Michael Bock, General Manager of the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic has reported that around 722,000 people visited the Mercedes-Benz Museum in 2012. Of this number, around 30 percent were visitors from 170 other countries. In recent years the number of international visitors has steadily increased: while only 15% of visitors in 2009 came from other countries, this figure has now more than doubled to 35%. More than that, Herr Bock says that around 4.9 million people have passed through the doors of the museum since it opened its doors in 2011.
Part of the increase in 2012 could be attributed to Mercedes' celebration of 60 years for the Mercedes SL. During this period, the museum exhibited the full model series spanning six decades in the same room for the first time. This exhibition was attended by over 200,000 enthusiastic visitors during its course, where the legendary SL sports car was prominently displayed. Mr. Bock further adds that “The Mercedes-Benz Museum has long been a fixture for German tourists. In an international survey by the German Centre for Tourism, the Mercedes-Benz Museum was the only automobile museum to be voted amongst the Top 50 tourist attractions in Germany.”
In 2013, the Mercedes-Benz Museum will be holding its first Star Nights in the New Year from 26 February to 10 March 2013 � with top-chefs Mario Corti of Restaurant Luce d’Oro at Schloss Elmau and Derry Clarke, chef-de-cuisine at the Dublin gourmet restaurant l’Ecrivain showcasing their skills. Says Mr. Bock, “Coinciding with the market launch of the new S-Class, we will be illustrating the long history of this model series with a special exhibition from 4 June to 22 September 2013. For decades the flagship Mercedes-Benz model has set standards for the brand in terms of luxury, comfort and safety. And with the Week of Helpers (25 to 30 June 2013), one of the many highlights for the coming Museum summer in 2013 is already scheduled.”
Slated for public scrutiny at the next Geneva Motor Show, the new W205 C-Class looks to be a larger car, based on the latest details available from Mercedes-Benz. At 4.7 meters long, it will be 100 mm longer, with 80 mm of that extra length going into the wheelbase itself. In addition, the W205 will be wider at 1.8 meters, which will translate to significantly more interior room. Almost like a small E-Class?
Concurrent with the physical makeover is the replacement of the front suspension to a dual-wishbone layout, the better to tune the handling of the M-battling AMG variants that are sure to follow. At the rear, Mercedes will retain a multilink setup, albeit significantly revised. One of the first models to use the new MRA platform, the 2014 C-Class will weigh in at less than 1,400 kilos, at least for the entry-level C160. In terms of powerplants, Mercedes will be mounting the engines longitudinally, instead of the transverse layout found on its CLA platform vehicles. Engine range will start with a 184 horsepower gasoline turbo four up to a range topping V6 with twin turbos and 330 horsepower. Diesel options will come in four flavors, from the 2.1-liter 120 hp turbodiesel to one with 220 horsepower. All these engines will be mated to one of two transmissions – a manual 6-speed and a 7-speed automatic. A 9-speed is reportedly in development, as is an electric hybrid which will make its appearance a couple of years down the line.
Of course, what Mercedes enthusiasts will really be interested in are the AMG variants, which would be thumping turbocharged V8s. 400-500 horsepower wouldn't be unreasonable expectations, and a 4Matic drivetrain is a very real possibility.
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