India’s leading luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz, announced today the much awaited start of the local production of its sporty and stunning luxury sedan, the CLA. The stylish, distinctive and sporty CLA has been a key model in Mercedes-Benz’s product offensive globally, as well in India. The seventh product to be produced in India, the CLA was rolled-out of Mercedes-Benz’s new production facility by Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Piyush Arora, Executive Director, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India.
“The CLA with its stunning design, technological innovations and multiple segment first attributes, is already a winning product in our portfolio. It has been rapidly acquiring new customers to the brand and replicating its global success in India as well. We are extremely satisfied with our CLA strategy, which has contributed majorly to our New Generation Cars growth and redefined the segment completely. We are confident that the local production will make the CLA even more attractive for the discerning buyers with additional value propositions and increased availability.” commented Eberhard Kern.
Piyush Arora added “The start of local production of the CLA simultaneously in petrol and diesel variants is a key decision that will help curtail the long wait list for the sedan. Our ‘future readiness’ with the new manufacturing facility is bearing fruits as we started the production of both the CLA and the petrol GLA from the new assembly lines. We are glad to offer world-class products to our Indian customers with significant local value addition, in the shortest possible time.”
A stunner on the road: CLA’s stunning features include the bonnet embedded in the front end with powerdomes and the diamond radiator grille. The light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover glass create the characteristic “flare effect” for the daytime driving lights and indicators.
The progressive and sporty exterior appearance is continued inside the CLA. The interior gets a very special quality feel from the selection of high quality materials combinations.
With its large glazed areas, the CLA’s Panoramic sunroof ensures a particularly bright and welcoming ambience in the interior.
Power packed performance: The CLA’s 4-cylinder engine boasts of agile performance, segment leading fuel efficiencies and low emissions. The 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine returns 17.9 kmpl and produces 100kW (136 hp) of power and a maximum torque of 300 Nm. The 2 litre petrol engine produces 135 kW (183 hp) of power and a torque of 300 Nm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 7.8 seconds with a top speed of 235 kmph.
India specific suspension: The CLA’s suspension is designed for Indian roads to maximize ride comfort with higher ground clearance and seating position. The sedan’s long wheelbase of 2699 mm provides better ride comfort, greater handling and excellent driving performance, edging it ahead of its competitors.
Segment Best Drag Coefficient: The CLA has the segment best drag coefficient for any luxury production car in India. This results in reduced wind noise and unparalleled comfort in the CLA.
New Generation Multimedia system: The infotainment system offers Mercedes-Benz Apps such as Mercedes-Benz Radio. With user-friendly navigation, precise map data and excellent route guidance, the Garmin® MAP PILOT brings all the familiar benefits of a Garmin® navigation system to the Audio 20 CD. This is done by simply inserting an SD card with navigation software and map data sets and is available as a Mercedes-Benz Accessory for the customer. Reverse parking and manoeuvring is made convenient with a reversing camera, which is offered as standard on the CLA.
Advance Assistance Systems: CLA’s multiple assistance system along with safety features like ABS, BAS, ESP, ASR and Hill Start Assist supports the driver in all possible situations. The sedan has a high structural safety of the body-shell with six
airbags and other restraint systems providing the best possible protection. Innovative sensor technology is applied to coordinate and activate the safety systems according to the given situation. These have ensured that the car has a 5 star rating from EURO NCAP. Assistance systems such as ATTENTION ASSIST warn the driver when it detects typical signs of drowsiness in the driver’s steering behavior while STEER CONTROL can assist the driver with corrective steering action in critical situations.
Local production of the GLA 200 Sport: Mercedes-Benz India also commenced the start of production of the GLA 200 Sport petrol variant along with the CLA. The GLA 200 CDI is already under production from Mercedes-Benz’s new production facility since June 2015. The customers can now avail the locally produced range of the GLA comprising both the petrol and diesel variant.
Production highlights:
The production of the CLA and the GLA involves use of technologically advanced synchronized conveyor systems, use of the latest generation PLC control units for all the equipment which provide adaptability with different models on common production lines, thus increasing the flexibility of the production.
Mercedes-Benz India started locally producing the New Generation Cars in its global assembly network along with sedans and SUVs. Beyond the Mercedes-Benz plant in India, this network comprises further locations in Thailand, Vietnam, Malayasia, Indonesia, and will be joined by Brazil in 2016 where a new assembly plant is currently under construction.