After the C220 CDI and E 280 CDI, it was the turn of the S Class to get a diesel sibling. At a recently held brand showcase, DaimlerChrysler India introduced the S Class Diesel for the Indian market. The S 320 CDI that will retail at Rs 70 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) will compete with the Audi A8.The brand show, which showcased Mercedes complete range of cars including the E Class, C Class and the CBU range - SLK, CLS, M Class and the Maybach, would be replicated in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad over the next few weeks, said company officials The company also unveiled the CL Class, which offers the choice of two powerful engines with six and eight cylinders. It will have a price tag ranging from Rs 1.2 crore to Rs 1.6 crore (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
Unlike the earlier model calss, which reached the top speed of 100mph in 6.3 seconds, the seventh generation CL Class is capable of reaching a top speed of 100mph in 5.4 seconds.is preceded by the sixth generation CL Class, which clocked 6,800 units worldwide in 2006. Claimedly, the new generation car, outperforms the existing V8 unit by at least 26 percent in terms of output and 15 percent when it comes to torque.
Addressing mediapersons, Managing Director and CEO, DaimlerChrysler India, Dr Wilfried Aulbur said, buoyed by the strong sales performance in 2006, the company is looking at a significant sales outlook in the current year. The company ended 2006 with 11 percent growth in terms of volume with total sales of 2100 units. The sales mix comprised of 248 S Class, 833 Class, 922 E Class and 180 imported (CBUs) cars. DaimlerChrysler India breached the 2-lakh mark in 2005.
Bus plans awaited
With regard to the plans of entering the luxury bus space, he said, the feasibility study for the same is underway and have yet to reach a conclusive segment. Commenting on the response of company's commercial vehicle offering - the 48 tonne Actros, he said DaimlerChrysler India has already sold 50 units of the tipper targeted primarily at the mining segment.
Meanwhile, updating the press on company's Bio-fuel project, which was kicked off in 2004 along with Bhavnagar-based Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Director for Corporate Affairs and Finance, Suhas Kadlaskar, said the company would be concluding the second phase of the project by end-2007. While first phase comprised of the technical feasibility, the second phase would look into the economic viability. Technical inputs for the project have been taken from University of Hohenheim, Germany. DaimlerChrysler AG has taken a similar initiative in Brazil.
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