Mercedes Benz has sent us a press release containing information released during the launch of the SLS AMG in India today afternoon. IAB will bring you a first-hand report shortly, but for those who can’t wait, here’s what Mercedes Benz India has to say about the SLS.
Press Release
Mercedes-Benz redefines leadership with the launch of the SLS AMG in India!
* Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India: “The SLS represents the true spirit of our brand: It is “The Best or Nothing” in terms of emotion, design, racing exhilaration, path braking motorsports technology, while at the same time offering Mercedes-Benz quality, safety, and functionality. We are excited to launch the vehicle in India just a few weeks after the start of production of RHD vehicles in Germany.”
* India is amongst the first right hand drive markets to launch the Gullwing super sports car within the first few weeks of its production (first RHD production : June 2010)
* Since its presentation in January 2010, the SLS AMG has already achieved 10 confirmed customer bookings from India
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The launch of the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG has just come to a close at the Imperial hotel in Janpat, New Delhi. IAB’s representative on ground zero informs us that the car is priced between two and two and a half crore rupees depending on the extent of customization.
A car takes 6-8 months for delivery from the time of booking.
Stay tuned for images and a detailed report today evening.
To be imported as a completely built unit from Affalterbach, Germany, the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG will be priced at over two crore rupees. But the interesting twist to this story is Mercedes Benz India has found a bunch of customers who are willing, or already have signed on the dotted line to receive the keys to this lust-on-wheels supercar which stole the limelight at the Auto Expo 2010.
Mercedes Benz India spokesperson -
Yes, we are looking to launch the model on 15th of this month in New Delhi. To be imported as a CBU, it will attract more than 100 per cent import duty and will be sold for above Rs. 2 crore. The price will vary among our prospective customers depending on the customisation sought.
The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG‘s structure is made of aluminium alloy which aeronautical engineers use while constructing an Airbus. It has gullwing doors which in open condition reminds you of a combat aircraft out of Top gun. It’s AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine develops 571 hp and 650 Nm of torque, so in terms of ground speed you’re still in the aircraft territory.
If you floor the accelerator like Micheal Schumacher did in that nerve-racking stunt, you’ll reach 100kph in just 3.8 seconds. You’ll accelerate till you reach a top speed of 317kph.
Who knows, if you release the doors, you might even take off!
The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG, which is a modern day successor to the iconic 300SL Gullwing, is what auto enthusiasts call the pinnacle of German motoring. The Merc SLS AMG was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and shown to the Indian audience at the 2010 Auto Expo New Delhi.
Now Mercedes Benz India would be launching the SLS AMG by September this year. The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG could retail at around 2 crore Indian Rupees after import duties and excises.
Piyush Arora, Director (Technical) & Board Member, Mercedes-Benz India -
The SLS will be available in India in the third quarter, though a date for the official launch has not yet been determined.
The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG luxury GT is constantly being promoted by Mercedes in India, thanks to the tunnel stunt shown to be pulled off by Michael Schumacher, which is being aired on Indian televisions almost all the time.
The SLS promotion by MB India is also an attempt to lure young buyers away from BMW who prefer Bimmers for their sporty appeal. With Merc’s prime rival BMW doing without a top end Luxury Grand Tourer India, the SLS could be its ticket to glory in the premium sports car segment.
The Mercedes Benz SLS gets a 6.2 liter V8 producing 563 hp and 650 Nm of torque. Power is transferred to the massive 20″ rear wheels via a AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and a carbon fiber driveshaft. All this can propel the 1620 kilo luxury GT to 100 kmph in 3.8 seconds and to reach a top speed of 317 kmph.
54 Priuses booked in India -
Toyota Kirloskar Motor has received 54 orders for their hybrid vehicle Prius, which was launched at the Auto Expo last month. The Toyota Prius is available for an ex-showroom price of Rs 26.55 lakh and Rs 27.86 lakh rupees. Toyota had requested a consignment of 200 vehicles which it hopes to sell before the end of this year. Deliveries of the Prius begin in March.
Mercedes Benz finds 5 buyers for SLS AMG -
Mercedes Benz India Limited has found its fifth buyer in India, reports Times of India. The 2 crore rupee Mercedes Benz was showcased at the Auto Expo last month with gullwing doors, an AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine developing 420 kW (571 hp) peak output, 650 Nm of torque.
Mahindra plans 2 Maxximo variants
Mahindra plans to launch two new variants of the Maxximo – a passenger carrier (taking on the Tata Ace Magic) and a CNG edition of the pickup truck in the coming months. The Maxximo is powered via 2-cylinder CRDI engine, which this segment has not seen so far. The wrap around headlamps with reflectors, dead pedal, larger cabin, drive by wire throttle and 850kg payload capacity makes the Maxximo a superior vehicle on paper compared to the market leader Tata Ace.
