Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet launched in India

Mercedes Benz has more for India. Indian buyers can now buy the new version E-Class sedan priced at Rs 64.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). All attempts to revamp cars and make them friendlier for Indian driving conditions is obviously being seen as an attempt to strengthen the brands domain in the Indian luxury car segment.

The E-Class is certainly a strong model with this being the 7th in its range. The abundance adds to the brands versatility giving buyers a wide range of choices including the Cabriolet, E-Class Saloon and the E- Class Coupe. Prices for E-Class cars already in the Indian auto market range between Rs 42 lakh and Rs 50 lakh.

Current data released by SIAM suggests that Mercedes Benz has left BMW behind in the race for te luxury sector. Mercedes Benz has witnessed a 79.31% increase in sales for the period of January-July as compared to last year. In all, the brand has sold 2921 cars this year for the aforementioned period.

BMW hasn’t had a decrease in sales, and have actually sold 2,718 cars but that obviously means they’re alredy trailing Mercedes Benz sales in India. Merc is manufacturing cars at Chakan, outside Pune and its production unit has a capacity of 5000 cars annually.

Mercedes Benz E-Class range adds new CDI and CGI BlueEFFICIENCY engines

Mercedes Benz is expanding its new 2010 E-Class engine lineup with two economical four-cylinder models: the E200 CDI turbodiesel and E200 CGI petrol model. One diesel and one petrol. Both cars are labeled as BlueEFFICIENCY models. However, buyers have to wait until September since both models will go on sale in Europe this September. And they are unlikely to be sold in U.S. showrooms.

The E200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY gets a 2.1L engine with an output of 136hp (100kW), and achieves as much as 45mpg (5.2L/100km) in fuel economy. The model reaches 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds. A respectable top speed of 210 km/h is achievable, but the automaker does not mention how long it takes to get to that speed.

The petrol powered E200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, meanwhile, generated 184hp (135kW) from its 1.8L engine and achieves a fuel economy of 32.6mpg (7.2L/100km). To further aid fuel economy, the cars also come with engine stop start technology as standard for models equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The model uses 7.2 liters of fuel per 100 km, while also increasing CO2 emissions to 169 grams per km. Top speed reaches 232 km/h.

Both the two models feature direct injection, and adjustable intake & exhaust camshafts. One of the main features of the new diesel engine is latest-generation common-rail direct injection.

Pricing for the E200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY begins at €38,734.50, while the E200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY begins at €39,508.

Spy shots: Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabrio with top down

After unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has drawn fans’ attention to news of the upcoming E-Class Cabriolet and Estate models.

The former spy shots of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Cabrio showed the car with a soft top, now spy photographers have caught the car testing in Germany with its top down.

About 100mm longer than the CLK Cabrio preceding it, the E-Class Cabrio also bears the same raked A pillar and steep belt-line of the ConceptFASCINATION study revealed back in September last year.

With the top down, we can see the test car's unique air deflector. Taking the shape of a mini-spoiler over the windscreen, the item is sure to cause a stir amongst Mercedes fans. Should the piece stay on the final version of the car, it will likely polarize those interested in the E-class into two groups: one that likes the function, and one that hates the look.

Power is expected to come from the same engine line-up as that featured in the E-Class Coupe, which means four, six and eight-cylinder units with outputs from 150kW/200hp to 285kW/382hp - the top end model being the E500/550.