Car Evolution: September 2008

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Affalterbach, Germany, Sep 21, 2008

AMG Driving Academy 2008/2009: Maximum driving safety and pleasure [TEXT 1]

The AMG Driving Academy was set up to give keen drivers the opportunity to hone their sporty driving skills under professional guidance and to experience unforgettable events with like-minded enthusiasts. The programme offers a wide selection of events which allow ambitious sports car enthusiasts to improve their car control and further enhance their driving safety.

The AMG Driving Academy, founded by Mercedes-AMGin 2007, consists of five different programmes: EMOTION, BASIC, ADVANCED, PRO and MASTERS. These provide everything from lifestyle-oriented events and courses which take the participants through their first experience of driving at the limit, all the way to intensive race circuit training with a competitive edge. The level of difficulty is tailored to the participants� individual requirements.

Legendary race tracks such as the N�rburgring Nordschleife and the Spa-Francorchamps grand prix circuit in Belgium are the venues, as AMGdrivers and enthusiasts gradually and safely discover the limits. In this way, each participant automatically improves their driving safety. Licensed trainers with extensive
racing experience pass on their vast knowledge with great professionalism. All of which means the learning experience is directly linked to driving pleasure and passion.

Data recording for precise analysis and rapid progress

Advanced training methods ensure the participants are quickly in touch with the fundamentals of driving dynamics and allow them to discover the limits of man and machine in a danger-free environment. A racing pulse and broad smile come as standard. Data recording techniques refined in motorsport are used to record not only individual sector and lap times, but also longitudinal and lateral acceleration. This enables the team to conduct fast and precise analysis of each participant�s progress. Depending on the event, the programme also features sports medicine input from official Mercedes-Benz DTM motorsport doctor, Dr Markus Schmitt and a sports physiologist.

AMG Masters �Sports Trophy� offers a unique prize

Ensuring a racing heart and maximum car control are the aims of the AMGMasters �Sports Trophy�. This extremely exclusive and top-class AMG competition series sees the participants benefit from intensive and individual race circuit training, combined with input from the field of sports medicine. AMG specialists use their vast pool of expertise to work out a personal chassis set-up with each individual participant. In 2008 the three or four-day events are taking place at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), the EuroSpeedway Lausitz (Germany) and the Ascari Race Resort in Spain. 25 drivers at each of the three events collect points towards an overall score. Awaiting the winner is a quite unique first prize: the chance to drive this year�s AMG Mercedes C-Class from the DTM.

Wintry driving pleasure in Swedish Lapland

A very special experience is offered by the AMG Winter Sporting event, which takes place in Arjeplog, Sweden � not far from the Arctic Circle. Participants drive the AMGhigh-performance cars provided exclusively on a closed-off ice surface. All the cars are fitted with special spike tyres, which ensure a precisely defined level of grip. A wide-ranging support programme for the event characterised by a typical local atmosphere rounds off the four-day events in Swedish Lapland. Also included is a ride in the AMG Ice Taxi, a specially prepared AMG car fitted with the special spike tyres used by FIA WRC rally cars.

Depending on the type of event, the participants drive either their own AMG cars or AMG models laid on by the AMG Driving Academy. There are also cars for hire, e.g. the C 63 AMG, SL 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG with the Performance Package and CLK 63 AMG Black Series. Standard features of all AMG events, meanwhile, are top-class hospitality � including culinary specialities � and accommodation in high-class hotels.

Incentives for companies: an unforgettable experience

The AMG Driving Academy also arranges complete incentive packages for companies, customers and business partners. These may take the form of lifestyle-oriented events along the lines of an EMOTION tour or intensive race circuit training at Hockenheim, the N�rburgring or other race circuits. Whichever option you choose, AMG will be pleased to put together a tailor-made programme to suit the occasion.
For more details on dates and further information go to www.mercedes-amg.com/driving-academy or contact the AMG Driving Academy hotline on +49 7144 302-575.

Driver Training courses and events to suit all requirements: From EMOTION to MASTERS [TEXT 2]

Mercedes-AMG helps its customers to achieve flawless car control by offering Driver Training courses and events tailored to individual requirements. Here the focus is on driving pleasure, driving safety and passion, complemented by a top-quality support programme including typical local culinary delicacies and professional customer care. The AMG Driving Academyprogramme covers five skill levels (EMOTION, BASIC, ADVANCED, PRO and MASTERS) and offers the perfect event for any requirements. This may be anything from lifestyle-oriented events (EMOTION), and courses which take the participants through their first experience of driving at the limit (BASIC) on exclusive test and race circuits, to intensive race circuit training with data recording and individual coaching (ADVANCED, PRO, MASTERS), and pure driving pleasure on ice and snow in Swedish Lapland.

Spa-Francorchamps, the N�rburgring Nordschleife and Hockenheim are the
legendary race circuits where licensed instructors with extensive motor racing experience pass on their expertise to the AMG drivers. Their aim is to set the pulse of each participant racing purely through the force of driving pleasure.
Below is an overview of all the events offered by the AMG Driving Academy:

* Emotion: These lifestyle-oriented events send a maximum of 28 participants off on interesting routes through captivating scenery in cars provided by AMG. A tour of the AMG plant in Affalterbach, meanwhile, offers them exclusive insights. The AMG Community sees the participants enjoy exciting events in very special locations. One to three days in duration, the events also treat participants to top-class sporting events, for example, and exquisite gala menus. Prices from 245 euros.

* Basic: The focus of this training course is on ensuring safe and confident reactions behind the wheel. In a professional environment the participants develop the expertise to tackle their first few laps of driving at the limit, with a detailed theory-based introduction unit providing the basis. The instructors not only highlight the fundamentals of driving physics, but also look at seating position, steering wheel control, the correct line of sight and safety rules. The practical section gives the participants the chance to assess and enhance their driving skills in their own AMG cars or in models provided by AMG, and to explore the capabilities of the various driver assistance systems. This training course also focuses on understeer and oversteer, slalom and lane change manoeuvres, as well as braking and evasive manoeuvres around obstacles appearing suddenly. A team of mechanics from AMG is permanently on hand to assist.

BASIC Training courses take place on the Hockenheimring and EuroSpeedway Lausitz race circuits and at the Bosch testing centre in Boxberg � driving pleasure is therefore guaranteed. The maximum group size is ten, with two participants sharing each car provided by AMG. One instructor is assigned to each of the maximum of five groups. As a highlight to round off the event, each participant has the opportunity to experience performance in its purest form from the passenger seat of a specially prepared C 63 AMG Performance Car driven by one of the professional AMG instructors. Prices from 910 euros.

* Advanced: The second stage of AMG Training concentrates on developing driving skills and sporty driving. In addition to the fundamentals of driving physics, the theory introduction covers primarily cornering technique, the ideal line and braking points. However, the functioning of the various driver assistance systems, safety rules and behaviour required to ensure safety during the training also play a central role in this unit. The practical section of the course on the race circuit gives the participants the chance to put into practice what they�ve learnt. Section training sees the instructors explore in detail the particular characteristics of each section of corners, while guided driving behind the instructor makes it easier for the participants to identify the ideal line and braking points. The ADVANCED Training courses generally use cars provided by AMG, so the participants have the opportunity to try out various models from the current AMG range.

Professional data recording helps the drivers to analyse their personal driving style, allowing them to identify mistakes and put instructions into practice. The three-day ADVANCE Training courses take place at race circuits known around the world, such as Valencia (Spain), Zandvoort (Netherlands) and the Hockenheimring (Germany). The AMG team of mechanics are on hand to answer all technical questions. ADVANCED Training courses can accommodate a maximum of five groups, each of eight participants. One instructor is assigned to each group and two participants share each car. The event rises to a suitably thrilling climax with the chance for the participants to sit in the passenger seat as a professional racing driver takes them for a spin in the AMG Race Taxi. Prices from 2440 euros.

* Pro: This four-day event is held exclusively on the N�rburgring Nordschleife in Germany � the world�s toughest race circuit. Completion of the BASIC Training is required to take part in the PRO Training. Participants drive either their own or hired AMG cars and are given a theory introduction before driving out onto the 20.8-km Nordschleife. The AMG instructors take the participants through the particular characteristics of the circuit and give them a run-down of the training schedule, fitness issues and the health-related aspects of safe driving. A warm-up in the driving safety centre at the N�rburgring serves to refresh memories on the fundamentals of driving dynamics and assists the practical preparation of the participants.

After exploring the Nordschleife one section at a time, the eight groups of eight participants drive around the N�rburgring behind the guiding instructor. A co-instructor follows behind each of the groups. The drivers are then left to drive freely, with the option of being accompanied by an instructor in the passenger seat. All participants benefit from the knowledge of the experts in sports medicine accompanying the course and, if desired, the participants� heart rates are recorded and evaluated through each day. On the AMG PRO Training and AMG MASTERS �Sports Trophy� courses, official Mercedes-Benz DTM motorsport doctor, Dr Markus Schmitt, oversees this area. Each morning sees the participants take part in �Driver Fitness�, a short training programme conducted by the sports physiologist.

In addition, the participants can have a data recording device fitted in the car. The values recorded go beyond longitudinal and lateral acceleration, for example, to include data on personal driving style, which is then evaluated individually by an expert. The concluding AMG Competition in the form of a regularity test underlines the sporting character of the training. At the end of the event the participants can enjoy a passenger�s-eye experience of the �Ring in the AMG Race Taxi. AMG mechanics and the team from Pirelli � an AMG Driving Academy technology partner � provide the participants with technical support throughout the event. Prices from 2410 euros.

* Masters �Sports Trophy�: The highest level of the AMG Driving Academyteaches the participants how to analyse the characteristics of a circuit and car flawlessly. Special assessment tests carried out according to the specially developed MASTERS regulations help each participant to explore his or her own potential and allow intensive competition with like-minded colleagues. The 25 drivers at each of the three events collect points for the overall classification, with a unique first prize awaiting the winner � the chance to drive the current AMG Mercedes C-Class from the DTM. Completion of an AMG ADVANCED, AMG PRO Training or comparable driver training course is required to participate in the AMG MASTERS �Sports Trophy�. The event follows a similar pattern to a professional race series from the technical inspection of the cars to the podium ceremony. Plus, participants also have the chance to acquire a national Level A DMSB driver�s licence.

The three-day MASTERS Training courses take place at the Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) and EuroSpeedway Lausitz (Germany) race circuits and the Ascari Race Resort in Spain. Participants drive their own AMG cars, although the SLK 55 AMG Black Series and CLK 63 AMG Black Series are available to hire at an extra charge. All participants� cars are fitted with a data recording system. A data analysis expert and sports medicine input from the official Mercedes-Benz DTM motorsport doctor, Dr Markus Schmitt, are both fixed elements of the course. Technical assistance from the AMG mechanics and Pirelli tyre experts both come as part of the package, as does support from AMGchassis specialists. Similarly to professional motorsport, this allows every participant to work out an optimum chassis set-up tailored to the demands of the particular circuit. Also on the programme are the �Driver Fitness� training unit and the extensive theory section including a chassis seminar, sports medicine input, driver discussions and race circuit analysis. Prices from 3510 euros.

Wintry driving pleasure in Swedish Lapland

A very special experience is offered by the AMG Winter Sporting event, which takes place in Arjeplog, Sweden � not far from the Arctic Circle. Participants drive the AMG high-performance cars provided exclusively on a closed-off ice surface. All the cars are fitted with special spike tyres, which ensure a precisely defined level of grip. A wide-ranging support programme for the event, characterised by a typical local atmosphere and snowmobile tours, rounds off the four-day events in Swedish Lapland. Also included is a ride in the AMG Ice Taxi, a specially prepared AMG car fitted with the special spike tyres used by FIA WRC rally cars. The five-day AMGWinter Sporting PRO programme is a professional training course with a reduced number of participants, personal coaching and data recording. The aim here is to achieve flawless car control on ice and snow. The chance to drive the AMGIce Taxi is a highlight of the event for every participant. Prices: 3440 euros/4810 euros.

The AMG Driving Academy instructors: Learning from the fastest [TEXT 3]

If there�s one thing the instructors at the AMG Driving Academyall have in
common it�s the ability to drive cars fast. However, a range of other skills are also required to give the participants on the various AMG Training courses an understanding of fast driving and safe car control. Technical know-how is equally as important as teaching skills, the ability to empathise and sporting fitness.

AMG Chief Instructor and active racing driver Reinhold Renger is the man in overall charge of conveying the various elements of the training courses to the participants and accompanying the groups during the multi-day events. His team includes former DTM driver Thomas J�ger, plus racing drivers and instructors Hari Proczyk, Roland Rehfeld, Bernd Mayl�nder (also the current Formula One Safety Car driver), Dieter Glemser, Ruben Zeltner, Klaus Graf and Peter Ebner.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Hannover/Ulm, Germany, Sep 30, 2008

* New vehicle customers of Setra receive �in series� a guaranteed payment facility of 10,000 euros
* Comprehensive range of services includes parts purchasing
* UTA service provider takes over handling of cashless supply

Setra, a Daimler Brand, will offer all German new vehicle customers an additional service with the SetraCard from the beginning of 2009.

The advantages of the new SetraCard carrying the Ulm bus brand logo, which is available for all Setra models of the TopClass 400, ComfortClass 400 and MultiClass 400, are very obvious: with the card every new Setra vehicle customer will receive a guaranteed payment facility of 10,000 euros for the first four years if repairs are needed or in the event of a breakdown. With this additional service facility, customers can also invoice the purchase of parts and vehicle-related accessories besides maintenance and repair services. The SetraCard can be used at all authorised EvoBus service partners in the whole of Europe, i.e. at over 600 service outlets. The processing procedure with the card is as uncomplicated and simple as with the Omniplus ServiceCard that has already proved a success.

The customer receives the vehicle-related SetraCard when taking delivery of their registered new vehicle. UTA, the service company specialising in commercial goods and passenger transport, handles the cashless supply. Setra will take care of the yearly fee for the SetraCard. The bus operator can apply to UTA for the additional function as a fuel card with toll, ferry and toll sticker service.

The SetraCard service range at a glance

* Invoicing of maintenance and repair services
* Purchase of parts and vehicle-related accessories
* Omniplus 24 h Service (emergency service in the event of a breakdown)
* TireService
* Replacement vehicle from the BusPool (only Germany)
* VAT Service
* Invoicing Service with electronic data transfer

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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

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