Okay, it can’t quite fly but after seeing this video one might be tempted to believe anything!. The new Mercedes SLS AMG just proved something I had read and wondered about for years, some cars can be driven upside-down. This idea has been floating around for a long time and people have said a lot of cars have the capability, a Koenigsegg, a Formula-One car, a Zonda, but Mercedes has taken it one step further and actually done it (okay, the TopGear test with the Twingo doesn’t count as if you watch closely one wheel does not touch the roof at all!). The brave (and rather mad) and germane looking driver takes the SLS for a spin in the roof of a tunnel while a bunch of scientist-looking men do some math in the god awesome video. Any SLS video is worth a look (or two) but one in which you can look up its skirt!…stop mooning and check it out.

Recently Mercedes has been under steady firing from its home rival BMW. In India Mercs have been the car of the riches from the 90s and has been dominating sales in this segment for more than a decade. Then came the BMW which inched closer and closer to Merc and finaly sold more than the Merc during december 2009.

Ending 2009 in a bitter loss to Bimmer, Merc is trying to bounch back right up with the Introduction of its 7-seater SUV GL-Class. This might fare good for Merc as there is no shortage in demand for big SUVs in India and Merc has been laggin behind in this particular segment. A 7-seater GL would be great for Merc than the 5-seater M-class ever was. Priced at 67lakh rupees Ex-showroom Delhi it is a bit costlier than Audi’s Q7 but is also more. Read about it more from the Brochure and official Press Release.

QUOTES: Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India Limited

Product focus for 2010: Our cars embody passion, perfection and cutting-edge technology- values that will be reflected through a fascinating array of products that Mercedes-Benz will unleash in 2010.

About the GL-Class: The new GL-Class combines freedom with luxury, power with elegance and size with a sense of responsibility. This makes the GL-Class a symbol of good style in every respect. Its low emission engine underlines its strong character. The high quality materials and the high sheen chrome trim adorn a vehicle that is difficult to beat where size and flexibility are concerned. The GL-Class is a vehicle that takes luxury to a new dimension.

Brochure:

Press Release:

Mercedes-Benz sets new benchmark for Luxury Motoring in India: Launches S 500L and GL 350CDI

* S500L is the most premium ‘made-in-India’ limosine
* GL350CDI is the largest and most premium off-roader in Indian market

New Delhi – Setting off a high-octane start to 2010, Mercedes-Benz India today launched two category-leading products- the S 500L and the GL 350CDI. The S 500L flaunts the new design ideology of the S-Class range and enjoys the distinction of being the most premium car to be made in India. The GL 350CDI on the other hand carries the tag of being the biggest and the most exclusive SUV on the Indian roads today.

The new GL 350CDI
The GL-Class takes its position as the most premium SUV in the Indian market. Demonstrating excellent off-road capabilities and environmental compatibility the new GL is a seven-seater that offers excellent handling both on and off-road and pampers occupants with its extremely spacious accommodation and the comfort of a luxury saloon.
The GL-Class makes full use of the advantages of its unitized body, combining optimum strength with intelligent lightweight steel design. The result is excellent passive safety. The GL 350 CDI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds, reaches a top speed of 210 km/h and consumes a mere 9.7 l per 100 km.

With PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system, a world first in this market segment, Mercedes-Benz has raised safety to an even higher level. PRE-SAFE® utilises the sensors in the dynamic handling control systems and optimises the protective function of the passive safety components in potential accident situations. 4MATIC – the permanent four-wheel drive from Mercedes-Benz – provides the GL-Class with superior handling whatever the conditions. A fixed panoramic sunroof over the third-row seats, which is equipped with a sunblind, provides additional comfort and enhances the sense of spaciousness. Crash-responsive head restraints for driver and front passenger which support the head sooner in a rear-end impact, thus reducing the risk of injury. Two individual third-row seats offer plenty of room in all directions. They can also be folded at the press of a button to create a flat loading surface.

Thus with its poised, assured presence, the GL-Class meets all the requirements of a state-of-the-art, luxury SUV and even redefines them on a higher level without compromising on its quintessential off-roader genes such as superlative robustness, ruggedness and long-term durability.

Most of us are familiar with the S-class sedan, it is widely recognize as the technological peak into the future of car luxury & safety. S-class has been the ultimate luxury saloon in India except for the rollers and bentles that is, The new S-Class is priced at 95lakh rupees ex-showroom delhi and it would be the costliest car ever to be produced in India.

The new S is cramped up with technology which pamper the occupants in ways we can only imagine. At any given time 70 parameters are monitored and various actuators are effected based on the variable, in plain english, the seats hug you in corners, if the driver feels drowsy the car wakes him up and it does a lot more things based on the conditions. Read about the cars specification and features in the press release and the brochure

QUOTES: Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India Limited

Product focus for 2010: Our cars embody passion, perfection and cutting-edge technology- values that will be reflected through a fascinating array of products that Mercedes-Benz will unleash in 2010.

About the new S-Class: Being the finest automobile in the world the S-Class has always set new benchmarks. The uncompromising standards have made it the preferred choice of the world’s most powerful and influential people. Outstanding comfort, innovative technology and comprehensive safety have been characteristic traits of this luxury salon; they all began life in the S-Class before finding their way into many other models and vehicle categories and therefore into people’s minds. The S 500L is the flagship product of this lineage.”

Brochure:

Press Release:

Mercedes-Benz sets new benchmark for Luxury Motoring in India: Launches S 500L and GL 350CDI

* S500L is the most premium ‘made-in-India’ limosine
* GL350CDI is the largest and most premium off-roader in Indian market

New Delhi – Setting off a high-octane start to 2010, Mercedes-Benz India today launched two category-leading products- the S 500L and the GL 350CDI. The S 500L flaunts the new design ideology of the S-Class range and enjoys the distinction of being the most premium car to be made in India. The GL 350CDI on the other hand carries the tag of being the biggest and the most exclusive SUV on the Indian roads today.

The new S 500L
With its innovative technology, best-in-class comfort and trailblazing safety systems, the flagship model from Mercedes-Benz is seen as a pioneer in automotive development. Featuring innovations aimed at enhancing comfort, safety and environmental compatibility, it has become a role model and a showcase car for the entire automotive industry. Numerous sensors and intelligent electronic systems set milestones in terms of occupant protection, driving assistance and entertainment; the S 500L showcases innovative technologies super-efficient fuel systems, ultra modern assistance and protection systems, state-of-the-art multimedia technology coupled with an even more dynamic design. Like its forbearers the latest S-Class leaves no doubt: when it comes to mobility it is the one true icon.

The modified design of the S-Class reflects the effortless superiority and power of the S-Class Saloon. It is characterised by the more pronounced arrow-shape of the radiator grille, plus a new front bumper with a discreet light-catching contour and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes. The headlamps have bi-xenon technology as standard.

As a world first, Mercedes-Benz has equipped its flagship model with the new SPLITVIEW technology for the COMAND control and display system centrally located in the centre console. Other new features include a an SD memory card slot, Bluetooth® interface, which wirelessly connects a mobile phone to the standard onboard hands-free system, and a USB interface and media interface in the glove compartment for mobile audio devices like an iPod® and USB stick also with AUX input. An even more dynamic look is ensured by the LED Light package with its striking LED arrays while the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST continuously monitors more than 70 different parameters.

Things are not quite all hunky-dory at Mercedes Benz India. BMW and Audi are fast catching up in terms of sales and brand value. And now Mercedes has come up with a solution…a CNG variant of the new E-Class. Yes, you heard it right, a CNG E-Class to compete with the Auto-Rikshwas in the streets of New Delhi. The very idea of lower fuel consumption (admittedly an impressive 18 km a kg) appealing to the customer who has to shell out…wait for it, more than 90 Lakh rupees for the car is appalling. The almost double the normal price comes from the fact that Mercedes has to import the cars after paying a 104% tax. In fact, even if Mercedes starts producing them India and prices them around the normal 45 Lakhs, I do not see many people opting for this variant.

Also, the ‘green-celebrity’ thing that worked so well for the Toyota Prius in the US will probably not help Mercedes as green awareness is pretty low in India and all people care about is the 3 – pointed star in the front, not the smoke coming out of the back. The new E-Class has got the caliber to fight of the 5 series and A6 on its own and does not need such gimmicks to help push sales. Now if only, Mercedes could shake off the old-man’s car image and appeal to a broader section of the demographic like BMW, it may well stop the rut.

Today Mercedes-Benz launched its new E-Class in Delhi. this W212 E-Class is on the best E-class designs ever. The car is priced at Rs at 46,90,000. The car comes with a 3.5L V6 with a power output of 292hp and a torque limit of 355Nm.

The launch had the presence of Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes Benz India Mr. Wilfried G. Aulbur, who said during the ceremony “The all-new E-Class is the perfect embodiment of the brand’s core values rooted in timeless design, craftsmanship and innovation. This outstanding product- the ninth generation E-Class displays outstanding driving dynamics, and represents our cumulative experience garnered over 123 years of automotive leadership. The overriding theme behind the E-Class has been to create a vehicle that has a perceptive, sophisticated, intelligent and intuitive persona- much like the owners of this distinctive automobile.”

The new E-Class showcases the technical expertise of MB vividly. Let me list of the features of the E-class.
• LED day lighting – daytime running LED lights consume less energy and increase fuel efficiency ultimately
• Drowsiness detection system – monitors various parameters to detect driver drowsiness and alerts safety systems.
• The sedan comes with 7-inch wheels, cruise control, a sunroof and power windows/locks/mirrors.
• Attention Assist – this system computes individual driver profile during the first few minutes of every trip By monitoring 70 parameters such as vehicle speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, to alert the driver during signs of drowsiness raising the safety levels and prevents accidents. This system is activated from the speeds of 80 and 180 km/h.
• Entertainment – Merc’s trademark COMAND system programs the audio systems. It comes with 20 CD infotainment systems with a twin receiver, CD-player, eight loudspeakers and a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone. COMAND system can also be used to program the navigations system, air conditioning and cruise control.
• Airbags- Driver Knee airbag, front pelvic airbags
• variable damping Agility Control

The new E-class costs 4lakh rupees less than the old E-class despite composing all the new features.

Mercedes-Benz had once of the most interesting stands at Frankfurt and here is every car in the Merc lot.

BRABUS E V12

Call it the Dark Knight or the Darth Vader or the Knight Rider none would do justice to the amount of menace that has be resurrected out of the New E-class. I don’t think there is any human who can pull this off. It’s more than a car, its pure evil with 800 dark horses prancing around frantically without a tamer.

I would like to name it Black hole since if you look at it for long enough, it will suck you in (now I have really gone too far). This mysterious witch with both eyes eye-patched (covered rear wheels) can’t be more sinister.

Oxford just ran out of adjectives to describe darkness so let me put it in plain straight English its specification. The car has a 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine which produces 800 hp and 1420 Nm of torque (it’s electronically limited to 1,100 Nm).

To sum it up The Brabus E V12 is a superior personification of death than Grim Reaper.
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E-Class estate
A wagon version of the new E-class which is going to be launched on the 23rd of this month in India.

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B-Class F-CELL
Hydrogen powered motor with a performance similar to that of a 2L gasoline engine as claimed by Benz. Mercedes has promised to lease it to its customers as early as 2010.

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SLS AMG
The crown Jewel for Mercedes at the Frankfurt motor show. Read about it here.

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E63 AMG estate
Mama’s most powerful estate with a power rating of 525Hp from 6.3L V8.

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S-500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid
S-class hybrid with a 3.2L engine and Lithium-ion batteries.

The SL 300 is widely acknowledged to be the world’s first super-car and now for AMG’s first foray into the super car world, they have chosen to make a successor to it. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the car for the future with more than a mere wink at the past. Mercedes are pulling out all the stops for this one, with power trains ranging from the current 571-horsepower monster to proposed electric drivetrains.

The retro styling cues are all there with the long swooping bonnet and sloping back. The SLR like side vents also form a perfect fit with the overall look ond oh!…and did I not mention the party-piece Gull Wing doors?

Picture of the SLR replacement SLS were released on to the internet a week before its official reveal at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The SLS is inspired from the original 300SL Gullwing, which is one of the most prettiest cars ever made and it shows in the SLS.

Power comes from the 6.3L V8 which churns out 563hp and 480 lb-ft torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. SLS will hit 60 in 3.7 seconds and will go up to top speed of 197mph, braking it from there would be carbon ceramic discs.

The styling is thrilling and old school with the Gullwing door. The entire design makes justification to the SL300. But the side profile around the B-Pillar reminds me of Ferrari 275, which is one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made. The body proportion is similar to the Chrysler Crossfire.

The technology behind a truck is more complex than a Formula1 car, we may not be aware of this but trucks and tractors are the most complicated and technically sound automobiles on the phase of the planet. The people on top of the truck technology are Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz recently introduced a new version of its truck Actros in India. Actros is one of the largest selling trucks in the world.

The Actros carry lot of load and to stop it the braking system has to be superior. The Actros has a braking system with ABS and ASR which improve safety. There is something called Active Brake Assist system which slows down or stops the truck when an obstacle comes in the way. The Active Brake Assist works based on the proximity cruise control system. Mercedes’s Active Brake Assist system is one the best and has won numerous awards.

The Actros has stability control, which reduces the roll during a turn. It has something called hill holding system, which applies the brakes automatically when the truck is stationary in an inclined road and releases the brake when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal. This means the driver doesn’t have to apply the hand brake.

The Actros is priced at 65Lakh ex-showroom, Pune.

Mercedes Benz E-class will be launched in India sooner than we expected according to the teaser on Merc’s Indian website. Previously it was destined to be launched in India on 5th of October but as it turns of the E-class W212 will hit the showrooms as early as 23rd September.

As of now only the petrol variant of the E-class will be available, the diesel variant will follow soon. The petrol variant has a 3.5 litre V6 which produces 292 bhp. The gear box will be a 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

Click here for the Pictures.