Showing posts with label Mercedes-Benz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mercedes-Benz. Show all posts
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG to be a big draw
Mercedes-Benz is on a roll after it regained the top slot in the luxury car segment and has now brought in another powerful AMG to its India stable with the roll out of the SLK55 AMG for a whopping Rs 1.26 crore, ex-showroom Delhi.
With a slew of AMGs being rolled out in the country, Merc has riveted on the Indian market with the SLK55 (the most powerful SLK car), launching eight cars this year.
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| The Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG. |
The SLK55 is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 engine, which offers 421 PS power at 6,800 rpm. It comes with a peak torque of 540 Nm at 4,500 rpm.
This power is transmitted to the rear wheels with the help of a seven-speed transmission, the AMG Speedshift Plus7G-Tronic. This comes with three drive modes, such as Comfort, Sports as well as Manual.
The SLK55 can reach from 0 to 100 km per hour in just 4.6 seconds and the top speed it can touch is a mind blowing 250 km per hour. The Mercedes-Benz SLK55 is also 30 per cent more fuel efficient than other AMG cars and the company claims to have a mileage of 11 km to a litre.
Other AMG features that propel the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 are the AMG rear axle differential lock, AMG high performance braking system, AMG direct-steer system, AMG high-performing steering wheel along with an AMG sports suspension.
On the exterior, the SLK55 is offered with AMG aesthetics like wider fenders, quad tailpipes along with bigger air intakes.
The SLK55 also has multi-spoke blackened AMG alloys with silver brake calipers, bi-xenon headlamps with intelligent light system, active bonnet, adaptive brake light flashing, illuminated AMG door sills and a panoramic roof, which can become transparent or dark at the push of a button.
The car comes with an 18-inch alloy along with internally ventilated and perforated disc brakes.
While in the Sports mode, the gear shift takes place in a mind blowing 1/10th of a second and gears come with aluminum paddle shifters. The car is also offered with a three-stage ESP stability control system along with ABS as standard.
There is also a pre-safe braking system in the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, which though comes as an option. It senses a possible collision and sufficiently readies the brakes so that it can use full power soon after the pedals are pressed.
Also, the torque vector braking system in the car aids during emergency braking. So, full marks so far as safety features go.
The AMG SLK55 also comes with a slew of coveted freebies. There is a 500 watt Harmon Kardon sound system along with USB and Bluetooth interface, a GPS with a seven-inch display screen and a 10 GB hard drive to store endless music numbers.
So, with a host of safety and comfort features along with a slew of hi-tech freebies, the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG could become one of the biggest draws in the high-end luxury car market.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG is priced judiciously
Mercedes-Benz is rolling out mid-range luxury cars in the country by pricing them judiciously, and in the latest effort, the car maker has launched the CLA45 AMG in the country, pricing it at Rs 68.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi price).
The CLA45 is the least expensive Merc AMG car in the country. It is propelled by a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that belts out a mind blowing 360 PS of peak power.
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| The Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG. |
The Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG is offered with an all-wheel-drive that helps put down the power. Mercedes-Benz CLA45’s roll out in India is set to be followed by a slew of other car launches, like the ‘45’ badged cars, the A45 and the GLA45, which Merc plans to bring to the country very soon.
The CLA45 AMG is a four-door coupe, whose design is derived from the CLS-Class cars.
It has been test launched to see the response from the AMG-class car fans, which is likely to be overwhelming. The CLA45 AMG can be arguably dubbed as the most beautiful compact saloon in the globe today.
It has been test launched to see the response from the AMG-class car fans, which is likely to be overwhelming. The CLA45 AMG can be arguably dubbed as the most beautiful compact saloon in the globe today.
Mercedes also plans to launch the standard CLA180 or CLA200 cars in both petrol as well as diesel models soon.
This AMG model has adjustable sports suspension. The CLA45 AMG is offered with pre-programmed ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Manual’ modes that permit the gearbox to adjust the shifts along with a louder and sportier exhaust note.
The CLA45 AMG is a high performance car that can deliver high-quality performance every day. The Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG will vie with cars like the Audi S4 along with conventional sports cars such as the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z4.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA45 will target the youth, who can afford an AMG car and the new Merc would be sold through AMG outlets in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Chennai.
So, by pricing one of its most popular cars, the CLA45 AMG, judiciously, and by enticing the high-end car buff with a slew of planned launches, Mercedes-Benz could well remain on the top among the luxury car makers that are present in the country.
Friday, August 28, 2015
New E-Class may catapult Mercedes-Benz sales
Mercedes-Benz, which is indeed a class apart among luxury car makers, has been relegated to position number three in the high-end segment (after Audi and BMW) in India and, with the hope of gaining some ground, it has launched the limited edition E-Class sedan along with other variants of the car, which it rolled out simultaneously.
So, with just a 100 cars of the limited edition, which carries a price tag of Rs 49.9 lakh, the company plans to draw the attention of luxury car buffs.
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| The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. |
Besides the limited edition, there are also other new E-Class variants to opt for, which come for between Rs 41.50 lakh and Rs 44.48 lakh.
While the 200 CGI (petrol) will come for Rs 41.5 lakh, the E-250 CDI Avantgarde (diesel) will be priced at Rs 44.48 lakh.
The E-Class has total displacement of 2,143 cc and maximum rated output of 150/204 kW at 4,200 rpm and torque is at 500 Nm between 1,600 to 1,800 rpm.
For the first time, E-Class buffs get a grille with Central Star design.
At the rear, the LED tail lights with fibre optics integration are an enhancement from the earlier version.
At the rear, the LED tail lights with fibre optics integration are an enhancement from the earlier version.
The interiors have been overhauled. Nappa leather upholstery, a trapezoid-shaped high-gloss information display, a panoramic sunroof and a new multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles have made the refurbished E-Class cabin stand apart from what is offered by its competitors.
Safety standards have been given a leg up in the fresh E-Class model, which offers a combination of eight airbags, Brake Assist System, standard Pre-Safe technologies, an active bonnet mechanism, Acceleration Skid Control and Electronic Stability Program.
The active parking assist feature is a new addition to the E-Class and will give a fillip to the overall convenience and comfort level.
“The E-Class has been the most successful car from Mercedes-Benz worldwide with more than 11 million cars of the model already sold. In India also, the E-Class has been the highest selling luxury sedan ever and is an important product in our portfolio of cars,” managing director and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz India Eberhard Kern said.
He added, “This is the fastest launch by any international luxury car maker in India, which comes only six months after the new E-Class was rolled out worldwide.”
The E-Class has been a very important car for the company in India and has already sold 23,000 units since it was introduced in 1995. So, if Merc was to topple Audi and BMW, the E-Class would play a pivotal role and the automaker would surely bank on this car to revive its fortunes.
This sedan along with the economical A-Class cars, which are set to enter India soon, could help Merc gain ground in the country’s luxury car market.
The new sedan offers new technology, both internally and externally. The E-Class has something by the name ‘intelligent assist system’ which comprises features such as ‘Eco start-stop’ for fuel economy, ‘intelligent lighting’ for necessary light distribution along with ‘attention assist’ which warns a driver when he or she is inattentive or feels drowsy.
So, the E-Class, with its high quality features, especially the ones on safety, could catapult Mercedes-Benz into the big league.
Friday, August 21, 2015
With Boris Becker and GL 350 CDI limited edition, will Mercedes Benz lift its sagging image
Mercedes Benz has fallen to the third place in the Indian luxury cars market (a few years ago it was in the number one slot) after Audi and BMW and Merc desperately needed an ad blitz to boost its sagging image so it brought in tennis star Boris Becker to roll out its luxury SUV, the new GL 350 CDI BlueEfficiency, which has been priced at a steep Rs 77.5 lakh (showroom price in Delhi).
The GL-Class cars of Mercedes Benz are constantly evolving and the latest model has been packed with a lot more luxury and comes with great looks.
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| Boris Becker with the Mercedes Benz GL 350 CDI. |
The new GL 350 CDI BlueEfficiency car is a limited edition model with only 100 cars on offer and all of these cars could be lapped in just a few months.
The purpose clearly is to give the sagging Mercedes Benz brand in India a facelift and bring it back among the top two luxury carmakers.
The purpose clearly is to give the sagging Mercedes Benz brand in India a facelift and bring it back among the top two luxury carmakers.
Audi had recently scaled the top position in the luxury cars market, leaving BMW and Mercedes in the second and third slots respectively.
Mercedes Benz has made some improvements in this GL model. It not only managed to raise the output and torque by up to 20 per cent over the previous car, but also whittled down fuel consumption and CO2 emission on the new GL 350 CDI 4MATIC by nearly 15%.
Embedded with the latest technology, the 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine on the new GL 350 CDI BlueEfficiency 4MATIC belts out 258 PS and 620 Nm torque. The standard specification ECO start/stop functions automatically, paving the way for the engine to be temporarily switched off when the vehicle is standing on a traffic junction.
The new GL-Class car also comes with a litany of new driver assist and safety technologies such as Crosswind Assist, Trailer Stability Assist and Downhill Speed Regulation or DSR system in order to enhance performance even during inclement driving conditions.
These are rare and unique safety features the luxury car maker is offering, and is a big factor which determines sales of cars in the premium segment.
Mercedes Benz India is eyeing double digit growth this year from the 7,138 car sales it logged in the previous year.
The German luxury car major assembles models such as the S-Class, E-Class, C-Class and ML-Class while models like the GL-Class, CLS-Class and SLK-Class are fully imported.
So, just when Mercedes Benz fell to third place after Audi and BMW, it is desperate to make a comeback and occupy the top two positions and so it has brought its brand ambassador Boris Becker to roll out a limited edition of the GL 350 CDI so that it evinces the interest of premium buyers, who may see this as an opportunity to pick up a limited edition Merc.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Mercedes-Benz B-Class to create new customers
Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, in a bid to snatch the number one slot in premium cars from BMW by creating a new category of customers not catered to by the luxury liner, is all set to roll out a car from its B-Class stable (the tourer sport) in around a month or two.
This will give Mercedes-Benz ammo in the low-end luxury segment in the country (the Rs 25 lakh-Rs 30 lakh car bracket).
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| A Mercedes-Benz B-Class car. |
This segment will no doubt help Mercedes-Benz raise its volumes substantially but the car maker is unlikely to upstage its counterpart BMW in a year or two.
Currently, the luxury car maker (Merc) has its C-Class on offer to vie with competitors such as BMW and Audi.
Around 2014, Mercedes-Benz’s A-Class cars will also be rolled out and this will give the German car maker a big boost in the affordable category (luxury segment), spurring volumes manifold.
In fact, these small category cars could rev up volumes of Mercedes-Benz by at least 50 per cent, it is believed.
But even arch rival BMW is gearing up to retain its top slot with the launch of the Mini brand. So, the slugfest will intensify between the two arch rivals and the war this time will be fought on the price front, among others.
In fact, battle in this affordable category (the Rs 25 lakh-Rs 30 lakh bracket) will not only depend on the price but also on factors like features (especially safety features and looks), which will be an important factor before a customer opts for either a BMW or a Merc.
This will help Merc take on the likes of the Audi Q3, the BMW X1 and the Minis.
Peter Honegg, managing director and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz India, said that the slew of equipment, design marvel and best-in-its-class safety and comfort had made the B-Class tourer a car which will find many takers among the youth.
The new B-Class tourer comes with the versatility of an MUV, the ride quality of a sedan and strength of an SUV, the company said. It also has aviation-inspired dashboard design.
Among the high-end features of the car are enhanced boot space, a whopping seven airbags and accelerator skid control, which will be a milestone in safety in the Rs 25 lakh car space.
Sources in Mercedes-Benz said the company will initially roll out the petrol version of the B-Class tourer, and seeing the response, it may come up with a diesel variant.
So, by creating a new category of customers for its A and B Class cars, Mercedes-Benz will not only rev up volumes but will also pave the way for a slew of new standards (safety features, especially) in the class and this will force other auto firms to enhance safety and other features not only in this segment but even in lower categories as well.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Mercedes-Benz AMG range gets a fillip with the GL63
The constant pressure of staying among the top three in the luxury car segment (along with BMW and Audi) has prompted Mercedes-Benz to keep its promise of rolling out another AMG car in India and the luxury car maker this time has launched the GL63 AMG in the country for Rs 1.66 crore (showroom price, Mumbai).
The Mercedes-Benz GL63 is offered with a 5.5-litre, twin-turbo, V8 AMG engine, which belts out 565 PS and a mind blowing 760 Nm torque.
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| The Mercedes-Benz GL63. |
Mercedes-Benz GL63 has a top speed of 250 km per hour, which is electronically managed, and can reach from 0 to 100 km per hour in just 5.5 seconds.
The GL63’s V8 engine has been mated with the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-TRONIC gearbox and this makes the shifting of gears seamless.
The GL63 is given with a three-year standard warranty and there is no mileage limitation. Customers can take an additional year warranty by paying Rs 1.7 lakh extra.
The AMG ride control has a suspension with the Airmatic package, comprising special damper struts, active damping system and active rollbar stabilisation.
The ML63 has the all-wheel-drive four-Matic system and a 40:60 split in power delivery between the front and rear wheels.
So far as the exteriors go, the GL63 AMG is offered with a new grille that has high-gloss black slats along with a large centrally-mounted Mercedes star.
AMG styling elements offered are front apron with its large openings that has been designed for an effective air flow into the cooling modules.
The trim insert in silver chrome (matt finish) under the bumper raises the space inside. Also on offer are the LED daylight running lights.
At the back end, the Mercedes-Benz GL63 comes with a larger, sportier bumper with the typical AMG quadpipe exhaust pipe set up.
The AMG front bumpers combine into the exquisite wheel-arch flaring, which have been designed to accommodate the broader 21-inch AMD wheels.
The GL63 AMG is being offered in addition to the SLS AMG, SLK55 AMG, C63, G63 and E63 AMG, which are all part of the Mercedes-Benz AMG stable. The GL63 AMG will vie with the Range Rover Sport and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
Mercedes-Benz is also planning to bring in the A45, CLA45, CLS63 and the ML63 cars in the next few months to give a fillip to the AMG and the Merc brand names.
So, with Mercedes-Benz bringing in yet another AMG (GL63), the carmaker’s sales could surge ahead in the race against BMW along with Audi in the near future and put Merc on the top in the luxury car segment.
Mercedes A- and B-Class cars may find many takers
The compact car fever has also gripped iconic luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, which wants to compete in India’s medium cars segment by rolling out its A- and B-Class cars in the country next year.
The cars would be left-hand drive and roll out later this year in Europe and would take another year to make it to India, according to Mercedes-Benz India managing director and CEO Peter Honegg.
Even after being in the compact cars class, Mercedes-Benz models could be priced substantially higher than its peers but if one looks for quality, Merc could offer a person the best of that. However, the company has been tightlipped on pricing.
“In the beginning, the cars will be left-hand drive and will be made at our facilities in Germany. It will cater to the European market. A year later, we will bring them into India as completely knocked down or CKD units.”
He added, “Currently, we don’t have the facility to make the compact class cars at our Chakan facility near Pune.”
At present, Mercedes-Benz India makes the C-, S- and E-Class cars at its Chakan plant.
He said Mercedes hopes to register sales of over 7,000 cars this year compared with last year’s 5,800.
The luxury cars space has become crammed in India, with Maserati, Audi, BMW, Rolls Royce, Bugatti and Bentley’s inundating the country’s market with their offerings.
This has led to an oversupply of such cars and could take a toll on sales growth, which was once thought to be near about 70 to 80 per cent. Here, even as some companies survive, others may have to shut shop after a while.
Honegg said Mercedes-Benz pumped in Rs 400 crore to shore up the paint shop at the Chakan plant, which has a capacity of 20,000 units. “Our unit, while operating in two shifts, has a capacity of 10,000 units. By next year, it is slated to double, and may be, it will touch 40,000 in the next few years,” he said.
He revealed there are 30 dealers in India and would ramp up dealership in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
On sale of its Actros brand of buses, he said the company hopes to sell 140 buses this year compared with 70 in the previous year. He said financing of Mercedes-Benz buses would be done by the newly-launched finance arm of Daimler Financial.
Mercedes-Benz Financial would look after financing options for cars and Daimler Financial will handle the financing of its commercial vehicles arm, Bharat Benz, which will be launched next year.
In order to shore up sales, Mercedes-Benz is also planning to lease cars in India and the leased cars will come for 50 per cent of the original price. The time period of lease will be three to five years.
Honegg revealed the company will initially eye public listed companies, and later on, individuals.
Honegg revealed the company will initially eye public listed companies, and later on, individuals.
About 30 per cent of Mercedes cars (globally) are leased today and India is a nascent market which offers adequate opportunities, he said. With its move to lease cars, Mercedes-Benz could see volumes spurt manifold with the pricing and will help the company scale up earnings substantially.
The A- and B-Class cars will not fall in the category of compact cars in India. In the UK, the A- and B-Class cars come for between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 18 lakh and will compete with the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Altis.
The Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class cars could sell well and drain the Civic and Altis market quite a bit as those wishing to pay around Rs 15 lakh could want to be proud owners of a Mercedes-Benz.
The A- and B-Class cars will not fall in the category of compact cars in India. In the UK, the A- and B-Class cars come for between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 18 lakh and will compete with the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Altis.
The Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class cars could sell well and drain the Civic and Altis market quite a bit as those wishing to pay around Rs 15 lakh could want to be proud owners of a Mercedes-Benz.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Mercedes-Benz’s diesel C-Class to give fillip to brand name
Mercedes-Benz India is revving up to stay on top (by giving a boost to its brand name) and has brought in a sporty looking car from its C-Class stable in a bid to counter Audi’s recent launch of the A4 as well as BMW’s sporty looking Z4 so by pricing it at Rs 39.16 lakh, the C-Class car could see many takers, especially as it will only be available in the diesel variant.
This C-Class Mercedes-Benz would be up for grabs as only 500 cars are set to be put up for sale, that is, it would be a limited edition car to give a fillip to the Mercedes-Benz brand name and help Merc stay in the top slot of the country’s luxury car segment.
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| The Mercedes-Benz C-Class car. |
With this limited edition C-Class, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating the 10 million sales milestone of the model but although the car is cheap compared to BMW’s and Audi’s recent launches, the limited edition C-Class is still Rs 5 lakh dearer compared to the current models.
It would have been a very smart move, if the luxury car maker did away with the higher pricing and priced the C-Class limited edition the same as the usual models while celebrating 10 million sales of the model.
This is Merc’s last of the C-Class editions and the all-new C-Class car is expected to be unveiled in the second half of 2014 or may be early 2015.
So far as the limited edition C-Class is concerned, an AMG body kit, new designer wheels, smoked headlamps and a decent ‘Edition C’ badging make it different from the regular C-Class cars.
“The C-Class car has become one of Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling cars in the highly competitive basic luxury sedan market. To celebrate the C-Class’s milestone, which sold more than 10 million cars around the world, we are launching the special edition for our customers here,” said Eberhard Kern, managing director and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz India.
He added, “The first three quarters of the year have been great for Mercedes-Benz in India. We logged 52 per cent sales growth during the year, which is far ahead compared to the average growth in the industry. The C-Class is the bestseller in India (logging 35 per cent of Merc’s total sales) and we are also gearing up for new launches.”
Mercedes-Benz recently regained the top slot in the luxury car segment and doesn’t want to lose it, and so, it has rolled out the special diesel edition of its most popular model – the C-Class – in a bid to give a further fillip to its brand name.
Mercedes-Benz rolls out two M-Class variants
Mercedes-Benz is determined not to see its rival BMW gain the top slot in India’s luxury car segment, and in order to shore up its offerings, Mercedes-Benz has launched two new M-Class variants christened Grand Sports and Grand Executive, which fall under the sports utility vehicle (SUV) category.
On the other hand, BMW is also planning a slew of launches like the BMW X1 in India soon and plans to keep the SUV competitively priced. BMW X1 features include a 2.0 turbo diesel engine producing 174 bhp at 4000 rpm and 356Nm at 1750 rpm and could come for around Rs 24 lakh.
The BMW XI will have to slug it out with the likes of Honda CR-V, Nissan X-trail, Toyota Fortuner and Chevrolet Captiva. So, by rolling out an SUV that is half the price of Mercedes-Benz M-Class vehicles, BMW is likely to find many takers and erode Mercedes-Benz’s sales.
BMW will also bring in the Mini, which will contend with the Volkswagen Beetle. The Mini will be priced around Rs 20 lakh.
With these launches, BMW could stay ahead in the race with Mercedes-Benz. However, Mercedes-Benz is unlikely to give away much space to BMW in the mid-luxury category (cars priced above Rs 40 lakh).
Speaking on the launch of the R-Class SUVs, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, Wilfried Aulbur, said, “The Sports edition has been priced at Rs 54.11 lakh while the Executive edition will come for Rs 47.91 lakh.”
According to him, the M-Class that was launched in January 2010 had been a popular series in the Indian market. The Sports and Executive editions have been priced aggressively with attractive loadings and features to attract buyers, Aulbur added.
These two models sport a discerning look from other M-Class models. The Grand edition variants comprise darkened headlights with LED daytime driving-lights, 19 inch alloys with 10 spokes. The interior colour is now dual tone and has a sporty and ergonomically-made AMG steering wheel.
The M-Class from Mercedes-Benz, which has been in India for nearly 10 years, got a fillip in its looks and performance in 2009.
It comes with a string of safety features like Airmatic suspension with height control, Parktronic parking sensors, a permanent 4WD with 4ETS traction control system that aids in downhill traction control, acceleration skid control, off-road ABS system, adaptive damping system, among others. The M-Class clinched the five-star safety rating in European New Car Assessment Program crash testing.
As of now, the new variants will vie with BMW’s X5 series models which are priced in the range of Rs 52.99 lakh-Rs 69.50 lakh. According to BMW, 166 cars of this series were sold between January and October this year.
Whereas, the Mercedes GL-Class Luxury and Executive models in the SUV segment, priced at Rs 65-70 lakh (diesel variant), sold 148 units in the January-October period this year, a company spokesperson said.
Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 4,147 cars, including E-Class, C-Class, S-Class and M-Class in the January-October period this year. In comparison, BMW sold a tad higher at 4,741 cars during this period.
With both Mercedes-Benz and BMW unveiling aggressive launch strategies, it is likely that the two luxury car makers will remain neck and neck so far as sales go, at least in the near term.
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Mercedes-Benz rolls out G 55 AMG SUV for Rs 1 crore
The niche luxury SUV market in India is still at its budding stage and Mercedes-Benz has decided to bring in one of its high-end SUVs of the G-Class series, the G 55 AMG, priced at Rs 1.1 crore (ex-showroom Mumbai). At that price, the G 55 AMG is India’s costliest SUV.
The G 55 AMG is the top-end model in the G-Class and is equipped with a supercharged 5.5-litre V8-engine that develops 373 kW/507 hp and a maximum torque of 700 Nm.
Despite the cost, the initial response has been overwhelming for the G 55 AMG.
Debashis Mitra, director, sales and marketing, of Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Even before we launched it officially, we already have 15 bookings of the G 55 AMG.”
Debashis Mitra, director, sales and marketing, of Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Even before we launched it officially, we already have 15 bookings of the G 55 AMG.”
He added all those who booked had paid in full and the vehicle, to be imported from the company’s Stuttgart plant in Germany, will be delivered to them by the end of the month. The imported vehicles will come with a 102 per cent duty, he stated.
Mercedes-Benz claims that the G 55 AMG is the world’s best SUV. Mitra said, “Among luxury SUVs around the world, there’s none that can match the power, speed and luxury of the G 55 AMG.”
Even industry experts give a thumbs up to Mercedes-Benz’s SUV. According to them, it even trumps the Land Rover’s Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne SUV.
The G 55 AMG SUV is an all-terrain vehicle with the highest standards in terms of safety, comfort, speed and performance, Mitra said. The safety features are so advanced that the G 55 AMG is considered fit for the Pope’s travel, he added.
“With such features, the Mercedes-Benz SUV has the highest performance and can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in 5.5 seconds. It has an electronically limited top speed of 210 kmph,” he said.
The car is believed to be extremely stable in very high speeds and can climb a steep incline with ease.
Mitra added the G 55 AMG was rated the best SUV in 2010 in Germany by auto journalists for the seventh time and is built on the concept of “one-top-class engineer-one-handcrafted-engine-bearing-his-signature.”
Earlier, Mercedes-Benz had been known for its C-Class, E-Class and S-Class luxury cars.
Mitra said, “But in the last couple of years, we launched SUVs like the M-Class at Rs 48 lakh and GL-Class for Rs 65 lakh in the country. We have grown fast in the luxury SUV market.”
According to the car maker, the G-Class has been the longest serving passenger car for more than three decades in Mercedes-Benz’s 125-year-old history.
Last year, the luxury SUV market in India saw a growth of 54 per cent but Mercedes-Benz logged 197 per cent growth with sales of over 600 vehicles, Mitra said.
The G 55 comes with Mercedes-Benz’s high quality Comand vehicle interface system, Bi-xenon headlamps, corner-illuminating front foglights and scratch-resistant nano-particle paint finish. But the design of the car is a tad disappointing.
Mercedes-Benz has opened up a new segment, the high-end luxury category, and this could excite high net worth individuals who may want to flock for the G 55 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz revs up with new M-Class SUV
German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz is making determined efforts to regain its market share in the country, which it lost to BMW, and besides drawing up plans to bring in its economical A and B Class cars, Mercedes is also revving up in the mid-luxury M-Class segment bringing in its third generation SUV, pricing it at Rs 56.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The new M-Class SUV is 23 mm longer and 15 mm broader compared with the old car and its seats are 20 mm lower. These changes give the car a more dynamic look.
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| The new Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV. |
The interior of the SUV is also refurbished and is made of high-quality materials, has a beautiful instrument cluster and comes with a state-of-the-art entertainment system.
The M-Class SUV boasts of technologies like customised settings for engine performance, automatic transmission, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability programme and electronic traction system.
The mid-luxury segment in India is also witnessing a boom in sales (the growth of which could surge to over 80 per cent in the next few years) with rise in disposable income of middle class families in the upper end of the strata and Mercedes-Benz seems ready to make the most of it.
However, sales volume still remains a concern for Mercedes-Benz and other luxury car makers in the near term but could go up manifold in about five years time.
But another version of the new vehicle, the AMG edition, which was steeply priced at Rs 66 lakh, has been a big draw and was sold off during pre-bookings even before its roll out.
So, probably Mercedes-Benz has been buoyed by this response and is hoping that the new M-Class vehicle will sell well. Also, the SUV segment is steadily becoming a hit with Indian car buffs flocking for these adventure vehicles.
An upbeat Peter Honegg, managing director and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz, said, “At the beginning of this year, we had promised to bring in exciting new models into the market. We are proud to present the new M-Class.”
“We hope that the quality and the luxurious experience of the passenger will be a big hit and it will be warmly received in the country,” he added.
Mercedes-Benz has so far sold 1,500 units of the M-Class vehicle, launched in 2008, in the country. The latest model has witnessed a price cut of nearly 15 per cent (in a price-sensitive market like India) from its previous editions. This could spur its prospects compared with its competing vehicles like the BMW X5 and Audi Q5.
Mercedes-Benz thinks that the A-Class and B-Class cars could become game-changers once they enter the market. It has remained tightlipped so far as the prices of these two category cars go.
Mercedes-Benz will not be into price cutting in a big way as it knows that the luxury segment customers will pay for the M-Class SUV (unless it is grossly overpriced) but the German luxury car maker will create a new category when it brings in the A and B Class cars, which may help it upstage BMW from the number one slot.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Mercedes-Benz B-Class diesel may be a game changer
Mercedes-Benz no longer wants to remain a laggard and is enhancing its grip in the luxury compact car market by bringing in a diesel variant of a hatchback from its B-Class stable, which it has priced at Rs 22.6 lakh in Mumbai (showroom price) but will the diesel B-Class be a game changer for Merc?
The diesel model will only be available in one variant, the B 180 CDI Style, which is propelled by a 2.2 litre four cylinder engine that belts out 250 Nm of torque @ 1,400-2,800 rpm. The vehicle can touch a top speed of 190 km per hour. Mercedes-Benz says the B-Class diesel offers fuel economy of 18.98 km per litre.
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| The Mercedes-Benz B-Class diesel. |
Mercedes-Benz claims the B 180 CDI diesel engine is cleaner, more efficient and more powerful and ensures higher fuel efficiency along with lower CO2 emissions. The B-Class diesel has a 50 litres tank capacity.
The German car maker says the new B-Class diesel is a harmonious blend of an SUV and a sedan, which offers the strength of an SUV and the comfort of a sedan.
The new generation car from Mercedes-Benz is equipped with features like Intelligent Assistance Systems, SLS AMG INSPIRED 7G-DCT transmission with shift paddles, which is inspired by SLS AMG and is somewhat unique in the luxury compact category.
There is also a new interior trim in the B 180 CDI: Brown Burr Walnut with satin finish and this adds to the luxury of the new B-Class.
The new car also has Audio 20 CD Infotainment System with dual tuner, MP3/WMA/AAC-compatible CD player and an USB interface along with AUX-IN socket (in the centre armrest).
The new car also has Audio 20 CD Infotainment System with dual tuner, MP3/WMA/AAC-compatible CD player and an USB interface along with AUX-IN socket (in the centre armrest).
The B-Class petrol, which sold 500 cars since the last one year of its launch, has boosted Mercedes-Benz’s sagging fortunes and the company expects that diesel cars, which are usually highly popular in India, will give growth a fillip.
In fact, diesel cars comprise almost three-fourths of Mercedes-Benz sales, and in case of the B-Class, sales are lower at one-fifth.
The auto major feels that its new generation small cars, which comprise the A and B classes, have received a good response from car buffs, and over the last 10 months, Merc sold over 1,000 cars.
The company revealed that the A-Class was among the successful Mercedes-Benz cars in India. Within a few days of the launch, the company notched 500 bookings. Going by this, the diesel variant could do even better and help put Merc in the top two league among all luxury cars, which is led by Audi and BMW.
The diesel variant of its ‘affordable’ B-Class car could turn out to be a game changer for Mercedes-Benz, which hopes to be among the top two luxury car makers (by beating BMW) at least in the medium term.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Mercedes-Benz S500 may steal the show over Audi’s RS7 Sportback
Audi’s power machine, the 2014 RS7 Sportback, is now in India for a whopping Rs 1.28 crore (ex-showroom, Mumbai) with the luxury car brand making a bid to be present at most price points in the premium segment and narrow the gap with Mercedes-Benz and BMW while Merc is ensuring that it isn’t losing its newly-acquired number one slot, rolling out the Mercedes-Benz S500 (which may steal the show in the segment).
Propelled by a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo (TFSi), V8 engine producing 560 PS peak power and 700 NM peak torque, the latest Audi RS 7 gets its power from the Quattro all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
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| The Audi RS7. |
This version of the RS7 is Audi’s most powerful car, belting out 10 PS more than Audi’s coveted R8 V10 Plus. The RS7 Sportback is based on the A7, which was rolled out by Audi two years ago.
The A7 came with some stunning styling, which included a reworked front grille and bumper. The front grille had the same honeycomb-style grille that is offered in the RS5.
The front bumpers, which are offered with two large air intakes on either side, give the latest RS7 of Audi a highly sporty look.
Audi says that the RS7 is capable of achieving 0-100 km per hour in a mind blowing 3.9 seconds and top speed is 255 km per hour. The speed limiter can be deactivated if a customer so desires and this can jack up the top speed to 300 km per hour.
The RS7 also comes with 20-inch wheels shod with 275/35 R20 tyres that can bring to life all the power in the car. There is also an upgraded back bumper with the trademark RS-spec oblong exhausts on both sides, which ensure that noises are kept at comfortable levels.
Mercedes-Benz S500 rolled out
Mercedes-Benz has rolled out a new S-Class car in the country for a whopping Rs 1.57 crore. The new S-Class will come only in one trim, the S500. The car will be offered as a completely built unit or CBU for now and the S-Class car would be made locally in about a few months.
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| The Mercedes-Benz S500. |
This luxury liner also offers top class performance.
Propelling the S500 is the 4.6-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine, belting out 469 PS peak power and 700 Nm peak torque.
Propelling the S500 is the 4.6-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine, belting out 469 PS peak power and 700 Nm peak torque.
At booking events, the S500 received good response, with over 100 cars already being ready for sale.
The W222 series S-Class wears the garb of the defunct Maybach brand and is among Mercedes-Benz’s most-coveted offers.
Among USPs in the Mercedes-Benz car are the LEDs, which is used while lighting the S500 and the driver’s seat is adjustable to the maximum extent.
Here’s an element of luxury! Passengers inside the S500 can use six different 15 minute massage settings.
The S500 comes with a whopping 24-speaker 1,540 Watt Burmester 3D surround sound system. Merc has a radar system that studies the road conditions and adjusts damper settings so that the ride is like a smooth flight. But this system will not come in the Indian version of the car as the government doesn’t allow it yet.
So, Audi’s RS7 Sportback and Mercedes-Benz S500 are both over Rs 1 crore but the Merc, which is a tad costlier among the two cars in the super luxury segment, could hog the limelight instead of the Audi.
BMW effect: Mercedes-Benz small car in India soon
With BMW bringing in the Mini, Mercedes-Benz is not sitting idle, targeting a five-figure annual sales in India, and owing to the intense slugfest with rivals, Mercedes is planning to drive in its small cars to India in order to cater to the largest segment of the car market in the country (the smaller cars category).
CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Peter Honegg had a few days ago said that the luxury auto giant may bring into India small cars like the B-Class and A-Class as these cars could have a “huge potential” in the country’s market.
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| The Mercedes-Benz A-Class car. |
In fact, the country has been offering a mega market to small cars all along. Only companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors realised this and raked in the moolah.
Though late, companies like Honda, and makers of luxury liners such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz finally seem to have realised the potential of small cars in India.
These companies now know that the only way to scale up profit is by going into the volumes market in a big way. The result: cars like the Honda Brio, BMW Mini as well as Mercedes plan to bring in small cars like those in the A-segment.
But even after Mercedes-Benz and BMW enter the small cars market, they can only shore up profits when they play in the compact car category. That is, these luxury car makers must make cars that are priced within Rs 5-6 lakh or less than Rs 10 lakh for that matter.
Currently, even the “small cars” made by these companies could be priced over Rs 20 lakh and may not help the German duo to scale up profits substantially.
Meanwhile, the cars Mercedes-Benz plans to bring into India are from the A-Class category, which is the company’s entry-level car in most markets. Then, the company is also bringing in another small car range, the B-Class car, which is a family car.
Honegg revealed that Mercedes will bring in an upgraded B-Class car along with the A-Class, which would most likely be available in two years.
So far as the compact SUV goes, Mercedes is contemplating introducing the GLK, which will vie with BMW’s X1 and Audi’s Q3. But a right-hand drive version of the SUV could take some time (a year at least, which is a dampener).
Mercedes-Benz sold 7,400 cars in 2011 compared with 5,600 cars in 2010. But BMW had overtaken Merc’s last year’s sales in October 2011 itself. From January to October, it sold 8,042 cars.
As per the latest news, Audi has dislodged Mercedes-Benz in 2012 sales so far. Mercedes sold 2,130 cars during the first quarter of this year while Audi logged sales of 2,269.
So, there is an urgent need for Mercedes-Benz to pull up its socks and the only way it can do so is by bringing in its A and B segment cars early and pricing them very competitively compared with BMW, so that Merc can compete on the volumes front to rev up profit.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Will Mercedes-Benz recall move hit R-Class sales?
Mercedes-Benz’s decision to recall 85,000 cars owing to a potential steering fault may hit its plan to stay on top in India’s luxury car segment, which it has been holding on to by rolling out a slew of models, the latest being the R-Class crossover. The R-Class comes for a cool Rs 58.79 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai) and opens up a new category in the existing range currently available in India like the C, E, S, GL and M classes.
A bullish Mercedes-Benz India director (sales and marketing) Debashis Mitra said, “We are very optimistic about the R-Class as it fits right in place with our existing brands in the country. The R-Class comes in between the M-Class and the GL-Class and opens a new segment altogether.” India is one of Mercedes-Benz’s first markets to see roll out of the R-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class will be available in the long wheel base R350 4MATIC that has a 3498cc V6 petrol engine. The car will also have bi-xenon headlamps, steel spring suspension in front and AIRmatic (Adaptive Intelligent Ride control) system featuring self-levelling air suspension in the rear for a more stable drive.
The engine is capable of generating 272 bhp of maximum power at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 350 N/m at 2,400 to 5,000 rpm, making it arguably the most powerful engine in its class.
With its extra output and performance, the R350 4MATIC displays high efficiency of the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The R350 4MATIC is equipped as standard with the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission to pave the way for an effortless drive. Mercedes-Benz R-Class has a maximum speed 230 km/hour and can reach 100 km/hour in 8.4 seconds.
The R-Class comprises ‘classic interior’ which gives even more space and comes with a larger luggage compartment. There are leather interiors, a leather-covered tilt and telescopic steering wheel along with three zone automatic climate controls.
Morever, the R-Class also comes with an audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD/DVD changer, a DVD player and wireless speakers.
Even though the recall may be a cause of worry initially for the company, a new category by Mercedes-Benz could create an enthusiasm among luxury car buffs, neutralising the dent suffered by the recall and see R-Class drive the company’s sales to a new high.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Mercedes-Benz opts for brand enhancement with E63 AMG but must also rev up numbers
So, Mercedes-Benz is also playing the brand enhancement game after Audi, brining in the E63 AMG for a whopping Rs 1.3 crore and offers a massive 5.5 litre V8 engine along with an AMG sports exhaust system, which would make the car stand out among luxury liners but the auto major must also rev up numbers with more budget cars.
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class model is not only great looking but also comes with better performance, enhanced stability (compared to the old model), and overall, a comfortable and steady ride.
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| The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. |
The E63 AMG has an unprecedented powerful performance, thanks to the 5.5-litre biturbo V8 engine, and the 558 PS along with 720 Nm torque, which are simply mind-boggling.
The earlier generation E63 AMG’s 6.2-litre engine was 30-37 bhp less powerful than the new model. The E63 AMG comes with a seven-speed automatic and can clock from 0 to 100 km in just 4.2 seconds.
Speed, like in other models, is electronically limited to 250 km per hour. The new E-Class car returns an impressive fuel economy of 9.5/100 km.
The engine of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class car is mated with the AMG Speedshift MCT 7G-Tronic transmission, which transmits power to all four wheels. The E63 AMG’s powertrain comprises a fully hand-built engine and this could have been one of the factors for the high price of the car.
Look wise, the E63 AMG is unlike the standard E-Class model and comes with an AMG twin blade radiator grille in silver chrome along with the A-wing in the AMG front fascia.
Even the interiors are bundled specially with an overdose of black upholstery, along with AMG sports seats and a black Nappa leather steering wheel rim with flattened top and bottom, which is finished in Alcantara.
The E63 AMG version of the Mercedes-Benz offers an Active Parking Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, Attention Assist, all-LED headlamps and an amazing 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen BeoSound surround sound system.
“The roll out of the new E63 AMG further reiterates our vow of bringing fascinating cars to the country,” Mercedes-Benz India managing director and CEO Eberhard Kern said during the launch.
Mercedes-Benz has rolled out a range of cars in the recent past, including the A Class, B Class (diesel) and a new version of the sedan E-Class, in the country.
So, with brand enhancement with the E63 AMG rollout, Mercedes-Benz must also rev up numbers by launching more low-end luxury or budget car models if it wants to wriggle out of the third position in the Indian luxury car space after Audi and BMW.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Merc unveils SL 350, GL 500; to drive in small cars
Now, it seems Mercedes-Benz or Merc is eyeing a share of the high-end luxury cars market by eating into Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Aston Martin’s share with the roll out of premium cars, the SL 350 and GL 500, on Indian roads, the price of which range from Rs 81 lakh to Rs 98.5 lakh.
Also, Mercedes-Benz has seen the astronomical growth in India’s compact cars market and does not seem keen on (at the moment) upstaging its German peer BMW as India’s largest luxury cars seller.
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| The SL 350 (left) and the GL 500 |
Rather, Merc plans to roll out some of its small cars in the Indian market and trump its German peers in overall share.
Merc’s SL 350 is a sports car propelled by a 3.5-litre V6 engine while the GL 500 is an SUV that runs on a 5.4-litre V6 engine.
“The SL 350 and GL 500 are among the most popular offerings in our portfolio. I am upbeat that both the vehicles will draw auto enthusiasts, critics, customers and media alike,” Mercedes-Benz India managing director Peter Honegg said.
He added that the GL 500, which he claimed as one of the most powerful SUVs in the world, would ideally cater to the burgeoning number of high-end luxury car aficionados in India.
The SL 350 could turn out to be one of the favourite sports cars. Coming with a high-accelerating 3.5-litre V6 sports engine, the SL 350 is propelled by 315 hp power and torque of 360 Nm.
This is simply mind blowing and will surely make the SL 350 among the top performing cars in India.
This is simply mind blowing and will surely make the SL 350 among the top performing cars in India.
The SL 350 has direct steering with variable servo assistance that whittles down the need to turn the wheel and makes it more agile.
The GL 500 4MATIC is powered by a 5.4-litre V6 engine that produces a power of 388 hp along with an awesome torque of 530 Nm.
The GL 500 accelerates from zero to 100 km per hour in 6.5 seconds only, owing to its light weight construction that results in enhanced engine smoothness and higher torque in the mid-engine speed range.
The GL 500 accelerates from zero to 100 km per hour in 6.5 seconds only, owing to its light weight construction that results in enhanced engine smoothness and higher torque in the mid-engine speed range.
Now, the small cars that Merc is bringing, fall in the A- and B-Class segment and are surely going to help the car giant surge ahead of BMW and also German luxury cars major Audi.
“We are speaking with our German office to drive in smaller cars in the A- and B-Class range that are likely to have a great market potential in India,” Honegg said.
The A-Class, which is a mini multi-purpose car, is Mercedes Benz’s entry-level car in many world markets and the B-Class is a small family car that is propelled by the same engine and suspension system.
The luxury cars market in the country has been growing at a rapid pace of over 75 per cent and surging income of India’s middle class is helping drive this growth.
In fact, India has pipped China in luxury car sales growth. Although we in India may give ourselves a pat and call it an achievement, the number of luxury cars sold in India is way below China.
Even as Mercedes-Benz forays into the small or compact cars segment, it is well known that DaimlerChrysler, the company that makes the Mercedes-Benz range of cars, will keep prices on the steeper side, although the cars are likely to be a class apart.
So, will this strategy of high price and high quality work for Merc in the small cars market in India, which is highly price-sensitive?
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Is it the right time for Maybach re-launch?
With India’s super-rich ballooning and the super luxury car segment in the country almost nearing the 100 per cent growth level, German luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz has re-launched its high-end luxury car, the Maybach, in India, as it feels it is the right time to re-enter the Indian market.
According to Forbes, the number of billionaires in the country surged by 17 last year and the total stood at 69. As a result, high-end luxury cars are on a roll in the Indian market. For instance, Audi’s Indian subsidiary had recently reported sales of a whopping 3,003 cars in 2010, a growth of 81 per cent!
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| The Maybach 62 |
While BMW India notched sales of 6,246 cars, Mercedes-Benz India sold 5,819 cars between January and December 2010. The luxury car market is estimated at a whopping 15,000 cars per year. Mercedes-Benz, which is part of Daimler AG, sold 200 Maybachs worldwide last year.
The Maybach 57S and 62 will be priced at Rs 4.85 crore and Rs 5.10 crore, respectively in India. The Maybach 57S will have a 5,980 cc V12 petrol engine that will produce 600 plus German thoroughbreds and 1,000 Nm torque.
The 62 model will come with a 5,513 cc V12 petrol engine that will produce about 543 Bhp shove and 900 Nm twist. Regarding the interior trim, Maybach will have cars tailor-made for every buyer.
While the 5,980 cc Maybach 57 S can touch a maximum speed of 275 km, the 5,513 cc Maybach 62 can reach 250 km per hour.
The Maybach, which was earlier introduced in 2005, came for Rs 5 crore. This super luxury car will be slugging it out with the likes of Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Drophead, Lamborghini Murcielago, Bentley and other such cars.
Mercedes-Benz feels that the high price will not be a deterrent. “There are customers who are capable of affording the unparalleled luxury of this car,” said Mercedes-Benz India chief executive Peter Honegg during the launch.
Honegg added it “may have been too early then (in 2005). Now it is time for a second push.” Mercedes-Benz feels those who can afford private jets are the potential customers for the Maybach.
Honegg did not divulge sales targets for India but added Mercedes, on an average, sells around 20 Maybachs a year in China.
With developed markets already saturated, global auto majors are riveting on emerging nations such as India to boost sales. Ever since the Maybach brand was resurrected in the 2000’s by Mercedes-Benz, this luxury liner, unlike its peers like Rolls Royce and Bentley, hasn’t really created much of an impression among people.
Globally, it has been seen that the super-rich class would rather opt for a Rolls or a Bentley for almost the same price, rather than a Maybach. Also, the performance of the Maybach does not match that of similar cars in the super luxury segment.
Even in India, the Maybach is not a name to reckon with and is unlikely to be the preference despite its re-launch, even though it has the Mercedes name tagged to it.
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