A Day without Speed Limits

Watching a Formula 1 car zip down the race track is one of the most thrilling moments that an auto enthusiast might experience. The sound of engines roaring at unimaginable RPMs, the blurring of colors as cars skim by like bullets - truly a rush! One wonders what it must feel like to be in the midst of something so high octane that pushes man and machine to their limits. Would a seat in the cockpit make for an auto enthusiast’s ultimate exhilaration?
 

The Mercedes-Benz Track Day Experience was an event that put most of these questions to rest. Hosted at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Sahara Force India’s Mercedes drivers Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg took to the wheel with a single motive - to push their cars to the very edge while giving media personnel, our YEO customers and auto enthusiasts a feel of how it is to race in a GP!

A stack of papers to be signed as an acceptance of indemnity clauses, a briefon driving dynamics and rules by Mr. Hari Singh and the lucky Track Day participants were ready to shut the visors on their helmets. What followed was a gut wrenching blast as they zipped across the BIC at speeds at excessive speeds of 200kmph in the C63 AMG one of the most powerful cars in its league and Mercedes-Benz's official car for the DTM circuit! Auto enthusiasts and young entrepreneurs alike were treated to the ‘the drive of their lives’. Post racing, it took them a while to get over the hair-raising speeds that they had travelled at. The enthralled look on all faces at the end of the day served as a testament to the fascination that the Mercedes-Benz Track Day Experience had delivered.

Mercedes-Benz has always been a strong advocate of motorsports & so have its initiatives in the country:

• In the F1 arena, Mercedes-Benz today has the distinction of having three teams, and their six cars, running on Mercedes-Benz engines.

• Sahara Force India's showcase in F1 is woven around engines manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, and the continuous podium appearances across different race tracks and varied conditions are a testimony to the technological prowess of the engines.

• Sahara Force India as the 'only Indian' F1 team on the circuit, along with Mercedes-Benz will be striving with newer initiatives to popularize motorsports in the country.

• The initiation of such collaboration together with Mercedes-Benz will go a long way in sculpting the future of motorsports in India, with the active help of our partner JPSI.

• The AMGs have been revered in the motoring circuit with high esteem ever since its inception and each race reaffirms the belief in the amazing performance capabilities of this beautiful racing machine.

• In India, just like the other part of the world, the AMGs have won hearts of all motoring enthusiasts and is synonymous with performance motoring.

• The entire range of AMG from Mercedes-Benz's stable are offered for sale in India for customers and enthusiasts who are passionate about performance motoring.

"iF product design award 2012": Five-fold success for Mercedes-Benz design

Stuttgart – The designers at Mercedes-Benz have picked up yet another prize for no fewer than four models in the form of the internationally renowned "iF product design award 2012". A top-class specialist jury has bestowed the award on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the SLK, the SLS AMG Roadster, and the Concept A-CLASS show car, as well as the smart electric mobility concept, all for their outstanding designs.

First presented in 1953, the "iF product design award" ranks among the world's most important design awards and represents the seal of approval for good design. For 2012 the 24-member jury was again faced with the task of choosing its favourites, this time from more than 2000 candidates. Four models from Mercedes-Benz stood out in particular: the M-Class, the SLK, the SLS AMG Roadster and the Concept A-CLASS show car.

The M-Class won thanks to its characteristically distinctive SUV design and its variable interior with high wellness factor. The open-top SLS AMG Roadster, meanwhile, owes its victory to its exciting lines, which are reminiscent of the legendary 300 SL from the 1950s. The SLK Roadster also dominated the competition with its powerful sports car design, which portrays its outstanding qualities to brilliant visual effect - stylish comfort, light-footed sportiness and exemplary ecology.

With the Mercedes-Benz Concept A-CLASS, the jury acknowledged the birth of a new vehicle generation which provides a glimpse of the expressive design of the future A-Class.

As an overall concept, the trend-setting developments achieved by the automotive brand smart in the field of electric mobility also received the coveted "iF product design award 2012". For its innovative e-mobility concept, smart created one-off vehicles such as the open-top smart forspeed, the smart e-scooter and also the smart e-bike, which is to be incorporated into the smart product line this year.

Launch of the SL 350 & GL 500: Setting new benchmark in Luxury Motoring

Delhi: Mercedes-Benz India today launched the SL 350 and the GL 500 4MATIC,  further re-iterating their position of offering the widest product portfolio for the Indian luxury car market. The SL-Class, one of the most legendary cars in the Mercedes-Benz stable, derives its DNA from the legendary 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ and has always been a favourite among automobile aficionados across the globe. The GL 500 is amongst the most powerful SUV in Mercedes-Benz’s portfolio and it strengthens the company’s presence in the increasingly popular SUV segment.

Mr Peter Honegg (Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India)
at the National launch of the SL 350 and GL 500 in New Delhi on 3^rd May, 2011. 

The SL 350

The SL 350 features a high-revving 3.5 litre V6 sports engine that produces a power of 315Hp and torque of 360Nm giving an enhanced performance & reduced fuel             consumption. The SL 350 features the Direct Steering with Variable Servo Assistance which is available as standard. The Direct Steering incorporates the speed-sensitive power steering coupled with added sportiness. The steering features an all-new rack with a steering angle-sensitive ratio that reduces the need to turn the wheel and increases agility.

The SL-Class offers "Sports package" which comes as standard, is one-of-its kind in its segment. Under this package, the interior features the exclusive silver-coloured          contrasting topstitching on the Exclusive NAPPA leather seats and aluminium prism trim among others.  The SL-Class has Multi-Contour climatised seats ensures a perfect     balance between sportiness and excellent seating comfort for its passengers.

Further the instrument cluster sports attractive dial graphics, 3D dial surrounds and   hanging needles. The SL 350 also sports a three-spoke steering wheel with matt chrome decorative inserts along with silver paddle shifters. The cockpit is superbly styled and gives a commanding feel to the driver. The AIRSCARF neck level heating maintains neck level temperatures even on colder days to ensure a comfortable ride. The Mercedes-Benz SL 350 also features a high resolution 6.5 inch colour display COMMAND with DVD changer and media interface with extended functionality and improved menu navigation. The Intelligent Light System also available as standard in the SL offers improved illumination while driving. Other standard features include:  KEYLESS-GO and Harman Kardon® Logic7® sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1 with 10 high-performance loudspeakers.

The interiors are matched by top-notch enhancements in its exteriors. The SL 350  roadster sports a unique design idiom which is a part of the current Mercedes-Benz design philosophy. The front grille has been radically revised to grab one’s attention and the prominent louver on the radiator grille gives it an even wider and dominant look. The power domes adorning the bonnet and Gill-like trim panels are reminiscent of the SL’s history. The front end has a more prominent V-shape. Besides this the SL sports attractively designed main and auxiliary headlamps.

As a part of the SL-Class’s “sports package” the exteriors flaunts attractive 18 inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels; front brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering, darkened tail lights; headlamps with dark surrounds and Sports air filter among others.

The New GL 500 4MATIC

The GL 500 4MATIC one of the most powerful SUV’s in the world featuring a 5.4 litre V6 engine produces a power of 388hp along with a staggering torque of 530Nm. This mammoth accelerates from a standstill to a 100kmph in just 6.5seconds all thanks to its light weight construction resulting in improved engine smoothness and higher torque in the mid-engine speed range.

The GL 500 comes with the 7G TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission as standard,   allowing adept engine speed at all times, in turn cutting down fuel consumption. The shorter gear shifts make the ride smooth and also reduce the noise levels. It also has manual gear shift paddles on the steering to further enhance driving please when needed. The 4MATIC all wheel drive system in the GL 500 provides excellent traction and enhanced driving stability even on poor road conditions. Additionally the GL-Class comes with the unique off-road pro engineering package that is a boon for those interested in having some serious off-roading and the AIRMATIC suspensions make sure that ride quality is not compromised even on the harshest terrains.

The GL 500’s intimidating size is further complimented by the brilliant silver coloured louvers in the radiator grille that impart a striking appearance to the car. The LED tail lights add a distinguishing feature to the rear view of the car which is further enhanced by the stainless steel, chrome look underguard. The LED day time running lights combined with the Intelligent Lighting System regulate the headlamp range and light distribution of the car, making night time driving easier than ever. The 20-inch alloy wheels further add to the sporty appeal of the car.

On the interior front, the GL 500 4MATIC has a luxurious feel that further compliments its spaciousness. The steering wheel has elements of wood and leather that combine to add a rich feel to the interiors. The NAPPA leather seats further enhances the luxury quotient of the car. The front seats have memory package, so that each driver can set up the   seating as per convenience.

Another new feature of the GL-Class is its electrically folding third row seats, a first in its segment. The GL 500’s rear seat entertainment system with its 8-inch colour screens and Harman Kardon system is ideal for a back seat movie viewing or gaming experience.    Although the GL’s size is intimidating, parking it is one of the easiest tasks as it comes equipped with PARKTRONIC and COMAND system with Linguatronics and a reversing camera that help manoeuvre the car easily in tight parking spaces. The THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control helps maintain different temperatures for the driver, front and rear passengers giving each their own comfort zone. Third row passengers can also enjoy the comfort of fresh air, as the third row comes with rear   electrical vent windows.

Mr Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India: “The SL 350 and the GL 500 are two of the most popular offerings in our portfolio. Both the cars have unique USP’s. The SL-Class with its styling, performance and handling abilities has won hearts globally. We are glad to introduce the SL-Class which is sportier, aggressive and of course packed with benchmark Mercedes-Benz safety features and technology. On the other hand the GL 500 being one of the most powerful SUV’s in the world, is ideal to suit the tastes of the growing number of off-roading afficionados in India. I am confident that both the vehicles will woo auto enthusiasts, critics, customers & media alike.”