Mercedes-Benz will launch the C220 CDI diesel in India on 11th February. The fourth generation C-Class diesel will be imported via the CBU route initially and the local assembly will begin soon after.
Anticipated for a 2015 launch by the industry, the fourth generation Mercedes C-Class was introduced to the Indian market in 2014 itself, as we reported last year. Showing great importance to our market, Mercedes-Benz India launched the petrol version of the new C-Class first via the CBU route in November last year. Now, the German luxury carmaker is all set to launch the diesel version, C220 CDI. The C-Class diesel will hit the showrooms on 11th February across the country.
Numerous units of the Mercedes C220 CDI have also been imported just a few days back, which makes it clear that the launch is imminent. In typical Mercedes fashion, first batch of the C-Class diesel is expected to be launched as special editions, hence the imported units. Later, Mercedes will introduce locally assembled version of the C220 CDI to keep the pricing competitive. The fourth generation C-Class is heavily inspired by the flagship S-Class and is based on the Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture (MRA).
Powering the Mercedes C220 CDI is a 2143cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 170 BHP of maximum power and 400 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS gearbox. The Mercedes C200 petrol was launched with a price tag of Rs. 40.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). We expect the C220 CDI to be priced a bit higher than its petrol counterpart, more so because of the increase in excise duty. Mercedes started the year 2015 with the launch of the CLA sedan last week and now they have 14 more launches to go this year, including the Mercedes C-Class diesel.
