New gen Mercedes E-Class at Rs 42 lakh

Daimler Chrysler India (DCIL) today launched its new generation Mercedes Benz E-Class, which was launched globally in June this year.

The new car will be available in three versions; E 280 (petrol), E 280 CDi(diesel) and E 200 Kompressor. The new generation E- Class, priced between Rs 35 lakh to Rs 42 lakh, will be available in the Indian  market from end of this month, Wilfreid Albut, CEO & MD of DCIL, said.

"The new generation E Class will replace its hugely popular predecessor," he added. Albur said E -Class cars will be available in two design and equipment lines, called Classic and Elegance.

The company will also offer E 350 in the Avant Garde trim line as a completely built unit (CBU) for those who desire additional power output and further personalisation, Albur infomred. He said the price of these CBUs will depend upon which features the customer has ordered and will be roughly in the range of Rs 60 lakh.

Albur said certain innovations of the new S Class - such as adaptive braking and presafe -  have been incorporated in the new generation E Class. While Classic is the basic model in E-Class, the Elegance model will offer a degree of customisation, he explained.

"The car has been certified by the Automotive Research Association of India and will be on the Indian roads by the end of November, he said.

Albur said the company will also introduce the upgraded version of its C Class and S class cars in the wake of their world launch. He said the two models have been the largest contributor of sales in India.

"We consider India an important market for us and would like to grow much bigger and consolidate ourselves here," he said.

Daimler Chrysler has sold one milion units of Mercedes Benz E class across the world and  the Indian sales are equally promising, Suhas Kadlaskar, director of finance and corporate affairs said. The company sold 703 units of E Class last year (2005) and 825 units this year between January- October he said.