- Largest luxury dealership in Punjab and Chandigarh: 18 cars display, 75,000 sq. ft. area, 250 persons employed, 30 Service bays
- Technological evolution: Seamless integration of advanced telematics and IT systems: New benchmark in the segment
- Introduced in C 200 petrol variant, diesel variant to follow in 2015
- Most powerful petrol engine and fastest vehicle in the segment: 135 kW@5500 rpm; 0-100 kmph in 7.3 seconds.
- Longest wheelbase in the segment: More room in the interior
- The New C-Class is priced at Rs. 40.90 lakhs ex-showroom Chandigarh
- C-Class remains one of the most successful product in Mercedes-Benz’s portfolio: more than 20,000 units on Indian roads
- Densest network in India: 68 outlets in 37 cities
- Pursues the ‘Excellence in Network’ strategy: 13 outlets inaugurated in 2014
NewZNew (Chandigarh): Embodying the brand’s claim of ‘The best or nothing’ in an uncompromising style, Mercedes-Benz India today launched the new generation C-Class in its new dealership in Chandigarh, Joshi Autozone, which is the largest luxury car dealership in Punjab and Chandigarh. The new dealership is a benchmark in Mercedes-Benz’s qualitative network strategy and a result of the brand’s constant endeavor in creating unique luxury destination for its discerning customers and providing them with an unparalleled experience in modern luxury.
Defining new benchmarks in its segment, the all new C-Class adopts a progressive approach with its emotional design idiom, technological advancement and high-class interior. Consolidating superior design, superior value and superior safety, the new C-Class epitomizes the successful transfer of classic Mercedes-Benz values to an attractive modern, luxury vehicle. The new C-Class was launched by Eberhard Kern, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Deepak Joshi, Managing Director, Joshi Autozone at the state of the art new dealership in Chandigarh.
Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said:“2014, our ‘Year of Excellence’ has been very satisfying for us as we see our strategy pay off and we are on track. With the launch of this state-of-art dealership which is Chandigarh and Punjab’s largest luxury car destination, we are committed to our pledge of creating unsurpassable luxury experience for our discerning customers. This is the 13th outlet we have inaugurated this year, as we continue to reach closer to our customers both in metros as well in tier II and III cities. Chandigarh has been one of Mercedes-Benz’s key markets and the inauguration of this benchmark dealership reiterates our focus on the market. We are confident that Joshi Autozone will create more value for the ever increasing customer base of the Three Pointed Star in Chandigarh and adjoining markets.”
“The C-Class is a best seller that has always been a trendsetter in its segment and this remains true for the new C-Class as well. It interprets a new standard in modern luxury and its contemporary design idiom showcases the automotive passion of our designers. The new C-Class comes to the starting line with qualities usually reserved for higher-class automobiles – ecologically, technologically and also with regard to comfort and driving pleasure. It embodies modern automotive luxury and has all the prerequisites to be a success story.The new C-Class sets a new benchmark with its technological and design advancement. The technological prowess of the new C-Class is a prime example of how the latest generation telematics and IT systems are well integrated in Mercedes-Benz cars. The new C-Class will delight our customers with its high-class appeal and agility.”Mr. Kern further added.
The all new C-Class leads the segment with a host of best-in-segment features: the most powerful petrol engine, best power to weight ratio, longest wheelbase, fastest in the 0–100 kmph sprint and the lightest body shell. These combined with economical performance, extensive safety features and a new agile and comfortable suspension create an attractive, sporty, progressive and emotion evoking vehicle. Be it the use of excellent interior sound engineering and aero acoustics, or be it the market premiere of the new generation infotainment system ‘Audio 20 NTG 5*2’ with a completely new ergonomic interface featuring a touch pad, the new C-Class will exceed customer expectations in technological innovations. The new C-Class takes engineering and use of technology to the next generation creating an unsurpassable experience for the driver.
Part of the ‘Year of Excellence’ strategy, Mercedes-Benz further enhanced its dominant position in the state with the inauguration of the largest luxury dealership in Punjab. Located at 84, Industrial Area, Phase II, Chandigarh the dealership is spread over 75,000 sq. ft. The state-of-art showroomhas an18car display, along with Customer Lounge, Cafeteria Area, Children Play Area, Boutique Display, Finance & Insurance, and New Car Delivery Area which is aimed at providing a superlative luxury car ownership for customers.
Designed and created to provide a fascinating Mercedes-Benz experience for customers, the new facility has optimum visibility and presence in the area and is conveniently located for customers. The world-class Service Center features 30 service bays that will provide patrons a complete luxury ownership experience. The dealership has a qualified and experienced team of 250committed personnel ensuring a hassle free and unmatched experience to the customers.
Deepak Joshi, Managing Director,Joshi Autozone,said, “Our association with the iconic Three Pointed Star makes us proud and we are only delighted to take this association further with the inauguration of Punjab’s largest luxury car dealership. Joshi Autozone has grown along with Mercedes-Benz and it has been our continuous endeavor to deliver the best ownership experience to our patrons. Pursuing the brand’s ‘Year of Excellence’ strategy in 2014, it has been our endeavor to create excellence in all our areas of operation. We aim to provide an unparalleled buying and ownership experience to our customers and are confident of fascinating them with the brand and its best in segment products. We are hopeful of continuing this growth story for the brand in the growing Chandigarh market.”
The ‘excellence in network’ strategy of Mercedes-Benz translates to continuous endeavor in creating new avenues of customer fascination and delight. It means creating new benchmarks in terms of modern luxury and driving innovations. One-of-its kind initiatives are being implemented across dealerships guided by Mercedes-Benz India in enhancing this environment of ‘Excellence’ and to create an experience of modern luxury. All the Five Human Senses of Sight, Sound, Touch, Smell and Taste are directly and very uniquely addressed in the dealerships through carefully chosen elements which impress upon these senses. This essentially aim at bringing in the feeling of exclusivity and also impresses upon the customers and prospects with an environ that spells modern luxury. The fascinating elements of impressing the five Senses of a Patron create uniqueness in terms of universal experience across all Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
The new C 200 AVANT GARDE is priced at Rs. 40.90 lakhs, ex-showroom Chandigarh and is available for sales in dealerships across the country.
The new C-Class
Driving Performance
The 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with direct injectionis one of the most fuel efficient petrol engines in the C-Class-segment with a fuel efficiency of 14.74 km per litre. Together with the large fuel tank capacity of 66 litres it gives the customers freedom to explore places around them without worrying about frequent trips to the fuel station. The engine also boasts of ECO start/stop function and a lower engine weight compared to other 4-cylinder petrol engines in this segment.
The 2 litre petrol engine produces 135kW at 5500 rpm with a maximum torque of 300Nm between 1200-1400 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 235 kmph. The powerful motor coupled with a 7-speed automatic transmission combines a high level of comfort with driving pleasure and efficiency. It impresses with smooth operation and rapid gear shifts. At the same time, the 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission contributes to reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Drive mode selector (AGILITY SELECT): At a touch of the Drive Mode Selector, drivers can choose between Comfort, Economy, Sport, Sport+, or Individual driving modes. Parameters such as the engine, transmission and steering characteristics are adjusted according to the selected transmission mode.
Higher Ground Clearance: The C-Class is equipped with a suspension specifically designed for India. This results in improved comfort on Indian roads and a greater ground clearance.
Long Wheelbase: Through its long wheelbase of 2840 mm the new C-Class will provide its passengers with better ride comfort, great handling and stunning driving performance differentiating it from its competitors.The long wheelbase will also offer passengers (especially in the rear) more legroom and therefore assure a more comfortable ride for all passengers.
Cruise Control: Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC allows relaxed, economical driving particularly on long journeys. In addition to the desired cruising speed, an individual maximum speed can be set e.g. to be sure of obeying speed limits.
Aerodynamics: Wind resistance is a principal factor in achieving fuel consumption reduction and the reduction of CO2 emissions. With extensive aerodynamic and aeroacoustic development work the new C-Class boasts of an impressively low drag coefficient of Cd = 0.27 and further noise reduced interior for a more comfortable driving experience.
Exterior – Sensuous clarity and purist forms
The new C-Class represents a bold departure from its predecessor. Its emotional, sensuous surface geometry makes it appear muscular and full of character. At the same time the design showcases the high-tech character in a purist, clear and exciting fashion. The front end, the three-dimensional radiator grille and the clearly traced headlamp contours mould the ‘face’ of the new C-Class – strong in character and brand-typical.The AVANTGARDE exterior design includes the sports grille with twin louvres, which emphasises the long bonnet and therefore the vehicle’s powerful and dynamic nature.
Longer, wider and lighter than its predecessor, and featuring sculptured and sensual design lines not unlike those of the S-Class, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has grown up. The clear design emphasising width and the powerful shoulders give the new C-Class a decidedly athletic appearance from the rear. A soft edge which merges into the tail lights accentuates the indent in the C-pillar which is essential for the powerful shoulder. A strongly vaulted spoiler lip on the boot lid has a positive effect on the Cd value, and also characterises the appearance.
With the dynamic LED headlamps with LED Intelligent Light System the main headlamps feature two newly designed modules. The up-to-date design with inward running contour creates a brand-moulding element with the functions “direction indicator”, “position light” and “daytime running lamp”. Their characteristic night design lends the new C-Class its very own distinctive look in the dark, too.The tail light cluster features a modern twin-torch-effect design with all light functions making use of LEDs. For the first time the rear fog lamp is integrated in the tail light cluster.
Interior – Upgrade inside
The cockpit and passenger compartment come across as clear, sensuous and with a host of new unusual styling details. Clarity stands for visible high-tech attributes and straightforward sportiness – purism in the best sense of the word. Sensuousness stands for design ideas with exciting flowing shapes and high-grade materials – a reinterpretation of contemporary luxury. Electrically adjustable “Cobra-look” front seats with an organic, sporty design and integral head restraint are fitted into the all-new C-Class. The seat adjustment range compared with the W204 series has been enlarged by 10 mm in height and by 6 mm in the lowest seat position and allows even more individual adjustments.The seats are covered with full ARTICO leather. High-strength steels and intelligent lightweight construction are the technical distinguishing marks of the sturdy rear seats. Their newly designed seat cushions furthermore enhance the comfort for the rear-seat passengers who also enjoy considerably more legroom and knee room.
The interior skilfully combines the architecture of the Mercedes-Benz sports cars with a newly interpreted, sporty and flowing centre console design. The sportily designed, width-emphasising dashboard is optically divided into lower and upper sections which are separated by a trim strip. The newly integrated control and display system is consistent with the Mercedes-Benz operating philosophy.
This multimedia system combines entertainment, information and communication: The new generation Audio 20 CD with touchpad features now an entirely new designed user interface and graphics,3D navigation and also allows networking with mobile devices via Bluetooth®. User-friendly navigation, precise map data and excellent route guidance with the Garmin® MAP PILOT brings all the familiar benefits of a Garmin® navigation system to the Audio 20 CD with touchpad. It’s all done by simply inserting an SD card with navigation software and map data sets. The infotainment system is also capable of connecting to the internet with a Bluetooth® and data-enabled mobile phone. Mercedes-Benz Apps such as Mercedes-Benz Radio can be used even while driving.
The interior of the new C-Class provides an ambience that enhances the overall experience of the occupants, with 3 colour ambient lighting, Reversing Camera, Panoramic Sliding Sunroof, KEYLESS GO starting function, spacious and illuminated boot with a total capacity of 480 litres. The rear seat backrests can be split-folded into a 40/20/40 ratio.
Safety and Assistance Systems
The integral safety concept from Mercedes-Benz groups together all active and passive safety components into a well thought-out system – for the safety of the vehicle occupants and other road users. It brings the vision of accident-free driving another step closer for the designers. More than ever before, it meets the requirements for a high level of vehicle and road safety, based on what actually happens in accidents.
With new and extended functions, in addition to the standard safety features such as ABS, BAS, ESP, ASR, Hill Start Assist, etc., the C-Class remains the leader in terms of measures designed to guard against danger and initiate protective measures.ATTENTION ASSIST is able to warn the driver when it detects typical signs of drowsiness in steering behaviour. Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus allows the high-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently since oncoming traffic or vehicles in front are masked out in the beams’ cone of light. PRE-SAFE® system comes with belt tensioners for driver and front passenger seats, closing function for side windows and panoramic sliding sunroof and positioning of front passenger.
