From heart-stopping passenger cars to innovative commercial vehicles, Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is showcasing and demonstrating a number of its exciting and environmentally friendly products, at the annual NAMPO Harvest Day. Themed “Conserve tomorrow, act today”, the annual exhibition will take place in Bothaville in the Free State from 15 – 18 May 2012. It will attract exhibitors, agriculturists and farmers who are serious about conservation for the future, whilst fulfilling the important responsibility of feeding the nation and beyond.
NAMPO has a proud heritage spanning more than forty years with a record of over 73 000 visitors through the gates in 2011. Combined local and international exhibitors will account for more than 670 static and mechanization exhibitor stands, together with the all-important livestock section.
MBSA regards NAMPO as the perfect environment to showcase its range of products that are ideally suited to servicing and maintaining this industry. The theme of this year’s show is a perfect fit with MBSA’s commitment to offering innovative products that are also well suited to the agricultural sector.
As the infrastructure at NAMPO is conducive to more than exhibiting of product, there will be numerous opportunities for demonstrations of advanced technology, networking and information sharing around these innovative offerings.
Commercial vehicles
- One stop shopping from MBSA commercial vehicles
The success of a transport operator requires the services of a number of value-added products to fulfil specific requirements. Mercedes-Benz South Africa have on offer such offerings, including after-sales and service support, finance and insurance, special leasing packages including CharterWay, FleetBoard vehicle tracking and TruckStore the professional used-commercial vehicle shop.
A number of special campaigns featuring these value-added products are on offer for the duration of the show. The Mercedes-Benz stand has specifically designed booths to attract potential customers and these will be manned by professional and dedicated product personnel to give relevant information for individual requirements.
From the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle stable, the trucks on display include models from the mighty Actros range, featuring fuel enhancing measures and safety features as standard to the modern ergonomically designed cabs.
The Actros 1860 LS/36 4 x 2 BlueTEC model features the internationally proven Euro 5 engine with the emission reducing technology BlueTEC. This is a prime example of modern diesel technology – clean and efficient. Several local operators seeking a solution for greener transportation are operating with Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC models.
Also on display are the Atego and Axor ranges, which continue a long-established legacy of Mercedes-Benz trucks that bring unprecedented comfort and functionality to distribution operations, including the agricultural sector.
A real show-stopper is the legendary UNIMOG U 5000, which will enthral show-goers of all ages. For over 60 years the UNIMOG has been setting standards with its economic efficiency and unique vehicle concept. With its unique flexible chassis design, which is at the heart of the uncompromising all-terrain capabilities of the UNIMOG, traversing difficult terrain is effortless. This ‘go-anywhere’ UNIMOG will have farmers and entrepreneurs wanting to go places where no other vehicle can take them.
Mercedes-Benz Vans consistently invests in new products and technologies and therefore enhanced its product range. The latest generation Viano and Vito range have been thrilling customers for a number of years. These models are equipped with BlueEFFICIENCY technology that meets the highest standards of efficiency, fuel economy, and environmental friendliness. BlueEFFICIENCY technology features integrated optimisation measures which significantly reduces fuel emissions. The new generation Vito is also the first Mercedes-Benz Van in South Africa with START/STOP technology further enhancing fuel savings.
The luxurious Viano 3,0 CDI AVANTGARDE model demonstrates the ultra-luxury and finesse of a premium people carrier. The Vito range from the Vito 116 CDI panel van to the Vito 122 CDI Shuttle and Vito 116 CDI CrewCab SPORT showcases the versatility and practicality of the Vito range.
A sure crowd-puller is the recently introduced new-generation Freightliner Argosy. This American cab-over-engine truck brings the latest state-of-the-art engineering and technology to South African shores. Freightliner trucks have a special appeal to the farming community and the Argosy is no stranger to the highways and byways delivering the necessary goods. This star-studded attraction will have patrons lining up to have a first-hand experience.
With numerous heavy-duty Western Star breakdown trucks working hard on the roads, the division has brought a wrecker to demonstrate how a break-down truck is faced with many an extraordinary task. The breakdown truck needs to reliably pull its own weight, plus that of the broken down vehicle, cope with the prevailing conditions and then still cross a weighbridge without the axles of the break-down truck being overloaded.
Western Star has really come to the fore in this application because these break-down trucks are built with a one-piece heavy-duty chassis required to take the load in break-down truck applications.
The Asian trucks in the Mercedes-Benz stable form part of the FUSO truck range. These heavy and extra-heavy vehicles work in harmony with the environment. Mated to Euro 2 engines that are standard in the range, these cleaner diesel engines not only offer low fuel consumption, but also reduced noise pollution. The range is equipped with modern cabs that offer enhancements in driver comfort and ergonomics.
The FUSO FV extra heavy truck has also undergone an upgrade in the engine department, and is now offered with a 350 and 420 hp variant. Air conditioning is now a standard feature on these models.
Visitors to the Mercedes-Benz South Africa commercial vehicles stand will truly have a one-stop-shopping experience.
Passenger Cars
- Pioneering Zero Emission Mobility
As a leader in many of the vehicle market segments, and as a local manufacturer for more than 58 years, Mercedes-Benz South Africa continues to give the South African motoring public an amazing array of world-class mobility options. On show are exciting and technologically advanced vehicles; as well as innovative finance, insurance and fleet options.
A definite highlight at the Mercedes-Benz stand at Nampo this year is the high-performance, heart-stopping Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster – a ‘masterpiece’ – putting out a massive 420 kW at 6 800 r/min, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 3.8 seconds, and reaching a top speed of 317 km/h (electronically limited). This super sports car thrills with a perfect synthesis of open-top driving pleasure, outstanding driving dynamics and systematic lightweight construction. The overall visual appearance of the new two-seater is marked by its purist design.
One of the latest additions to the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range is the new B-Class. Substantially more agile and efficient, but as comfortable and spacious as ever, the new B-Class is a winner on all fronts. The vehicle’s lower height and more upright seat position provide for a first impression that hints at the compact sports tourer’s dynamic credentials.
The B-Class is the hero car for the show and heralds a new compact class era at Mercedes-Benz in terms of both design and technology. The entire drive programme is completely new: four-cylinder diesel engine with direct injection and turbocharging, dual clutch transmission and manual transmission. Several new assistance systems support the driver.
The most successful Mercedes-Benz in the brand’s history is the C-Class, which has sold over 8.5 million sedans and estates since its original introduction in 1982.
Diesel engines form an important part of Mercedes-Benz’s product portfolio, including the C-Class range. These engines achieve the most advanced fuel consumption savings and allows for the exploration of new avenues with regards to the impact on the environment. In terms of customer benefits, the best in longevity and fuels saving is received. This is affirmed by the recent “World Green Car of the Year” award for the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY.
The C 350 CDI on display features common-rail direct injection offering maximum torque and smoothness of operation with frugal fuel consumption.
The new four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel generation in the E 250 CDI can briefly be summed up as follows: greater power, greater economy, greater cleanliness. This power unit really does charter territory from which diesel engines – and four-cylinder units particularly so – have previously been excluded. It redefines standards for power output and torque on the one hand and for fuel consumption and exhaust emissions on the other, setting benchmark figures at first production.
For the sportier driver, the C 63 AMG Coupé is a high-performance car that appeals to all the senses: unmistakable design is teamed up with a high-performance drive system and dynamic handling. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine in the C 63 AMG Coupé has a maximum output of 336 kW and peak torque of 600 Nm, delivering powerful traction and first-class performance figures: the Coupé accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).
The new S 350 BlueTEC which is now available from Mercedes-Benz is the most efficient and safest S-Class ever. Thanks to AdBlue® emission control it also offers one of the cleanest diesel models in the world. With combined fuel consumption of just 6.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres (NEDC) – corresponding to CO2 emissions of 177 gm/km – the new diesel model is more economical than any competitor. The power output of this efficient engine is 190 kW, with an impressive torque of 620 Nm.
The legendary G-Class will lure show-goers to the stand and then on to the 4×4 track for an experience of a lifetime. The G-Class range sets the pace where handling safety and comfort are concerned. The Electronic Stability Program ESP® has a modified, highly efficient control unit. Its integrated lateral acceleration control allows the more precise recognition of extremely dynamic driving manoeuvres to optimise the stability of the vehicle.
The G-Class brings to market the best in off-road capability, without compromising its phenomenal heritage and lasting reliability.
MBSA has a diverse stable of vehicles that are guaranteed to pique the interest of the most discerning customer. Whether it be the farmer looking for a truck to take care of the business end of his farming activities or a luxury car to transport his family, to the ideal all-purpose vehicle to take on his next camping holiday – MBSA has a brand to match his needs.
