Saturday, April 28, 2012
By Manoj Kumawat
New Mercedes M Class SUV launched in Oman, India launch in May
The new Mercedes Benz M Class is expected to be launched in India next month. It is expected to be costly than the existing generation. Reports suggest that the new M Class will be priced at Rs 69 lakh as the new increased excise duty is in force that started after the Union Budget. Mercedes will be importing the M Class as completely knocked down unit and will be assembling it in India at it India ally Force Motor with which it shares its production unit. Meanwhile, the new M Class was launched in the Sultanate of Oman by the Zawawi Trading Company (ZTC).
| See More Mercedes Benz M Class Photos | Get Mercedes Benz M Class Price |
First launched worldwide in 1997, the mid size SUV Mercedes Benz M Class is a five door car with exceptional SUV capabilities. The Mercedes car has entered its third generation in July 2011 and India is currently having the second generation car that was launched in 2005. As per the sources, the entry level model Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI will be launched first followed by other high end trims towards Diwali this year or earlier. Overall, the new M Class derives design clues from the E Class.
| See More Mercedes Benz M Class Photos | Get Mercedes Benz M Class Price |
Currently the new M Class is assembled in US and Mexico and is offered in a variety of engine options viz. 3.5 L V6, 4.6 L V8, 5.5 L V8, 2.1 L I4 diesel, and 3.0 L V6 diesel. All the engines are mated to 7-speed automatic transmission. The new M Class is 155 mm longer than the outgoing generation and it took less than a year for the new generation car to come to India after its global launch. With the increase in length, the wheelbase of the new M Class has also increased slightly. As part of the changes the new M Class gets a completely reworked front, sides and the new rear. Interiors of the new M Class have also received an upgrade with beige colored interior styling and all new infotainment devices inside.
