Mercedes R-Class @ Rs 58.79 lakh

Aiming to create a new niche segment in the luxury bracket, Mercedes-Benz India has launched R-Class seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) with a price tag of Rs 58.79 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The company says the crossover model will be an attractive communication possibility reflecting the fascination and exhilaration of MB products. The new model comes in between the M-Class and the GL-Class in an entierly new segment.

Mercedes-Benz, which at present sells the C, E, S, GL and M Class vehicle range in India, says the R-Class will open a new segment for the company.

The crossover is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, has multi-element headlamps and a top speed of about 230 km per hour. The company says the model is conceived to combine all the best characteristics of a luxury sport sedan with the versatility of an SUV, the 5-door design and finely tuned features.

The company has tied-up with many banks to fund its buyers. The company's own internal financing division is presently awaiting regulatory approval.

Mercedes-Benz says that it has exceeded its sales target for calendar year 2010 within just 9-months by selling over 4,200 cars. It says now the business is coming-in from cities other than Mumbai and Delhi for the new cars, as earlier, Mumbai and Delhi alone contributed 70 per cent of the sales while now it is 50 per cent from both the cities.

The company says India is one of the first markets to witness the introduction of the R-Class and will be available in the long wheel base R350 4MATIC which has a 3498cc V6 petrol engine.

The car is said to combine the best of a luxury sport sedan with the versatility of an sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Daimler AG says sales of its core Mercedes-Benz brand cars were up 13 per cent in September compared with a year earlier as its deliveries in China nearly doubled.

The company said Friday that Mercedes-Benz sold 118,600 cars worldwide last month — the best September sales result in its history.