Friday, February 11, 1994 - North Shore News ~ 29

ercedes-Benz focus shifting to smaller cars

From page 28

Instead of pouring more money
into building large. expensive cars,
Mercedes-Benz is shifting its focus
towards smaller, value-oriented
vehicles that still offer all the safety
items and comfort features expected
from the renowned German marque.

“The Vision AY3 concept cur
represents yel a further step inthe
re-orientation of Mercedes-Benz’s
strategic product policy.” says

Helmut Werner, president and chief
executive officer of Mercedes-Benz
AG in Germany.

While the Vision itself is a con-
cept car, Mercedes has already con-
firmed that it will introduce a new
line of small production cars —
dubbed the A-class —- based on the
‘Vision, by 1997.

According to Mercedes-Benz,
the styling of the new A-class will
be very similar to the Vision con-
cept vehicle.

The cars will be built in Rastatt,
Germany, and are primarily target-

_ ed at the European Market.

It is not Known yet whether
Mercedes will bring the A-class
cars to North America, but I per-
sonaily think that the micro-sized
MBs will do very well in crowded

66 While the Vision
itself isa concept
car, Mercedes has
already confirmed

that it will introduce
a new line of small

production cars... 99

cities like New York and Los
Angeles if they do become avail-
able.

The Vision A93 does not fook
like a Mercedes, with its tall,
almost square-looking body that
resembles a shrunken minivan.
From the rear, it also looks a bit
like a station wagon mainly duc to
the vertically-mounted taillights
that. are integrated into ihe 90°
roofline. ;

. The rectangular aluminum body
houses an innovative powertrain
jayout; the engine and the iransmis-
sion are actually located underneath
the passenger compartment floor.

This “sandwich” design allowed
designers and engineers to stretch
the wheelbase to the outer limits of
the body and virtually climinate
overhangs in front and back, mak-
ing the Vision one of the roomicst
small cars around.

Mercedes claims that the cear
passengers in the Vision enjoy
legroom space that's as big as that
of a mid-size sedan.

The Vision offers a level of
safety features unheard of in a car
of this size.

The powertrain, for example,
simply slides underneath the cabin
in a frontal accident. protecting the
passengers from being crushed by

- the destructive force. Previously
mentioned dual airbags, seat belt
pretensioners, and side-impact
padding further ensure the safety of -
alt the passengers inthe car, -

Though the Vision is small. it’s
still a Mercedes, and therefore
boasts many luxury touches like a
car phone, leather seats, air-condi-
Uoning and power-heated front
seats, to name a few. .

. The Vision is designed to
accommodate three different types
of powertrain: a three-cylinder

diesel, a three-cylinder gasoline
engine and itn electric motor,

With the 60 horsepower direct-
injection diese) unit, the car
achieves an iunazing fucl economy:
of 3.1 titres/100 kim ata constant
highway speed of 90 knif. (56
mph). Even in city driving, the car is
frugal with a 3.9 Hitres/1O0 ka rat-
ing. ;

Compare this to the 1994
Volkswagen Goll diesel, which sips

a reg. $24.95
Plus taxes,
8 Ask for details.

Drum Brakos

includes: Labour to install new premium quality
brake finings: Resurtace two brake drums; 9-point
braking system check; Repack wheel bearings;
Cost of brake linings extra; Road test; Most cats;
Ask for details.

DISC PADS, BRAKE SHOES,
DRUMS, ROTORS, MANUFAC-

_ GEARY GRACA
OELBROOK ESSO
3707 DELBROOK
NORTH VANCOUVER
987-2518

almost twice as much diesel with a
city fuel consumption rating of 7.2
litres/100 kaa.

The Vision can be equipped with
a three-cylinder gasoline engine as
well, which produces more power
(75 hp) at the expense of lower fuel
econanry (8.0 Litres/1Q0 kim).

By utilizing a sophisticated
cngine management control system
and advanced emission regulation
devices, the sinull Mercedes is able

INCLUDES:
lubrication; Up te 5
litres of Protec. 10W30
motor oi: New oil filter;
Metric fillers extra;
Most cars; Ask for
details on.

with our lube, oi!
& filter change service.

te:

with

DISC BRAKES
Includes: Labour ta install new premium quality disc

pads; Resurtace two disc rotors;

7-point braking system

check; Cost of brake pads

extta; Rear disc brakes extra. Mast cars. Ask for
details.

2 WHEEL
DISC OR

DRUM BRAKES
MOST CARS,

GLENN HUNTER
VILLAGE ESSO
3089 EDGEMONT BLVD.
NORTH VANCOUVER
S6S-3611

1AN WILSON
FULLERTON ESSO
1901 CAPILANO RO.
RORTH VANCOUVER
984-9194

to meet Catifornia’s striet “ultra-low
emission vehicle” status,

The tiny Vision is also designed
to be powered by an eleetrie motor.
This emission-free powerplant of
the Vision uses a sodium/nickel
chloride battery as a source of ener-
gy.

Thanks to an extensive use of
aluminum components throughout
the car, the Vision only weighs
1,600 ke (2.200 Ibs.) even with the

Kralinator meets or exceeds O.E.M. specs.

ELECTR

ORULESS. MOST 4
CYL. CARS. PLUS
TAXES.

LABOR ONLY PARTS EXTRA

heavy batteries and a 40k W induc-
tion motor in phice.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the
electric Vision can travel about 150
kilometres between charge-ups,

Even though the Vision-based A-
class cars are a few years away from
praduction, Mercedes-Benz has
itlready shown the world a vision of
what we can expect from Germany's
most powerful automobile manufac-
turer.

OR LESS, PLUS
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHARGES AND
TAXES,

i

OR LESS. MOST
OCYLV6 E& VS
CARS,

MUS TANES.

fnelades: Labour to install pew spark play: Bertorm cylinder balance test;

Cheek & adjase neniny AS
Check & tet PVC ope ¢
Inspect itiz, fuel, & all appl
Rad vest

heck §

pst HLT. erring, distributor
Ss tdjust idle spouds (ipa
able teters: Final ignition system analysis:

For met cats, Pleas: ash for deta recanding yout vehicle. Vanwpick -upy

extn

P

WEST VAN ESSC
~ 1392 MARINE DR.
WEST VANCOUVER

MILO VANAELST’
AMBLESIOE ESSO
1890 (4ARINE OR.
WEST VANCOUVER

922-2925

You’re on your way

with Esso.:

All quality ignition parts by...

PETER WILLONER & TONY HORVATH
MOUNTAIN HWY, ESSO
2747 MOUNTAIN HWY. a’
NGRTH VANCOUVER
985-5712