The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is just a week away from being launched (on the 19th of July, 2012) in the Indian market. The company has already put across a teaser on its Indian website (screenshot above). Looking at the recent success of the Audi Q3 in the Indian market, Mercedes-Benz did not want to delay the new B-Class’ entry. Thus the German automaker has sped things up, bringing the Mercedes-Benz B-Class much before schedule. The initial batch of the B-Class will be brought in through the CBU route. These vehicles will feature the AMG body kit and only limited number of them will be available.
Mercedes-Benz will locally assemble the B-Class in India and assembly lines at the Chakan facility are being installed for both A-Class and B-Class. The company has not revealed any price details of the new B-Class, but it is expected to be priced under Rs. 25 lakhs. At this price, the Mercedes B-Class will have the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 in sight. While Audi will soon be re-opening the bookings of the locally assembled Q3, BMW is expected to slip in the facelift of the X1 in a couple of months time. These vehicles are the bread and butter models for the German trio and will be hugely responsible for the leadership position in the Indian luxury car market.
Mercedes-Benz will offer the B-Class with both petrol and diesel engines, mated to a 7G-DCT gearbox with dual clutch transmission. The B-Class is being positioned as a sports tourer and will be loaded with features such as Speed Limit Assist, Active Parking Assit, Brake Hold and Hill Hold Function, Distronic Plus, Bling Sport Detection System, Adaptive Headlamp Assist, etc. The B-Class received certification from ARAI just last month. The vehicle also boasts of a very low co-efficient of drag at just 0.26, which was tested at a secret Mercedes-Benz wind tunnel in UK. Will the B-Class change Mercedes-India’s fortunes? Probably yes!
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