Mercedes-Benz S-Class to be assembled locally

Thanks to the overwhelming response to the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has now commenced production of the car locally. The Stuttgart-based manufacturer will build the top end S500 variant at their facility in Chakan, Pune. The S-Class has always been a benchmark when it comes to luxury cars and in its latest avatar it isn’t any different. Despite the fact that only the petrol version with a V8 powerplant has been on sale it hasn’t deterred the affluent from booking them the new car. Such has been the demand for the luxury barge that it has a three month waiting period. 

With this move, Mercedes-Benz has been successful in slashing the price of the new S-Class by a whooping Rs 21 lakh. The German carmaker hopes this reduction should further boost sales of its flagship car before it introduces it with a diesel powerplant. 

The locally made model will also host a series of changes – steering wheel will now be pure leather instead of the wood and leather trim and the nappa leather upholstery gives way to plain leather. Other changes include a Burmester 3D surround system, Eucalyptus wood trim while the CKD model will not feature the foldable table as found on the CBU variant. The locally built S-Class is now priced at Rs 1.36 crore (ex-showroom Mumbai) as opposed to the earlier Rs 1.57 crore price tag. And even at this reduced price it isn’t a value for money proposition by any means. But if you are in the market for a luxury car and have truck loads of money, you cannot go wrong with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.