Mercedes-Benz E-Class, From Paris to Beijing A 14,000 Km marathon Thirty-six Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars with clean diesel drive started on a fascinating long distance drive from Paris to Beijing on October 21, 2006. During the five stages of the journey, the new generation E-Class models had to cover more than 14,000km in nine countries within 25 days for a planned arrival in Beijing on November 17, 2006. The most unusual vehicles in the fleet were the two E-Class taxis from Paris which accompanied the convoy for the entire journey. On the trail of the automotive pioneers This automotive marathon followed the original route of the world's first transcontinental car race in 1907 which was initiated by the French Newspaper Le Matin, with the aim of demonstrating the technical superiority of the car over the horse. Back then, Prince Scipione Borghese finished the 26-day drive in triumph. Retracing his victorious route from Europe to Asia, the participants this time had to pass through France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Kazakhstan before ending up at the Yongding Gate, in the centre of Beijing, China. Battling for every kilometre Surviving the daily stages of up to 560 km through unusual traffic conditions and weather, as well as crossing passes at altitudes of up to 2,900m required outstanding concentration, experience and fitness from the approximately 360 drivers who took turns at the wheel during the five stages of the journey. The drivers, from 35 countries, included international journalists, celebrities and enthusiasts who were the lucky chosen ones from among 50,000 who expressed interest in the internet. Live up with the promise of quality "The long distance drive from Paris to Beijing rendered the qualities of the new E-Class generation more tangible. The E-Class has lived up to all the promises that we had previously made to the participants and our customers." said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, the Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for the Mercedes Car Group. click to enlarge click to enlarge click to enlarge click to enlarge