Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to make their presence felt in the entry-level luxury segment with the all-new A-Class Limousine. The new sedan replaces the erstwhile CLA though it’s not like a replacement as the CLA was a coupe, and the new A-Class Limousine is a traditional three-box sedan. One may ask, when SUVs are in high demand in both India and globally, why take out a sedan? Mercedes-Benz has the stats to back their logic as the sedan range constituted 53 percent of their sales last year. This new vehicle is available in three variants — petrol, diesel and the all-powerful AMG. We drove the A 200 petrol version. So, let’s find out if it is a total package.

Exteriors

The A-Class sedan makes quite a style statement with a star-studded front grille with a thick chrome line running across it. The angular shaped LED headlights, and L-shaped daytime running lamps (DRLs), the pronounced character lines on the bonnet and chunky lower front bumper with mock air dams all make the A-Class sedan look contemporary and muscular.

Moving on to the side profile, the A-Class Limousine has prominent lines running across the shoulder area and another line on the lower part of the doors. As it’s not a coupe, the sedan gets a taller roofline. It may look more or less identical to its hatchback sibling till the B-pillar, and from there till the boot, it looks like a ‘baby’ C-Class, which is a good thing as this sedan looks proportionate and regal.

Coming to the rear, it has a clean design. One may find it a bit too simple, but the edgy looking LED taillights, and the trapezoid twin exhaust pipes in chrome make the rear styling more appealing. In terms of practicality, the petrol version has a boot capacity of 405-litres and while the diesel gets 395-litres. The loading bay is wide and accessible, making it easy to plonk a full-sized stroller. The boot is deep enough to store two full-sized suitcases or strollers.

Interiors

Step inside the cabin, and the design language is on the lines of the S-Class, but the icing on the cake is that they have managed to create a rich and luxurious ambience. The beautifully crafted three-layer dashboard uses premium leather, wooden and metal materials. The centre of attraction has to be the two 10.25-inch screens — one is the touchscreen infotainment system, and the other is the all-digital instrument cluster. Both the screens’ graphics are outstanding, while the touchscreen is responsive. The multi-media system can also be controlled by the haptic pad on the central console. Unlike the previous generation, it doesn’t have any lag and is intuitive. There are also touch buttons on the steering wheel to browse through the media player and change the digital instrument cluster settings.

Mercedes has crafted five air vents inspired by a jet turbine. They look exquisite, to say the least. The A-Class Limousine is equipped with class-leading features like the smart artificial intelligence voice command or as the manufacturer calls it MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The AI is as receptive as Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant and it understands the Indian accent. With a simple command like ‘Hey Mercedes! I’m feeling hot, it will change the cabin temperature according to your comfort level. It also comes with connected-car technology, which is integrated into both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home and allows you to unlock the door or switch on the air conditioner from the comforts of your home. Apart from this, it comes with the usual features like a sunroof, wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 64 ambient light options, 2 zone climate control and five USB Type-C ports.

There’s a very good chance that an A-Class sedan owner might end up spending a lot of time behind the wheel rather than being chauffeured around. Keeping that in mind, the front seats are electrically adjustable and come with a memory function allowing you to save your seating position. The seats offer good lumbar support and are comfortable, especially on long drives. With 2,729mm of the wheelbase, the A-Class Limousine is the longest sedan in its segment, and this translates into a spacious cabin, especially for the rear passengers. The angular position of the backrest provides good support though the seat squab lacks under-thigh support. The Achilles heel in this segment has been the legroom for rear passengers, but Mercedes-Benz has managed to iron out this problem as there’s plenty of it. As a matter of fact, the cabin also has a roomy headroom. It’s safe enough to say that the A-Class sedan’s cabin is a comfortable place to be in.

Engine

The A-Class Limousine gets a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol motor under the hood. The engine’s capacity might not wow you, but it churns out 161bhp and 250Nm of torque. It does 0-100 km in 8.3 seconds, which is fast. According to ARAI, the A-Class sedan returns a fuel economy of 17.5kmpl, making it the best in its class. This front-wheel-drive car is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Step on the gas, and the car responds in a linear manner. However, the turbo lag can be felt; the best way to negate that is to downshift with paddle shifters’ help on the back of the steering wheel. For tackling bumper-to-bumper traffic, automatic transmission’s ensures spot-on gear shift ensuring there’s ample power available. It comes in four driving modes — Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual. Eco, as the name suggests, is all about getting the best fuel economy. While Comfort balances power, comfort and mileage. Sport, on the other hand, is where the engine is more responsive, the rev needle holds on a bit longer and goes past the 6,000 rpm mark, the steering wheel becomes a bit heavier for better stability at high speeds, and even the suspension is firm for better handling. Also, on this mode, the turbo lag reduces significantly. The ‘Individual’ mode enables you to customise it according to your preference. The engine is fairly refined and offers optimal performance in the mid-range power band.

Signing Off

The A-Class Limousine does manage to tick a lot of boxes like styling, practicality, performance and technology. The ride quality is ideal for Indian road conditions as it carpets, ditches and potholes easily thanks to a soft suspension set up. It isn’t meant for attacking corners or taking high speed turns, but it remains stable, although the body roll can be felt. Another feather in Mercedes-Benz’s cap is that the A-Class sedan comes with the country’s first-ever eight-year warranty with unlimited kilometres. If you are looking to enter the luxury segment, then the A-Class Limousine is a car you can bank on. It will take on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the upcoming Audi A3. (MT)

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra Group has rejigged its top leadership team to further strengthen the company’s market position.

The company has announced that Hemant Sikka, currently President of Farm Equipment Sector will take over the role of MD & CEO of Mahindra Logistics. He will succeed Ram Swaminathan who has stepped down to pursue other professional interests.

Furthermore, Veejay Nakra, currently President Automotive Division, has been appointed the President for Farm Equipment Business (FEB), which is among Mahindra’s large and profitable businesses with a ROCE of over 60 percent. The company sees huge opportunity to further grow the business and expand globally. He will continue to report to Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO, Auto & Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra .

In addition, R Velusamy, currently, President Automotive Technology and Product Development, will take on the role of President of the Automotive Business (AB). He will be tasked to prepare the Automotive Business with technology innovation and lead opportunities for growth in domestic as well as global markets.

Mahindra has announced that it will now integrate the SUV and LCV (less than 3.5 tonne) business under one leadership to make the business more agile and collaborative, from engineering products to faster time to market. He will also report to Jejurikar.

Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “These leadership changes ensure that we have strong, proven leaders at the helm of our key businesses. Their experience will enable us to drive significant growth and create greater value for our customers and shareholders. We thank Ram for his contributions to the company, and wish Hemant, Veejay, and Velu the very best for the journey ahead.”

Hyundai Motor India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles in the country, has has announced that every second vehicle it sold in India came with a sunroof.

The company shared that in FY2025, 53.2 percent of the Hyundai vehicles sold in the country was equipped with sunroof, what’s more the share of SUVs also increased to 68.5 percent from the earlier 63.2 percent a year ago.

At present, sunroof is offered as an optional feature in 12 out of 14 models in the Hyundai Motor India portfolio, which includes the Exter, Venue, Creta, Alcazar, Tucson Verna, Aura, Grand i10 NIOS, i20 and the Ioniq 5.

On the other hand, the demand for ADAS-equipped models grew to 14.3 percent from 6.7 percent a year ago.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “FY2024-25 has been a landmark year for Hyundai Motor India. The fact that two out of every third vehicle sold by us in India was an SUV is a testament to our deep understanding of Indian customers and our commitment to delivering innovation, safety and style. The doubling of ADAS variant contribution and growing popularity of sunroof-equipped models reflects the rising aspirations of our customers and their readiness to embrace global technologies. We shall continue to march forward with a focus on customer delight, offering products that are future-ready, feature-rich, and engineered for India.”

German luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz India has expanded its footprint in the southern market with the inauguration of three new state-of-the-art facilities across Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reinforcing its customer-centric ‘Go to Customer’ strategy.

In Bengaluru, the luxury carmaker opened a sprawling 2S (Sales & Service) facility with a Delivery Bay by long-standing partner Sundaram Motors on International Airport Road. The 47,000 sqft facility, built to Mercedes-Benz’s global MAR20X luxury retail standards, features 10 dedicated service bays, a Premium Aero Hub and a Mercedes Cafe. It also offers fast EV charging and quick repair zones, enhancing convenience and sustainability.

Hyderabad saw the addition of two new 2S facilities. Mahavir Motors inaugurated a 39,000 sqft outlet in a high-net-worth residential area near the city’s growing IT corridor. The facility, equipped with 19 service bays, combines digital interfaces with personalised service zones and eco-friendly features.

Landmark Cars also launched a new 12,000 sqft service centre in Hyderabad with six service bays. The facility offers specialised vehicle servicing, body paint work and Premier Express service for priority customers.

These openings mark a significant investment in customer engagement and service infrastructure in key southern metros, aligning with rising aspirations and demand for luxury vehicles in India.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “We are delighted to inaugurate 3 state-of-the-art luxury facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reaffirming our commitment to delivering the best customer experience and deepening our presence in these key markets. These modern facilities reflect Mercedes-Benz’s vision of offering a world-class luxury retail experience, backed by digital innovation, modern luxury design and personalised customer consultation. We continue to invest in our luxury retail experience, with sharp focus on elevating customer experiences by creating new standards in luxury automotive retail. We are creating desire for the brand not only in emerging markets, but also in key metropolises like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Mercedes-Benz has a strong brand presence.”

Czech automaker Skoda Auto India, which completes its silver jubilee in India, has launched its all-new Kodiaq premium SUV at prices starting INR 4.68 million.

Powered by a 2.0 TSI engine, the Kodiaq produces 150kW and 320Nm of torque, which is distributed to both axles through a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic. Based on the MQB37 platform, the Kodiaq SUV is available in the Sportline and Selection L&K in seven-seat configurations. The company shared that the SUV is being assembled in India at the brand’s facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The Kodiaq comes with a claimed fuel efficiency of 14.86 kmpl by ARAI.

The all-new Skoda Kodiaq grows 59mm longer than its predecessor, now measuring 4,758mm in length, 1,864mm in width and 1,679mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,791mm. Its ground clearance increases to 155mm when fully laden. It continues to retain its three-row layout yet manages to offer 281 litres of cargo space with all seats upright, 786 litres with the third row folded, and 1,976 litres with both rear rows stowed. Externally, the SUV boasts a bold redesign, featuring LED Beam Crystallinium headlamps with a Welcome Effect and a front grille integrated with a horizontal light strip.

A red strip connecting the tail lamps accentuates its width, and six exterior colour options are available, including Moon White and Velvet Red, with exclusive Bronx Gold for the L&K and Steel Grey for the Sportline.

On the inside, the Kodiaq elevates luxury with two distinct themes: a sporty all-black interior for the Sportline and premium Cognac leather upholstery for the L&K trim. A 32.77-cm infotainment system and Smart Dials with tactile controls streamline access to HVAC, audio and drive modes. Ergonomic upgrades include a steering wheel-mounted gear selector and a rear tablet holder. The Ergo front seats feature advanced pneumatic massage, while an acoustic package and noise-reducing windows ensure a tranquil cabin.

The Kodiaq is equipped with nine airbags, complemented by a sliding panoramic sunroof and a 725W Canton sound system with 13 speakers.

Skoda Auto India is also offering a standard warranty of five-year/125,000km (whichever earlier), along with a 10-year complimentary Road-Side Assistance on offer.

Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “In March, we recorded our biggest ever monthly sales in India, driven by the Kylaq launch, and supported by the Kushaq and Slavia. This is one of many new records we aim to set this year. In line with our product offensive strategy, the launch of the all-new Kodiaq showcases the other end of our product spectrum with Škoda’s luxury and technology prowess. The Kodiaq has now grown to be an important legacy name for us like the Octavia and Superb. The Kodiaq offers the ultimate luxury and handling for city roads and also packs in versatile all-terrain capabilities.”