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The year 2010 has been a happy year so far for German luxury carmaker, Mercedes-Benz. The company fought back with the ferocity and determination of a wounded tiger to reclaim the numero uno luxury carmaker tag in India, after having lost it to arch rival BMW. The road to reclaiming the title was paved with the aggressive stance of the company who went on a car-launch spree in the country. Take this for a fact. Since the beginning of 2010, Mercedes-Benz has launched more than a dozen new cars in the country, the last being the RS. 2 Crore SLS AMG sports car. The list also includes the new variants of its famous C, E and S Class models. The whopping 79% sales rise recorded by the company in the first seven months of 2010 in India might well be a direct outcome of the massive three-pointed star influx.
If one expected Mercedes-Benz to put the car-launch spree on ice, after having reclaimed the numero uno tag in India, they couldn't be more wrong. Launched on 17 August, 2010, the Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet is the latest car with the three-pointed star to be launched in the country. Based on the E Class sedan, the Cabriolet is a four-seater soft-top convertible that celebrates the freedom and joy of driving. It is a style and lifestyle statement, one that draws people's attention and screams 'Look at me'. The Mercedes-Benz E Class range boasts of an eclectic variety of cars, right from sedans, coupes, estates to cabriolets. However, the E Class is available in India in only sedan, coupe and now, Cabriolet versions. The E-Class now has seven offerings among the three versions for the discerning Indian customer who seek individuality, expression and dynamism through the cars they drive.
'The E-Class Cabriolet heralds a new era of Open top motoring and with its launch the versatility of the E-Class range is further reinforced,' says Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. 'The E-Class now offers the Cabriolet in addition to already present the E-Class Saloon and the E-Class Coupe', he further adds.
The Mercedes E Class Cabriolet is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that emits 272PS of maximum power at 6000rpm and an impressive torque of 355Nm in between 2400-5000rpm. The powerful engine catapaults the car from zero to 100kmph in a scant 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 250kmph. The engine is mated to a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, which greatly enhances the performance of the car.
The Cabriolet comes kitted with a litany of sophisticated features that ensures maximum comfort and security of the passengers. On board are innovative features such as the AIRCAP system, which deflects the wind from the passenger cabin even with the roof down. It also enhances the stability of the car at high speeds. The convertible features a fabric soft-top retractable hood that opens or retracts within 20 seconds when the car is travelling at a speed of 40kmph. Other features in the car includes speed-sensitive power steering, Thermatic automatic climate control with digital display, parking guidance and a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system.
On the looks front, the Cabriolet is no different from the coupe version, that is ofcoure barring the roof. The front, side and rear of the car is a pure reflection of its coupe cousin.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet has a price tag of Rs. 64.5 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom New Delhi). In India, it will directly compete with the likes of the BMW 650i and BMW Z4 convertibles. The introduction of such high-end convertibles in India will certainly appeal to those well to do citizens who want to make a statement and stand out in a crowd.
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Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet |
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| Specifications: |
Test Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet
Base Price: Rs. 64,50,000 (Ex showroom Delhi)
Engine Type: 3.5-litre, V6, Direct Injection with Piezo injectors, Petrol
Engine Size and Type: 3,498cc
Engine Max Power: 272PS at 6,000rpm
Engine Torque: 355Nm at 2,400-5,000rpm
Transmission: 7G-Tronic 7-Speed Automatic
Drive System: RWD
Max Speed: 250kmph
Fuel Economy (city): NA
Fuel Economy (highway): NA
Length: 4,698mm
Width: 1,786mm
Wheelbase: 2,760mm
Height: 1,398mm
Max. Seating Capacity: Four
Max. Cargo Volume: 390litres
Ground Clearance: NA
Kerb Weight: 1765kg
Warranty: NA |
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