Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pullman drawings leak from European patent office
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pullman patent drawings – Click above for a high-res image galleryIt's no great secret that the European Union's patent office has more leaks than a Soviet submarine, but up until now it's only been small cars that have been able to trickle out (see: the facelifted Mazda MX-5 and Nissan 370Z Roadster). But the dam seems to be giving way as a whole Mercedes limousine has managed to squeeze though and into the public realm, and our European compatriots at Autoblog Spanish have got the sketches to prove it.
Like the spy shots we've seen before, these patent sketches provide further proof that Mercedes is preparing to launch a stretched Pullman version of its new E-Class. Several extension options are apparently being prepared, ranging from a modest wheelbase extension all the way up to a full extra set of doors. Expect all manner of luxury equipment to find its way into the enlarged cabin, from entertainment systems and courtesy lighting to power reclining seats and fold-down picnic tables for that ultimate Grey Poupon experience. Click the thumbnails below to view the patent drawings in high resolution.
Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Clase E Pullman (OAMI)
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PaulPaul 9:36AM (5/04/2009)
details can be found on the website under: Home->Patents->Category->Cars->Ugly->
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Stephan Kippe 9:38AM (5/04/2009)
This is nothing new for Mercedes. From the 50s up until to the end of the W124 production run in the early 90s Mercedes officially offered stretched, 6 door 8-seater versions of their middle-class product line. Most of these were used as Hotel Taxis etc. before being shipped to the middle east and used as Taxis there.
Actual production for most of these cars was done by Binz, a coachbuilder located in Lorch near Stuttgart.
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Avinash machado 9:49AM (5/04/2009)
There does not seem to be much need for Maybach.
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martin 9:57AM (5/04/2009)
why not just get an s class if you want something bigger than an E
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Colin Smith 10:07AM (5/04/2009)
My taxi driver in Cyprus uses stretched E Classes for the airport runs. They are OK but don't have the ground clearance bad roads and high kerbs necessitate.
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Jei 10:21AM (5/04/2009)
Wow! Are any of you as excited as I am to see new plans for an E-class limo?
No....I thought as much. Not really that interesting.
Now, if M-B released a statement saying that they're working on new Maybachs and they won't look anything like "rehashed" Benzes, that would be interesting news.
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Soccer Mom 10:33AM (5/04/2009)
And what is exactly the patent for? For the idea of stretching MB into a limo? What a novelty!
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TigerMil 11:27AM (5/04/2009)
Had an E-class 2.5liter stretch in Paris a couple years ago with a driver. Nice car.
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A 2:16AM (5/05/2009)
Dear Noah,
Maybe you'd like to introduce different (corrected) termonology in your future posts. The EU does not have a patent office. It does have a Trademarks and Designs Registration Office where your information comes from. I think calling it "leaking" is also far fetched. Companies register designs that then become public, as far as I know.
Your messages are duplicated referring to the European Patent Office, which has nothing to do with "leaks" mentioned by you and is a completely different (and non-EU) institution.
Anna
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reg 4:01AM (5/07/2009)
Why this obsesson with "leaks"? The European Trade Mark and Designs Registration Office (OHIM) has a public database that can be examined free of charge. If Mercedes wants to put its future designs on public display (as did Mazda and Nissan) anyone can see them by going to www.oami.europa.eu. This article is just lazy, misleading "journalism."