The most powerful sedan version of the Mercedes S-class, the AMG S 63, has been launched at Rs 2.53 crore (ex-showroom, Bangalore). Mercedes also recently launched AMG S 63 Coupé along with the standard S-class Coupé and the G 63 ‘Crazy Colour Edition’.

The Mercedes-AMG S 63 looks almost identical to the S 500 sedan on sale in India, save for a more aggressive styling with new bumpers, side skirts, quad exhausts with chrome finish and larger AMG alloy wheels.

Inside, the beige leather upholstery of the standard S 500 sedan is replaced by AMG-embossed black leather to add to the sedan’s sporty credentials. The S 63 also carries over all the luxuries of the standard S-class such as the fully electric front seats, and the twin LCD displays for the instrument cluster and COMAND infotainment system.

Mechanically is where the AMG S 63 stands out. Under the hood is a 577bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbo AMG V8 that develops a massive 91.77kgm of torque mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. The gearbox offers three settings – Comfort, Sport and Manual. The AMG S 63 sedan, like its coupé counterpart, gets Mercedes’ Magic Ride Control system. The system uses a front facing stereo camera to scan the road for undulations and adjust the suspension to offer the most comfortable ride possible.

Ex-showroom, Delhi - Rs 2.48 crore

Ex-showroom, Mumbai - Rs 2.44 crore

Second largest lux carmaker Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday launched a new variant of its popular compact SUV B-Class with a higher diesel engine, making it the third roll-out this year. The Pune-based Mercedes-Benz India had earlier this year announced 15 launches in the year, to claw back its lost number uno position, which it had lost to compatriot Audi from the Volkswagen stable a few years back. Last year, the Merc narrowed the gap with only a few hundred units difference.

The new B-Class comes in both petrol and diesel variants --B 180 Sport (petrol) and B 200 CDI Sport diesel - which are available for sale at Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country from today. Claiming that the B-Class, priced from Rs 27.95 lakh (for the B180 sport with a 1.8-litre petrol engine) and at Rs 28.95 lakh (for the B200 sport with new 2.2 litre diesel engine, both ex-showroom Mumbai) is the only luxury tourer in the country, company's managing director and chief executive Eberhard Kern said the new SUV combines dynamic sportiness with high degree of safety, comfort and practicality.

The new luxury features include a panoramic sliding sunroof, reversing camera, memory seats, steering wheel with shift paddles, and 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission apart from new safety features like seven airbags, attention assist, adaptive braking, and hill start assist.

The company also launched a new A-Class with a higher diesel engine of 2.2 litre at a price range of Rs 25.95 lakh (for the A180 Sport with a 1.8 petrol engine) and Rs 26.95 lakh for the A 200 Sport with a 2.2 litre diesel engine, both ex-showroom Mumbai. The new A-Class diesel offers more power and performance with a new powerful A 200 CDI engine. Kern said the new B-Class diesel engine provides 25 per cent more power while still offering higher fuel efficiency than its predecessor, while the new A-Class with a more powerful diesel engine provides an additional 25 per cent power and 20 per cent additional torque, and features a sliding sunroof as standard. Kern said the launch of the new B-Class is intrinsic to Mercedes-Benz India's '15 in 15' under which the company will roll out 15 models including some brand new models and add 15 dealers, taking its overall dealership network to over 80 by the end of the year.

Kern further said Mercedes pioneered luxury touring in the country with the B-Class and this paved the way for our success in the segment, helping it become the no. 1 player in the luxury SUV segment.

The facelifted Mercedes A-class has been spotted testing on international roads. It is likely to be launched globally in 2016.

The A-class facelift has a new face, which is dominated by a single bar grille, and LED headlights on the sides. The tail-lamps are slightly tweaked and there’s a sportier dual exhaust system. On the inside, it is expected to get a new steering wheel, new switchgear and an upgraded infotainment system.

In terms of mechanicals, the facelifted A-class will get the engine options from the facelifted B-class.

Considering that Mercedes offers the A-class in India as a CBU, it could bring the facelifted model to our shores sometime after its international launch.

Mercedes-Benz, German luxury car maker will increase prices of its products in India by 4 per cent across models from January 22 to offset impact of higher excise duty, post withdrawal of concessions by the government.

"The end of excise duty cut on December 31, 2014 was instrumental in the price revision of Mercedes-Benz products," the company said in a statement.

Mercedes-Benz sells a range of products in the country - from luxury hatchback A-Class priced at Rs 26 lakh to sedan S 500 priced at Rs 1.44 crore (both ex-showroom Delhi).

Besides, it also sells the AMG range - starting with CLA 45 AMG at Rs 68.5 lakh to G63 AMG priced at Rs 1.8 crore.

Commenting on the price hike, Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director & CEO Eberhard Kern said: "The excise duty cut was of much relief to the automotive sector in general and luxury cars, in particular.

"However, the end of excise benefit left us with no option but to pass on the additional cost to our customers. Despite the price hike, the company would work to make it easier for customers to buy its products through financial solutions from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services", he said.

"One of the new highlight offerings will be the unmatched interest rate of 9.99 per cent for new generation cars customers," Kern added.

In December, rival BMW had announced raising product prices in the country by up to 5 per cent with effect from first week of January.

Last week, major car makers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, GM India and Honda had raised vehicle prices by up to Rs 1.27 lakh, days after the government decided against continuing with lower excise duty beyond December 31.