'E-Class Evolution' at the Mercedes-Benz Museum

STUTTGART, Germany – February 4, 2009: Ahead of the release of the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany is showing a major special exhibition: the history of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This special exhibition runs from 3 February to 27 September 2009 and is being presented in the museum’s Collection 5.

"We are breaking new ground with this unusual special exhibition," says Michael Bock, Managing Director of the Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH.

"For the first time Collection 5, otherwise our Gallery of Heroes, will be transformed into a complete exhibition floor. In addition to nine historic vehicles, we will also be presenting the new E-Class - even before it goes on show in European showrooms at the end of March."

The goal of the special exhibition is to narrate the rich history of the E-Class. How have the historic models developed? What stories do the vehicles on display have to tell? How have they helped shape our age and society?

The entire model programme was restructured as a result of the merger in 1926 between Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. One of the first passenger car models of the newly formed Mercedes-Benz in 1926 was the 8/38 hp model.

This model is the oldest predecessor of the E-Class to be found in the exhibition.

The ‘E-Class Evolution’ exhibition also displays a number of models that revive automotive memories - from the groundbreaking ‘Ponton’ models of the post-war era to the innovative ‘Tailfin’ and popular ‘Stroke 8’.

"The E-Class is the Mercedes-Benz classic par excellence. It is the most frequently built passenger car series by Mercedes-Benz, and shows a diversity in its development unmatched by any other. Many of us have friends or relatives who either drive or have driven such a vehicle. Which is why the exhibition also communicates on an emotional level with the visitor," explains Michael Bock.

In addition to the ten display vehicles, interactive islands provide detailed information on the remarkable history of this Mercedes-Benz classic.

Photographs and film clips, generation-defining anecdotes and a special media archive complete the exhibition programme.

The ‘E-Class Evolution’ special exhibition is presented in two languages and is open daily, except Mondays, from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Admission to the special exhibition is included in the Museum day ticket. The show is also included in the daily guided tours.

For anyone visiting Stuttgart, Germany the Mercedes-Benz Museum is quick and easy to reach by public transport. In addition to bus line 56 that runs between Bad Cannstatt and the ‘Mercedes-Benz Welt’ bus stop, visitors can also use the S-Bahn station ‘Neckarpark (Mercedes-Benz)’.

Guests of the Mercedes-Benz Museum arriving by private vehicle have the choice of using the Mercedes-Benz Museum car park or car park P4. The address of the Mercedes-Benz Museum is: Mercedesstraße 100, 70372 Stuttgart. The customer centre hotline is 07 11 / 17 - 30 000.

More information about the Mercedes-Benz Museum can be found by visiting www.museum-mercedes-benz.com