Facelifted M-class Launch in India

hanmust · 11th March 2009, 08:52

Press Release

Mercedes-Benz India launches its luxury SUV: the new M-Class

The new M-Class offers best-in-class performance, refinement, dynamism, versatility and safety: ideal for bustling city traffic as well as for off-road purposes.
Better value: the new M-Class offers significant enhancements of styling, equipment and features for the same price as its predecessor.
Mercedes-Benz revolutionized the luxury SUV segment globally in 1997 with the M-Class. The New M-Class reasserts the leadership of Mercedes-Benz in the SUV segment.

Delhi-Mercedes-Benz India today announced the launch of its popular SUV the M-Class. The new M-Class is available in two engine choices: the ML 320 CDI (featuring a high-torque diesel engine) and the ML 350 (powered by a high output gasoline engine).

“The new M-Class offers best of both the worlds: the highest levels of luxury, comfort and on-road refinement combined with excellent off-road capabilities and best-in-class safety standards. We have maintained the same price for this product despite significant enhancements of equipment, features and performance… thus making the best value for money offering in this segment.” commented Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, CEO and Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz India.

The New M-Class offers a high level of on-road refinement. It presents a state-of-the-art 7 speed Automatic transmission (7G-TRONIC), a height adjustable air suspension (AIRMATIC), an Exterior Sports Package featuring 19 inch alloy wheels, and available luxurious leather interior with burr walnut accents.

The New M-Class offers excellent off-road capabilities. It features the famous 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system with a start-off assist & a Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR).

The New M-Class offers exciting engine choices - two V6 engines. High torque Diesel engine (ML 320 CDI) with 535NM of torque and another high output Gasoline engine (ML 350) with 272 horsepower.

The New M-Class offers excellent value proposition for its owners: The New M-Class comes at the same price as its predecessor despite significant enhancements of equipment design and features. Its list of standard features now include PRE-SAFE system and NECK-PRO as part of the Mercedes-Benz Integrated Safety Concept. The comfortable seating for 5 adults leaves plenty of luggage space in the M-Class. The New M-Class also features as standard, a full-size spare wheel mounted on the rear of the vehicle, a major convenience and safety advantage in case of a flat tire- especially in Indian driving conditions.

ML 350 is priced at: Rs. 53.77 lacs, ex-showroom Mumbai.
ML 320 CDI is priced at: Rs. 54 lacs, ex-showroom Mumbai.

Source: Mercedes Benz India

f450 · 11th March 2009, 09:01

Pictures? I doubt this can eat into BMW, VW, Porsche, Audi SUV sales. They're become very strong now. Especially Audi.

hillram · 11th March 2009, 10:08

M-Class needs to be properly branded in India.Due to the onslaught of Beamers,Audis,Porsche..Mercs are taking a beating.But to me they are still teh classiest cars.

rangaraj · 11th March 2009, 11:02

Spotted one on Bennergatta road yesterday - a white one with registration done! that was fast, unless it was the test drive vehicle..

Sahil · 11th March 2009, 11:17

Have they dropped prices? 54 lakhs ex mumbai is much cheaper than what I thought it was.

Akshay1234 · 11th March 2009, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

Have they dropped prices? 54 lakhs ex mumbai is much cheaper than what I thought it was.

im sure with just a few options itll bump up to at least 60 lacs.

hanmust · 11th March 2009, 17:15

I too think that the new ML can do a better sales considering the competing price tag & a very favorable reports by all the auto magazines in the last couple of month's issue. But MB India should do a strong sales campaing to boost the sale & also should provide atleast a demo ML in all dealership to make the customers feel the car. Once any one enjoy the ride quality & sleekness of the ML he'll defenetly think of it.

v10 · 11th March 2009, 17:24

Checked out the new ML two weeks ago at t & t and didnt find any major differences just small tweaks here and there. Have booked one but am yet to decide the colors. Looks sweet with the amg kit and 21 inch wheels though. Can you configurate your with options in india or no? forgot to ask the dealer that. The car is extremely silent and the ride is great too and the engine has some good power.

tanwaramit · 12th March 2009, 14:49

Had seen this car at Dhaula Kuan.

Had attached pics at tbhp, find them here.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...ml#post1195318

hanmust · 12th March 2009, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanwaramit

Had seen this car at Dhaula Kuan.

Had attached pics at tbhp, find them here.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...ml#post1195318

Sorry dude, its not facelifted ML

11th March 2009, 09:01	#2
f450 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 794 Thanked: 7 Times	Pictures? I doubt this can eat into BMW, VW, Porsche, Audi SUV sales. They're become very strong now. Especially Audi.
	() Thanks

11th March 2009, 10:08	#3
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	M-Class needs to be properly branded in India.Due to the onslaught of Beamers,Audis,Porsche..Mercs are taking a beating.But to me they are still teh classiest cars.
	() Thanks

11th March 2009, 11:02	#4
rangaraj BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 570 Thanked: 10 Times	Spotted one on Bennergatta road yesterday - a white one with registration done! that was fast, unless it was the test drive vehicle..
	() Thanks

11th March 2009, 11:17	#5
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	Have they dropped prices? 54 lakhs ex mumbai is much cheaper than what I thought it was.
	() Thanks

11th March 2009, 17:15	#7
hanmust Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calicut Posts: 2,481 Thanked: 262 Times View My Garage	I too think that the new ML can do a better sales considering the competing price tag & a very favorable reports by all the auto magazines in the last couple of month's issue. But MB India should do a strong sales campaing to boost the sale & also should provide atleast a demo ML in all dealership to make the customers feel the car. Once any one enjoy the ride quality & sleekness of the ML he'll defenetly think of it.
	() Thanks

11th March 2009, 17:24	#8
v10 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 793 Thanked: 45 Times	Checked out the new ML two weeks ago at t & t and didnt find any major differences just small tweaks here and there. Have booked one but am yet to decide the colors. Looks sweet with the amg kit and 21 inch wheels though. Can you configurate your with options in india or no? forgot to ask the dealer that. The car is extremely silent and the ride is great too and the engine has some good power. Last edited by v10 : 11th March 2009 at 17:25.
	() Thanks

12th March 2009, 14:49	#9
tanwaramit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dilwalon ki Dilli Posts: 1,930 Thanked: 497 Times	Had seen this car at Dhaula Kuan. Had attached pics at tbhp, find them here. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...ml#post1195318
	() Thanks