Mercedes-Benz Collection 2012 with new items galore: Classy fashion items, exclusive leather goods, functional sports accessories and superb-quality timepieces

The new comprehensive Mercedes-Benz Collection 2012 catalogue features over 340 items, spread over more than 160 pages. The extensive range of new products includes the fitness bike with 29-inch wheels, the Mercedes-Benz Motor Sports Selection 2012, the AMG Retro Edition and the Classic Selection marking the 60th anniversary of the Mercedes SL. The new comprehensive catalogue is now available from Mercedes-Benz sales partners.

Better grip, a smoother ride and increased stability are just some of the advantages of the 29-inch wheels on our new fitness bike. The prestigious Mercedes-Benz Bike Selection 2012 also includes a fully sprung mountain bike, a robust trekking bike for everyday comfort and a high-end carbon racing bike. And for the children, Mercedes-Benz has an ultra-adaptable Kids Bike, convertible with a flick of the wrist into a run/balance bike.

The design concept of the new Mercedes-Benz Motor Sports Selection picks up on the characteristic green colour of PETRONAS, the Mercedes-Benz Formula One and DTM partner. One of the highlights in the 2012 racing season is an exclusive collaboration with the new team partner, PUMA. The Mercedes-Benz Motor Sports Selection 2012 comprises a total of over thirty-five products, ranging from sophisticated timepieces to fashionable textiles and practical accessories for racing enthusiasts such as seat cushions and flags.

Another highlight of the new catalogue is the AMG Retro Edition, as an ideal way for Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH to celebrate the establishment of AMG on 1 June 1967 and the second placing of the 300 SEL 6.8 red super touring car in the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in 1971. The centrepiece is a classy collection of leather goods made from special cognac-coloured Italian leather with a distinctive vintage look – superb products designed to become the user’s constant companions. The collection includes a weekend travel bag, a wallet, a belt and a leather key-ring. Common to all items in the range are the meticulous crafting, and the historic AMG logo stamped on the outside and the words “Founded 1967” on the inside.

Another new entrant to the range, again paying homage to an iconic racing car, is the Classic Selection, marking the 60th anniversary of the Mercedes SL. Highlights include stylish horn frame sunglasses, a classic roller suitcase and a USB stick fashioned in the shape of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH has also added six new watches to its range of superb-quality timepieces. “Funky Elegance” is a new ladies’ watch, featuring a special steel wristband, a taupe-coloured face and a date magnifying glass. The range also includes a large-face, matt-black, three-hand watch. And a special highlight is a Swiss-made quartz chronograph marking the anniversary of the 300 SL. The stylish cream beige face features a distinctive wave motif and the original 300-SL font. This limited-edition chronograph is a new entry in the Motor Sports selection, along with a three-hand watch with a more streamlined, contemporary racing look. There is also a new version of the ever-popular Business Chronograph, still with the familiar ceramic wristband.

New classification system with clear layout

The Mercedes-Benz Collection 2012 catalogue also features a new, clearer layout in comparison with its predecessors. Rather than being structured around “selections”, the new layout is based on product groups (timepieces, fashion, accessories, travel, key-rings, gift ideas, children, sport and model cars). There is a separate section for AMG items. All this makes it easier for customers to find exactly the product they are looking for.

The new-look catalogue is also designed to enhance the quality of the visual presentation of the items. The clear layout and space left around the photographs show the products off to better advantage. The catalogue is produced in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Russian, and is available from Mercedes-Benz sales partners.

The eCatalogue can also be perused online at www.mercedes-benz-accessories.com. There is also a “making-of” web special on the catalogue, with footage of the photo shoot locations and some of the creative talent involved in designing and producing the document. Click on the “More information” link under the “Collection 2012” headline for direct access to the eCatalogue and the “making of” special.

Mercedes-Benz Collection: unrivalled design and functionality

“The best or nothing” promise clearly carries through to the products in the Mercedes-Benz Collection. All items have been specifically designed, developed and produced for Mercedes-Benz. Ideas scribbled on a notepad are worked up into detailed sketches and later translated into precise technical drawings. Prototypes are then produced, after which the proportions, functionality and choice of materials are assessed and debated, to ensure full compliance with the rigorous Mercedes-Benz product requirements.

True to its commitment to superb quality, Mercedes-Benz also has the products in the Mercedes-Benz Collection and their raw materials and components tested by the specialists at the independent SGS Institut Fresenius product testing centre. The extensive range of laboratory and safety tests are based on strict assessment criteria, set significantly higher than the minimum legal requirements.