Mercedes Benz India Limited {MBIL} are going the BMW way of launching niches within niches. This they realize is their only way of sticking in this car business. They have lost their numero uno position 2 years back to BMW and come to think of it, BMW plonked their Indian operations only in 2003 whereas Mercedes were around from a far longer time. The problem was that Mercedes made only cars which catered for comfort and preferred been a little laid back as far performance was related to. Their brand image became one for only comfort as well as state of the art technologies. Mercedes Benz India Limited wants to explain to their customers that they too can build comfortable, sporty but affordable cars. Their answer lies in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 Cabriolet.
Yes, you read it right. Mercedes Benz India Limited {MBIL}have launched the Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 Cabriolet in India. Now many may argue that a cabriolet design doesn’t work in Indian climate given its unpredictability but Mercedes Benz India Limited {MBIL} feel that they should give more options to Indian customers to flaunt their exclusivity much to the likes of BMW.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 Cabriolet has a the same look as the E-class sedan albeit with a more Avantgrade type grilles. It is visibly smaller than the E-class sedan but a tad bigger than the E-class Coupe. It has a staggered 17? twin 5-spoke alloy wheels of 235/45 (F), 255/40 (R) dimensions. It has got a 3.5L V6 Petrol Engine displacing 3498cc and putting out 272 Bhp @ 6000 rpm and 355 Nm between 2400-5000 rpm. It does the 0-100 kmph run in 6.9 seconds and amasses a top speed of 250 kmph. Its fuel economy is pegged at 7.6 kmpl in the city and 11.2 kmpl on the highway. The soft top retracts to the trunk in flat 20 seconds and makes quite a scene at that. In India, it doesn’t have a definite competition as of yet but niches anyways don’t have much competition.
The price for the Mercedes Benz E Class E 350 Cabriolet is put at Rs. 64,50,000 { Delhi ex-showroom price}.
Technical specification of the Mercedes Benz E Class E 350 Cabriolet
Engine and performance
Cylinder arrangement/number: V 6
Displacement (cc): 3498
Rated output (kW [hp] at rpm): 272 at 6000
Rated torque (Nm at rpm): 355 at 2400-5000
Compression ratio: 10.7 : 1
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s): 6.9
Top speed (km/h): 250
Transmissions: 7 speed automatic with manual override.
Fuel and consumption
Tank capacity/with reserve (l): 66 / 8
Fuel consumption, city in kmpl: 7.6
Fuel consumption, highway in kmpl: 11.2
Fuel consumption combined in kmpl: 9.4
CO2 emissions (g/km) combined: 229 – 235
Chassis (standard) & wheels
Front tyres/wheels: 245 / 40 R 18
Rear tyres/wheels: 265 / 35 R 18
Dimensions & weights
Kerb weight/payload capacity (kg) [2]: 1765
Perm. GVW (kg): 2235
Boot capacity (VDA) (I): 390
Turning circle (m): 11