Merc’s sub-brand Maybach rolls in at ₹2.6 cr

In a double treat for super luxury car buyers in India, Mercedes Benz introduced its exclusive sub-brand Maybach in India with the launch of two cars.

While the Mercedes Maybach S600 is being brought in as a completely built unit at a price of ₹2.6 crore, the German luxury car maker also rolled out the locally assembled MM S500 from its facility at Chakan priced at ₹1.67 crore (both prices ex-showroom, Pune).

Good response This has made India the only country besides Germany to begin production of the Mercedes Maybach (MM). The auto major has positioned the MM S500 as the most expensive car across luxury brands to be locally built.

“We have received a huge response to the MM S600 and have sold out the entire allocation of 2015 within the two weeks since the news of its launch was announced,” said Eberhard Kern, the outgoing MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.

He hands over charge to the MD designate Roland Folger on October 1 before proceeding to a new position in Mercedes Benz at Brussels.

The local assembly of the iconic MM brand in India, which symbolises the highest degree of sophistication in the company’s portfolio, indicates the German parent’s trust in the capabilities of the Indian manufacturing set up, Kern said.

It brings the company into a position to rock the high-end luxury market in the country, the only competitors being Rolls Royce and Bentley, he said.

He added, “There is no other (top end of the pyramid) car in India where duty and other benefits (of local production) can be passed on to customers.”

Sales of the S-Class in India stands at four digit numbers and was also a factor in the decision to make the Maybach, Kern said.

The MM S500 will be the eighth model to be built at MB Chakan, and the third after the GLA and CLA, to come off the new assembly line here.

Models’ features Amongst the firsts (for India) that the Maybach brings, are rear seat belt bags (inflatable seat belt straps) that reduce the load on the rib-cage during a front impact.

The MM S600 comes with a six-litre, V12 bi-turbo engine that generates an output of 530 hp and maximum torque of 830 Nm.

The MMS 500 has an envelope size that is around 207 mm longer than the S500.

It comes with a V8 bi-turbo engine that has a displacement of 4663cc, and an output of 459 hp.

The peak torque is 700 Nm.