Mercedes-Benz Canada is pleased to announce the Canadian premiere of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Affalterbach Edition today at the 2011 Montreal International Auto Show. Exclusive to Canada, and limited to just 30 units, the C63 AMG Affalterbach Edition was designed in the AMG Performance Centre in Affalterbach, Germany and features unique styling cues and an impressive list of special equipment that have never been offered before on a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Affalterbach Edition is finished in highly distinctive designo MAGNO Allanite Grey paintwork, and its unique appearance is further distinguished by high-performance AMG brakes with red calipers, 19″ AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels in black, carbon-fibre mirror housings and a rear lip spoiler.

The C63 AMG Affalterbach Edition is powered by the hand-built, 6.2 L V8 engine that offers 481 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, which propels it from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds.

The luxurious interior of this limited edition model features the Affalterbach logo prominently displayed on the gearshift lever and embossed on the headrests, and red contrast stitching adorns the black AMG Nappa leather sport seats. The overall design is completed by AMG carbon-fibre trim, floor mats with red leather piping and a special Affalterbach Edition badge which identifies every car with its unique “1 of 30” designation.

The C63 AMG Affalterbach Edition boasts an extensive list of standard equipment and also features each element from the C63 AMG Premium Package, which includes a rear view camera, PARKTRONIC, COMAND APS with HDD Navigation and DVD Changer, multi-media interface, rear window sunshade, harman/kardon LOGIC7® surround sound system and KEYLESS-GO. In addition, the Affalterbach Edition is equipped with the AMG Performance Package, which adds 30 additional horsepower, removes the speed limiter and adds a limited-slip differential.

Available in spring 2011, the Mercedes-Benz C63 Affalterbach Edition will be priced from $81,500.

Daimler Buses North America has delivered three Setra TopClass S 417 touring coaches to the Canadian Navy in Ottawa. These S 417 are versions specially designed for the Canadian Navy and are to be used in the Ontario, Quebec and Prairie regions.

On the outside of the coaches vivid graphics depicting warships and Navy personnel at work act as an attention magnet. In the interior of the vehicles there are electronics kiosks and computer systems to provide information about employment opportunities in the Canadian Navy. This is the first time this customer takes delivery of an S 417 USA with access at the rear. Normally, vehicles for the North American market only have an access at the front of the vehicle.

The vehicles, with a length of 13.72 metres, are powered by a Series 60 Detroit Diesel six-cylinder in-line engine with an output of 339 kW (461 hp). These engines deliver a maximum torque of 2100 Nm at 1100 rpm.

“We hope to further consolidate our market position in North America through this top-class order,” says Lothar Holder, head of Setra coach sales at EvoBus GmbH.

Mercedes-Benz Canada today announced new enhancements for the company’s special designo program, including fascinating new packages and industry-exclusive offerings that provide customers with the unique opportunity to individualize their new Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

Designed to offer the ultimate in luxury and sophistication, the designo program from Mercedes-Benz combines exclusive paint finishes, hand-stitched leather appointments and exotic trim elements in fine wood, glossy, deep black piano lacquer and natural stone to allow customers the flexibility to design and specify a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle tailored to their exact personal preferences.

For the 2011 model year, Mercedes-Benz is pleased to announce that a full complement of designo options can be selected for the entire new E-Class family, which now includes the Coupe, Sedan, Cabriolet and Wagon. Currently available on the E-Class, S-Class, CL-Class, SL-Class, SLS AMG, M-Class and G-Class, the designo program offers a broad array of custom upholsteries, exotic trims and distinctive paint options for each model line.

Several new, carefully selected paint and trim options have recently been added to the already broad range of exquisite materials available through the designo program. Additional exterior paint colours include Allanite Grey, Cashmere White, and Platinum. Inside, a host of new, supple leather options including Platinum White, Light Brown, Jet Black and Deep White create a sensuous ambience, and in perfect complement, a new selection of rich trim elements include Curly Maple, Tamo, Olive, and Bamboo. To further highlight the potential for individualization, Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer to offer the patented and industry exclusive designo Labrador Blue and Star Galaxy stone trims on certain models.

Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to exclusively offer matte paint on production vehicles. In addition to offering an elegant and durable alternative to traditional high-gloss paint finishes, the optional designo MAGNO paint offers many additional benefits including a reduced susceptibility to minor scratches due to the light reflection properties of the matte finish, and it also hides minor dirt and dust better than traditional finishes. designo MAGNO paint is currently available on most Mercedes-Benz passenger cars as part of the designo program, or by special order.

“Owning a Mercedes-Benz vehicle is an extension of personal style. The designo program empowers customers to select from a myriad of exclusive trims, distinctive colours and top quality materials to design a vehicle that reflects their own discerning tastes and individual preferences,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. “The elegant and graceful lines of our sedans, the aggressive styling of our coupes and cabriolet models and the ergonomic and luxurious interiors for all our vehicles provide an ideal starting point for customers to build their own, bespoke masterpiece. The designo program is yet another example of how Mercedes-Benz is endeavouring to offer our valued customers an unmatched ownership experience.”

smart Canada announced today that it is continuing its series of unique and exciting special edition models with the introduction of the smart fortwo edition greystyle. Striking accents and an exclusive matte grey finish combine to create a modern and dynamic appearance for this latest edition to the smart line-up that is now on sale at smart Centres across the country.

In Canada, the smart fortwo edition greystyle is available as a coupé or cabriolet, and both models are powered by the fuel efficient 70 hp gasoline engine that offers excellent fuel economy and low vehicle emissions. In fact, Natural Resources Canada has named the smart fortwo as the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the two-seater class for three consecutive years.

The distinctive matte dark grey finish, yellow mirror caps bearing the edition lettering and exclusive BRABUS Monoblock alloy wheels painted to match the bodypanels are all hallmark exterior features of the new smart fortwo edition greystyle.

The interior features an exclusive combination of fabric and leather with yellow accents and trim parts finished in yellow and matte chrome. The yellow accents are also found in the double stitching of the top quality nappa leather seats, which is the same leather used in premium Mercedes-Benz models. The gear knob and the three-spoke sports steering wheel with steering wheel gearshift paddles and yellow stitching are also covered with leather. In addition, exclusive floor mats featuring the edition logo and an MP3-compatible smart radio 9 are also standard equipment.

Based on the passion coupé or passion cabriolet, the smart fortwo edition greystyle includes all of the standard features of the well-appointed passion line such as power windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control, and a panoramic roof with sunblind for the coupé. In addition, the edition greystyle adds unique interior appointments that boast an expressive look thanks to sporty contrasts, fine materials and first class fit and finish.

This special edition model retains the familiar, environmentally conscious characteristics of the smart fortwo, while its unique and stylish appearance demonstrates that ecological sensitivity, discerning individual style and joie de vivre are not mutually exclusive.

Limited to just 50 units in Canada, the smart fortwo edition greystyle coupé starts from $21,750, and the cabriolet starts from $24,750

Mercedes-Benz Canada reported today that a total of 2,982 Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles were delivered to customers in April. This represents the best April ever, a month-over-month increase of 18.5%, and a gain of 25.1% or 1,940 units on a year-to-date basis.

A total of 2,672 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks were retailed throughout the month, which is also a best April ever and propels year-to-date growth to 24.7%. Passenger car sales were up 25.4% for the month at 1,586 vehicles, while luxury light trucks showed an 8.4% increase on a monthly basis with 1,086 units sold. Year-to-date, passenger car and luxury light truck sales are ahead 21.1% or 907 units and 30.4% or 833 units respectively.

Strong B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, GLK-Class, M-Class and GL-Class model sales underpinned April’s success. The E-Class and GLK-Class both recorded significant milestones in April by each reporting its best all-time month. In addition, C-Class sales remained extremely buoyant with 772 units retailed, and GL-Class sales were ahead 41.6% for the month and by an impressive 89.9% year-to-date.

The diesel take rate was 73.3% in April, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC™ units accounted for 76.8% of the overall passenger car and light truck sales (excluding smart).

smart reported a total of 205 deliveries in April.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sales continued to show positive momentum with a total of 105 units sold for the month.

Mercedes-Benz Pre-owned sales reported their best month ever with 972 vehicles, which represents an increase of 223 units or 30% for the month and a gain of 28% or 636 units year-to-date.

“Our BlueTEC cleanest diesel engine is well-suited to Canadian driving patterns, and the sustained, significant retail numbers for this advanced powerplant demonstrate that our customers continue to recognize the myriad of benefits it offers including: excellent fuel economy, exceptional range, low emissions and high output and torque,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. “In addition, another important ratio to note is the percentage of Mercedes-Benz vehicles that are equipped with our award-winning 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system. In April, over three-quarters of the Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold were equipped with 4MATIC, and the fact that this ratio remains relatively consistent throughout the year emphasizes that the advantages of this sophisticated, light weight system extend well beyond one season to deliver optimal traction and handling control any time of the year.”

About Mercedes-Benz Canada

Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the four brands within the Mercedes-Benz Group in Canada: Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG, and Maybach. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,250 people in 19 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 14 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 39 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 26,942 vehicles in 2009, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.