Mercedes ups the ante with models 4 & 5 in '15 in 15' India strategy

In line with its ‘15 in 15’ India market growth plan that will see it launching 15 new products and opening 15 new outlets during 2015, Mercedes-Benz India today rolled out two new models – the new CLS Class Coupe (CLS 250 CDI) and the E-Class Cabriolet (E 400 cabriolet).

Priced at Rs 78.50 lakh for the E400 Cabriolet and Rs 76.50 lakh for the CLS 250 CDI Coupe (ex-showroom Delhi), the carmaker has upped its ante on its product offensive. Both cars are available as CBU, which explains the steep pricing.

Mercedes-Benz India’s 15-product rollout has begun this year with the new CLA Class saloon, the C-Class diesel variant to complement the petrol version that has commenced production at the Chakan plant followed by the updated B-class and the A-Class 2015 diesel model.  

Speaking at the launch in New Delhi today, Eberhard Kern, MD and CEO, said: “The CLS-Class Coupe and the E-Class Cabriolet are two of the most attractively designed products which evoke unparalleled motoring passion and are fine examples of our top-of-pyramid product strategy. We are also introducing for the first time in India, Mercedes-Benz Apps which takes the COMAND Online internet connectivity to the next level. The cloud-based Apps provide convenient access to a wide range of some of the most popular apps and services on the internet.”

This CLS is a facelift but importantly it now only gets a diesel engine. This car was earlier only offered with a V6 engine but now, in the quest to sell more units, Mercedes has equipped it with a diesel motor. Basically, a four-door coupe version of the E-Class, the new CLS 250 CDI gets the same unit that does duty in the E 250 CDI and the ML 250 CDI – the 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops 201bhp and 50.98kgm of torque. The E 400 cabriolet gets a bigger 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol motor that churns out 328bhp and a healthy 48.9kgm of torque. Both cars get a seven-speed automatic gearbox, and start-stop function.

Cosmetically, the CLS 250 CDI gets minor styling tweaks and a grille similar to the A-class. The E 400 cabriolet boasts of a fully-electric soft-top that can be opened or closed at speeds up to 40kph.

On the dealership front, Kern commented that the carmaker will be adding 12 more outlets during the year in both Tier I and II cities across India, thereby increasing its market penetration.

This aggressive product offensive will see the German carmaker launch 15 new models in 2015 to be sold through an expanded dealer network which includes 15 new dealerships. The company has dubbed 2015 as the company’s  ‘Live the Best’ year, which will focus on offering the best products and services. The cumulative impact of the Year of Offensive (2013) and the Year of Excellence (2014) has seen Mercedes-Benz make a resounding return into the luxury carmakers’ chart and is in fact, nearing close to leader and arch rival Audi in the Indian market.

Also read: Mercedes-Benz to bank on ’15 for 2015’ strategy for India