Four Mercedes-Benz Models to Debut at the LA Auto Show

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz announced that its SLS AMG, E350 BlueTEC and the fuel-cell-powered F-Cell will be making their North American debuts at the 2009 LA Auto Show. The manufacturer will also launch its first hybrid SUV, the ML450 HYBRID, as well as the impressive SPLITVIEW dual-content viewing technology. The event is scheduled to take place between December 2-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The SLS AMG supercar, dubbed the new Gullwing, features a lightweight aluminum space-frame body with gullwing doors and a 563-horsepower V8 engine mated to a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission.

The new Mercedes-Benz F-Cell has a range of about 240 miles and, running on compressed hydrogen and boasts an equivalent fuel mileage of 86.6 city-highway combined miles per gallon. In 2010, 200 production F-Cell cars will be delivered to customers in the U.S. and Europe as part of a special lease program.

Furthermore, the E350 BlueTEC is powered by a 210 hp 3.0-liter V6 diesel with AdBlue injection, delivering approximately 30 percent better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine. The model will become available in the US beginning Spring 2010.

As for the Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID, the car uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors, delivering more than 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model and with a total system performance of 335 horsepower.

Finally, the S-Class equipped with Splitview will also be joining the Mercedes-Benz lineup at the 2009 LA Auto Show. Splitview is a single display screen that allows the driver and front passenger to view two different programs at the same time.