FULL STEER AHEAD
Mercedes-Benz romped into Paris with new ideas, writes Phuti Mpyane
Seated only two chairs away from my stare is Dr Dieter Zetsche: chairman of the board at Daimler AG. International journalists surround him in a small executive dug-out behind the sparkly main stage where Mercedes-Benz was exhibiting its latest bright wares at the Paris motor show. He is in a shirt, denims and a typical pair of trendy sneakers. To anyone who isn’t aware, he could be another of those balling hipsters with a cool moustache.
He is not ordinary. He occupies the hotseat of a company established in 1883, and since 2006 has been tasked with looking after its interests as well as unlocking its path into the electric age. His stint as head honcho is winding down. In 2019 he will be replaced by Ola Källenius but before he checks out …
“Dr Zetsche! When all is done and dusted; the cars are electric and also drive autonomously, what in your opinion is the next revolution for the car?”
This is the salvo I fire at him.
“Maybe every
CEO in his or her area might claim the same but we already said we are living in a time of the most traumatic transformation of the industry,” he begins.
Zetsche explains that the car will be reinvented on four elements: connectivity, autonomous driving, sharing (vehicle) and electrification.
“These are mostly based on the digitisation of the car, sales will change, development is changing and everything is changing.”
Optimistically, he says “We have a full plate, mostly I would say of opportunities. If we don’t pursue them, some risk as well, and at this point of time we don’t need 10 other new things to bog up.”
“But perhaps helicopters might be an indication of what could come on top of it, going into the third dimension, and flying with the car. Many of these things in recent years were part of science-fiction movies and are becoming reality.”
Despite that riveting suggestion of helicopters from Dr Z, the once mythical electric-vehicle age has arrived. It may still be science fiction to some but the electric Mercedes-Benz EQC is a green light. Mercedes-Benz is the de facto “fat lady” of the auto industry. Nothing is official until she sings, and she has sung.
Here’s a quick glimpse of what we saw from the brand as guests at their stand at the exhibition in France’s capital.
Uncompromising EU legislation on climate change has led Mercedes-Benz to accelerate the implementation of cars like EQC. It is a strange choice to unearth it in SUV form considering weight disadvantages against driving range – but it panders to a segment that is burgeoning.
The latest B-Class was revealed too. In this iteration it still carries four-to-five occupants and features new tech in luxury, safety and engines. According to its maker it is poised to continue its significant role alongside the A-Class with promises of comfort, functionality and keener driving dynamics.
Previewed before Paris, the new GLE boasts a litany of improvements and intelligent modernisation such as E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension which allows it to lean into corners much like a motorcycle. The Mercedes-AMG sub-brand was not left out, with the A35 proudly on display. It features an all-new turbocharged engine and an enhanced allwheel drive system.
And finally, as a taste of performance motoring with an electric spin, the EQ Silver Arrow was on show. It’s the company’s fantasy of a future e-racer which draws heavily on the legendary Silver Arrows of the fifties. LS
[IT IS] THE MOST TRAUMATIC TRANSFORMATION