Now our friends at AutoJunction.in report that sensing the desirability of the new M Class, Mercedes India is planning a cheaper variant.

Currently the M Class is only offered with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. Mercedes India is planning to launch the ML 250 CDI, powered by a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder common-rail diesel engine. The smaller engine is currently being homologated by the authorities for its India debut. This engine is available on the C- and E-Class models and is assembled by Force Motors for Mercedes Benz.

The ML 250 CDI is already being sold in Europe with all-wheel drive and a 7G-Tronic gearbox. The four-cylinder block produces 204 PS and 500 Nm of torque. AutoJunction predicts that the ML 250 CDI will be 5 lakhs cheaper than the ML350CDI. This means that the M Class range would start at around 50 lakhs. This would make the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 buyers want to spend more and get a bigger SUV.

[Source: autojunction.in]

[can't see the video above? Head over to the Youtube page for direct viewing]

Considering Mercedes India is very keen on introducing the new A Class in India by 2014, you have to check out the awesomeness!

We must say that there is a strong possibility that the new S Class might actually look exactly like this rendering.

The renderings feature a single frame with central air intakes and  additional vents on the outer area of the front fascia. The headlamp design is very futuristic with incorporate LED daytime running lights. An additional LED strip below the headlamps makes it look more upmarket.

The side profile is very chiseled making it very dynamic and sporty. At the rear, we have an uber cool set of rectangular exhaust which we guess would be limited to the AMG model. The rear tail lamps have a leaf shaped design which make the rear look very bulbous.

How can we be sure this is close to the real deal? Autoblog has published a few spyshots with the new S Class wearing an almost see though camouflage thus giving away a few design details. As one can see in the rendering, the new S Class will don the new Mercedes design philosophy that started with the A- and B-Class vehicles.

Codenamed W222, the next generation Mercedes S-Class has been caught on a number of occasions. It is expected to debut some unheard-of technologies and all new COMMAND system. By the looks of thing the S Class seems to be ready to make its international debut late this year. The long wheelbase model (V222) is expected to come out next year. We can expect Mercedes Benz India to launch the new S-Class in long wheelbase form about six months from the time of its international arrival.

[Source: BenzBoost.com]

Our reader Hari KM tipped us on the trailer of this concept car uploaded on to Mercedes’ official Youtube channel. Prepar to be amazed once again!

A bonus fact is the production model will be 90% similar to the concept car and the price range is expected to be 20-25 lakh rupees when it graces showrooms next year. You already know that Mercedes India has shown interest in bringing this model to India.

Thanks to AutoExpress, we are able to bring you the complete line of power mills that will propel the new A Class.

The new A Class will be offered in both petrol and diesel options.

Mercedes A-Class petrol lineup

• The A180 will come with a 1.6L engine with 120bhp and 200Nm of torque. Mercedes claims the A180 gives 18 kmpl and emits 128g/km.

• The same engine will be present in the high-performance version A200. It will generate 154bhp and 250Nm.

• The flagship A250 will have a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 208bhp and 350Nm. Considering it is a flagship model it will sprint from 0-100 km/hr in 6.6 seconds to a top speed of 240 kmph. This engine will be mated to an all-new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic box. It will offer 16 kmpl.

Mercedes A-Class diesel lineup

• The diesel charge will start with a Renault-derived 1.5-litre diesel in the A180 CDI. It will generate 108bhp and 260Nm of torque while churning out 26km/l and 98g/km of CO2 – the lowest of any Mercedes

• A200 CDI will use a 1.8-litre that generates 134bhp and 300Nm of torque and gives 23kmpl

• The top-of-the-line will be the A220 CDI, featuring a 168bhp 2.1-litre with 350Nm of torque. It can do the 0-100 run in 7.8 seconds.

Mercedes wants to target the young audience with the all new A Class. In India, the A Class will compete against uber luxury hatchbacks such as Fiat 500, Mini and Beetle. Mercedes plans to have as many as four compact cars in India in the next 3-4 years.

[Source: autoexpress.co.uk]

[can't see the video above? Head over to the Youtube video page for direct vieweing]

We’ve also packaged pointers from yesterday’s press conference for an overall idea of where Mercedes stands in India today, after the break.

• A target customer for M Class in India is a developer from Delhi or Mumbai who has to travel to his sites or place of work in luxury under rough road and weather conditions
• There are only 500 units of the model allotted this year for the Indian market
• M Class is still CBU and Indian assembly has not been started yet
• Last year 770 units of M Class were sold in India
• Mercedes started selling the M Class in India three years ago
• Compact luxury offerings is part of Mercedes India’s next growth phase
• The big launch for India this year is the B Class followed by cars like the A Class and a sedan previewed by the Concept Style Coupe in the next two-three years
• Last year Mercedes sold around 200 units of GL Class; Assembly of the GL Class will begin next year in India and the company expects the volumes to get better with time
• If demand for any CBU model increases Mercedes have a flexible assembly line that helps them take the CKD route
• Mercedes says current market scenario and government policies with increased tax structuring making it difficult to draft a formidable future plan for expansion

Mercedes M Class Images from the launch floor

Mercedes M Class Edition 1 Studio shots

Mercedes M Class Studio shots

Having known that the target for the new M Class is 500 bookings in the whole year, that’s a pretty remarkable achievement!

The reason has to be Mercedes’ strategy of sending vehicles to dealerships weeks before the official launch. Dealers have conducted special previews of the new M-Class to its customers and many have been impressed with its features, performance and styling.

Mercedes wants to bring more models into the market via the CKD route. It already assembles C, E and S Class cars at its Chakan plant. The M Class’s assembly will begin in the second half on the year while the GL Class will be assembled about a year from the time of M-Class’ start of production.

The automaker believes that it will change the game of the Indian luxury car market by pricing the cars very competitively. The CKD operations help Mercedes avoid the steep import duty.

The automaker has also lined up a slew of launches like the A Class, B Class and the  upcoming BMW X1 rival – Mercedes GLA. All these efforts are keeping one thing in mind – to achieve a profitable growth and regain the top spot of the global luxury market (that it lost to BMW/Audi) by 2020 .

Called as the ‘Special 30’ package, it is available on the C200 and C200 CDI variants. The ‘Mercedes Benz Special 30’ Package will cost you $3,390 and includes:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Sunroof
• Comand system with satellite navigation
• Reversing assist camera

All of the above accessory when externally fitted in Australia would cost you more than $6000, thus saving you around $2,600.

The Mercedes C Class is a very strong contender in its category in Australia. Between January and April, 2,149 units were sold across the country, giving Mercedes a 38.1 percent share of the market, well clear of the BMW 3-Series (1269 sales, 22.5 per cent) and the Audi A4 (949 sales, 16.8 per cent).

[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]

Mercedes India has launched the new M Class in two versions; the first model is limited to 100 units only with an AMG kit, priced at 66 lakhs, and the second model with a usual kit priced at 56.9 lakhs. The standard version will be available after July, Mercedes Benz India officials said at the launch in Delhi. The prices mentioned are ex-showroom Delhi.

As predicted, India gets the ML 350CDI variant which is powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine that generates 258.33PS @ 3600rpm and an impressive torque of 620Nm between 1,600-2,400rpm. It is mated to the new seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox. The big diesel engine is capable of hurling the new M Class from 0-100km/h in just 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 224km/h.

On the inside, the new M Class gets the latest tech such as Intelligent Light System, Night View Assist Plus with automatic person recognition, Speed Limit Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, Active Park Assist, reverse camera and autonomous braking.

On the safety side, one gets nine airbags, Attention Assist drowsiness detection, PreSafe pre-collision protection, tire-pressure monitor, adaptive brake lights and electronic brake assist. Some of the other features on the new M-Class include Active Park Assist, Airmatic air suspension, 20 inch AMG alloys and body kit, easy pack tailgate and mini spare wheel.

Mercedes has managed to extract more kpl from the new M-Class by fitting it with electric power steering, low-rolling-resistance tires and automatic stop/start systems.

Mercedes themselves call the new M Class as the ‘S Class of SUVs’ because of the cutting edge technology, better fuel economy and handsome design.

But the real question is will India let go of its Audi Q7 fetish in favor of the new and improved M-Class?

Mercedes Benz M-Class Brochure for the Indian market

Mercedes Benz ML Class Image Gallery

Our friends at GoaonWheels, have managed to snap up the car at Alcon Mercedes-Benz, the sole dealer for Mercedes cars in Goa.

The all new Mercedes M Class dons the new Mercedes design language that was showcased on the SL for the first time. It is an S Class of its SUV range here in India because of the features that it offers.

At the same time,  the new model has grown in size – It’s 4,804mm long, 1,926mm wide and 1,796mm tall, which makes it 24mm longer, 16mm wider and 19mm lower than its older brother. While developing the new M Class, Mercedes has focused on:

• Fuel efficiency
• Passive safety
• Ride comfort with superb driving dynamics
• Revamped interior design

As we guessed a few months ago, India will get the ML 350 CDI which is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that will produce 258 PS @ 3600rpm and a mind boggling 620Nm between 1600-2400rpm. It can do a  0-100km/h sprint in just 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 224km/h

GoaOnWheels predicts a price tag of Rs. 68,46,667 ex-showroom Goa and On road price of Rs. 75,22,370.

[Source: Goaonwheels.com]