STUTTGART - Mercedes-Benz will pave the way for a new vehicle category when it unveils the Vision Grand Sports Tourer - a new take on the groundbreaking touring saloon concept - at the North American International Auto show this January. Series production development of this Mercedes model has already reached an extremely advanced stage. "The new Vision Grand Sports Tourer from Mercedes-Benz is a highly appealing and versatile touring car that offers space, comfort and power. This latest trend-setter will enable us to gain a firm foothold in what is a new and exciting market segment in early 2005. We believe that the concept offers enormous potential for the launch of a new Mercedes model family," said Professor Jrgen Hubbert, member of the DaimlerChrysler AG Board of Management and head of the Mercedes Car Group.

Thanks to its intelligent use of space, the Mercedes concept offers first-class comfort for up to six occupants. Featuring comfortable individual seats and high-grade appointments, the luxurious interior has everything it takes to ensure exemplary driving enjoyment whilst touring. Further innovative features of the Vision Grand Sports Tourer include a newly developed diesel hybrid powerplant which develops 234kW.

First unveiled by Mercedes-Benz in 2002, the Grand Sports Tourer idea combines the best features of familiar vehicle concepts such as the touring saloon, van, estate and Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to create a new and unique entity. This Mercedes concept thus offers comfort, space and practicality as well as meeting extremely high standards in terms of performance and driving dynamics. It also provides outstanding long-distance comfort. In other words, it is an all-new interpretation of the "touring car".

Mercedes-Benz created this concept in response to the desire among modern-day drivers for a versatile car which, as well as being ideal for the family, recreation, travel and work, also features elegant design and the leading-edge technology for which the brand is renowned. The concept of the Grand Sports Tourer is the result of intensive dialogue between the Stuttgart-based manufacturer and customers from all around the world. These discussions form the basis of new and exciting vehicle concepts such as the Vision Grand Sports Tourer and the recently unveiled Vision CLS.