The German auto major, Mercedes-Benz is the first luxury car maker to foray in the Indian car market and thus, it enjoyed the early bird advantage. However, in recent times, its compatriots BMW and Audi made their entry in the market and grabbed the top two spots in the luxury car market. The main reason behind the downfall of Mercedes-Benz from the ladder came up as the absence of a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in its portfolio and at the same time, BMW offered X3 and X1, whereas Audi was banking on its Q5 and Q3.
Mercedes-Benz now seems to fill the void and is all set to launch the two all-new SUVs in the Indian automotive domain. The smaller GLA model is yet to be unveiled by the car maker, which is believed to compete with the likes of BMW X1 and Audi Q3. It is expected that the upcoming GLA model will be based on the new MFA 2-wheel drive transverse engine platform, which is already shared by the new A- and B-Class.
Since the model is anticipated to share platform with A- and B-class, it can be assumed that the powertrain in the upcoming model too will be carried over from these vehicles. However, there might be a slight change in the suspension systems with longer travel arms and 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) chassis. It is believed that the auto major will offer the base model of GLA in a price consideration of Rs. 23 lacs, whereas the top-end variant of diesel guise will be priced at Rs. 30 lacs.
The second SUV in Mercedes-Benz’s pipeline happens to be the all-new GLK; incidentally the car maker has never manufactured a GLK with right-hand drive. When the first GLK was developed back in 2008, the auto giant found it quite difficult to produce a right-hand drive model of the same without re-engineering the whole design. Therefore, the company found it a costly option and decided to shelve the idea of designing the right-hand drive model of GLK.
Presently, the next generation variant, codenamed X205, is expected to come somewhere in 2015 and is in the process of development at Stuttgart, wherein the company also has its headquarters. Considering its impending launch in the country, the mode is bound to be a right-hand drive model with long wheelbase and wide track. In order to bring the model in a 4WD chassis, it has pushed the front axle forward, making it more powerful. The attempt by the auto giant has made the new GLK bulkier that goes well with the demands of SUV buyers in India. Assuming that these models are indeed being launched in India, they will complete the portfolio of the pioneer car maker and perhaps put it back in the race.
