Click to Expand & Play German car maker Mercedes-Benz today entered a completely new segment in
the Indian car market by launching its premium hatchback, the A Class.The diesel variant of the A Class, the A 180 CDI Style, will be available at Rs. 21,93,500, while the petrol variant, the A 180 Sport, will be available at Rs. 22,73,500 (ex-showroom Mumbai).
So far, BMW was the only luxury car maker present in this segment through the Mini, which it introduced in the country last year. And the competition will only get tougher for Mercedes with the German rival expected to bring the 1 Series to India later this year.
The A Class will be available in both petrol and diesel options. The 1.6-litre petrol engine will develop around 120 bhp, while the 2.2-litre diesel engine will churn out around 108-109 bhp.
"With the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz now pioneers the compact luxury segment in India which reflects the changing customer trend of compact being equated to cool and trendy. The A-Class is also the safest cars with 11 drive assistance systems, and is India's most fuel efficient luxury car with 1,000 km run in a full tank of diesel," Eberhard Kern, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said.
The cars are equipped with 7G-DCT automated seven-speed dual clutch transmission, 11 drive assistance systems, direct-injection turbocharger technology, 14.7 cm infotainment display system and multifunctional steering wheels with paddle shifts, among others.
The vehicle will initially be available as completely built units (CBU), while local assembly will begin only later this year.
The A Class was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and went on sale in Europe later the same year.
