The iconic Mercedes Gelandewagen, popularly known as G-Class, will pack a robust electric powertrain under the hood, informed Mercedes-Benz India Chief Executive Officer Santosh Iyer during the company’s fourth Annual Press Conference. 

Unveiling the new G 580, Vice President Sales and Marketing Lance Bennett said, “The electric Gelandewagen is powered by the EQ technology and more. Electrifying this iconic vehicle presented several challenges as we needed to preserve its signature design and legendary off-road capabilities. Integrating EV components required us to develop a unique drive system featuring four individual electric motors.”  

“At the rear, the motors are connected to form a rigid axle, ensuring exceptional off-road traction. The axle is equipped with a two-speed gearbox, enabling gear reduction for low-range, off-road performance. The G 580 stands apart from other G-Class models with its raised bonnet and rear wheel arch air curtains. These elements are seamlessly integrated to improve aerodynamics and acoustic performance.”  

The electric variant delivers 587 horsepower and an astounding 1,164 Nm of torque, courtesy of its four electric motors. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Powered by a large 116 kWh battery and an intelligent recuperation system, it offers a WLTP range of up to 473 kilometers. Fast charging from 10 percent to 80 percent takes only 32 minutes.  

Like every G-Class, the G 580 underwent the legendary Schöckl test, completing the grueling trail 336 times. This symbolic number guarantees every G-Class meets the highest standards of durability, reliability and off-road capability, earning it the Schöckl badge displayed on the B-pillar.  

“To put this into perspective, the G 580 can complete the Schöckl trail 13 times on a single charge. Its electric drivetrain and low-range gearbox make it the most capable off-roader in its class. It can climb inclines of up to 45 degrees—even in reverse—and wade through water up to 850 mm deep,” added Bennett.   

“Engineers have designed a water- and dust-proof battery pack, encased within the ladder chassis. The innovative four-motor drive system also allows for unique off-road maneuvers, enabling the vehicle to pivot on the spot by up to 720 degrees. This feature ensures that if you reach a dead end on a trail, you can turn around with ease.

Another highlight is the G-Steer function, which tightens the turning circle off-road by braking the inner wheel to slide the rear end around sharp bends,” revealed the executive.   

Inside, the electric off-road cockpit and Dynamic Select system offer a range of driving modes. In Rock Mode, the G 580 crawls effortlessly in low range with speed adjustable via steering wheel paddles, making hill ascents and descents seamless.  

The G 580 is available in a special Edition 1 model, offered in five colors including the exclusive Manufaktur South Sea Blue Magno. This edition features AMG line styling, the night package and 20-inch black alloy wheels. Additional details include blacked-out door handles with keyless go and blue brake calipers.  

The G580 is priced at INR 30 million (ex-showroom, pan-India). This icon has already garnered electrifying demand and is sold out until Q3 2025! Bookings and deliveries for the G 580 will start in Q4 2025, noted a company official. 

EQS 450 SUV

The company also launched its 5-Seater EQS 450 SUV during the event. Commenting on the same, Iyer noted, “The EQS 450 SUV builds on the success of the EQS 580, which we launched a few months ago. The EQS 450 caters to customers seeking cutting-edge technology, generous space, and sustainability at its core.”  

“We launched the EQS 580 in September last year in a 7-seater configuration. The response was phenomenal. We received feedback that there was a demand for both 7-seater and 5-seater variants. The EQS 580 exceeded all expectations, selling out within three months of its launch. Deliveries for the 7-seater will resume in April 2025, while the 5-seater variant is set to roll out soon.  The EQS SUV line-up now includes two configurations: the 7-seater EQS 580, ideal for larger families with pets and frequent travel needs and the 5-seater EQS 450, designed for nuclear families who still want generous luggage space,” he added.   

The EQS 450 comes in the electric art line, which distinguishes it from the 7-seater variant. It boasts features like energising air control, advanced luggage capacity and an impressive WLTP-certified range of 820 kilometers, making it one of the longest-range electric SUVs.  

It is priced at INR 12.8 million(ex-showroom). Deliveries will begin in February 2025. 

Look back into 2024

It was reported that Mercedes-Benz India achieved its best-ever sales of 19,565 units during the January to December 2024 period, representing a 12.4 percent increase compared to the 17,408 units sold in the same period in 2023. Growth during the second half of 2024 (July to December) was noted to be a strong 16 percent.

The fastest-growing segment was top-end vehicles (TEVs), which experienced a 30 percent year-to-date (YTD) growth. It was also highlighted that one out of every four Mercedes-Benz cars sold in India in 2024 was a TEV.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) also marked its best-ever sales with a 94 percent YTD growth, achieving over 6 percent sales penetration. It was noted that Mercedes-Benz introduced four new BEVs in 2024 namely, EQA 250+, EQB SUV, EQS SUV 580 and the Maybach EQS SUV. This expansion of the BEV portfolio reportedly generated significant customer interest and reinforced Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in the luxury BEV segment by achieving its highest-ever annual BEV sales.  

Moreover, the company achieved the sale of 200,000 cars in India since 1994. It was mentioned that of these, 100,000 cars were sold in just the last six years (2019–2024). 

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services also achieved a portfolio of INR 10 billion in India with over 50 percent penetration. It was stated that every second Mercedes-Benz retailed in India was financed through the service, which also attained an 80 percent insurance penetration rate. 

Road Ahead

The company revealed plans for the launch of eight new models in 2025 with most focusing on BEVs and TEVs to offer consumers the latest products and cutting-edge intuitive technology. The company was also reported to expand its luxury network reach in 2025, planning 20 new luxury outlets supported by a commitment of over INR 4.5 billion in investment from franchise partners over three years.

It was stated that the focus on TEVs extended beyond cars with plans to partner for dedicated stores selling Maybach collection items, the first of which would be opening in Bengaluru.

Mercedes-Benz India announced a collaboration with Tata Cliq Luxury to allow enthusiasts to purchase or gift exclusive Mercedes-Benz collection items online through the ‘House of Mercedes-Benz’. 

To mark the milestone of 200,000 vehicles on Indian roads, Mercedes-Benz reportedly launched several corporate citizenship initiatives. The company committed INR 75 million to road safety initiatives aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities on highways like the ‘Samrudhhi Mahamarg’ and the ‘Nizamabad Corridor’ in Hyderabad.

Additionally, a new retail campaign was launched to celebrate the 200,000 milestone, offering exclusive event invitations to existing customers and a chance for a lucky new customer to attend the F1 race in Monaco.

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  - uthpsl May 04, 2025 20:09 PM

  Mercedes-Benz is redefining luxury and innovation with the all-electric G 580-combining rugged off-road legacy with cutting-edge EV tech. The 4-motor setup, Schöckl-tested toughness, and futuristic features make it a game-changer. Pair that with the EQS 450’s record-breaking range, and it’s clear: the future of electric luxury is already here!

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Maruti Suzuki India has received a 5-star safety rating in Adult Occupant Protection and Child Occupant Protection under the Bharat New Car Assessment Program for its upcoming Brezza SUV.

The SUV includes six airbags as standard across variants, Electronic Stability Program with Hill Hold Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front Parking Sensors and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. The certification marks Maruti Suzuki's fifth consecutive 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, joining the Dzire, Victoris, Invicto and e Vitara.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Brezza has been India’s highest selling Compact SUV since 2016 and a preferred choice for millions of customers. This 5-star Bharat NCAP rating reinforces the confidence customers place in the vehicle. The recognition for the new Brezza reflects our relentless focus on building safer vehicles for Indian roads. Safety is at the core of our vehicle design philosophy. By making 6 airbags as standard in 16 models and across 160 variants, we have democratized advanced safety, enabling more than 1.6 million new customers to benefit from advanced occupant safety in FY 2025-26, the highest in terms of industry volume. As customer expectations evolve, we remain committed to making advanced safety accessible across every segment, from entry-level models like Alto K10 and Celerio, to SUVs such as the new Brezza, Victoris, Jimny and Fronx.”

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Italian supercar maker Automobili Lamborghini has appointed Francesco Milicia as its new Marketing Director, effective 1 September 2026. He succeeds Christian Mastro, who has transitioned to the role of CEO of Automobili Lamborghini America.

Milicia brings experience from the automotive sector, having held roles at Ducati within the Volkswagen Group, including management positions in China, Managing Director of Ducati Motor Thailand, Purchasing Director and global responsibility for Sales & After Sales activities.

He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bologna and an MBA, with executive education from INSEAD, CEIBS and the London Business School.

Federico Foschini, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, said, "We welcome Francesco Milicia to Lamborghini as Marketing Director. His managerial experience, gained in an environment of excellence such as Ducati, combined with the international vision and strategic expertise he has developed throughout his career, will make a valuable contribution to the further strengthening of the brand's positioning and to supporting the development of our global marketing strategy."

Francesco Milicia, said, "Joining Automobili Lamborghini is an honour and a privilege. I have always admired the brand and I am thrilled to contribute to the journey of a company that inspires people around the world through innovation, audacity and uncompromising excellence. I look forward to working alongside the Lamborghini team, learning from their experience and contributing together to writing the next chapter of the brand's growth and success."

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German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India has launched the Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ in India, available in Performance and Racing Editions priced at INR 14.5 million and INR 14.8 million, respectively (ex-showroom).

The luxury sedan combines a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver a system output of 430 kW (585 hp), which increases to 450 kW (612 hp) with the RACE START function, and 750 Nm of torque.

It has a claimed acceleration of zero to 100 kmph in 3.8 seconds and offers an electric-only range of more than 100 km (WLTP) via a 28.6 kWh battery.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The E-Class has been the longest running nameplates in the Indian automotive industry and the AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ underlines performance, practical usability and electric efficiency, making the E-Class portfolio truly unmatched. This performance sedan combines genuine AMG performance with plug-in hybrid’s efficiency, balancing an AMG customers need of racetrack performance with practicality of daily usage, perfectly. The AMG E53 Hybrid furthers our ‘powertrain agnostic’ strategy for India, where customers decide the powertrain of their choice, suiting their requirement.”

In addition to the vehicle launch, Mercedes-Benz India has announced a multi-year title partnership with the Indian Padel Tour for the 2026–27 season. The tournament series will feature 19 events across 11 cities, including five Grand Slam events, beginning in Mumbai in August 2026 and concluding in Bengaluru in June 2027. Customers purchasing the AMG E 53 Hybrid will receive direct entry into the Indian Padel Tour Grand Slam.

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Tata Motors-owned British luxury marque Range Rover has announced a fifth addition to its vehicle line-up: the Range Rover GT. It is the first all-electric Range Rover built on the EMA platform, manufactured in Halewood, UK.

The Range Rover GT will be available initially as a battery electric vehicle, with a hybrid electric vehicle option planned for later in the lifecycle. Prototype vehicles are undergoing on-road testing with a camouflage wrap.

The interior features a single screen design paired with a driver display, a concealed air vent running across the width of the cabin and a woven textile wrapping the dashboard.

Martin Limpert, Managing Director, Range Rover, stated, "The Range Rover GT will redefine the grand-touring segment with the ability to deliver beautiful and engaging GT poise, proportions and long-distance refinement while offering capabilities no conventional GT can match. We have spent the last few years working obsessively on the fundamentals of the GT formula, reinterpreted in a sophisticated, uniquely Range Rover way. The result is the most car-like, yet unmistakably capable, Range Rover ever created, now possible on our electrified EMA architecture – complementing our existing powertrain portfolio to deliver a complete set of options for every customer need. Its blend of effortless EV performance, first-class long-haul refinement and all-terrain capability is pure Range Rover; while its calming interior previews our vision of a modern grand tourer."

Further details will be released later in the year.

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