Mercedes-Benz India to roll out entry-level cars

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German luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz's Indian subsidiary on Tuesday said that it will launch its new entry-level small car range in the country by 2013.

"We are in talks with the headquarters to get these cars here. We can expect them to be here by 2013," Peter Honegg, Mercedes-Benz India's managing director and chief executive, told reporters here on the sidelines of the company's new car launch.

According to Honegg, the decision to bring the new cars to India will increase the company's product portfolio here, which till now lagged in the small car segment.

The company did not divulge any plans for manufacturing these new luxury vehicles in the country.

The company also launched two new car models, including luxury sports car SL 350 and Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) GL 500 4MATIC.

"The SL 350 and the GL 500 are two of the most popular offerings in our portfolio," said Honegg.

The SL 350 is priced at Rs.98.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the GL 500 costs Rs.80.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The SL 350 features a high-revving 3.5 litre V6 sports engine that produces a power of 315 hp and torque of 360 Nm.

The GL 500 model features a 5.4 litre V6 engine which produces a power of 388 hp along with torque of 530Nm and an acceleration rate of 0 to a 100 kmph in just 6.5 seconds.

The luxury SUV also comes with 7-speed automatic transmission.