The FIA recognised Mercedes-Benz at the 2005 Prize Giving Gala in Monaco on Friday night (December 9) for their unique achievement in the 100,000 mile record established earlier this year.

Dr. Michael Krämer, Head of Development for the C-Class, CLS-Class and E-Class models at the Mercedes Car Group was presented the award by FIA President Max Mosley, in recognition of the achievement made by the young team of 30 drivers who took part in the record drive in Laredo, Texas, with three standard model E 320 CDI vehicles.

The world records launched the career of the new Mercedes-Benz V6 CDI diesel engine, which replaced the previous five and six-cylinder in-line engines in the summer of 2005. The 165 kW/224 hp engine mounted in three standard E 320 CDI models, covered distances of 100,000 kilometres (average speed: 225,903 km/h), 50,000 miles (225,456 km/h) and 100,000 miles (224,823 km/h) in world record time.

Dr. Michael Krämer, Laredo Project Leader for Mercedes-Benz said,

“I am very pleased about this award, which I accept on behalf of the young ‘Laredo-Go team’. The key to our success was in the team spirit and quality of our products.”

Max Mosley, FIA President said,

"This world record is a great achievement for everyone involved and demonstrates the extraordinary reliability of modern Diesel engined cars. I think this record clearly shows how highly developed Mercedes-Benz Diesel technology is."