Eberhard Kern, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “2013 is the ‘Year of Offensive’ for Mercedes-Benz India and we are excited to present the all new GL-Class to our valued customers.”

Boris Becker launches Mercedes-Benz GL-Class in India

The ECO start-stop feature reduces fuel consumption and emissions by automatically switching off the engine in life in traffic. GL boast of a 14.8% lower fuel consumption. The V6 diesel has options like the AIRMATIC package for better ride control. An integrated PARKTRONIC warns difficult to detect obstacles in front of and behind the vehicle and helps the driver when searching for a suitable parking space for parallel parking, and support him through active steering when parking. The panoramic sunroof extends for third row of passengers. The vehicle also features latest multimedia COMAND like the Bluetooth interface with hands-free function, 7.0 inch Color display with TFT technology as well as Internet browser and GPS.

For passenger safety, the new GL-Class comes with Pre-Safe which ensures that vehicle reacts and prepares itself before any possible collision and with nine airbags it is one of the safest vehicles for the tumultuous off-roading, city and highway rides. The Attention Assist helps the driver as soon as it detects signs of drowsiness on longer trips by continuously monitoring over 72 different parameters of driving behavior while there is an additional “Crosswind assist” as further assistance to driver support.

The new GL is available with the optimized, upgraded V6 diesel engine. The 2987cc engine produces 619Nm of torque @ 1600-2400 and a power 190/258 @ 3600rpm. The engine is coupled with 7G-TRONIC Plus Automatic transmission to offer high level of responsiveness wherein the car can reach 0-100kph is reached in 7.9 seconds, with the top speed at 220 km/hr.

With the length of 5120 mm (+32 mm), width of 1934 mm (+4 mm) and height of 1840 mm (+10mm) the new GL is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor.

The debut of the new GL will be as the “Launch Edition”. This limited edition variant will be offered as fully imported car and will have additional features like AMG body styling comprising front and rear apron painted in body colors, 21-inch AMG 5 twin-spoke light-alloy, aluminium finish running boards with LED illumination and flared wheel arches. Other specialties of the ‘Launch Edition’ will be Designo Exclusive Package. The enrichment includes AMG sports seats and rear seats featuring upholstery in designo leather, upper and lower dashboard sections and door beltlines in design leather, heated front seats, design headlining in Dinimica black. The ‘Launch Edition’ will also have heated seats, and temperature controlled cup holders. The GL 350 CDI 4MATIC will be available at INR 77.50 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi.

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The H series replaces the E series which are also priced similar. Key safety features include ABS with EBD, Dual Airbags, Extra Stability Technology Suspension (EST), Reverse Parking Assist and others. Xylo was first introduced in 2009.

5MT 320 transmission is also a first in the H-Series Xylo. The mHawk engine was previously introduced in the top-end E9 variant of the Xylo. The rationale behind the nomenclature of the Xylo H-Series derives from its engine, where ‘H’ connotes the world class mHawk engine with high power, high performance and high mileage.

The Xylo H-Series will be available in one new colour — Dolphin Grey, (H8 & H9) apart from being available in 5 other colours.

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The Rapid Prestige edition sports a special Prestige badging on the sides of the car making it easily identifiable for the customer. The limited Prestige edition will be launched with the 1.6 TDI diesel engine, manual transmission with maximum power of 77kW (105PS)@4400rpm and maximum torque of 250Nm@1500–2500rpm.

Other features include front passenger seat adjustment from rear seat using ergo-lever; anti-pinch windows; one-touch operation for electrically adjustable windows; adjustable dual rear air-conditioning vents; security code for audio player; height and Length adjustment for steering wheel; foldaway cup holders and rough road package.

Key Product’s include driver & front passenger airbags; ABS (Anti-lock Braking System); Škoda 2-DIN integrated audio player w/ aux-in socket + SD/MMC data card reader; front passenger seat adjustment from rear seat; height & length adjustable steering wheel; climatronic – automatic air conditioning w/ electronic regulation of cabin temperature; Adjustable dual rear air-conditioning vents on rear centre console; remote controlled central door locking w/ comfort operation of electric windows; electrically adjustable external mirrors; and Multi-function information display.

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The factory is spread over a green belt area of 15200 sq. m and holds a gold green building certification, for solar street lighting and rain water harvesting. The facility envelops various energy conserving techniques which reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions. It will provide an ecologically sensitive, energy-saving, waste reducing and a healthy environment for employees. With this facility, the company will generate direct and indirect employment to over 500 people located in and around the area once it reaches full capacity.

The company has two world class manufacturing facilities in Naroda (near Ahmedabad) and Sahibabad (near Delhi) and two Engineering and Technology Centers at Bangalore and Chennai. It has presense in 18 locations within India with a work force close to 2000.

Products and solutions manufactured in this facility will be for both the Indian as well as global markets.

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Kamal Basu, Marketing Head, ŠKODA Auto India, said that, “Keeping in mind the prevailing market sentiments, we have introduced this innovative scheme for consumers.”

Targeted at the youth, ŠKODA Rapid was offered at Rs. 8999 EMI, prior to this offer.

ŠKODA Finance is a brand of Volkswagen Finance Private Limited.

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The price increase has taken place for the second time in 2013. On 14th January, the company had hiked the prices of its models by 1 – 3% (Mercedes-Benz models to cost 1-3% more in India from 14 January).

Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India , repeated the January 14 concerns for the price hike. “There are several factors that have put significant pressure on our bottomlines. Rising input costs and volatile exchange rates have impacted us; while the recent changes in import duty structure and increase in relevant taxes have put significant stress on our business. We have absorbed a portion of the impacts but to retain business viability, we are forced to pass on a part of this burden to the consumers”, he said.

The company recently rolled out its campaign “Merconomics”, to ensure the most optimum cost of ownership in the luxury automotive domain. Eberhard Kern said “We have analyzed every aspect of vehicle ownership starting from finance-leasing-insurance to roadside assistance, cost of service and repairs, going all the way till the residual value offered by the car. Each of these aspects has been optimized under Merconomics with the net result that the customer today can enjoy a hassle free ownership with clear understanding that the cost of ownership over the lifecycle of their Mercedes-Benz is second to none in the comparative domain”.

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“This is in keeping with its customer centric approach as well as in compliance with the recently announced voluntary code on vehicle recall,” says the company statement.

The recall is applicable on select batch of XUV500s manufactured during 2011 and 2012.

Customers would be individually contacted by the Company, adds the release.

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For music lovers, the edition has a JVC double-din sound system with USB, large dual cone speakers.

Exterior of the car includes dynamic wrap-style body graphics, Nlive decals, body coloured mudflaps, full wheel covers and rear parcel tray in beige.

The 14 new features worth Rs 23,000, are being provided to buyers for just Rs 15,000. A new colour Breeze Blue is also an option for the limited edition.

Powered by stete-of-the-art lightweight, 998er; KlOB petrol engine, Estilo Nlive offers fuel-efficiency of 19 kilometers per litre as tested by ARAL Pune. The K series engine offers power of 6200 rpm and torque of 9ONm 3500 rpm.

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MANZA LX QJET 90PS BS4 which was priced Rs 6,49,337, now costs Rs. 5,99,500. This s the entry level for TATA manza Club class.

MANZA LX QJET 90PS BS4, MANZA VX QJET 90PS BS4 and MANZA EX QJET 90PS BS4 now cost Rs 6,54,873; Rs 7,19,402; and Rs 8,14,409 respectively.

The vehicle is positioned as sedan in the mid-sized car segment.

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The vehicle has a longer wheelbase with a stronger rear suspension and 7 leafs, enabling higher load and varied road conditions. As commercial vehicles rely on lower operating cost, per ton, per kilometer; the company claims the new Maxximo Plus can potentially earn approximately 30% more, per year, over the competition. The loading area is 35 Sq. ft. (3.23 Sq. Mt.) that can carry 850 kg of rated payload.

The warranty for the vehicle is 2 year / 60,000 Km along with the “Zero Maintenance Offer” for 6 months / 25,000 Km.

The cabin space advertised is 85 cu. ft (2.4 cu. mt.) with bigger, extra cushioned seats with better support and head rests. It has a bench seat for the co-driver. The driver can lie down across the seats. The Gear shift is cable operated. Other features include cargo body with a footstep, windshield wiper with intermittent function and inbuilt spray system, mobile charging facility and dual-mounted sun-visor.

For safety, the vehicle features a booster-assisted brakes with Load Sensing Proportionate Valves. The Maxximo Plus meets the frontal crash impact norms with a frontal crash protector. It is also equipped with a drive-by-wire accelerator system which results in quicker response from the engine when the accelerator is pressed, allowing for safer overtaking.

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