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Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive
At the January 2007 North American Auto Show held in Detroit,
Mercedes-Benz made waves with the unveiling of the Ocean Drive
model, and the response was overwhelmingly favorable.
According to inside sources, the Ocean Drive was intended
to be a one-off model that departs from the company's
S-Class vehicles significantly. Depending on public reaction,
the Ocean Drive may be hitting a dealership near you very
soon.
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Mercedes-Benz is of course known for producing cars with a decidedly
German bent, which is hardly surprising since the company is German
after all. With the release of the Ocean Drive however, Mercedes-Benz
clearly has its sights set on the American market, with a vehicle
that has the look and feel of an American automobile.
In fact, many are already saying that the company is going after
the Lexus and BMW markets, both of which manufacturers have made
a significant impact on the North American automotive industry
over the past several years.
One thing that you will immediately notice about the Ocean Drive
is that the four-door design provides plenty of space for the
car's occupants. The Ocean Drive is powered by a dual turbo V12
engine, and the body is designed to be lean and long. The Ocean
Drive also comes with a B-pillar that is evident from the back
and front windows, and this gives the car an attractive design
that belies its large size.
The S-class influence is also apparent in the Ocean Drive, which
features a similar grille and headlight design. However, the Ocean
Drive sets itself apart with LED headlights that are a marked
departure from the S-class design.
But what is certain to turn heads is the variety of helpful automated
features that the Ocean Drive comes with. Among them are a ground
breaking soft-top system that result in smooth process and quick
closing times, a neck level Air Scarf heating system that covers
all four seats and permits users to experience top-down motoring
during cold months, brake assists, pre safe brake scheme and preventive
user protection system, and many other features that aren't normally
seen in concept cars.
As for power concerns, all that is ably handled by the powerful
twin turbo V12 engines that drive the rear wheels of the vehicle.
This raises expectations that the Ocean Drive is intended to be
a quick grand tourer.
The Ocean Drive's design places it firmly against competing four-door
convertible models currently out on the market. With this new
model, Mercedes-Benz aims to bring about a renaissance of the
classic large luxury convertibles, all the while keeping elegance
and comfort right at the forefront.
As to whether or not Mercedes-Benz will succeed in its goals
remains to be seen. What is certain however is that the luxury
car industry is in healthy right now. With the Ocean Drive's combination
of elegance, luxury and high performance, it just may be an indicator
of great things yet to come from the innovative automobile manufacturer.
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