Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) has equipped the third generation of the new GLS launched recently with fully packed connected services through its latest MBUX multimedia infotainment system. Developed along with MapmyIndia this facility is available for major cities across India including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune.

As the number of cases continues to grow across the globe, MBRDI engineers in Bangalore have achieved this integration in a record time of two weeks, in association with leading service provider of maps and location technology, MapmyIndia. The 12.3-inch infotainment system handles requests using voice commands and gestures.

Mercedes-Benz India users will immensely benefit from MapmyIndia’s COVID-19 India Guide, as they will now have real-time and accurate information about high risk or no go areas, and thus avoid these while travelling. The information is sourced from the latest government notifications and guidelines issued from time to time, and other credible sources.

Manu Saale, Managing Director & CEO, MBRDI, said, “Our infotainment team, who have a key role to play on the entire MBUX including the Interior Assist & Rear Seat entertainment, earlier this year was instrumental in launching another timely innovation for Korean market where the infotainment system helps in navigating to stores with N95 masks/ respirators, also. Our technology platform for MBUX both in onboard (Car) & off-board (Cloud Backbone) is built in such way to accelerate new services and features to our customer.”

Adapted to suit the Indian requirements, the interior assist software which is another unique function to control the interiors featurs of the car using gesture. Significant portion of the software application for MBUX is developed at MBRDI in Bangalore. An upgraded Mercedes Me connect app is planned to be released, next month for enhanced user experience.

Upon request, the MBUX infotainment panel will display the centre name, address and phone number. This hyperlocal mapping and location intelligence features are designed to ensure vehicle owners to navigate hassle free during the current times. This feature gets automatically activated without any hassle of paying additional fee. As a next step, the team is also working to include Corona treatment centres and many other unique features as well.

Rohan Verma, CEO & Executive Director, MapmyIndia, said, “Mercedes-Benz is renowned worldwide for its highest level of safety and customer comfort. Ever since the pandemic broke out, our teams have been developing tools and solutions leveraging its best-in-class indigenously developed location technology to benefit Indians. I am happy that a leading company like Mercedes-Benz India has partnered with us in furthering this effort of ours.” (MT)

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Mercedes-Benz has launched a new, highly exclusive variant of its iconic off-roader, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Collector's Edition', designed specifically for the Indian market. Limited to just 30 units, this bespoke luxury vehicle the company shared is a tribute to India's rich tapestry and landscape and has been configured in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI).

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, stated, "Hyper-personalisation is an emerging trend in the top-end luxury segment, as customers increasingly demand customised vehicles, distinguished by rare craftsmanship, exclusivity of appointments and elements of personalisation. Meant for collectors and aficionados, a limited 30 units of the specially curated AMG G 63 'Collector's Edition' will cater to this growing trend of custom-made vehicles. The Collector's Edition is inspired by the Indian landscape, honouring Indian customers' love for the AMG G 63. This vehicle underscores the prowess of local innovation and value addition by the teams at Mercedes-Benz India and Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India. This special vehicle not only celebrates the success and the culture-shaping effect of the AMG G 63 in India but also complements the spirit of collaboration and co-creation with our talent at MBRDI. We will continue to offer such rare vehicles listening to our customers' wishes and desires, as our top-end luxury products set new industry trends, remaining the most desirable vehicles in the market".

Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, added, "At Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, we are proud to have played a key role in shaping this India-inspired Collector's Edition of the AMG G 63. With this edition, we aimed to go beyond performance and create a vehicle that resonates with India's unique identity. Collaborating with Mercedes-Benz India, this is a strong testament of our capabilities in developing market-specific configurations that reflect customer-centricity and regional relevance. We remain committed to introducing more market-relevant solutions with both design and technology inputs."

The 'Collector's Edition' is available exclusively to existing Mercedes-Benz Top-End Luxury Vehicle customers. It marks the first time an AMG G 63 features the customer's name engraved on the grab handle, offering a hyper-personalised touch. For the exterior, it offers India-specific Manufaktur 'made to measure' paint in two shades: Mid Green Magno and Red Magno. Distinctive features include a spare wheel cover with a special ‘One of Thirty’ logo plaque and a unique exterior protective strip with embedded insignia.

Inside, the vehicle boasts Manufaktur two-tone nappa leather upholstery in Catalana Biege/Black and open-pore natural walnut wood trim. It is fitted with 22-inch Tech Gold cross-forged AMG wheels.

Under the bonnet, the AMG G 63 'Collector's Edition' is powered by a Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo engine, delivering 430 kW (585 hp) and 850 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 240 kmph.

Deliveries of these 30 units are scheduled to commence from Q4 2025 onwards. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Collector's Edition' is priced at INR 43 million (all-India ex-showroom).

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In a major milestone for vehicle safety in India, Maruti Suzuki India’s all-new Dzire has become the first compact sedan in the country to secure a 5-star rating under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP). The safety certification was formally presented by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, during a ceremony held in New Delhi.

The same round of crash testing also saw Maruti Suzuki’s New Age Baleno receive a 4-star rating, further strengthening the company’s credentials in vehicle safety.

The country’s largest carmaker announced that by end-2025, all its passenger vehicles will come equipped with six airbags as standard. Currently, 10 models – including the Alto K10, Celerio, WagonR, Eeco, Swift, Dzire, Brezza, Grand Vitara, Jimny and Invicto –already feature this across all variants.

Additionally, the automaker confirmed that all 18 models in its portfolio now come with Electronic Stability Program+ (ESP) as standard. This the OEM states is the widest deployment of ESP across a passenger vehicle lineup in India, ahead of any regulatory requirement.

Minister Nitin Gadkari lauded the progress made in enhancing vehicle safety across India. He noted that Bharat NCAP now follows globally benchmarked testing protocols and commended Maruti Suzuki for incorporating advanced safety features even in entry-level models. Gadkari also encouraged other OEMs to adopt similar initiatives and stressed the need for road users to follow traffic laws, wear seat belts, and prioritise safety as a collective responsibility.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Bharat NCAP empowers Indian consumers to make well-informed decisions. We remain committed to making six airbags standard across our portfolio by the end of this year.”

Both the new Dzire and Baleno are built on Suzuki’s fifth-generation HEARTECT platform, designed for enhanced crash safety and structural rigidity. Standard safety features across both vehicles include:

• Six airbags (front, side, and curtain)
• Electronic Stability Program+ (ESP) with Hill Hold Assist
• ABS with EBD
• 360-degree HD camera
• Rear parking camera and sensors
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Seatbelt reminders with audio-visual alerts for all passengers
• 3-point seat belts for every occupant
• Speed-sensitive auto door locking
• High-speed alert system

Additionally, the Dzire features a manual day/night IRVM and tyre pressure monitoring system, while the Baleno offers an auto-dimming IRVM for added driving convenience.

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Stellantis-owned French auto brand Citroen India has announced a special anniversary celebration offer on its entire product range as it marks its fourth anniversary in the country.

As per the announcement, the company is providing exclusive limited-period benefits on the purchase of any Citroen vehicle, including cash benefits, extended warranty packages and low EMI finance schemes.

Citroen India stated that customers can avail attractive savings of up to INR 280,000 on select models during the celebratory period till end of June 2025 or till stocks last. Existing customers can avail complimentary car spa service for their Citroën throughout the month.

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head & Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “Our journey in India has been driven by innovation, ambition, and a clear focus on delivering meaningful value to customers. In just four years, we’ve introduced a portfolio of vehicles that combine Citroen’s global design language with deep local relevance. As we celebrate four years of Citroen in India, I want to sincerely thank our customers for placing their trust in our young brand. Their feedback and encouragement have played a vital role in shaping our offerings—from products to aftersales services. We remain committed to building on this foundation and delivering the ‘Citroen Comfort’ experience to many more customers across the country.”

At present, the company’s product line-up includes Basalt SUV coupe, C3 SUV and Citroen Aircross SUV.

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German luxury car brand Audi has launched Audi A4 Signature Edition at INR 5.71 million (ex-showroom).The A4 Signature Edition features distinctive styling enhancements, including Audi rings entry LED lamps, exclusive Audi rings decals and dynamic wheel hub caps.

The company stated that the luxury car will be available in limited units and comes with five colour choices: Glacier White Metallic, Mythos Black Metallic, Navarra Blue Metallic, Progressive Red Metallic and Manhattan Grey Metallic.

Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, said, “The Audi A4 has been one of the best-selling sedans in our line-up, combining dynamic performance with sophisticated elegance. With the launch of the Signature Edition, we’re offering our customers a chance to own an even more exclusive variant, distinguished by bespoke styling elements that elevate its premium appeal. The Audi A4 Signature Edition is crafted for discerning customers who value refined aesthetics and seek to make a sophisticated statement through their choice of vehicle.”

Some of the key highlights of the Audi A4 includes –

• Park Assist with 360–degree camera (new)
• New decorative inlays in wood oak, natural grey (new)
• Audi rings entry LED lamps that create a striking welcome light projection (new)
• Distinctive Audi rings decals for enhanced brand presence (new)
• Dynamic wheel hub caps that maintain the perfect Audi logo orientation regardless of wheel motion (new)
• Premium fragrance dispenser for enhanced cabin ambience (new)
• Aerodynamic spoiler lip for a more dynamic profile (new)
• Key cover in customisable colour options for a premium touch to your vehicle access (new)
• Stainless steel pedal covers add a sporty interior accent (new)
• Special alloy wheel paint design for a striking appearance (new)

The Audi A4 is powered by a 2.0L TFSI engine that churns out 204 hp (150kW) and 320 Nm torque. A zero to 100 kmph in just 7.1 seconds and it has a top speed of 241 kmph. It features a 12V Mild Hybrid System that reduces fuel consumption, brake recuperation enhances the overall fuel efficiency, B&O Premium sound system with 3D sound – with 19 speakers including a centre speaker and subwoofer, 16-channel amplifier and an output of 755 watts.

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