Mercedes launches two models

In a bid to widen and further strengthen its India product portfolio, German luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz has rolled out its latest SL 350 and GL 500 4MATIC cars.

Managing Director and CEO Mercedes Benz India, Peter Honegg told media persons in Delhi that both cars had unique USPs. ‘While the SL Class is sportier, aggressive and of course,  packed with benchmark safety features and technology, the GL 500 being one of the most powerful SUVs in the world, is ideal to suit the tastes of the growing number of off-roading aficionados in India.’

The GL 500 priced at Rs 80.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) sports a 5.4 litre V8 engine and produces a 388bhp with a torque of 54.04kgm. The SUV accelerates from a standstill to a 100kmph in just 6.5 seconds and its lightweight improves engine smoothness and higher torque in the mid-engine speed range.

The 7G Tronic 7 speed automatic transmission comes as standard feature facilitating adept engine speed thereby cutting fuel consumption. The shorter gear shifts smoothen the ride and reduce noise levels.

The SL roadster comes with a 3.5 litre V6 sports engine and produces a power of 315bhp and a torque of 36.7kgm

Priced at Rs 98.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the sports carfeatures the direct steering with variable servo assistance that is available as standard.

Mercedes Benz has a 57 touch point network in India spread across 28 cities to market its exclusive brand according to Honegg. He said it would be further expanded.

The luxury maker has clocked sales of 2,135 units in the first three months of 2011 with Q1 2011 notching a 67 percent growth over the same period last year. March sales were pegged at 833 units, the highest for any month.

The company’s products include SLS AMG, the GL Class, the E-Coupe and the E Class of which it locally assembles the S Class, E Class and C Class. Mercedes Benz rolled out its 30,000th car in December 2010 after 13 years of operations in India.It also launched its Maybach 57 and 62 S following it up with G55 AMG, the iconic machine regarded as the best off-roader.

The company has a production facility at Chakan in Pune where it has commenced second shift operations from last December.  Its paint shop is expected to go on stream by the second half of 2012 with an annual capacity of 20,000 units that would be later enhanced to 40,000 units. With the paint shop, the total investment by Mercedes Benz in the Chakan plant will rise to Rs 600 crore.