Mercedes-Benz India completes its petrol portfolio in India; introduces the new GLS 400 4MATIC in petrol


Globally, India has emerged as one of the top ten markets for the GLS

·         The GLS 400 4MATIC is the 8th car to be launched this year by Mercedes-Benz India and is offered as a CBU  | Local production to commence by end of the year
·         Mercedes-Benz further strengthens the SUV portfolio with the launch of GLS 400 4MATIC| The choice widens for customers as they can now choose between petrol and a diesel variant for the new GLS
·         Exceptional Performance: The GLS 400 4MATIC features a V6 petrol engine that delivers245 kW (333 hp) and 480 Nm of torque available at as low as 1600 rpm
·         The 9-G TRONIC9-Speed automatic transmission, ensures seamless delivery of power, enhances performance and enables higher fuel efficiency
·         The GLS 400 4MATIC will be available in two colours: Polar White and Obsidian Black
·         The GLS 400 4 MATIC is equipped with the Harman Kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system, COMAND Online and Apple CarPlay™ as standard

·         The Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 4MATIC is priced at Rs. 82.90 lakhs (Ex-showroom, New Delhi)

Mr. Roland Folger posing with the entire range of petrol SUVs from Mercedes-Benz
 Mr. Roland Folger posing with the entire range of petrol SUVs from Mercedes-Benz

Mr. Roland Folger, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India with the GLS 400 4MATIC
Mr. Roland Folger, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India with the GLS 400 4MATIC

7 September 2016 Chandigarh: The country’s largest luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz completed its petrol portfolio with the launch of the ‘S-Class of the SUVs’, the GLS 400 4  MATIC. Powered by a V6 petrol engine, customers will now have the choice to choose between the diesel and petrol versions of the GLS. This 7 seater full-size luxury SUV is the favorite among the customers and is renowned for its spaciousness, ride comfort,agile dynamics and best-in-class safety features. The GLS 400 4 MATIC makes it way to the Indian shores in just three months of the introduction of the diesel variant, underlining Mercedes-Benz India’s strategy of introducing the best products from the global portfolio in the shortest possible time.The GLS 400 4 MATIC was launched by Roland Folger, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and will be available for sale across all Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

Roland Folger, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “With the launch of the GLS 400 4MATIC, we have now completed our petrol portfolio for the Indian market. The introduction of the GLS 400 4MATIC is a strategic move as it gives the customers the flexibility to choose between the petrol and the diesel variants of their popular SUV. The GLS offers its occupants class leading luxury experience that no other full-size luxury SUV can match in this segment. This is also the fifth SUV variant we introduced this year, further bolstering our SUV portfolio which remains the most comprehensive in the luxury car segment. Our SUV segment has seen the maximum growth for the past two years and we are confident that this trend will continue.”

“It remains our endeavour to continuously drive value by adding new products and adding new variants to retain customer interest in the brand. We have four more products to be introduced in the coming months, including ones without any predecessor. With the upcoming festive season and a resurgence of customer sentiment, we have a positive outlook for the remainder of the year.” Mr. Folger added.

Technical specifications of the GLS 400 4MATIC

Technical Specifications
GLS 400 4MATIC
Arrangement / No. of Cylinders

V6

Total displacement (cc)

2996

Rated output (kW [hp] @ rpm)

245 [333] / 5250-6000

Rated torque (Nm @ rpm)

480 / 1600 - 4000

Top speed approx. (km/h)

240

Transmission

9G-TRONIC

Fuel

Petrol


Feature highlights of the Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 4MATIC:
Harman Kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system
Carefully matched technical components and Logic 7® technology from Harman Kardon guarantee unmistakably authentic surround sound. Passengers in all seats enjoy an enthralling 360-degree sound experience for both stereo and also 5.1 multi-channel recordings. The sound system with its 14 high-performance loudspeakers is specially matched to the particular acoustic conditions in the vehicle. The powerful high-performance DSP amplifier is equipped with a digital signal processor (DSP) which uses its high computing power to control the frequency response and to guarantee a harmonious acoustic sound. In addition, speed-sensitive volume control helps to ensure a uniform audio experience by continuously matching the volume to the vehicle's speed.
DYNAMIC SELECT
The innovative DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system of the GLS offers up to five driving modes for an unparalleled driving experience. The DYNAMIC SELECT changes parameters such as the characteristics of engine, transmission, steering and suspension. The five different driving modes are ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Slippery’, ‘Individual’ and ‘Off-road’.

Supreme safety for all seven occupants
A host of active and passive safety features relieve the burden on the driver and protect the occupants of the GLS. As standard on the GLS are the PRE-SAFE® system, BAS Brake Assist, the electronic all-wheel drive traction system 4ETS, ESP® with Curve Dynamic Assist and cruise control. Optimal protection potential is provided by the passive occupant protection systems together with the "electronic crumple zones" of the assistance systems and the intelligent body design. Adaptive, two-stage airbags for driver and front passenger, side bags for driver, front passenger and the middle row seats (combined thorax/pelvisbags) and window bags across all three seat rows are also part of the standard specification. In addition, the GLS is fitted with three-point safety belts on all seven seats.
Other key features of the GLS 400 4MATIC

·         9-G TRONIC: 9-Speed automatic transmission
·         DYNAMIC SELECT with 5 modes: Comfort, Sport, Slippery, Individual and Off-road
·         Panoramic sunroof
·         Full LED headlamps with Intelligent Light System
·         Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
 ·         4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system
·         AIRMATIC suspension with Adaptive Dampening System (ADS) Plus
·         New generation telematics (NTG 5*1)
·         COMAND Online with 20.3 cm (8-inches) high resolution media display and Touchpad
·         Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlayTM
·         Mirror package with brand logo projection
·         Memory package for driver and front passenger

About Mercedes-Benz India:
Established in 1994, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. pioneered the luxury car market in India and boasts of more than 130 years of cutting edge innovation in the luxury automobile industry globally. Set up in 2009, Mercedes-Benz India’s world class production facility is spread over 100 acres in Chakan near Pune. Since June 2015, Mercedes-Benz India also commenced production from its new expanded production facility located in the same premises. The production facility now carries an investment of INR 1000+ crores and has the largest installed production capacity for any luxury car maker in India.

Mercedes-Benz India product portfolio comprises the locally produced Mercedes Maybach S 500, S-Class, E-Class, C-Class, CLA luxury sedans and the GLA, GLE and the GLS luxury SUVs. Completely Built imported cars portfolio includes the A-Class, B-Class, CLS, E-Class Cabriolet, S-Class Coupé, GLC and the S 600 Guard a range of other Guard vehicles etc.

The product portfolio also comprises the iconic off-roader Mercedes-AMG G 63 as well as a wide range of other Mercedes-AMG performance cars like the AMG CLA 45, AMG C 63 S, AMG S 63 Coupe, AMG GL 63, AMG S 63, AMG GLA 45, GLE 450 AMG Coupe, AMG GT S sports car and the AMG SLC 43. Given Mercedes-Benz’s continuous success in India across myriad spectrum of sales, network, operations, services, finance, etc. 2016 will be the cornerstone to inculcate the spirit of winning despite emerging market challenges.

‘Winning with Mercedes-Benz’ philosophy is also derived from the unrivalled success created by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team in the highly competitive Formula 1 in the past years. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz will initiate a range of innovative customer oriented initiatives which are ‘winning’ in nature and will further underline the brand’s strong customer centric approach. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz began its ‘winning’ motto with the launch of the fascinating GLE 450 AMG Coupe, as the first product of the year. This was followed up with the introduction of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard which is the costliest product from Mercedes-Benz India fleet, yet. Mercedes-Benz also introduced the S400 flagship sedan and also the luxurious SUV GLS 350 d. The quintessential SUV that strengthens the SUV portfolio of Mercedes-Benz is the GLC and this was launched in June. The sixth launch of the year, AMG SLC 43 got launched in India nearly after four months of its international debut with the 43 nomenclature for the first time in India.
The seventhlaunch is the petrol variant of the highest selling SUV, GLE 400 4MATIC. The versatile GLS 400 4MATIC with a petrol variant now becomes the eighth launch of the year.

Underlining the service excellence achieved in India, the company has also been ranked number one in the prestigious J.D. Power Customer Service Index 2015, among all the luxury brands for the second year in a row. Mercedes-Benz India also registered a historic 32% year-on-year growth by selling 13502 units in the Jan–December 2015 period and became the No. 1 luxury car brand in terms of sales volumes. Mercedes-Benz scripted historic sales for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year, selling 13,558 units between April 2015 and March 2016. The company has maintained steady sales growth by selling 6,597 units from January to June 2016 period. The brand has won as many as 30 prestigious automotive awards conferred by different media houses across India, the highest won by any luxury automotive brand in India this year.

Mercedes-Benz launched one-of-its kind, innovative service programme, ‘My Mercedes-My Service’. With the launch of this programme, Mercedes-Benz aims to completely redefine the after-sales experience by digitizing service process and create an unparalleled benchmark in the luxury car service do-main. ‘My Mercedes-My Service’ programme comprises industry first initiatives like ‘Digital Service Drive’, ‘Premier Express Service’ and innovative ‘Service Products’.