Mercedes Benz India commences bookings for S-Class Diesel Luxury Saloon and GLA Crossover

Mercedes Benz India is on a roll, especially when it comes to new car launches. After launching a slew of AMG badged high performance cars, the German luxury automaker has just commenced the bookings of the diesel variant of its flagship S-Class saloon and GLA crossover. The S350 CDI diesel variant can be booked at Mercedes Benz’s Indian dealers for Rs. 5 lakhs and the GLA compact crossover for Rs. 50,000 . The Mercedes Benz S-Class’ petrol variant S500 has been off to a flying start with the car becoming the preferred choice of many in the ultra luxury segment and the GLA is one of the most awaited cars for India in the entry-level luxury crossover segment.

The S350 CDI is powered by a turbocharged 3 liter V6 diesel motor under the hood. This engine has a power output of 258 Bhp available at 3,600 rpm and a peak torque of 620 Nm available between 1,600 Nm and 2,400 Nm. The diesel powered S-Class will ditch some of the creature comforts of the petrol sibling in order to arrive at a lower price tag which is expected to be about Rs 1.1-1.2 crores (ex-showroom).

It will let go of the 3D suurround system in the Burmester sound system. Nappa upholstery will make way for regular leather upholstery and the rear passengers would get a bench seat. The petrol variant came with two individual seats instead. The heated cup holders will be missed too on this variant.  The car’s deliveries will commence in June 2014. The S-Class will be launched on the 5th of June, and the car will be assembled at Mercedes Benz’s Chakan facility.

The night vision package, a handy feature that is offered on the S500, won’t make its way to the S350 CDI . Jaguar had recently launched the XJ for Rs 92.1 lakhs and the Audi A8 L in its facelifted guise was announced for 1.12 crores. The BMW 7-series in diesel guise has its pricing begin at Rs 1.02 crores. With the entry of the S350 CDI, competition in this segment is expected to heat up further.

The GLA crossover will mark Mercedes’s entry in the compact luxury SUV segment in India. BMW and Audi already have their offerings on sale in the segment in the form of the X1 and the Q3 respectively. The GLA will be brought with the 2.2 liter diesel motor, with a power output of 167 Bhp. This engine will be mated to a 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The crossover is expected to be priced around the Rs. 30 lakh mark.

Via AutoCarIndia