Special Edition Mercedes C350 To Raise $1M For ‘Key To The Cure’

Mercedes for a cause. The German automaker reaches out to lend a helping hand and touch other people’s lives. It intends to put a stress on benevolence and not just profit-making ventures.

The German automaker’s American division has engineered a special edition version of its sleek 2008 C350 sport sedan to raise $1 million for Saks Fifth Avenue's “Key To The Cure” - a women's cancer initiative developed in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation's (EIF) Women's Cancer Research Fund.

To raise awareness of the cause, actress Renee Zellweger has been named the Entertainment Industry Foundation ambassador for Saks Fifth Avenue's 2007 Key To The Cure and will show her support by wearing this year's Key To The Cure t-shirt designed by Juicy Couture. The actress will appear in promotional materials and in a national public service announcement (PSA) to bring attention to this critical issue.

As a national sponsor of “Key To The Cure,” MBUSA expects to contribute $1 million through the sale of 1,000 exclusive C-Class vehicles scheduled to arrive at Mercedes-Benz dealerships this month, The Auto Channel reported. Sales of this well-equipped, powerful and fun-to-drive sedan will benefit charitable programs dedicated to finding new detection methods, treatments and a cure for women's cancers nationwide. Over the past five consecutive years, MBUSA has supported Key To The Cure and has raised over $5 million for women's cancer research.

The agile new 2008 C350 Sport Sedan combines the power of a 268- horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6 engine with the most desirable new options and technology available from Mercedes-Benz and the exclusive Sahara Beige and Black leather interior to create the Special Edition C350 for “Key To The Cure.” This sophisticated sedan offers auto enthusiasts not only cutting-edge style, superior technical innovations and performance but the chance to help make a difference in the fight against cancer, the report continued.

"The new C-Class is one of our most eagerly awaited new models," said Steve Cannon, the vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. "We're pleased to be able to take advantage of that enthusiasm in support of a cause that touches so many lives."

The Special Edition Mercedes-Benz C350 is equipped with:

• Obsidian Black Metallic Paint
• Exclusive Sahara Beige / Black Leather Interior
• 18 inch AMG twin-spoke aluminum alloy wheels
• Multimedia Package (HDD Navigation, Harman Kardon sound system, DVD changer, Voice Control)
• iPod Integration Kit

Each of the 1,000 special-edition sport sedan features the athletic new profile of the AMG lower bodywork and rear spoiler, sport sedan interior elements including gauges, sport steering wheel and pedals, and a Black Birdseye Maple trim. The winning style of this new model combined with the exclusivity of the Special Edition for Key To The Cure leather interior creates a striking addition to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class line. The car also features a power sunroof, eight-way power front seats with lumbar support, two-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, a central controller, and an LCD display screen.

Funds raised will benefit over 50 charitable programs nationwide.