Mercedes-Benz landed a stunning ‘winning double’ in the 2011 Fleet World Honours automotive awards, to reaffirm its leadership of the sector’s luxury car and light commercial vehicle segments.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van took top honours in their respective categories – both retaining titles they already held.
The S-Class won for the third time in as many years, while the Sprinter has gone one better, triumphing for the fourth consecutive year.
Both coveted awards were being presented at a special ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club on London’s Pall Mall today (Wednesday 11th May).
The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
Fleet World Editor Steve Moody, who also chaired the judging panel, said: “The S-Class continues to set the benchmark in luxury car motoring: it is incredibly composed on any road surface and is unparalleled in terms of refinement and comfort, while the upgraded Euro 6 standard 350 BlueTEC diesel engine moves it ahead of its competitors in all-round environmental impact.”
And Van Fleet World Editor John Kendall said: “The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was the first to offer an automatic engine stop/start system on a van, helping to reduce fuel consumption in urban traffic for a modest option price. Mercedes was also among the first to introduce Euro-5 compliant diesel engines for the Sprinter, helping to take a lead in reducing emissions. Similarly, it was one of the first vans to be fitted with ESP electronic stability control and a front bulkhead as standard, helping to improve safety.
“The largest Sprinter van offers 17m3 of load space, but it’s hard to believe that you’re driving such a large vehicle, such is the standard of road holding, handling and ride comfort, combined with low noise levels. It’s hardly surprising that it has become so popular both as a van and a conversion.”
Widely acknowledged as the world’s finest luxury car, the legendary Mercedes-Benz
S-Class has been garlanded with awards over many years. The latest models include revisions such as the ECO stop/start function and the advanced 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, meanwhile, is recognised as the van industry benchmark for reliability, safety, driver appeal and overall running costs, while its excellent fuel economy and low exhaust emissions – and the presence in the range of the petrol/gas hybrid Sprinter NGT version – make it a winner with environmentally-conscious operators too.
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Cryus Lynn
