☑ SUMMARY
AGENDA 6
PURSUING THE ADVENTURE 24 Roadtrip in a G-Class 63 AMG in Australia.
CAR NEWS
8
ON BEAUTY 12
VISION ONE ELEVEN
32
The emblematic dashboard of the New E-Class.
BEVISIONERS 36
ARCHIVES 16
A new initiative for greater sustainability.
Close-up of a collage by artist David Hockney.
NEW KEY COUPE & CABRIOLET 40 The best of both worlds...
DESTINATION BRIANÇON 48 Highest city in the European Union.
GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE 18 Opening up to new experiences enriches us.
DESTINATION BIARRITZ 52 Jewel of the French Basque Country.
For short journeys, choose walking or cycling.
Consider carpooling. Every day, take public transport. #MoveLessPollute
Mercedes-Benz
☑ WRITING
EDITOR
Mercedes-Benz France
under license from Mercedes-Benz AG
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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Frédéric Cousin
EDITORS IN CHIEF
Aline Cirrode, Angélique Touguet,
Technical informations
Célia Luspot, Isalys Glowacki
BASIC CONCEPT
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PRODUCTION HeadOffice, Persilstraat 51, box 4, 3020 HERENT (BE), +32 16 88 20 20,
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MANAGING EDITOR
Amandine Philippe
In this magazine, a page reference accompanied by techniques. It refers to detailed information on the measurement method used, autonomy and consumption and emissions standards. Below you find all the details.
PROJECT MANAGER FRANCE
Joan Foret
CUSTOMER DIRECTOR Joan Foret
FUTURISTIC HOUSE IN THE DESERT 56
DEPUTY EDITOR Thomas Morales
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Katrien Robijns TRANSLATION
The EQS SUV meets an architectural masterpiece.
Integro Languages ADVERTISING COORDINATION
Joan Foret Alexandra Rançon & Karol Lévy
ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT Advertising Agency Objectif Média FZCO,
SHE'S MERCEDES 64 A true circle of inspiration.
Such. +32 484 10 63 71 alexandra@objectif-media.com
Such. +32 484 68 51 15
levykarol@gmaiL.com www.objectif-media.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Alexandra Rançon.
PARIS WEAVES ITS WEB 72 Walk on the filming locations.
alexandra@objectif-media.com
IMPRESSION
Koryo, 43 Rue Pierre Valette, 92240 Malakoffi
74
OVER MOUNTS AND BRIDGES Travel in the Austrian mountains in a GLC 300 e.
1 Since September 1, 2018, new light vehicles have been approved in Europe on the basis of the harmonized test procedure for light vehicles (WLTP), a test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO emissions, more realistic than the NEDC procedure previously used. Electric autonomy in the city according to the WLTP standard. The actual range depends on the vehicle configuration, the driver's driving style, traffic conditions, weather conditions, the age and condition of the battery, the use of the parking system. air conditioning or heating, etc. and may therefore present differences. The data relating to fuel consumption, electrical energy, CO emissions, and autonomy correspond to the data for all vehicles in the range during their approval in Germany in compliance with the regulations in
Rights : Any reproduction of photos or texts, even partial, requires the written consent of the publisher and must expressly include the mention and typography Mercedes-Benz Me magazine. We decline
EVENTS 82 Mercedes-EQ Rallies and Mercedes-Benz Roadtrips.
any responsibility for articles and photos sent to us spontaneously without prior request. Articles published under authorship do not necessarily reflect the point of view of the publisher or the editorial staff. The commercial information concerning in particular the models, the parts and the accessories is given as title and without guarantee. The prices indicated are based on Mercedes-Benz AG prices valid on the date of publication of this magazine.
The Mercedes-Benz Me magazine is published two to three times a year in forty languages and includes editions published under licenses and contracts of co-operation.
A PALM GAME UNDER THE ROOF OF PARIS 86
ISSN 1568-1157
DIGITAL EXTRAS 88
New MB.OS operating system.
PEFC
force. Some models in the range in question may not. be available on the French market.
10-31-1904 PEFC certified
pefo-france.org
IN BRIEF 90
TEA BOX
Mercedes-Benz
5
☑DIARY
FIRE MASTERS 09/30/2023
WHAT A TRIP FESTIVAL! From 27.09 to 01.10.2023
Every year, at the end of September, the city of Montpellier hosts the international travel and adventure film festival. 21 films are presented in official competition but it is also an opportunity to discover photo exhibitions, attend concert concerts and participate in conferences and workshops around the theme.
The Compiègne racecourse is hosting the international pyrotechnic art competition for this 6th edition. pyrotechnicians from Germany, Hungary, Romania and France will compete during an evening which will certainly amaze you... Perhaps you will even be part of the 'General Public' jury if you are drawn at the beginning of the evening!
watmontpellier.fm
BRICK LIVE
EXHIBITION THE ABOVE OF THE ARCHANGEL Until 05.11.2023
mastersdefeu.com
WORKSHOPS-COMPETITIONS-ACTIVITIES
21 29 OCT. 2023 MEETT TOULOUSE
Imagined on the occasion of the millennium of the abbey church of Mont-Saint-Michel, this exhibition allows you to discover the history and architecture of this exceptional monument. The visit begins on the stairs of the abbey, with the presentation of 10 key dates, and continues through the church where there are around thirty pieces, objects and documents.
DINOSAURS EXPO
abbey-mont-saint-michel.fra
BRICKLIVE
From 21.10 to 29.10.2023
Come to MEETT in Toulouse for the 2023 edition of BRICKLIVE. More than 2 million play bricks, numerous workshops and an exhibition with models. life-size on the theme of dino saurs await you. The biggest fans can also dive into a brick pool!
bricklive.co
7
6 Mercedes-Benz
☑ NAPLES EXHIBITION IN PARIS Until 01/08/2024
ALIZES RAID From 05.12 to 10.12.2023
From Michelangelo to Raphael, the great names of Italian painting are exhibited at the Louvre Museum as part of a partnership established with the Capodi Monte Museum in Naples. Around sixty of the Neapolitan museum's greatest masterpieces will be exhibited in three different locations in the Louvre.
This 100% female raid offers a nature, sport and solidarity adventure. In teams of three, participants will defend the charitable cause of their choice. This by discovering the diversity and richness of nature martini quaise for 5 days.
louvre.fr
CLOTHES OF LIGHT From 08.12 to 10.12.2023
raiddesalizes.com
On the eve of the end-of-year celebrations, the City of Epernay is offering three days of festivities around the Champagne art of living. On Fridays and Saturdays, Avenue de Champagne and the great houses that have made its reputation will be in the spotlight. On Sunday, a parade of old vehicles will liven up the city...
habitdelumiere.epernay.fr
BES LUMIERES BASINS
DALÍ EXHIBITION, THE ENIGMA WITHOUT END Until 01/07/2024
DALÍ THE ENIGMA
Walk through the surreal and metaphysical landscapes of the artist with his boundless imagination, thanks to this immersive exhibition presenting more than 60 creative years of the Catalan master. The works come to life on the walls and shimmer in the waters of the Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux, revealing all their details.
bassins-lumieres.com
Mercedes-Benz
CAR NEWS
P.O.F.
Text: Thomas Morales Photos: Mercedes-Benz AG
S.G5001
Consumption (combined cycle): 0.8 1/100 km CO emissions (combined cycle): 19 g/km
MERCEDES-MAYBACH NIGHT SERIES | WLTP
CLASS G 500 FINAL EDITION “GREEN” | WLTP Consumption (combined cycle): 14.9 1/100 km CO emissions (combined cycle): 339 g/km
See note on page 5.
G 339CO/m
MERCEDES-MAYBACH NIGHT SERIES
THE NIGHT IS MORE BEAUTIFUL
By presenting Night Series, Mercedes-Maybach has the ambition of
CLASS G
FINAL AND GRAND EDITION
The G-Class is offering two great vintages for the fall with the launch of two new limited series. The emblematic all-terrain vehicle from Mercedes-Benz, an extreme adventurer, seduces with the quality of its rare materials, its exclusive side and its performance. To celebrate its thirtieth anniversary, the G-Class 500 Final Edition pays a final tribute to the famous V8 that has powered it since 1993. This limited series of only 13 examples for France will therefore mark the end of this engine with its cavernous and magical sound. . Available in three colors (Black, White and Green), it receives specific design elements as well as extensive Nappa leather. This version can be recognized by the inscription “FINAL EDITION G 500 V8” affixed to the spare wheel cover. How can you not succumb to aesthetic details such as the decorative inserts in black ash or the loading floor in G manufaktur cherry? Even more muscular and stormy, the G-Class 63 Grand Edition will not risk going unnoticed. Its design is inspired by the AMG cigarette boat presented in Miami in 2020. It is distinguished in particular by the so-called “Kalahari Gold” color visible on the Mercedes star on the grille or on the surround of the spare wheel. Only 15 models are reserved for France. Its equipment also catches the eye, just admire its 56 cm (22") AMG forged wheels with cross spokes or, inside, the black Nappa leather with gold-tinted stitching.
provide a “great luxury”, rare and emotionally strong experience to its customers. In a word, aim for excellence by always moving towards more personalization and touching the hearts of buyers through expressive design. This aesthetic research involves a subtle play of lights and materials, an atmosphere which plays on both dark chrome elements and surfaces with new reflections. The glossy black reveals the beauty of the bodywork, it runs from the grille to the central star, up the contours of the windows and down to the rims. “The Mercedes-Maybach brand goes beyond the product, which is why it is so important to create an experience that matches our customers' status and personal style,” says Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach at Mercedes. -Benz Group AG. On the S-Class, the Night Series Pack includes different paint finishes in gray, black and white as well as an exclusive two-tone finish combining Onyx Black and Mojave Silver. Delicate details such as rose gold in the headlights and dark metallic chrome elements enhance the overall elegance. Inside, the S-Class achieves a high level of luxury and refinement with two variants to choose from: Pearl Black Nappa Leather or Intense White Nappa Leather. The noble mother-of-pearl effect with the “nappa leather” option, as well as the shiny golden gray piping, give the interior the shine and brilliance of Venetian palaces. Soon, the Night Series will also be available on the GLS and EQS SUV models.
8 Mercedes-Benz
MERCEDES-MAYBACH EQS SUV 680 | WLTP
Consumption (combined cycle): 24.4-22.5 kWh/100 km
CO emissions, (combined cycle): 0 g/km
See note on page 5
MERCEDES-MAYBACH S 580 E | WLTP
Consumption (combined cycle): 0.8 1/100 km CO emissions (combined cycle): 19 g/km
See note on page 5.
MERCEDES-MAYBACH EQS SUV 680
MERCEDES-MAYBACH S 580E
COCOONING AND ELECTROMOBILITY
THE WORLD OF SILENCE
With this first plug-in hybrid model, Mercedes-Maybach combines luxury and more sustainable electric driving. This is a new step towards total electromobility. This long sedan seems to glide along the road noiselessly in supreme comfort and a connected interior. An experience of silence that will make your travels moments of tranquility and fulfillment. The specific electric functionalities have been discreetly integrated thanks to Maybach's expertise. The charging socket is thus hidden on the left side of the vehicle, blue accents are found in the headlights, and the dashboard indicates the battery charge status. This Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e is powered by an in-line six-cylinder engine combining an output of 270 kW (367 hp) with low fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions. A combined power of 375 kW (510 hp) and maximum torque of up to 750 Nm guarantee exceptional performance. At 440 Nm, the maximum torque of the electric motor translates into rapid acceleration and sharp pick-ups. The Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. With an electric range of up to 100 kilometers (WLTP) and an electric power of 110 kW (150 hp), this limousine can travel while reducing its local CO emissions, both in the city and on intercity journeys.
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV 680 combines its technological advances with Maybach exclusivity. Its design is recognizable by the vertical star enthroned on the hood and its black facade which takes up the emblematic Maybach grille, giving it a statutory appearance. The spacious interior offers holistic comfort with a cocooning effect in the rear. Very advanced on sustainability issues, this Mercedes presents itself as the first model in the group to be equipped with leather whose vegetable tanning, which consumes less water, thus saves resources. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV sets a new benchmark in the fully electric SUV segment. “Mercedes-Maybach customers expect the extraordinary, and we aspire to exceed their expectations. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV combines our ambition to become a leader in the digital and electric fields with our focus on the luxury segment,” says Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV 680 develops an output of 484 kW (658 hp) and has a range of up to 600 kilometers (provisional data). It has 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard. In addition to the DYNAMIC SELECT ECO, SPORT, OFFROAD and INDIVIDUAL driving programs, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV also inherits the special MAYBACH driving program.
Mercedes-Benz
NEW MERCEDES-AMG C 63 S E A PERFORMANCE 4MATIC+ | WLTP
Electric range (combined cycle): 13 km Consumption (combined cycle): 6.9 1/100 km CO emissions (combined cycle): 156 g/km
See note on page S
STMB 1227
MERCEDES-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE THE 4-CYLINDER INSPIRED BY F1
MERCEDES EQE 300 EXECUTIVE LINE | WLTP
Consumption (combined cycle): 16.9 kWh/100 km CO emissions (combined cycle): 0 g/km
The New Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance embodies the next generation of very high performance vehicles. It uses plug-in hybrid technology. Its design was a real technical challenge for the Mercedes-AMG teams, who relied on the know-how of the Mercedes-AMG PETRO NAS F1 team. Its propulsion concept therefore combines the four-cylinder turbo engine with an electric motor delivering high torque. Compared to the Mercedes-AMG C 43, the diameter of the turbo as well as the boost pressure have been increased, which made it possible to push the power to 350 kW (476 hp), compared to 300 kW (408 hp) previously. This quite simply makes it the most powerful new production 4-cylinder in the world. Its 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor provides an additional torque of 320 Nm. It is positioned on the rear axle and allows 100% electric driving with energy recovery when braking. The AMG High Performance Lightweight Battery (HPB) is also located in the rear; its high power and reduced weight significantly improve the overall performance of the vehicle. It weighs only 89 kg and its capacity is 6.1 kWh. The 4MATIC+ system with variable transmission guarantees optimal traction and trajectory stability.
See note on page 5.
MERCEDES EQE 300 EXECUTIVE LINE
BUSINESS CLASS
A new finishing line for the EQE appears, the Exe cutive Line. It is characterized by a high level of standard equipment which includes, among others, high-performance LED headlights, the Parking Pack with reversing camera, the MBUX multimedia system with 32.5 cm (12.8 cm) OLED central screen "), Apple Car Play and wireless Android Auto, metallic paint and dark athermal glazing at the rear.
As of August 2023.
10 Mercedes-Benz
SLEEP BETTER LIVE BETTER
When you wake up in a Hästens bed, you realize what perfect sleep really means. The result of exceptional know-how and a selection of the best natural materials, our beds provide you with incomparable well-being, which lasts all day long.
Hästens
BE AWAKE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR LIFE® HASTENS.COM
since 1852
ON BEAUTY
Text: Nicolo Fischer
CLASS E
Focus on the details that make Mercedes models attractive: HARTMUT SINKWITZ, Director of Interior Design, talks to us about the emblematic dashboard of the New E-Class.
12 Mercedes-Benz
“There is absolutely nothing comparable to this day,”
“What makes the interior of the New E-Class special is the interaction between the display glass and the dynamically downward-curving strip of ventilation nozzles.”
says Hartmut Sinkwitz enthusiastically when talking about the exceptionally generously sized dashboard he designed for the New E-Class. Together with his team, he devoted long hours of work to designing the interior of this new generation of the E-Class. This vehicle series combines “<space and luxury, as you would expect from a Mercedes”. His magic formula? The interior of a vehicle must seduce with the coherence of its aesthetic, “like a symphony in which all the sounds come together in a way that is both captivating and harmonious”. So all it takes is one look into the New E-Class to feel a sense of slight levitation. This is due to the large glass surfaces of the passenger side screen, the center console and the holographic display, among other features. “The entire dashboard becomes a screen,” explains Hartmut Sinkwitz. “On the one hand, the digital experience is taking up more and more space in the interior of our vehicles. On the other hand, we ensure that they continue to provide the classic luxury feel so appreciated in Mercedes, with its real wood finishes or controls
HARTMUT SINKWITZ
Hartmut Sinkwitz is responsible for interior design at Mercedes-Benz. His career started strong: just a few weeks after joining the company, he won the design competition for Class C. It was the realization of his childhood dream, he says beamingly.
elegant touchscreens. This right balance between digital and analog is fundamental.” All this is perfectly illustrated by the dashboard of the New E-Class. According to Hartmut Sinkwitz, it is the interaction between the display glass and the dynamically downward-curving strip of ventilation nozzles that makes the interior of the new version stand out. All the ventilation nozzles are integrated into this thin strip comprising only a single movable slat, which gives the impression of floating. It is lit like a very thin neon tube. It is one of the many details making up the interior which contribute to a harmonious overall effect. Getting to this point required a lot of imagination and persuasion: Hart mut Sinkwitz and his collaborators worked for more than a year on this detail alone. They never gave up and sought, in collaboration with the engineers, all the technical solutions necessary for its realization. Perseverance and determination paid off. This is undoubtedly the greatest reward for any design creator.
14 Mercedes-Benz
ARCHIVES
Text: Renate Wiehager
DAVID HOCKNEY
The MERCEDES-BENZ ART COLLECTION is one of the most important corporate art collections in the world. We regularly present remarkable pieces to you. Today: a collage by artist David Hockney, who uses multiple points of view to depict a road trip in a Mercedes.
“Moving in Stereo” was the title of the latest art exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. It presented 150 works from the most diverse disciplines: painting, drawing, sculpture, light art, photography and even video. There, alongside young international contemporary artists, we could observe the work of luminaries such as David Hockney.
BRYCE CANTON
WATIONAL PARE
information about the MERCEDES-BENZ ART COLLECTION and current exhibitions at mercedes-benz.art (content available in English and German)
The works of this English painter and graphic designer largely contributed to the British movement of "pop art" in the 1960s. Using various artistic tools (oil paint, fax, photocopier or Polaroid photos), David Hockney revisits scenes from everyday life by integrating a two-dimensional structure and bright colors that divert and transform certain aspects of our world. His work stands out for its subtle humor, great sensuality and ideas that never cease to surprise the viewer, both in substance and form. His creations demonstrate a great knowledge of the history of art, from the Middle Ages to Picasso, including the Renaissance.
Around 1980, David Hockney began experimenting with photomontages using the Cubist technique to break down shapes. This is the case in this work composed of several distinct elements, with the steering wheel of a Mercedes-Benz as its central object. Assembling a series of small format detail photographs, taken from the driver's point of view, he created a new whole through collage. The image certainly reveals the central perspective of the motorist, but it is in reality composed of multiple points of view, as fragmentary as they are subjective. Like old world maps, there are empty spaces that we need to fill in mentally: what unexpected scenes does the rearview mirror hide? What landscapes are revealed if you look out the passenger window? David Hockney does not provide any answers, but leaves room for our imagination and dreams.
sterning whert
David Hockney, The Steering Wheel #3, 1982. Photo collage. 56 x 70 cm.
Mercedes-Benz 17
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Text: Hendrik Lakeberg Photos: Daniel Dorsa
Everyone loves adventure: in films, series, books and stories that date back as far as antiquity. In real life too, we long for extraordinary experiences that stimulate us and open up new horizons. But can this spirit of adventure also inspire us on a daily basis?
18 Mercedes-Benz
It's not uncommon for great ideas to emerge from an indomitable spirit of adventure. At first unusual, sometimes even causing rejection, they are often revolutionary.
Adventure. This term vibrates with a unique energy. Travel to distant countries. Feel the thrill of change. Taste risk. Adventure can enrich us, even if it's as small an escapade as a detour on your usual commute to work. Just briefly breaking the daily routine can inspire us, change our thought patterns and help us better perceive our surroundings.
Of course, a small detour in the morning does not transform us into someone else, but we nevertheless find in this situation the epic elements of the stories that have fascinated us since the dawn of time. Adventure stories, in which courageous heroes and heroines attempt the impossible - such as the Ramayana, India's national epic, or the Odyssey - are at the heart of world literature, perhaps even of human culture. These adventure stories, first written in the 24th century BCE, depict characters undergoing transformation as a result of their experiences and who, most of the time, learn important life lessons during their journey.
Whether to admire the magnificent Austrian panoramas or the California desert aboard the EQS: setting off, quite simply, like Bertha Benz at the wheel of the first car, enriches us and opens new horizons.
Human beings understood very early the power of adventure. Whether you experience one yourself or tell it to yourself in the form of a story. Fictional adventures stimulate the imagination and satisfy our natural curiosity. While those we experience allow us to gain confidence and assurance. By pushing yourself to try new things and take risks, you learn more about your own abilities and discover unsuspected strengths and talents.
Today more than ever, curiosity - supposed to enrich us and help us develop as human beings - is often eclipsed by ever more complex daily routines. Above all, it is books, films and series that allow us to satisfy our thirst for adventure. The great cinema successes of recent years clearly show how much we love adventure stories: from science fiction to superhero sagas. Of course, there is a big difference between watching a hero surpass himself, comfortably seated in a cinema seat, and experiencing this adventure yourself.
20 Mercedes-Benz
NEW IDEAS FOR HUMANITY
So all it takes is a small detour on the way to work to bring the adventure from the virtual world of films, series and books to the real world. We ourselves build this journey towards the unknown. This need is decisive for us, human beings, well beyond our personal development, because it is not uncommon for great ideas to emerge from an indomitable spirit of adventure. At first unusual, sometimes even causing rejection, they advance humanity as a whole. Science and technology are, when you think about it, just as much adventures. They require a certain courage and often require making sacrifices... in order to savor all the more the reward at the end of the journey: for one the lived experience, for the other the fortune, the glory or the pride of having made things happen. These projects are carried out by protagonists who believe so much in an idea that they fight tirelessly to realize it, even if success is not immediately achieved.
Science and technology are, strictly speaking, just as much adventures. They require a certain courage and often involve making sacrifices to savor the reward even more at the end of the journey.
MERCEDES EQS SUV 450+ | WLTP*
Electric consumption (combined cycle): 19.5-22.9 kWh/100 km .
CO₂ emissions (combined cycle): 0 g/km
¹See the note on page 5.
* The EQS SUV shown in this visual is an American model with a specific front end. This configuration is unavailable in France. We only offer the 450 4MATIC and 580 4MATIC engines for this vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz 21
HAS FAITH IN A REVOLUTIONARY INVENTION
As evidenced by the history of Mercedes-Benz: in 1886, without her husband's knowledge, Bertha Benz took the wheel of the brand new Benz Patent Motorwagen No. 3 to travel, for the first time by car, accompanied by her sons Richard and Eugen, the 106 kilometers in 12 hours separating Mannheim from Pforzheim. This was the longest distance traveled by an automobile. Even today, Mercedes-Benz is driven by the adventurous spirit of its founders and resolutely follows their example – now with automated driving. This idea of a car of the future capable of going from point A to point B without the intervention of the occupants, thus allowing them to enjoy the landscape without being distracted by traffic, refers to the idea described at the beginning of the article: to feel the world more intensely... and therefore ourselves. Be aware of our thoughts, ...
( We explored Australia's spectacular landscapes. Everyday adventures also offer us new perspectives.)
... of our feelings, our dreams and our senses. Once the adventure is over, the world can suddenly appear in a new light. These experiences can awaken unsuspected forces in us. It is not necessarily necessary to travel through the rainforest, cross Austria or crisscross the arid California desert, as we have done for you in this issue. Based on our own experience, we nevertheless encourage you to step out of your comfort zone from time to time and let yourself be carried away... by the adventure that is life.
Even today, Mercedes-Benz is driven by the adventurous spirit of its founders and resolutely follows their example.
22 Mercedes-Benz
The Beautiful Living
according to nobility
Bring your projects to life!
Walk through the door, and come and discover our kitchens, dressing rooms, bathrooms and storage; at the forefront of technical excellence and featuring a unique design.
noblessa, supports you to make all your projects a reality. tailor-made interior fittings.
04 MANOSQUE |
06 NICE
11 CARCASSONNE |
13 AIX-EN-PROVENCE - SALON-DE-PROVENCE
14 CAEN
28 CHARTRES
29 QUIMPER
31 TOULOUSE
33 ARCACHON - BORDEAUX
34 BÉZIERS - MONTPELLIER
40 DAX
42 SAINT-ÉTIENNE|
51 REIMS
56 VANNES |
62 HÉNIN-BEAUMONT |
64 PAU|
66 PERPIGNAN
68 MULHOUSE
69 SAINT-BONNET-DE-MURE - VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-SAÔNE |
72 LE MANS |
76 ROUEN
80 AMIENS
83 BRIGNOLES - FRÉJUS TOULON
84 PERTUIS
92 ANTONY
94 VINCENNES
Mercedes-Benz 23
JOURNEY
In pursuit of adventure
Built for adventure, the AMG G-Class 63 is the ideal partner for embarking on an exhilarating road trip through tropical Australia.
24 Mercedes-Benz
Two of the most exceptional UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Queensland, come together in this sweltering corner of Australia, some 1,700 kilometers north of Brisbane.
Photos: Andy Hatton
Text: Sarah Reid
Having just left Cairns Airport, located on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, at the northeastern tip of Australia, our clothes are already sweaty. The wet season is coming to an end, but the air is still very thick. Luckily, there isn't a cloud on the horizon when we climb into the Mercedes-AMG G 63. We adjust the air conditioning and immediately start our special roadtrip playlist in preparation for the adventure to come.
●Daintree Rainforest
●Bloomfield Track Cap Tribulation
●Mount Alexandra Lookout
●Solar Whisper Wildlife
●Mossman Gorge
●Port Douglas
●Cairns
Two of the most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Queensland, come together in this sweltering corner of Australia, some 1,700 kilometers north of Brisbane. At the gates of this wild nature, which seems to come from another world, is the tourist center of Cairns: a small welcoming town with the peaceful pace of life of a country town. With its seaside plaza, renovated and dotted with luxury hotels built in recent years, Cairns marks the starting point of the Great Barrier Reef route. This 140 kilometer route extends north to Cape Tribulation, an imposing promontory and coastal settlement in the heart of the 120,000 hectare Daintree Rainforest. It's one of Australia's most scenic coastal roads, with a few secondary roads allowed for cars, making it a tailor-made route for the G-Class.
Mercedes-Benz 25
WILD BEAUTY
The first 70 kilometers of this delightfully wild road connect Cairns to the small seaside resort of Port Douglas and can be covered in an hour. But it is a journey to be savored, especially at the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG G 63. Its large windows allow you to admire the sublime panorama of this green landscape, where the hills covered by the tropical forest blend into a mosaic of sugar cane plantations all along the coast.
After passing Palm Cove, on the outskirts of Cairns, the landscape becomes steeper as the road follows the coast, passing through Macalister National Park. A succession of heavenly beaches invites us to swim, but the natural beauty of the region can be deceiving. Several signs bearing the words “stinger season” warn us that it is jellyfish season, during which swimming by the sea is limited to protected enclosures due to the presence of these animals with their deadly sting. It is also the country of estuary crocodiles (called salties by the local population), which is reminded by red and yellow signs displaying warnings in English, German and Chinese wherever these reptiles are likely to occur. manifest. However, the sandy roads leading to the beach along our route provide the perfect opportunity to test the capabilities of the G-Class 63 AMG. We downshift to get off the road, but the transition is so smooth that it feels like we've never left the tarmac. This is hardly surprising when you consider that all G-Class vehicles are put through their paces on the famously difficult Mercedes-Benz test track on Mount Schöckl in Austria.
26 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz 27
CULTURAL LINKS
“The rainforest is like our supermarket, but we have to be careful about the area we go to.”
To truly understand the weight of the rich history of this region, you have to meet an indigenous guide like Juan Walker, the owner of Walkabout Cultural Adventures, who is attached to the Kuku Yalanji tribe. Its ancestors have established a deep and unwavering connection with the reefs and rainforest for more than 40,000 years.
“Visitors are amazed by our knowledge of nature and how we can use its resources,” he told us at a local beach. “Take this berry,” he said, plucking the white fruit from a brown cassava plant (Scaevola taccada) and squeezing its salty juice into his eyes. “It acts like a saline solution to prevent infections.”
A CULTURE OVER 40,000 YEARS OLD Levi Williams tells visitors about the region's indigenous heritage.
Each indigenous person is the custodian of a wealth of knowledge and a unique cultural heritage. As a result, no two indigenous experiences are the same, as we learn during a Dreamtime Walk led by Levi Williams, a member of the same tribe. He guides us into Mossman Gorge, a magical corner of the tropical forest of Daintree, near Port Douglas.
Our experience begins with the smoke ceremony, a traditional welcome so intense it gives us goosebumps. Then Levi Williams takes us deeper into the forest, pointing out sacred sites, native wildlife and plants used to make weapons or prepare medicines and food. “The rainforest is like our supermarket, but we have to be careful about the aisle we go to,” he jokes, while showing a cassowary plum (Cerbera floribunda). Only the cassowary, a flightless but no less impressive bird, can digest these bright blue egg-shaped fruits. They are so toxic that they can kill a human being in just a few hours.
Much more appetizing perspective: the region has a multitude of high-end restaurants that will give you a completely different cultural experience. Indeed, modern Australian cuisine is strongly influenced by Asian flavors, and the culinary specialties of this multicultural region, geographically closer to Asia than to Sydney, are no exception to the rule.
28 Mercedes-Benz
IN QUEST OF NATURE Exploring the tropical forest aboard the G-Class.
ENJOYING VIEWPOINTS
Dawn illuminates the sky with a rich array of tangerine colors. The G-Class 63 AMG wakes up purring, as if it knew perfectly well where it was going. We hit the road for the last stage of our journey: crossing the Daintree River, 40 minutes from Port Douglas, and discovering the Cape Tribulation wilderness. Before crossing the river known for being home to numerous reptiles, we embark on a cruise to discover crocodiles with Solar Whisper. After spotting several salties, we return to the spacious cabin of the G-Class, ready for the next step. Completely cut off from the rest of the world, Cape Tribulation is only accessible from the south by ferry. The river crossing only takes a few minutes, but as soon as you step off the barge, you feel like you've stepped into a dinosaur movie. The world's oldest rainforest surrounds the narrow road, as the G-Class 63 AMG makes its way to our first stop, Mount Alexandra Lookout. There, the sky is clear, which allows us to admire the breathtaking panorama of the tropical forest and the Coral Sea with turquoise waters. We continue slowly, watchful of the cassowaries that could cross the road at any moment. At Cape Tribulation, a small community lives away from the world, while many residents work in local tourism businesses like the Daintree Ice Cream Company. We stop there to taste a refreshing blend of coconut and native acacia seeds.
MERCEDES-AMG G 63 | WLTP
Consumption (combined cycle)¹: 16.2 1/100 km.
CO emissions (combined cycle): 369 g/km.
G 369gCO2/km
¹See note on page 5.
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