Mercedes-Benz Unveils New Star Lounge at 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge is the latest attraction at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance. Positioned next to the pad on Pebble Beach's renowned Third Fairway, the Star Lounge will be showcasing over 20 new and classic vehicles and is open to the public from 8:30am until 5:00pm Thursday to Sunday.

The 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance has a new attraction this year from Mercedes-Benz, official automotive sponsor of the festivities, which was unveiled today to car enthusiasts attending the world renowned event.

Positioned on the third fairway at Pebble Beach, the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, a grand display distinguished by its transparent front entrance, provides a striking view of the Pebble Beach course from the interior and more than 20 classic and new vehicles throughout the structure.

One of this year's stand-out classic cars on display is the Mercedes-Benz 1935 500 K Touring, which has a one-hundred horsepower, supercharged engine and three speed transmission. The 500K is one of only sixteen built in this configuration. Also on display is the C291 Group C racecar with a 12-cylinder boxer engine capable of producing 650 hp and speeds of 239 mph. Along with the F700 concept car and McLaren SLR roadster on display at the Star Lounge, car enthusiasts can also see an iconic 1955 300 SL Coupe Gullwing, a car sought after by collectors from around the world.

The Star Lounge will open to the public from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 14th through Sunday, August 17th.

The Pebble Beach region plays hosts to many activities during the Concours d'Elegance, bringing new and old vehicles for all to see. The event begins with the Tour d'Elegance on Thursday morning, which includes a 50 mile scenic drive down the coast of California that will be led by famed raced car driver, Jochen Mass, in a CLK63 Black Series F1 pace car and Sir Stirling Moss in a 1957 300Sc Cabriolet.

Mercedes-Benz will host an AMG drive event at the Quail on Thursday, August 14th from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM that includes test drives of high-performance vehicles including the new 2009 AMG SL63 and C63. On Friday, August 15th, Mercedes-Benz will hold its annual, invite only gala to honor this year's Pebble Beach Star Driver, Jochen Mass. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Jutta Benz, great granddaughter of Carl and Bertha Benz, and drive with her in a Benz Patent Motorcar from 1886.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2005, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 224,421 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 12 consecutive years of sales growth.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA