Mercedes-Benz India launches GL ‘Grand Edition’–Ultimate in luxury off-roading

• SUV segment has witnessed steady growth in India - increasingly becoming the preferred vehicle of choice
• The GL ‘Grand Edition’: visually more impressive and elegance personified
• Unique 10 spoke 20 inch light alloy wheels, high quality two-tone leather seats, metallic paint finishes(new color citrine brown)
• Attractive Price Range: GL Grand Edition Executive : 60,99,000 and GL Grand Edition Luxury : 65,50,000

Pune: Mercedes-Benz India today launched the GL-Class ‘Grand Edition’, further re-iterating its position of offering the widest product portfolio for the Indian luxury car market. The GL Class is one of the biggest luxury SUVs in its segment and the launch of the ‘Grand Edition’ further strengthens the company’s presence in the increasingly popular SUV segment in India. 

Speaking on the launch of the vehicle Mr. Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India said, “India has burgeoning potential in terms of demand for SUVs. The superior connectivity and improved road conditions are fuelling this growth. Mercedes-Benz is an aspirational brand and GL-Class has received very encouraging response from the customers since its launch in India. The GL ‘Grand Edition’ has been aggressively priced for the Indian market and like its success in other markets; the introduction of the vehicle will further strengthen our dominance in the luxury Large SUV segment. The GL ‘Grand Edition’ with its proven off-roading prowess and luxurious interiors is ideal to suit the taste of the growing number of off-roading aficionados in India”.

The distinctive, new GL- Class Grand Edition’s level of spaciousness and comfort is at par with that of a luxury saloon. Features reserved exclusively for the ‘Grand Edition’ includes unique light-alloy wheels with 50.8 cm (20-inch) tyres, in Himalayan grey metallic with a high-sheen finish, append to the vehicle’s exclusivity. The rich quality, new design two-tone leather seats in the color combinations black / porcelain and black / maroon leather upholstery with individual fluting pattern and contrasting topstitching, is exclusive to the Grand Edition.

The exclusive front end design of the ‘Grand Edition’ is unique, the dark-tinted headlamps, a radiator grille with black, high-sheen louvres and a redesigned front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lamps define this special edition. There are other visual highlights too, such as metallic paint finishes, heat-insulating and infrared-reflecting laminated glass all round, aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs, and divided exhaust tailpipe trim. The ‘Grand Edition’ accommodates up to seven people with exceptional level of spaciousness. The comfort headrests for the driver and front passenger, ambient lighting, roof liner in black designo fabric, velour floor mats with contrasting stitching and ‘Grand Edition’ lettering, ‘Grand Edition’ badge on the centre console, adds to the allure of the vehicle.

The GL-Class Grand Edition packs convenient features like EASY –PACK tailgate and extremely practical electronically folding third row seat that ensures convenience for its occupants. Although the GL’s size is intimidating, parking it is one of the easiest tasks, as it comes equipped with PARKTRONIC and COMAND APS system with 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.

The commanding GL-Class ‘Grand Edition’ offers remarkable handling and assures for an excellent ride comfort coupled with the most important safety features which is synonymous with Mercedes-Benz. With innovative 4MATIC all-wheel drive, AIRMATIC air suspension, Direct-Steer system and the Adaptive Damping System ADS, which also comes as standard adds to the already feature packed car. While the GL cuts an imposing figure on the asphalt, it also has legitimate off-road credentials. The modified AIRMATIC air suspension enables great ground clearance. For the challenging terrains the dynamic handling control systems such as Off-Road ABS, Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) and Hill-Start Assist also make life easier for the GL-Class driver.

The GL ‘Grand Edition’ will be available in two variants Executive and Luxury. While the Executive will be priced at INR 60, 99,000 (ex-showroom), the Luxury variant will be priced at INR 65, 50,000(ex-showroom)

Engine Specifications:

Arrangement/no. of cylinders: V6

Displacement (cc) (cm3):    2,987

Output (kW/hp):        165 / 224

Max. torque (Nm):    510

Approx. top speed (km/h):   210

Power transmission and wheels          

Tyres/wheels:           255/50 R 20

Drive system:            4MATIC

Transmission:           7G-TRONIC

Capacities and weights:  

Kerb weight (kg):      2,505

Perm. GVW (kg)       3,250

Boot capacity (VDA) (l): 620-2,300

Permissible towing capacity, unbraked/braked (kg):     750/3,500

Turning circle diameter (m):           12.1   

Did you know that this years Australian Open champion and best tennis of the world, the untouchable 'Novak Djokovic' is also the brand ambassador Mercedes-Benz Serbia and Montenegro?

After winning numerous tournaments and rewriting the history of the Serbian and world tennis, the best tennis player of the world and the most popular sportsman of Serbia became the brand ambassador of Mercedes Benz on the territory of Serbia and Montenegro this autumn. The contract undertakes to use the image and appearance of Novak Djokovic.

This cooperation was desirable and expected by Mercedes-Benz since the Serbia Open, as Mercedes-Benz was the official vehicle of the tournament.

Under its motto “The best or nothing”, Mercedes-Benz wanted only the best one to fill the role of the ambassador. ”We are more than happy that Novak Djokovic became the ambassador of our brand, especially in this year as Mercedes-Benz and the whole world are celebrating a big anniversary of the patenting of the first car in the world. Novak's appearance and tennis skills are ​​ fully representing all the values that Mercedes-Benz is underlying. We sincerely believe that this is only the beginning of a successful cooperation", said CEO of Mercedes-Benz for Serbia and Montenegro, Andreas Binder.

"I am pleased that we have achieved this partnership. This year is the best year of my career and I also know that this is specially significant for Mercedes. My family and I love Mercedes-Benz, which is the undisputed leader in the automotive industry, it has a fascinating history and unsurpassed technology and the character. I am pleased that this cooperation has been achieved in such a special year for both sides", said Novak Djokovic.

On behalf of Mercedes Benz SCG the contract was signed by Mr. Andreas Binder, CEO MBSCG. In addition to Novak Djokovic the contract was also signed by Srdjan Djokovic, his legal representative and father.

"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.