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Mercedes-Benz India is on the warpath to say the least. How else can one explain the recent onslaught of new and facelifted cars from the company in India? And with the Number One Luxury Carmaker of India title slipping from their hands into that of arch nemesis BMWs', it is not really hard to see why. The Stuttgart based auto goliath commenced what can be deemed their offensive in the country in the latter part of the previous year with the launch of the all-new Mercedes E 350 Blue Efficiency sedan, and followed it up this year with the successful launches of the new S 500L, GL 350CDI, E250 CDI Blue Efficiency, E250, S350 CDI L Blue Efficiency and S 350 L. And they are not done yet. Launched on the 15th of February at Bangalore, the 2010 Mercedes M Class SUV became the seventh and the newest car to be inducted into the long list of vehicles introduced to the Indian market this year by Mercedes Benz.
The 2010 iteration of the M Class SUV, which shares its platform with the bigger GL Class, features two new variants- Sports and Luxury. Priced at Rs. 55 Lakhs (Ex showroom New Delhi), the Sports variant (ML 350CDI 4Matic) features an exterior sports package that comprises of 19-inch five twin spoke alloy wheels, aluminium-look roof rails, chromed rectangular tailpipes, chromed waistline strip, sterling silver radiator grille with chrome trim and front and rear stainless steel underguard. The sports packaging extends into the interior which includes a sports instrument cluster, rear seat entertainment system with monitor and headphones, Audio 20 CD with 6 CD Changer, leather steering wheel, sports pedal, front seat memory package, as well as Alcantra/Artico leather upholstery.
The Mercedes M Class Luxury variant (ML350 4Matic), which wears a price tag of Rs. 60.9 Lakhs (Ex showroom New Delhi) in addition to the sports package, features a multifunctional leather/wood steering wheel, Harman Kardon surround sound system, Thermotronic 3-zone automatic climate control, and an anti-theft protection package.
The Mercedes M Class in its newest avatar is loaded with an exceptional array of safety, comfort and convenience features, such as PARKTRONIC system, AIRMATIC air suspension, Adaptive Damping system (ADS), Media interface, Neck Pro head restraint, 7 airbags, and not to mention, a 4ETS Traction system. The new M Class has secured a 5 star safety rating in European NCAP crash tests.
The 2010 Mercedes M Class is offered in both diesel and petrol engines. Featuring a 3.0-litre, 224PS, V6 diesel engine, the ML350 CDI forms the entry-level car in the M series. With torque plentiful at 510Nm@1600-2800rpm, the diesel is mighty brisk in the acceleration department and a hoot in stop-go situations.
The top-end ML350 under its hood features a 3.5-litre, V6 petrol engine that emits a whooping 272PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 350Nm@2400-5000rpm. Both engines are mated to a 7G-TRONIC automatic gearshift and an All-Wheel drive system with electronic traction system and ESP.
Mercedes-Benz hopes to sell over 200 units of the new M Class by the end of this year, as compared to the 143 units that it sold last year. The company is engaged in an aggressive marketing campaign and targeting Tier II and III cities in India.
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2010 Mercedes ML350CDI 4Matic |
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| Specifications: |
Test Vehicle: 2010 Mercedes ML350CDI 4Matic
Base Price: Rs. 55,00,000 (Ex showroom Delhi)
Engine Type: 3.0-litre, V6, DOHC, CRDi, Diesel
Engine Size and Type: 2,987cc
Engine Max Power: 224PS at 3,800rpm
Engine Torque: 510Nm at 1,600-2,800rpm
Transmission: 7G-TRONIC Automatic
Drive System: Permanent All-Wheel Drive with electronic traction system & ESP
Max Speed: 215kmph
Fuel Economy (city): NA
Fuel Economy (highway): NA
Length: 4,781mm
Width: 1,911mm
Wheelbase: 2,915mm
Height: 1,779mm
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 500-2050litres
Ground Clearance: NA
Kerb Weight: 2185kg
Warranty: NA |
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