Latest news with #Manufaktur
Car and Driver
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition Bids Farewell
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition marks the end of the line for the second-generation CLA and its sporty AMG-tuned variant. The Final Edition pairs Mountain Grey Magno paint with yellow accents and loud "45 S" graphics on the front doors. The Final Edition will be offered in limited numbers starting in early 2026; pricing hasn't yet been announced. Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the new third-generation 2026 CLA-class, starting this fall with the fully electric CLA EV before adding a new hybrid CLA-class sedan in early 2026. But Mercedes's performance division, AMG, has yet to work its magic on the new CLA, and before it does, it has revealed a send-off for the current CLA45 S in the form of a new Final Edition. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition will be available in limited numbers—although the automaker didn't specify just how many—when it reaches dealerships early next year. The Final Edition wears Mountain Grey Magno paint from the brand's Manufaktur personalization program and is further distinguished by a black-and-yellow "45 S" graphic on the front doors. Yellow accents are also found on the sideview mirrors. Mercedes-Benz The 19-inch wheels are painted matte black with yellow accents surrounding the center caps. The black brake calipers have AMG logos. The Final Edition also has the AMG Night package, bringing gloss-black and black-chrome exterior trim. The AMG Aerodynamics Package Plus is also fitted, bringing a beefier front splitter, small dive planes on the front bumper, a sizable rear wing, and a gloss-black rear diffuser. There is also a special silver chrome fuel cap adorned with AMG lettering. The yellow touches continue inside, where the Final Edition features black AMG Performance seats upholstered in microsuede and Mercedes's MB-Tex synthetic leather. There is yellow stitching throughout the cabin, and the front headrests sport an embroidered "45 S" logo. There is also a "45 S Final Edition" on the center console, an illuminated AMG badge on the door sills, "45 S" branding on the floor mats, and more yellow accents on the nappa leather and microfiber steering wheel. Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz The powertrain remains unchanged, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping out 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes claims the CLA45 S can rip from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds en route to a 155-mph top speed. But we bet it's even quicker. When we tested a 2020 CLA45, back when it had only 382 hp, it did the dash in just 3.7 seconds. Shifting duties are handled by an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the CLA45's standard all-wheel-drive system can send all of the power to the rear wheels for tail-happy antics. While the 2026 CLA45 S Final Edition marks the end of the line for the second-generation sporty sedan, Mercedes is surely cooking up a hotter version of the new third-generation model. Spy photos have captured a new CLA wearing an active rear wing, redesigned bumpers, and camouflage on the front fenders where an AMG badge typically goes. We expect AMG to fiddle with both the hybrid and electric CLA-class sedans, and we shouldn't have to wait too much longer for a full reveal. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Rupee slide fuels Mercedes-Benz price hike
Mercedes-Benz India faced a 13% increase in cost over the past year as the rupee continued to weaken against the euro, inflating the cost of imported parts. The Indian arm of the German luxury carmaker, which imports about 70% of its components, responded with calibrated price hikes, Santosh Iyer , managing director, Mercedes-Benz India told ET. Still, the automaker is noting a trend among Indian customers to splurge, not just on base luxury car models, but on bespoke customisations that often add ₹60 lakh to ₹1.5 crore to a car's price tag. Mercedes-Benz India raised car prices twice this year—one in January and another in June—with a third planned for September, said Iyer. The rupee breached the psychologically significant ₹100 mark against the euro only earlier this week. 'We've only passed on about 3% to the market but the rupee depreciation has raised our costs by nearly 13%. The gap is getting harder to absorb,' he said. Indian luxury car buyers are however undeterred by the elevated price tags. More than 70% of the company's top-end vehicles (TEV), priced above Rs1.5 crore, are being customised through its 'Manufaktur' programme, among the highest globally for Mercedes-Benz. Manufaktur is the cross-brand personalisation range for exclusive exterior equipment and high-quality interior equipment. Mercedes buyers in India are opting for hand-picked wood trims, exotic leather options, and bespoke paintwork, often pushing the price of already top-end vehicles like the AMG GT 63 or Maybach S-Class significantly higher. On Friday, the company unveiled two new sports cars from its 'GT Family'—the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC with a dealership price of Rs3 crore, and the track-focused Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PR at Rs3.65 crore. "Customisation is not just about indulgence anymore; it's about value perception,' said Iyer. 'Customers see Nappa leather or special trim as worth the premium — even with the currency hit.' The surge in personalised luxury comes even as Mercedes-Benz continues to localise high-volume models—from the A-Class to the Maybach S580—to buffer some of the forex impact. The recently-launched E-Class sedan, for instance, features fully-localised glazing components for the first time, said Iyer. Still, high-value items like powertrains, infotainment systems, and electronics remain heavily Euro-dependent, making price hikes almost inevitable if the rupee remains at current levels. Despite the higher prices, sales of TEV models grew at an estimated 10-12% on-year in the first five months of 2025. This was boosted by a mix of thriving capital markets, resilient consumer sentiment, and lower borrowing costs passed on through the automaker's captive non-bank lending company. Recent reduction in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India helped the NBFC to further cut the cost of borrowing, which it passed on to buyers. 'We are trying to mitigate that (higher prices of cars) with these special EMIs," said Iyer.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Rupee slide fuels Mercedes-Benz price hike
Mercedes-Benz India faced a 13% increase in cost over the past year as the rupee continued to weaken against the euro, inflating the cost of imported parts. The Indian arm of the German luxury carmaker, which imports about 70% of its components, responded with calibrated price hikes, Santosh Iyer, managing director, Mercedes-Benz India told ET. Still, the automaker is noting a trend among Indian customers to splurge, not just on base luxury car models, but on bespoke customisations that often add ₹60 lakh to ₹1.5 crore to a car's price tag. Mercedes-Benz India raised car prices twice this year—one in January and another in June—with a third planned for September, said Iyer. The rupee breached the psychologically significant ₹100 mark against the euro only earlier this week. 'We've only passed on about 3% to the market but the rupee depreciation has raised our costs by nearly 13%. The gap is getting harder to absorb,' he said. Indian luxury car buyers are however undeterred by the elevated price tags. More than 70% of the company's top-end vehicles (TEV), priced above Rs1.5 crore, are being customised through its 'Manufaktur' programme, among the highest globally for Mercedes-Benz. Manufaktur is the cross-brand personalisation range for exclusive exterior equipment and high-quality interior equipment. Mercedes buyers in India are opting for hand-picked wood trims, exotic leather options, and bespoke paintwork, often pushing the price of already top-end vehicles like the AMG GT 63 or Maybach S-Class significantly higher. On Friday, the company unveiled two new sports cars from its 'GT Family'—the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC with a dealership price of Rs3 crore, and the track-focused Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PR at Rs3.65 crore. "Customisation is not just about indulgence anymore; it's about value perception,' said Iyer. 'Customers see Nappa leather or special trim as worth the premium — even with the currency hit.' The surge in personalised luxury comes even as Mercedes-Benz continues to localise high-volume models—from the A-Class to the Maybach S580—to buffer some of the forex impact. The recently-launched E-Class sedan, for instance, features fully-localised glazing components for the first time, said Iyer. Still, high-value items like powertrains, infotainment systems, and electronics remain heavily Euro-dependent, making price hikes almost inevitable if the rupee remains at current levels. Despite the higher prices, sales of TEV models grew at an estimated 10-12% on-year in the first five months of 2025. This was boosted by a mix of thriving capital markets, resilient consumer sentiment, and lower borrowing costs passed on through the automaker's captive non-bank lending company. Recent reduction in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India helped the NBFC to further cut the cost of borrowing, which it passed on to buyers. 'We are trying to mitigate that (higher prices of cars) with these special EMIs," said Iyer.
India Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 and GT 63 Pro launched in India, priced starts at Rs 3 crore
Mercedes-Benz India has brought back the AMG GT nameplate with the launch of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 and GT 63 Pro, priced at Rs 3 crore and Rs 3.65 crore (ex-showroom), respectively. These models mark the return of the AMG GT lineup to India after a three-year break and are part of the brand's plan to introduce eight new models in 2025. Earlier launches this year include the EQS SUV 450, Maybach SL 680, and the electric the AMG GT 63 and GT 63 Pro are powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The GT 63 delivers 585bhp and 800Nm, while the GT 63 Pro pushes output to 612bhp and 850Nm, making it more track-focused. Paired with a 9-speed AMG Speedshift automatic gearbox and 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, the GT 63 accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, while the Pro shaves that slightly with a 0–100 km/h time of 3.1 seconds, and 0–200 km/h in just 10.9 seconds. Top speeds are rated at 315km/h and 317km/h, respectively. The GT 63 Pro stands out with its enhanced performance setup, including ceramic composite brakes, larger wheels, improved aerodynamic aids, and the AMG Active Ride Control system for sharper high-speed handling and Visually, the new AMG GT 63 is significantly larger than its predecessor. It now measures 4,728mm in length, 1,984mm in width, and 1,354mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,700mm, marking increases of 182mm in length, 45mm in width, and 66mm in height, along with a 70mm longer wheelbase. These dimensions contribute to a roomier cabin and increased practicality, including a larger boot. On the inside, the AMG GT 63 range features a sporty and tech-rich cabin. Highlights include a 12.3-inch digital driver display, an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, AMG-specific steering wheel, ergonomic sport seats with integrated headrests, and an optional aluminium centre console for the Pro variant. Customers can choose from multiple Manufaktur paint options like Alpine Grey Solid, Opalith White Bright, and Patagonia Red Bright, in addition to standard colours such as High Tech Silver and Spectral as high-performance luxury coupes, the GT 63 twins take on rivals like the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS. Both models will be imported as CBUs (Completely Built Units). Deliveries for the GT 63 are set to commence by the end of this year, while the GT 63 Pro will follow by the end of next to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Forget the Typical Test Drive. This Mercedes-Benz Shopping Experience is Simply Epic
Creepy salesmen. Tip-toeing around a too-quiet showroom. The pressure to sign a deal without thinking it over. A quick drive around an unfamiliar neighborhood with that salesman in the passenger's seat. Sound familiar? It's the typical test drive experience and it's often awful. For many car buyers, its a thing of the past, especially for Mercedes-Benz shoppers. That's because they've traded the dealership test drive for a weekend at a five-star hotel, a fleet of luxury cars to drive and a free-reign drive route followed by cocktails and dinner on the patio and an exclusive concert under the stars. And no salesman will call. Isn't that a better way to test drive your next car? This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was a guest of Mercedes-Benz for this experience. You may know Auberge Resorts Collection as those iconic, idyllic properties that look Instagram-perfect, chic buildings accented by olive trees and glinting sunlight. Properties that invite you to come in and get lost, dip into the pool, be subdued by a massage, lounge on expensive sheets. We sampled this type of test drive at the Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Texas recently as Auberge and Mercedes hosted hotel guests and their own current and future customers for a weekend of elegant dining and an exclusive performance by Maren Morris. Needless to say, it was an amazing time. We test drove the G-Wagen, toured a guest room, had a lovely dinner and danced along to 'My Church' (though we didn't stay for night, sadly). Read: The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 G-Wagen: Electric Powered, Still Rugged On event weekends—Mercedes and Auberge hosted three in 2024—the team rolls in with a true fleet of cars: Maybachs, G-Wagens, SUVs and sedans. You could spend all day driving the test cars. But there's more to do: you also have to see the Manufaktur Atelier. Read: The World's Fanciest Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Maybach EQS Not every Mercedes-Benz buyer indulges in Manufaktur, but many do, especially those who buy G-Wagens and AMG models. The more exclusive models with a higher price tag should come with a more bespoke look and feel, right? And that's the idea of Manufaktur: To pick your leathers, paint and trim details and really customize your new car. At the Atelier, which Mercedes sets up on event weekends, specialists guide you through the leather choices, the stitching, the metals, woods paint colors and finishes. And so you can feel what that leather is really like, they send you off with a small gift: A card case or small folio made of the Manufaktur leather. Read: Mercedes-AMG C 63 SE Performance: What It's Like to Drive this F1-Inflected Sedan Part of our experience was a very intimate performance by Maren Morris, one of three Auberge Concert Series performances held in 2024; the other artists included Kate Hudson and LeAnn Rhimes. At the Commander Perry Estate the concert was held in the property's chappell, a smallish hall with excellent acoustics that seats up to 129 people. Yes, 129. We lounged on stuffed sofas while servers brought us drinks. Two tables away was an actress (who I won't name) from one of the most popular HBO series ever. THAT will make you feel like a VIP. The good news is that test drives are available all year long, so if you miss an event weekend or can't get a room (they sell out fast!) you can still pop into an Auberge Resort for the weekend and test drive a number of models. Mercedes is the official car partner of Auberge Resorts so there's always one on hand for you to experience. Test models at the Commander Perry Estate include this GLC SUV and a G 550 G-Wagen. If you'd really just rather ride along, the hotel staff is happy to ferry you to local restaurants and shopping in the Mercedes-Benz fleet. The room I toured was set up for the Auberge Concert Series/Mercedes-Benz weekend, replete with a hand-written welcome note and a snack. Each room is unique at the Commander Perry Estate, where the theme is historic heritage, filled with textiles and decor that you might find in the grand estates of the Old South. Vintage or modern, the Auberge ethos is always the same: warm and gracious. Auberge Resorts, like Mercedes-Benz, is known for personal touches, a high standard of excellence and refined sensibilities, and that completely comes through in all they do. You feel as if they know who you are, have anticipated your needs and are longing to see you smile. That must be what it's like to be a celebrity; the feeling is certainly very VIP. And for good reason: No creepy salesmen, no pressure, no bad experiences. It was cold and rainy during our test drive and the environment is so lovely you just have to shrug it off. We simply turned on the heated seats and sunk a but further into the leather upholstery to shield ourselves from the weather. But isn't that the idea of a privileged experience? To separate us from all that hurts or irks us, and preserve those good moments as memories. Such as a test drive you'll never forget. More must-reads: Tasks Are More Fun in the 2023 Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 Texas Edition Road Trip: Discover the Treasures of Southwest Virginia
