Mercedes-Benz India launches the B-Class

Mercedes-Benz India launches the B-Class; pioneers the category of Sport Tourers in India

• The new B-Class combines sportiness, style and safety with functional needs of space which is very important for India. – Creates a new category of “Sports Touring” for premium compact cars
• The new B-Class exceeds expectations with all units sold out for 2012. New Bookings get deliveries in Jan 2013
• The young and trendy design of the new B-Class complemented by a unique marketing strategy: intensive digital foot print, focus on active lifestyle
• The new B-Class loaded with Luxury & features never seen in this segment of cars, sets a benchmark

Mumbai: The young Indian today is aggressive, dynamic and trendy. Their lifestyle is characterised by adventure, thrill and sophistication on one hand and refinement, practicality and elegance on the other. There is thus a need for refinement and luxury combined with sporty, dynamic characteristics in their selection of mobility options. The new B-Class is a Sports Tourer that delivers exactly these facets, combining the versatility of a MUV, ride quality of a sedan and dynamic performance of a SUV.

Globally, the B-Class has been a run-away success with over 75000 units sold within the first few months of its launch. It is a path breaking product in every sense of the term: it is the first of Mercedes-Benz’s premium compact cars, and boasts the extremely sporty design coupled with 7G-DCT, Dual Clutch Transmission with paddle shift which is normally found in high end sports cars like the SLS AMG. The core Mercedes-Benz values of safety and reliability have been taken to new levels with the car having 7 airbags including a knee airbag – A first for any car in this segment. Also, features like Attention Assist, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Acceleration Skid Control (ASR), Brake Assist System (BAS) and a tyre pressure loss warning indicator makes it one of the safest Sports Tourer available anywhere in the world.

The sporty appeal of the B-Class is further complemented by its panoramic sunroof, a sports package and aggressive body styling, dual exhaust, perforated disc brakes, Bi Xenons and special alloy wheels which are seen for the first time in a car of this segment in India. The “Vario seat” concept makes the space in the new B-Class equivalent to many SUV’s & a fuel efficiency of 14.81 KMPL (As per ARAI) makes it one of the most fuel efficient cars in the segment. Available in two variants B 180 and the B 180 Sport, the price starts from Rs 21.49 lakhs and goes up to Rs 24.87 Lakhs for the Sport variant. ( All prices are Mumbai ex showroom)

The trendy and innovative new B-Class is being marketed by Mercedes-Benz India in an equally Innovative manner. Mercedes-Benz India’s unique “Ultimate Touring Trails” contest has witnessed participation from over 1 Lakh people and celebrates an active lifestyle. It has used only Social media during pre launch of the car which marks a new approach to Luxury automotive marketing.

Mr. Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India: “We are extremely excited with the initial response of the B-Class in India. Our Strategy of introducing the segment & then launching the car has been well received by our customers. The huge response only demonstrates that the Three Pointed Star is easily the most aspired brand in India and kicks off a beginning of our product offensive in next couple of year in India.”

He further added “The sell out of the new B-Class in the pre launch phase convinces us that there is a latent demand for ‘Sports Tourers’ in India and they are looking forward for cars loaded with features”

Technical Specifications:

TECHNICAL DATA		B180	B180 Sport
Arrangement/No of Cylinders		In-line/4
Total displacement (cc)		1595
Rated output (kW @ rpm)		90 @ 5000
Rated torque (Nm @ rpm)		200 @ 1250 - 4000
Acceleration (0-100 kmph, sec)		10.2
Top speed (km/h)		190
Tyre Size, front/rear		205/55 R16	225/45 R17
Fuel		Petrol
Tank Capacity (l)/reserve approx		50/6
Boot Capacity (l)		486 to 1545
Turning Circle diameter (m)		11
Kerb weight (kg)		1425
Permissible gross vehicle weight (kg)		1950
L  x W x H (mm)		4359 x 1786 x 1557
Wheelbase (mm)		2699

World Green Car Award 2012 Goes To Mercedes-Benz

At the annual World Green Car awards corresponding with the New York International Auto Show, Mercedes garnered for the second time this award which distinguishes the world’s most efficient cars. Initially won in 2007 by the carmaker’s E 320 BlueTEC, this year’s award was garnered by the Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. It overcame 23 other entries such as the Ford Focus Electric and the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid.

The S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY is the first four-cylinder engine used in the S-Class, with the diesel unit triumphing fuel consumption levels of just 5.7 litres per 100 kilometers. Says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Board of Management, responsible for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, “The highly efficient gasoline and diesel engines in the S-Class show that our customers can drive a luxury vehicle with a clear conscience. The S250 CDI is the most remarkable example: with a fuel consumption of only 5, 7 l per 100 km, the S250 CDI is the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in the world.”

To be entitled for the 2012 World Green Car award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or noticeably revised, in production, and announced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning Jan. 1, 2011 and ending May 30, 2012. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed precisely at increasing the vehicle's environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.

Three green experts were selected by the World Car Awards Steering Committee to expansively review all documentation and specs linked with each vehicle contender. They were asked to create a short-list of qualifiers for review by the 64 jurors in their second round of voting in February. Their ballots were then tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG, according to the World Car Awards.

According to the experts, “This is the first 4-cylinder S-Class in the 60-year history of the legendary model. Powered by a 204 hp diesel turbo producing 500Nm, this S-Class develops generous power from the world’s cleanest diesel, while the integration of a start-stop system means that this car produces an exceptional 149g/km of CO2.”