All those people who are going to read this article do love the Mercedes brand and also have a dream of possessing a car from MB stable. So, it's a feast for all those who fantasize the Mercedes-Benz cars. Read on, and you will know all what Mercedes-Benz, the world's oldest automobile manufacturer offers you in India.
The Company
Mercedes-Benz was set up in the Indian market back in 1994, this was a joint venture of Daimler-Benz and Telco for the production and sales of their cars in India. The first authorized dealership was set up in March 1997 and the first authorized service station was also set up in August same year. Mercedes-Benz India Limited was rechristened to Daimler-Chrysler India Pvt. Ltd.
Mercedes-Benz became a 100% subsidiary of Daimler-Chrysler group in September 2001 and it was one of the first auto joint ventures set up in India. They have a production plant in Pune which has been awarded the best Mercedes-Benz plant outside Germany many times. This tells us the quality of the cars produced here in India. They have around 24 authorized dealerships all over India along with their highly equipped service stations where they provide world-class service but charge a world-class price too. A Mercedes-Benz authorized service station is equipped to handle an exigency apart from regular servicing and maintenance. Hence you can be assured of efficient, knowledgeable and professional service.
Presently, Mercedes-Benz is the luxury brand with a largest dealer network in India, its competition like BMW, Audi will have to make a lot of efforts to achieve what MB has achieved so far in India.Recently they have laid the stone and already started building a new production plant in Pune, it will start up by early 2009.
The Logo
Though small in size, Mercedes-Benz's logo is one the most important part of Mercedes-Benz. The three-pointed star is all that makes a statement for the person who owns a car having one of these on its hood. This logo is worth more than the car itself and everyone recognizes it even from a distance. This is a big status-symbol, though is small in size. Try it to believe it.
This Mercedes-Benz logo is one of the most famous brands in the world. The Benz logo is a simplistic three-pointed star that represents its domination of the land, the sea, and the air. It was designed by Gottlieb Daimler to show the ability of his motors for land, air and sea-usage.
THE BENZ INDIAN FLEET
The C-Class
This is the entry model of Mercedes-Benz in India. This is the most reachable and affordable one but still its not the best seller of the MB stable.
Though it is considered as a luxury car but still it�??s quite small for the price we pay for it. With just over 4500 mm of length, even the cars in the lower segment available in India are bigger and more spacious, like the Accord, Camry and the Superb. But then you will get the three-pointed star with it, and for a status symbol, that�??s enough.
C-Class is available in both Petrol and Diesel. Petrol has the C 200 Kompressor, 1800 cc engine which produces the maximum power of 158bhp with very decent torque of 221 Nm@3500-4500rpm. It has a Micro-processor controlled injection system. The car is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 5-speed automatic gearbox is available as an option.
Diesel version, C 220 CDI, the power house has a displacement of 2148 cc and produces a maximum power of 141bhp and a torque of 340 Nm@ 2300rpm. The engine is the latest high pressure common rail direct injection, what we people call, the CRDi. It also has the same transmission options as that of the petrol model.
Interiors of the car, as I already told you are very cramped but still are very soothing; after all it�??s a Mercedes! The list of gadgets present in it is never ending but then we are also paying the price for it. As for safety of the passengers, it has front airbags, side airbags and window airbags. ABS, BAS and ESP are standard in it. If you are wondering what these are then Anti-lock Braking System, Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program (generic term, Traction Control) are their expanded forms. The Sunroof is also a standard feature now which was an option before at an additional cost of around Rs.1.5 lakhs. It also features a THERMATIC auto climate control AC and a SPEEDTRONIC cruise control. This list goes on and on and on�?�.. So, many gadgets in this car, you will definitely love it for that and for the performance. Its road presence is not so great because of its size but then that is compensated by the Star on its hood.
The Price
C 200 K(Manual): Rs.27.50 lakhs; Automatic: Rs. 29.15 lakhs
C 220 CDI(Manual): Rs. 30 lakhs; Automatic Rs. 31.70 lakhs.
The E-Class
Now here we are talking about the most loved and the best seller of MB in India, the bigger, the longer wheel-base E-Class. How do you recognize it?? Well, with its size and its headlamps which are distinct from the C-Class. In E-Class, these have two separate units, one bigger and one smaller unlike the fused ones in the C-Class.
In fact E-Class is the most successful model not only in India but worldwide as well. It�??s reliable, comfortable and safe and has ultimate riding pleasure with unmatched engineering, refinement and luxury.
Available in 3 engine options, E200 Kompressor (in Classic and Elegance trim levels), E280 Petrol and E280 CDI. E200 K has a 1.8L engine which gives an output of 158bhp. If the power seems inadequate, there is E280 which outputs 231bhp of maximum power. That�??s enough, right? And for those who are inclined towards a diesel option, E280 CDI is for you, maximum power of 190bhp. It is economical, gives mileage of 7.8kmpl in comparison with the 6.2kpl of E200 and 6.7kmpl of E280 Petrol. Both E280s comes with a MB trademark 7-G Tronic auto transmission while the E200 has a 5-speed auto gearbox.
This too has a long list of features for safety, comfort and performance. ESP, rain sensors with infinitely adjustable interval control, adaptive airbags, belt force limiters
for the driver and front passenger, driver and front passenger automatic recognition with weight classification, aero wipers and the new 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels. Bigger is always better, this proves that. And the good news is the all new E-class 2007 has been launched here and is ready to be driven.
The Price
E200 (Classic): Rs.36.10 lakhs; Elegance: Rs.40.50 lakhs
E280 (Petrol): Rs.47.30 lakhs
E280 (Diesel): Rs.46.50 lakhs
The S-Class
Hold your breathe now and even if you don�??t, it will automatically stop. Here we are talking about the S-Class, the flagship Mercedes and thankfully the latest face-lifted model is available in India. The S-Class is the ultimate luxury saloon. Repeatedly referred to as the "best car in the world" by motoring magazines, it's sumptuous and elegant while offering visionary technological innovations. Driving it feels like flying first class. The S-Class is exquisitely designed. It has a beautiful, streamlined shape with dynamic flowing lines, giving it a timelessly elegant feel. The all new distinctive headlamps, alloy wheels looks great on it.
This big beauty is available with two petrol- S350 L and S500 L; and one diesel, a newly launched S320 CDI. The S350 L has a V6 petrol engine with a displacement of 3498 cc, it has a maximum power of 272 bhp and a torque of 350 Nm. The Ultimate S500 L has a 5500 cc engine, yes, a 5.5 Lt engine, the maximum power, well, uh, 388bhp and a torque of 530 Nm. One needs to be really rich and more importantly god-gifted to feel this much power under him.
On the other hand, the Diesel, huh, for those who will spend 70+ lakhs on a vehicle and still worried about fuel bills. Don't know what sense it makes but MB has launched it recently, it has a 3000 cc engine which gives power of 235bhp and torque of 540 Nm.
It's highly tempting interiors added to its luxurious look. The interior allows you to reach everything effortlessly. The seats are electrically adjustable, and when you remove the key from the ignition, the steering wheel glides up to allow easy exit and entry. I don't have more words for its interiors, the pictures tell the story.
It has all the features which the C & E-Class has. Now you must be wondering what else it has?? To start with, when you turn on the ignition key to start the car, before making it go, you generally have to disengage the Hand-brake, but in the case of S-Class, there is no need to do that as it will automatically be disengaged. While driving, just turn the sports mode on, and then the car will show its true potential, it will ZOOOOM�?�.. the throttle becomes more responsive, the suspension becomes more stiff to adapt as per the roaring beast.
Just in case, while driving on the sports mode, if you struck something accidentally, apart from ESP, airbags, BAS, ASR, Pre-safe, Distronic Plus, Adaptive cruise control�?�.. huuufff�?� I am tired of counting now, there are intelligent seats too to protect you which will adjust themselves to such a position that will least affect you, after getting the impact information from sensors all over the car. It's the best of all the Benzes: sophistication to its extreme.
The Price
S350 L: Rs.77.70 lakhs
S500 L: Rs. 90+ lakhs
S320 CDI: Rs. 71.00 lakhs
THE BENZ IMPORTED FLEET
The CLS-Class
This one is one of my favorite sedan, in fact it's a 4 door Coupe and it's a 4-seater. This is the most beautiful automobile from MB. The design is definitely a generation ahead, with a curvaceous body, fine body lines all over and that too at the right places. The car is based on a unique vehicle concept which for the first time combines the elegance and dynamism of a Coupe with the comfort and practicality of a saloon. Spaciousness, luggage capacity and day-to-day practicality are at the level of a saloon, while the design lines possess the emotionally charged character of a Coupe.
This beast is available with two petrol engines namely CLS350 & CLS500. As the name suggests, it has a 3.5 and a 5.0 L petrol engine which produces 272 & 306 bhp respectively and a torque of 35.7 & 46.9 kgm respectively. Great car to be driven around but due to its coupe like design, its rear seat are not very comfortable and drop the idea of having one if you want it to be driven by a chauffeur.
If you are very style conscious, this baby is for you. It has all those gadgetry included in it as other Mercs have.
The Price
CLS350: Rs. 60 lakhs
CLS500: Rs 71.7 lakhs.
The SLK-Class
I nick-named this adorable piece of engineering �??SLEEK.�?� I love this because of its compactness, its sporty looks that makes it resemble a McLaren SLR and most importantly it's a 2-seater convertible with a body like steel finished hard top, that takes just 22 seconds to go on and off at the touch of a button.
This SLK convertible is available in two Petrol variants (now don't expect a sports car to be a Diesel), SLK200 Kompressor and SLK350. They give an output of 163 bhp and 272bhp respectively. The 200 K comes with a 5-speed automatic while the 350 possesses the 7-speed automatic.
Just around 4100mm long, the SLK 200 K is suitable for Indian roads though the 350 seems to be fast. The ground clearance for this is just 120mm, so watch out on those big speed breakers and the long potholes. The streamlined body is perfect and comfortable for driving it with open top but won't save you from the dust and pollution and the extreme climate conditions of India. But, all those boys and girls, who wants to go on for a ride just with their loved one, this 2-seater convertible is for you.
The Price
SLK 200 K: Rs. 41 lakhs
SLK 350: Rs. 60.80 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi)
The SL-Class
This Merc is also a convertible, a 2-seater but it's a toy for those big boys who mean business on the road. This is available with a 5.5 L V8 engine that oozes out the power of 382 horses, and this weighs 1910kgs, now 382 bhp for a 2-seater that weighs only around 1900 kg and a ground clearance of 116 mm, I don't think Indian roads will do any justice with the mind-blowing supercar. It's fast, want to know how fast, it reaches 0-60kmph in just 3.6 seconds, that is, it will reach the speed of 60kmph while I just write one-two words in this article, the fun part is, the pedestrians, the rickshaw pullers or the stray animals takes even a lesser time than that to come in between the road to stop your SL. The top speed is 250kmph which is limited but where in the country would you drive this car except for a few expressways?
Don't confuse it with the SLEEK, it's a much bigger 2-seater, over 4500mm long, much more powerful and cost over a whooping CRORE.Just take a look at its interiors, I bet you will definitely be tempted to have one of these.Isn't it cool? But for this cool experience, you have to burn your pockets.
The Price
SL500: 1 lakh�?� oops, it�??s 1 crore+ and that too ex-showroom price.
The M-Class
This is one of the most technologically advanced SUV available in India. It's fast, it's safe and it's an OFF-roader. The good thing is that it's not as expensive as an Audi Q7 or a Porsche Cayenne. But it does have the capabilities of a serious off-roader. This SUV has a 3500cc V6 petrol engine which churns out 272bhp (A diesel was definitely required here) and that trademark 7-G Tronic automatic transmission is standard on it, so that you just hold on to the steering wheel when on the Manali-Leh Road.
Like other MBs this one too has those luxury features in and out. Highly safe! It's for those who like to go on very adventurous picnics.
The Price
ML 350 : Rs.52 lakhs.(ex-showroom New Delhi)
The CL-Class
This recently launched, CL-Class is for the elite class of Indians, because it costs 1.2 Crore for the base model.
The CL-Class does score over the earlier launches with regard to its sleek design and innovative technology. This luxury coupe features two variations, the CL500 and the CL600. The CL500 with a 5.5 litre V8 makes a commendable 388hp at 6,000rpm and 530Nm of torque between 2,800-4,800rpm. It also includes a 7 speed automatic transmission. The CL-600 with a slightly larger 5.5 liter V12 (It sounds so big, wondering how it will be at drive) makes 517hp at 5,000rpm and 830Nm of torque at 1,900rpm to 3,500rpm. In keeping with the coupe tradition this luxury car also features common coupe traits such as: retractable side windows and the large panoramic rear windscreen. They thought the SL500 wasn't enough, so they gifted this to India. Its body lines resembles somewhat with the CLS but has a completely different front-end.
Moreover, it has just 2 doors to enter in. Ah�?� and where will we use those 517 horses is still questionable.
The Price
CL500: 1.2 Crore
CL600: 1.6 Crore, this is ex-showroom Mumbai, told you it's for that elite class of buyers.
Conclusion
That's it, guys. I know it's tough to leave and you wanted to read on but that's what MB has in for us up to now. They certainly have a lot more for us, the pockets of the Indian people are getting bigger and bigger and the Giants like Mercedes-Benz know how to put their hands in those pockets, so expect a lot more in the coming years. But what about the infrastructure of our country, will we be able to drive MB�??s super cars, the Porsches or the Lambos comfortably??? I know that day will definitely come and I along with you will cherish those moments seeing our great-grand-generation enjoying them. Now go out and gift yourself one of these�?�.. at least one, our life is very precious and deserves such precious things. A three-pointed star will narrate your success.
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