers enjoy generous spaciousness coupled with the luxurious comfort of an upper-category saloon car. All-wheel drive, air suspension plus a new, powerful six-cylinder diesel engine with a particulate filter system and an output of 160 kW/ 218 hp together ensure dynamic driving enjoyment.
Despite its compact dimensions, the highly intelligent design concept of the Compact Sports Tourer "Vision B" means that it provides the same amounts of comfort and space as cars far larger than itself. At the same time, its four-cylinder diesel engine, which is also new and which develops 103 kW/140 hp, gives the car sporty performance while still returning excellent fuel economy.