Mercedes-Benz India has started the new year with a bang. Close on the heels of announcing an amazing annual sales figure of 19,000 units, the brand launched three new products – the five-seater Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Celebration Edition at INR 1.34 crore, the seven-seater version of the same SUV at INR 1.48 crore, and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS Celebration Edition at INR 4.1 crore. But this Maybach is a little extra special, because this is the first ever Maybach to be produced in India and also the first one to be produced outside the USA. So, a total of almost 7 crores worth of launches in a single day.
Mercedes-Maybach GLS Celebration Edition
So what do you get for your 4.1 crore? As you’d expect in an SUV that wears the Maybach logo, there are two individual seats at the rear with a full-length centre console that can double as a mobile office and easy to access MBUX tablet. Especially thanks to the leather-wrapped tray tables on the back of the front seats that can be pulled out. The interior is wrapped in the finest Nappa leather, whether it’s the seats or the roof liner. Speaking of seats, there is a seat climate control as well as a massage function (obviously). To set the mood right, there is a 9.6-litre refrigerator integrated into the central armrest at the back. So, whether you’re working or relaxing, a chilled drink is never too far. Not to mention bespoke champagne flutes so that you don’t have to sip on the go from crassy cans or bottles.
The Burmester 3D Surround Sound system uses a staggering 29 speakers to make sure that you get a customised sound experience with Dolby Atmos quality. And all of this, while you drift effortlessly over all road imperfections, courtesy of the electronically controlled, fully active suspension.
Under the stately bonnet of the Maybach SUV is a 4-litre petrol V8 that produces 557HP and 770Nm of maximum torque. All of this is transmitted to the wheels using a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Although you’d probably not buy this for its sheer speed, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS Celebration Edition can go from a complete standstill to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h.
All of that, plus the patriotic badge of being produced in India.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 580
This seven-seater all-electric SUV is tagged at INR 1.48 crore, and apart from more seats, it offers more power, more torque, more range, and quicker acceleration than its five-seater sibling. Folks opting for the Rear Seat Package Plus will also get rear seat ventilation for the passengers on either side and the MBUX tablet that will allow rear passengers to control the climate system and the MBUX infotainment system.
The EQS SUV 580 houses a 122kWh battery and has a peak output of 400kW. Maximum torque is rated at 858Nm and helps this seven-seater SUV post a 0- 100 km/h time of 4.8 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450
The most affordable of the launches, at INR 1.34 crore, gets the same 122kWh battery as the larger 580 but incredibly, it’s the smaller car with the smaller range of 775km. Still plenty for a Mumbai to Goa run on a single charge or a Delhi to Jaipur and back! Like the larger sibling, the EQS SUV 450 rides on Mercedes-Benz’s proprietary AIRMATIC suspension, which means your derriere will have no sense of all the imperfections under the tyres, making for a superb ride quality. This also gets ventilation on the outside seats at the rear and the MBUX tab if you pick the Rear Seat Package Plus. You also get 21-inch AMG light alloy wheels. Top speed is the same 210kmph that we see in the larger 580, but a 0-100kmph run can be done in 6.2 seconds.
Along with these three launches, Mercedes-Benz India has already put itself on the path to another aggressive year, having announced that it will launch a total of 12 new models in the country, including some that have no predecessors here till now. How exciting can that be?
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