2004 Mercedes-Benz Vision GST 2

In January 2002 Mercedes-Benz presented the Vision GST at the Detroit Auto Show. Exactly two years later, also in Detroit, it presented a modified and further refined version, Vision GST II a concept study of a Grand Sports Tourer with a future-oriented hybrid drive system.

Mercedes-Benz presents a new interpretation of the Vision Grand Sports Tourer

With its Vision GST II concept vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is laying the foundation for a new class of car. The innovative new vehicle, which is being showcased at the North American International Auto Show, represents a new variant of a future family sedan. And series development of this Mercedes model is making fast progress. ‘With the new Vision Grand Sports Tourer, Mercedes-Benz is showing the attractiveness and versatility of a new concept for a roomy, comfortable and high-performance family car,’ says Professor Jürgen Hubbert, Member of the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management and Head of the Mercedes Car Group. ‘By building this vehicle, we are underlining our reputation as a trendsetter and will establish our presence in a young and interesting market segment starting at the beginning of 2005. This concept definitely has the potential for a new Mercedes model family.’
Thanks to its clever use of space, the concept Mercedes enables up to six passengers to enjoy first-class travel comfort. The luxurious interior is equipped with comfortable individual seats and high-quality features that guarantee long-distance driving pleasure. The Vision GST II also points the way to the future wîth its power plant, a newly developed 234 kW diesel hybrid engine.

GST II: A sedan, van, station wagon and SÚV all in one 

The idea behind the Grand Sports Tourer, which Mercedes-Benz introduced in 2002, combines the advantages of existing vehicle types like the family sedan, the van, the station wagon and the sports utility vehicle (SÚV) into a new individual profile. The Mercedes study is big, roomy and functional, satisfies high expectations for performance and dynamic handling, and offers unparalleled comfort for long-distance journeys. In other words, it is a new interpretation of the ‘touring car.’
Mercedes-Benz has transformed the dreams of today’s drivers into reality by creating a versatile car suitable for family use, leisure time, travel and work – all wîth a strikingly elegant design and functions made possible by cutting-edge technology. The Grand Sports Tourer concept is the result of an intensive dialogue that Mercedes has conducted wîth customers all over the world.

 

Design: The perfect trio of elegance, dynamics and commanding presence

The new show car illustrates the Grand Sports Tourer’s evolution from the concept stage to series-production car, and its many interesting details are arousing the public’s curiosity about the new Mercedes-Benz. The car’s dynamic appearance is created primarily by the roof’s distinctive curved line, which links the A and C pillars wîth a stylish sweep and consciously inspires associations wîth the coupe. Thanks to its lines, the concept vehicle makes a big impression wîth its sporty elegance, which is undisturbed by the car’s large size.
Other characteristic features of the Grand Sports Tourer, including its commanding presence and high performance, are symbolized by such features as the design of the radiator grille wîth aluminum louvers, the contoured hood and the striking bumpers – a design element further accentuated by the arrow-shaped outline of the vehicle’s front.

 

Interior: Relaxed traveling for six passengers

A large panorama glass roof that extends over nearly the entire top of the car creates a light-flooded interior in which up to six people can enjoy a relaxed journey. Each traveler has his or her own individual seat, and the first and second rows of seats are separated by 920 millimeters, giving the dimensions of first-class seating. Center consoles between the individual seats in the back rows offer extra storage space and come equipped wîth large, secure holders for drinking cups and bottles.

Using the separate DVD/CD players for the second and third rows of seats and earphones, the rear passengers can select their own individual entertainment programs, and color screens are integrated into the backs of the front headrests and into the rear center console.
In typical Mercedes style, the new concept vehicle satisfies sports- and leisure-oriented families who demand a versatile car that can quickly and easily be modified for different transport jobs. The four rear seats fold down individually, allowing the loading space to be increased to a maximum of 2,030 liters (based on the VDA measuring system) – considerably more space than in conventional station wagons. The level floor and large hatch door make the vehicle easy to load and unload.

 

Thanks to its contemporary design and elaborate features, the dashboard leaves a lasting impression thanks to its modern design and elaborates features. Aluminum and exotic woods are key materials contributing to the interior’s rich appearance. With vertical aluminum profiles, COMAND display and air-conditioning control device, the center console is another eye-catcher in the Vision GST II interior.

 
Using state-of-the-art transmission electronics, Mercedes engineers were able to eliminate the traditional center-console selection lever for the automatic transmission, which has been replaced by a lever on the Steering column and control buttons in the steering wheel. Like a Formula 1 driver, the motorist can manually change the gears of the automatic transmission, optimally using the engine’s formidable performance potential in every type of driving situation.
This state-of-the-art ‘shift-by-wire’ technology offers one other advantage: The driver’s hands are always where they should be – on the steering wheel.

Hybrid drive: From zero to 100 km/h in only 6.6 seconds

With its powerful diesel hybrid drivetrain, the Vision GST II underscores its pioneering nature. For models like the Grand Sports Tourer, this drive technology will soon be an important supplement to the diesel engine and help to further cut fuel consumption and exhaust emissions -without sacrificing any agility, comfort or driving pleasure.

This powerful hybrid consists of a state-of-the-art V8 diesel engine with 184 kW/250 hp from the S-Class and an electric motor (50 kW). As a result, the vehicle has 234 kW of total power and 860 Nm of torque available – top performance levels for this drive technology, which guarantees dynamic driving enjoyment. The Vision GST II, for example, has the acceleration of a sports car – it can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds. The car’s top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The diesel hybrid system’s fuel consumption is equally exemplary, delivering 30 mpg (miles per gallon) according to the American measurement method. With future engine generations, the drive concept of the Vision Grand Sports Tourer II will offer the potential for even more impressive fuel efficiency, at 33 mpg. In the European driving cycle, the Vision ST II with a hybrid drive uses about 20 percent less fuel than a comparable diesel model.

 
The electronically regulated ‘job sharing’ by the diesel engine and the electric motor takes maximum advantage of both drive concepts. The electric motor takes charge when a car is started, pulled into a parking place or is caught in stop-and-go traffic or other slow-moving traffic conditions requiring little power. The result is zero-emission driving. But when greater engine performance is needed, the eight-cylinder CDI engine kicks in, providing a powerful surge of acceleration. When the car’s brakes are applied, the electric motor acts as a generator and produces electricity that is used to recharge the drive system’s battery.
In the Mercedes-Benz Vision GST II, hybrid drive is combined for the first time with permanent four-wheel drive, illustrating once again the vehicle’s pioneering potential.

Other technical highlights of the Grand Sports Tourer  II concept that ensure perfect long-distance comfort and the highest level of driving safety include its twenty-one-inch wheels; large, perforated brake discs; AIRMATIC air-suspension system and sophisticated axle design.