Another two exhibits in Essen will represent the present and the future of automotive engineering. The concept car - the Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car (more) – was presented in 2005. It features outstanding aerodynamic efficiency with its characteristic bodywork shape modelled on the tropical boxfish. In combination with BLUETEC, the world’s cleanest diesel technology, excellent fuel economy can be achieved. With the Bionic Car, the inventor of the automobile casts a glance into the future. And with the Mercedes-Benz R-Class (more), the future appears to have arrived in the present time already – a novel, unique car concept which underlines the brand’s pioneering role. The R-Class offers space for up to six people in a luxurious ambience.

The new Mercedes-Benz Museum will be inaugurated on 19th May, 2006. From 20th May, visitors will be able to go on a journey through time in the new museum – through 120 years of automotive history: 163 vehicles will be displayed on nine levels with a total area of 16,500 square metres. For the first time, over 100 years of corporate commercial vehicle history will also be on show.

The trade fair stand at the Techno Classica will be designed in the style of the new Mercedes-Benz Museum. The latter stands for the cultivation of the brand’s tradition, but it is also much more than just a new home for 120 years of automotive history: The Mercedes-Benz Museum is committed to the customers, the company’s staff and the public. It is this history that moves what is displayed in the museum – in the literal as well as figurative sense.

The new Mercedes-Benz Museum has been developed in much the same way as a new automobile. A virtual model generated with computer assistance in the early stages, it is now ready for its first test run after less than three years of construction work. In the development of the concept, all involved had to break new ground, and the concept’s unique character suggests just one comparison: The new Mercedes-Benz Museum will be the S-Class among the world’s museums and will represent the brand and its values. It will communicate these values to people from all over the world. And it will set new standards in every respect – just like the S-Class from Mercedes-Benz.

Located right next to the traditional DaimlerChrysler plant in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, the new Mercedes-Benz Museum reaches out to all employees who worked, are – and will be – working for the company, giving them the promise of continuity. The new Mercedes-Benz Museum is designed as a landmark that symbolises the responsibility 120 years of automotive tradition holds for the future. Based based on the continuous innovative drive of the Mercedes-Benz brand, innovations being milestones on the way into the future. Examples of this will be provided by the exhibits at the Techno Classica.

The architecture of the new Mercedes-Benz Museum is equally committed to the originality concept of the Mercedes-Benz brand, namely to develop completely new things for people’s mobility time and a gain – from the invention of the automobile through to the ground-breaking vision of accident-free driving. The double helix inside the building reflects the genetic make-up of the Mercedes-Benz brand and its tradition.

The first museum of Daimler-Benz AG was opened in 1936 and comprehensively redesigned in 1961. It was generously extended in 1986, in time for the 100th anniversary of the automobile. And it has always been a mirror of the brand, allowing customers, employees and the public at large to gain an in-depth insight into the workings of the brand. The new museum will remain a role model and a standard for the cultivation of automotive tradition – see for yourself from 20th May, 2006.

Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car

Morgan 4-seater Returns
4th April, 2006
The new Morgan 4-seater models that made their debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006 are now available for sale in Australia ..... more

Auto Union Type C For Techno Classica 2006
4th April, 2006
The 'Techno Classica' international classic car exhibition in Essen will host Audi Tradition's stunning Auto Union Type C racing car from 1936 ..... more

World Premiere Of All-New Suzuki XL-7
4th April, 2006
The New York Motor Show (NYIAS) is the venue for the global debut of Suzuki's next head-turning vehicle, the all-new 3.6 litre V6 XL-7 ..... more

New V6-powered Outlander for NY Motor Show
3rd April, 2006
The North American Mitsubishi Outlander will be powered by a new high performance 3-litre V6 MIVEC engine to deliver outstanding acceleration and high-speed cruising performance ..... more

Holden Unleashes Thunder Ute and Crewman
30th March, 2006
Holden’s ever-popular light commercial range now features special edition “Thunder” models for Ute and Crewman ..... more

UK's Range Rover Sport HST
29th March, 2006
The Range Rover Sport, the most dynamic Land Rover ever, now gets an even more exciting look of the new flagship, Supercharged 'HST' specification ..... more

Commodore SVZ Special Edition
27th March, 2006
Australia’s favourite car will be stacked with $6,000 extra value and a sportier edge with the new Commodore SVZ special edition sedan and wagon ..... more

Corvette Racing Wins Class In Sebring 12-Hour
26th March, 2006
Corvette Racing celebrated Corvette's 50th anniversary in international road racing with a splendid GT1 class victory in the Twelve Hours of Sebring, held in Florida last Sunday ..... more

Mitsubishi Enhances The Express Van
26th March, 2006
Australian trades and delivery people have regarded the purposeful and reliable Express Van as one of their favourites for many years, and this light commercial vehicle will continue winning customers as Mitsubishi releases its upgraded SJ Express Van ..... more

New Corsa To Debut At London Show
23rd March, 2006
Vauxhall yesterday announced that the all-new Corsa will make its world debut at the British International Motor Show in July ..... more

Mazda to Sell NR-A Model Roadster in Japan
23rd March, 2006
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it will release the NR-A version Mazda Roadster for sale at its Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan in early April 2006 ..... more

Audi's Countdown To 2006 DTM Season
22nd March, 2006
The countdown has begun to the launch of the 2006 DTM season. The first race will be held at Hockenheim on 9th April, 2006 ..... more

Aston Martin 2nd & 3rd in Sebring Thriller
21st March, 2006
The Aston Martin Racing team finished the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race in second and third place after a thrilling finale in the GT1 competition ..... more

Audi Wins With Diesel At Sebring 12-Hour
20th March, 2006
The Audi R10 TDI has written motor sport history, winning the 12-hour race at Sebring, USA over the weekend ..... more

Nissan Develops Distance Control Assist System
19th March, 2006
In its ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety, Nissan has announced the development of Distance Control Assist System, an electronic system that helps drivers control the distance between themselves and the vehicle in front ..... more

Zetec Arrives To Complete New Fiesta Line-Up
16th March, 2006
Ford Australia's new 2006 Fiesta range is now complete, following the addition of the sporty Zetec models to the line-up ..... more

Australia's Cadillacs For 2007
15th March, 2006
Cadillac, the luxury car division of America's General Motors Corporation, is expanding the availability of right-hand drive models, hence putting Australia on their 'radar' ..... more

ForMotion Sees An Increase In VW’s Earnings
15th March, 2006
The Volkswagen Group significantly increased its earnings last year thanks to the ForMotion programme and a comprehensive new model initiative ..... more

Land Rover 2006 Heritage Weekend
15th March, 2006
The annual Heritage Land Rover Weekend will take place during the British May Day Bank Holiday weekend, at the Heritage Motor Centre ..... more

Saab Concept Named Geneva "Best of Show"
15th March, 2006
The Saab Aero X concept car, which made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, has been named “Best of Show” by the editors of AutoWeek Magazine ..... more

Ford Adds Fuel To The Energy Debate
14th March, 2006
Calling on American lawmakers to "act with urgency," a Ford executive has told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that policies are needed to support an aggressive, integrated approach by industry and government ..... more

The Passat is Europe’s Number One
14th March, 2006
The Passat has won what is one of Europe’s most prestigious and important readers’ polls, in which over 40 million readers of 24 European magazines published by the AutoBild Group took part ..... more

Land Rover's E-terrain Technology Concept
13th March, 2006
Land Rover is showcasing innovative technologies – collectively known as the e-Terrain System – that reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while also improving the outstanding breadth of capability of Land Rover’s 4x4 vehicles ..... more

Evo IX Finishes Debut Rally, But Misses Podium
13th March, 2006
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart has achieved its primary aim with the debut of its first Evolution IX Lancer by finishing the season-opening Capital Rally in Canberra ..... more

Precious Metal - The Peugeot 407 Coupe
7th March, 2006
Peugeot have announced the pricing structure for the stunning new 407 Coupe, which goes on sale in Australia later this month ..... more