Mercedes Benz India is set to heat up competition in the compact luxury car segment with two new models, to be positioned in the sedan and SUV categories. Touted as game changers for Mercedes, the two models will take on Audi and BMW in the sub-Rs.30 lakh luxury car segment.
The German car maker, the second largest luxury brand in the country, on Wednesday, unveiled compact luxury models CLA 45 AMG and GLA Class along with M-Guard, a bullet-proof SUV for special protection needs.
SUV GLA Class is set to take on BMW’s X1 and Audi’s Q3, and is expected to intensify competition in the entry- level luxury SUV category. CLA 45 AMG will expand the company’s offerings in the segment. Mercedes already has A and B class sedans in the compact segment, and the new offerings are set be another volume driver. Both cars are expected to hit the roads this calendar year, but the exact dates of their are not provided.
“Our GLA Class is a perfect expansion of our SUV line up. CLA 45-AMG has all DNA of AMG, and will offer the best driving performance. CLA 45 can appeal to call car enthusiasts in India,” said Ola Kallenius, Member of the Divisional Board and responsible for sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz cars.
M-Guard will be priced at Rs.2.49 crore (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
The company already has a couple of special protection vehicles such as S-Guard and E-Guard in its portfolio, and the prices are in the region of Rs.6 crore. The new M-Guard comes in the lower-priced segment of VIP protection vehicles.
