mb. Connect! with Farhan Akhtar

Mercedes Benz believes in connecting with owners, enthusiasts and fans at the core level and the ‘Star Drive’ is one such media of establishing such connection. After providing some hardcore adrenaline pumping moments all over India, the Mercedes Benz ‘Star drive’ experience hit Mumbai. This unrivalled experience showcased the unparalleled performance of Mercedes Benz products combined with the sophistication in terms of engineering, technology and pure luxury. The intensity was further raised by the presence of Mercedes Benz Customer and Bollywood superstar Farhan Akhtar.

Mercedes Benz and success are two words which often go hand in hand and Farhan Akhtar has had the best of both. On this edition of mb connect, Farhan tests the limits of the Mercedes cars at Juhu aerodrome and answers questions posted by facebook fans in a candid session with Mr. Debasis Mitra. Farhan Akhtar’s association with bollywood goes back to more than a decade. Having delivered blockbusters such as Dil Chahta Hai, Don and Zingadi Na Milege Dobara, he shares a special passion for Mercedes Benz cars and also happens to be the first owner of the ultimate SUV, the all new ML Class. 

Out of the many questions posted by fans, Farhan answered the selected questions with utmost enthusiasm. He has a special liking for SUV’s and has done a road trip all around Europe in the ML Class and said he feels absolutely relaxed and comfortable when he is behind the wheel of his favourite Mercedes. He rarely prefers to be a passenger and is eager to jump into the driver’s seat and relish the Mercedes Benz driving experience. Farhan proclaims himself to be lucky to be the first owner of the ML Class and vows to put this mighty SUV to the limit of its tremendous capability. Being completely a family man, Farhan gives due importance to his family for their opinions on buying a car. Versatility is one of his key attributes and it’s not easy to be an actor, director, producer, writer and singer at the same time and Farhan would like to leave it to his fans as to how they will like to remember him. 

That’s all from this edition of mb connect with Farhan Akhtar, stay tuned for the next mb connect with a special star.

Inclined for star treatment? Highlights from StarDrive Mumbai.

Inclined for star treatment? Highlights from StarDrive Mumbai.

The Mercedes-Benz StarDrive got petrol-heads in Mumbai all enthused over the weekend. Renowned for demonstrating the marvels of Mercedes-Benz engineering across 11 cities, the Mumbai edition was conducted at the Juhu Aerodrome on the 1^st and 2^nd of December. The venue was the perfect place to put the stars through their paces and allowed fans to experience these marvels of automotive engineering like they are meant to be. On display were the stunning SLS AMG, G-55 AMG and E-Cabriolet while enthusiasts could experience the M-Class, and C 63 AMG at the hands of experts. StarDrive Mumbai also saw Farhan Akhtar participate in the event as he put his favourite Stars through their paces.

The StarDrive Experience demonstrates Mercedes-Benz hallmark levels of safety by providing participants with a first-hand demonstration of PRE-SAFE®.  One of the several safety systems that contribute to the Mercedes-Benz Integral Safety concept, PRE-SAFE® takes anticipatory precautions when an imminent collision is detected. Seats bend forward into a favourable position, head rests adjust and seat belts tighten, in addition the windows and the sun roof close automatically for preventive action.  Participants get to experience PRE-SAFE® in a completely controlled and safe environment. Also demonstrated are the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Participants also climbed to new heights with the SUV demonstration that included the M-Class and the GL-Class. These mighty titans made little of a 40 degree slope with the help of their PRO-ENGINEERING Package while the Hill Hold Assist helped the vehicle stand stationary for a breath taking 2.5 seconds before rolling back. Descending is a piece of cake with Downhill Speed Regulation allowing the driver to set the speed of 4 to 18 kmph for a controlled descent. Participants were treated to a drive that was as smooth as silk as the differential lock system made little of difficult terrain.

The Mumbai edition of the StarDrive was unlike any other with a guest appearance of one of our favourite stars – Farhan Akhtar. He slipped behind the wheel of an M-Class to experience the SUV test track on his own terms. This was followed by a breath-taking ride in the C63 AMG,  on the slalom course. This was followed by drives in the SLS AMG and G55 AMG. The icing on the cake was that winners of our StarDrive with Farhan Akhtar contest got to experience an exhilarating drive in the M-Class with their favourite Star.

Buckle up for pure exhilaration: StarDrive

The second phase of StarDrive Experience 2012 begins in various cities this month. Starting on the first of September in Delhi at the Buddh International Circuit, it continues in Chandigarh on 8^th-9^th September and concludes in Mumbai with a special drive with Farhan Akhtar on 22^nd-23^rd of the month. The experience features the Mercedes-Benz GL- Class, G-Wagon and the M-Class. You've heard stories about their power; durability and performance, now drive these marvellous machines from Mercedes-Benz in person.

The StarDrive is your chance to experience ground-breaking innovations from Mercedes-Benz. Witness PRE-SAFE®, Traction Control and ESP, Off-Road Pro Engineering and 4ETS live as you get behind the wheel of your favourite Mercedes-Benz.

The PRE-SAFE® feature has participants experience the car’s preventive protection -  seats bend forward into a favourable angle, seat belts tighten, windows and sunroofs close automatically and head restraints position accordingly. The simulation, at the hands of expert instructors, is as close as it gets to the real thing.

SUV genre stalwarts like the GL-Class and M-Class showcase sheer power as they overwhelm the toughest of terrains. They manoeuvre 40 degree slopes with considerable ease owing to the PRO-ENGINEERING Package. The differential lock system helps transfer weight from the unused wheels to the ones touching the ground, thus maintaining a perfect balance and grip on inclined terrain. The 4-MATIC and AIRMATIC suspension in these SUVs helps them adjust their suspension seamlessly in order to accommodate the rapidly changing terrain.

There’s no uphill task for these behemoths! While scaling new heights, participants can experience Hill Hold Assist that helps the car remain steady for 2.5seconds before rolling back, giving the driver enough time to prepare for the climb. Likewise, when driving down the slope, the Downhill Speed Regulation sets a speed between 4-18 kmph depending on the terrain. All the driver needs to do is manoeuvre; the car takes care of the rest by maintaining perfect balance and speed.

This year, we've taken the StarDrive experience a notch up by granting the winners of the Slalom contest a chance to be in the grand finale with Farhan Akhtar. Every qualifying participant will still take home a special gift voucher from us. So witness true marvels of the 21^st century with the StarDrive Experience.

Mercedes-Benz India inaugurates the largest workshop ever

Mercedes-Benz India creates a benchmark in luxury car industry, inaugurates the largest workshop ever

• Auto Hangar Workshop is the largest workshop ever by any luxury car maker in India
• Spread over a massive covered area of 100,000 sq. ft.
• Auto Hangar Workshop carries an investment of over INR 520 mn
• 54 dedicated bays capable of servicing 60 cars each day
• Employs more than 155 service personnel
• Strong emphasis on network enhancement

Mumbai – Reiterating its core brand philosophy of offering ‘Best or Nothing’, Mercedes-Benz India today inaugurated the largest ever workshop by any luxury car manufacturer in India, at Andheri (East) Mumbai. Spread over a massive covered area of 100,000 sq. ft. the new state-of-art workshop of AutoHangar, Mercedes-Benz India’s dealer partner in Mumbai, was inaugurated by Mr. Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Mr. Mohan Mariwala, Managing Director, AutoHangar. 

Mr. Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO Mercedes-Benz India commented:

“Mercedes-Benz’s core brand philosophy is Best or Nothing and this has been our guiding philosophy in all our initiatives. While we continue to make some of the best cars world over, it has also been our relentless endeavor to provide each of our customers with an unmatched servicing experience leading to a delightful vehicle ownership experience. With this world-class workshop of Auto Hangar which is the largest in the luxury car industry in India, having the best of equipments and human dexterity, I am confident that the discerning and loyal customers of Mumbai will cherish owning a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. I reiterate the fact that going forward, world-class servicing standards will be the key differentiator and Mercedes-Benz will continue to create new benchmark and take a lead. We have been focusing on strategically expanding our network in India and this new world-class workshop is yet another step to move closer to the customers”.

The new world-class workshop of Auto Hangar has been designed and created to provide a fascinating ‘Mercedes-Benz experience’ for the customers. The workshop was created over a span of 18 months, and boasts of being the largest workshop to be created by any luxury auto manufacturer in India. Auto Hangar Mumbai workshop spreads over a covered area of 100,000 sq. ft. and has an astounding 54 servicing bays capable of servicing 60 cars per day and employs 159 personnel to take care of customer requirements. Strategically located in one of the most prominent places of Mumbai at Saki Vihar Road, Andheri East, the new workshop of Auto Hangar is easily accessible from the West East and Eastern Express Highway. Auto Hangar Mumbai has highly qualified, experienced and dedicated team of committed personnel who will take care of all the service requirements of Mercedes-Benz customers.

Mr. Mohan Mariwala, Managing Director, Auto Hangar commented on the inauguration:

“Increasingly the need for a world-class servicing facility will define the way luxury car purchase is going to evolve in India. The customer today is mature and demands world-class servicing standard that is available to their counterparts across the globe. Auto Hangar’s new workshop is yet another step towards the aim of providing our customers, an unparalleled servicing standard that reflects Mercedes-Benz’s philosophy of Best or Nothing. Auto Hangar is proud to be associated with Mercedes-Benz and presents the country’s largest luxury car workshop that combines the best of infrastructure, technology and human skills. With our strong association with Mercedes-Benz we are confident of maintaining a strong lead in providing our customers a true blue luxury car ownership experience. Because we believe our customers are Best and they deserve the Best”.

Auto Hangar Mumbai is equipped with sophisticated equipments and latest technology likes remote sensing diagnosis used by Mercedes-Benz globally. The workshop owing to its large tooling capacity will be taking care of all the servicing requirements of the customers of Mumbai and also those from neighbouring cities, under one roof. The workshop will provide round the clock support in Service, General Repairs, Body Repairs, Paint Job, Wheel Alignment, Wheel Balancing, Tyre Change, Car Wash, Polishing and gamut of other servicing requirements.

Mercedes-Benz today commands the distinction of having the densest network among luxury car manufacturers in India owing to its long standing presence in the Indian market and its strategic expansion of its network. Mercedes-Benz is present across 31 Indian cities through its 72 touchpoints. Encouraged by its novel and benchmarking ‘Go to Customer’ initiatives like inauguration of the Star Lounge, offering the Star Lease, organising Star Drive, opening of Trendz concept stores, inauguration of AMG Driving Academy at BIC and rolling-out of Star Showcase across the country; Mercedes-Benz remains confident of its strong traction and steady growth and further expanding its footprint in the dynamic Indian market. The company has recently unveiled India’s first Sports Tourer, the B-Class at Buddh International Circuit and will be launching the car very soon for the aficionados of the brand.