There are Mercs and then there are Mercs. There are the entry-level vehicles and then there are the thoroughbreds, sold in India as completely built-up units (CBUs). The brand new line is parked in the company’s showroom at Interkrafts, Alipore. The first thing you see is the gleaming M-class, the SUV with the Merc badge firmly implanted on its grille. Then there are the roadsters, SL and SLK (with the K standing for Kompact). And if you wanted a coupe or a cabriolet, the CL family has a CLS and a CLK. Get a load of these Mercs built and shipped right from Stuttgart....

CLS350: Rs 68.22 lakh; CL500: Rs 1.1 crore (basic vehicle price)

The CL-Class

The CL is a family of exquisite coupes. The typical Mercedes radiator grille with its wide chrome louvres and the design of the C-pillar are the hallmarks of the CL. This unique, slightly downwards-tapering pillar configuration is a typical feature of the large coupes whose roots go right back to the 1950s.

Inside, the large window aperture draws the eye to the stylish dashboard, exquisite wood trim and soft leather upholstery. There is a choice of several stylish colour combinations, while automatic climate control, COMAND with a car radio and CD/DVD player and a glass sliding sunroof are other standard equipment items.

The eight-cylinder power plant in the CL 500 delivers 285 kW/388 hp and generates a maximum torque of 530 Newton metres from 2800 to 4800 rpm. Equipped with four-valve technology, variably adjustable shifting camshafts, a two-stage intake module and tumble flaps in the intake ducts, the new V8 is among the most advanced and powerful engines in its displacement class.

An ultra-modern bi-turbo 12-cylinder engine under the bonnet of the new CL 600 generates its impressive power (380 kW/517 hp). The maximum torque is 830 Newton metres.

SL350: Rs 95.83 lakh SLK200: Rs 52 lakh (basic vehicle price)

The SL and SLKs

The roadsters, SL and the SLK, are the second generation of the Mercedes compact two-seaters. It is most fascinating to watch the hard-top hoods of these convertibles go back within 22 seconds. The SL is longer and a SL 65 AMG does a 0-100 km in 4.2 seconds flat.

The SLK boasts an exquisite overall design, several details of which take their cue from Formula 1. Standard equipment includes head/thorax sidebags, adaptive front airbags and two-stage belt force limiters.

The design of the car reflects the sporty and powerful character of the new SLK. A long bonnet, flat windscreen, wide doors and a short rear represent typical roadster characteristics.

Mercedes added an eight-cylinder power plant to the engine variants available. The V8 (8-cylinder V-engine) unit gives the SLK 55 AMG class-leading output (265 kW/360 hp), torque (510 Newton metres). The top-of-the-line engine is linked up as standard with the newly-developed seven-speed automatic transmission AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC, which the driver can choose to operate using steering-wheel gearshift paddles. For the SLK 350, meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has developed a new six-cylinder engine with around 25 per cent more power (200 kW/272 hp) and 13 per cent extra torque (350 Newton metres). The four-valve unit is one of the most powerful V6 engines in its displacement class and reinforces its sporting credentials with a pleasing, full-throated sound.

Peak torque is available from as low down as 2400 rpm and up to 5000 rpm. This provides the key to powerful acceleration and impressive mid-range sprints.

The M-Class

ML320: Rs 55.51 lakh; ML350: Rs 55.21 lakh (basic vehicle price)

The M-Class is the Merc’s “off-roader” or SUV. It has powerful new engines, the seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC, the four-wheel drive system 4-ETS, AIRMATIC air suspension and the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE. The M-Class is set to reaffirm the off-roader’s leading position in a fast-growing market segment.

A new V6 diesel engine, available with two different outputs, celebrates its premium position. It features third-generation common-rail direct injection. The unit in the ML 320 CDI delivers 172 kW and places a maximum torque of 535 Newton metres on tap from 1600 rpm. Another new arrival is the V6 petrol unit powering the ML 350, with 200 kW and a maximum torque of 355 Newton metres.

The air suspension that raises the suspension of the car when negotiating a really rough terrain also significantly improves the ride. AIRMATIC teams up as standard with the Adaptive Damping System (ADS), which adjusts shock absorber response to suit the current driving situation.

Anasuya Basu