Mercedes-Benz has launched the 2026 AMG E 53 Performance Edition in India at Rs 1.45 crore, ex-showroom. It has also introduced the AMG E 53 Racing Edition, priced at Rs 1.48 crore. The AMG version of the Mercedes E-Class gets a more powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain, performance-focused mechanical upgrades, and sportier styling than the standard sedan. The Mercedes AMG E 53 faces competition from models like the Porsche Panamera and the BMW M5.
Mercedes-Benz has launched the 2026 AMG E 53 Performance Edition at Rs 1.45 crore, ex-showroom, in India. The carmaker has also introduced the AMG E 53 Racing Edition, priced at Rs 1.48 crore. The performance-focused AMG version of the E-Class was globally revealed in 2024, and it packs both powertrain and mechanical upgrades, along with design tweaks, over the standard sedan.
The AMG E 53 has a 3-litre in-line six turbo-petrol engine mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox, which sends drive to all four wheels via the brand’s 4Matic+ AWD system. Being a plug-in hybrid, it also gets an electric motor paired with a battery pack (21.2kWh usable capacity). Together, this setup produces 585hp and 750Nm, and the 0-100kph sprint is done in 4 seconds. Top speed is rated at 250kph. The E 53 Racing Edition comes with AMG Driver’s Package as standard, which increases the maximum speed to 280kph.
Speaking of charging, the 400V lithium-ion battery takes 20 minutes for a 10-80 percent top-up with a 60kW DC unit. Meanwhile, a 0-100 percent charge takes 2.25 hours with an 11kW AC unit. Mercedes claims an electric-only range of 100km.
Mechanical upgrades over the standard E-Class include an electronic rear limited-slip differential, a high-performance braking system, air suspension and rear-axle steering.
The Mercedes-AMG E 53 gets several design changes that set it apart from the standard E-Class. At the front, it features an AMG-specific grille with vertical slats, a redesigned bumper with larger air intakes, and front fenders widened by 11mm on each side to accommodate the wider front track.
In profile, the E 53 gets flush-fitting door handles, AMG-specific side skirts, and sporty 20-inch alloy wheels, behind which are red-coloured brake callipers. At the rear, it features a boot-lid spoiler, and a rear bumper with a diffuser and quad round exhaust tips.
Inside, the AMG E 53 features a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.4-inch touchscreen. Other features include a Burmester sound system, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lights, a wireless charger, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, drive modes, a 360-degree camera setup, multiple airbags and more.
Mercedes-Benz कल भारत में AMG E 53 हाइब्रिड 4MATIC+ लॉन्च करने जा रही है, जिससे उसके पोर्टफोलियो में एक प्लग-इन हाइब्रिड परफॉर्मेंस सेडान शामिल हो जाएगी। यह लॉन्च इसलिए अहम है क्योंकि E 53 में AMG परफॉर्मेंस के साथ इलेक्ट्रिक पावरट्रेन का मेल है, जो भारत में अब तक कुछ ही लग्जरी कारों में देखने को मिला है।
रेगुलर E-Class से ऊपर पोजिशन की जाने वाली यह नई सेडान ज्यादा पावर, बेहतर ड्राइविंग डायनामिक्स और कम दूरी के सफर के लिए इलेक्ट्रिक मोड में चलने की क्षमता के साथ आएगी। इसकी कीमत काफी अहम होगी, क्योंकि AMG E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ हाई-परफॉर्मेंस लग्जरी सेडान के एक खास सेगमेंट में एंट्री करेगी, जहां पहले से कई प्रीमियम मॉडल मौजूद हैं।
भारत में अनुमानित कीमत
Mercedes-Benz ने अभी तक कीमतें नहीं बताई हैं, लेकिन AMG E 53 हाइब्रिड की कीमत 1.35 करोड़ रुपये से 1.45 करोड़ रुपये (एक्स-शोरूम) के बीच होने की उम्मीद है। चूंकि यह कार भारत में पूरी तरह से बनी-बनाई यूनिट (CBU) के तौर पर आएगी, इसलिए इसकी कीमत स्टैंडर्ड E-Class के मुकाबले काफी ज्यादा होगी।
बता दें कि यह AMG E 53 उन ग्राहकों को ध्यान में रखकर पेश की जाएगी, जो एक सामान्य लग्जरी सेडान से ज्यादा तेज और ज्यादा रोमांचक ड्राइविंग अनुभव चाहते हैं, लेकिन अभी एक पूरी तरह से स्पोर्ट्स कार खरीदने के लिए तैयार नहीं हैं।
इसमें दी गई प्लग-इन हाइब्रिड टेक्नोलॉजी इसे भारत की उन चुनिंदा परफॉर्मेंस सेडान में शामिल करती है, जो पूरी तरह इलेक्ट्रिक मोड में भी चलने की सुविधा देती हैं।
फिलहाल, आखिरी कीमत से ही यह तय होगा कि यह BMW और Audi की मिलती-जुलती गाड़ियों को कितनी कड़ी टक्कर देती है।
इंजन और परफॉर्मेंस
Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid में 3.0 लीटर, 6-सिलेंडर टर्बो-पेट्रोल इंजन दिया गया है, जिसे एक इलेक्ट्रिक मोटर और बैटरी पैक के साथ जोड़ा गया है। इसकी कुल पावर 577 bhp और टॉर्क 750 Nm है, हालांकि AMG के ‘रेस स्टार्ट’ फ़ंक्शन से पावर को कुछ समय के लिए 604 bhp तक बढ़ाया जा सकता है।
इस सेटअप को मर्सिडीज के 4MATIC+ ऑल-व्हील-ड्राइव सिस्टम और नौ-स्पीड ऑटोमैटिक गियरबॉक्स के साथ जोड़ा गया है। कंपनी के ग्लोबल आंकड़ों के मुताबिक, यह सेडान लगभग 3.8 सेकंड में 0 से 100 km/h की रफ्तार पकड़ सकती है।
आम AMG मॉडल के उलट, E 53 सिर्फ इलेक्ट्रिक पावर का इस्तेमाल करके भी कम दूरी तय कर सकती है, जो शहर के ट्रैफिक में फायदेमंद साबित हो सकता है।
इसमें और क्या-क्या खास है?
E 53 में AMG-खास डिजाइन एलिमेंट्स हैं, जैसे कि अलग तरह का फ्रंट बंपर, बड़े पहिए और चार एग्जॉस्ट आउटलेट। इसके अंदर स्पोर्ट्स सीट्स, डिजिटल डिस्प्ले के लिए AMG ग्राफिक्स और मर्सिडीज का लेटेस्ट इंफोटेनमेंट सिस्टम दिया गया है।
इस सेडान में एडेप्टिव सस्पेंशन, रियर-व्हील स्टीयरिंग और कई ड्राइविंग मोड्स भी हैं, जो सड़क और ड्राइविंग की स्थितियों के हिसाब से कार के व्यवहार को बदलते हैं।
Mercedes-Benz कल AMG E 53 हाइब्रिड की बिक्री शुरू होने पर इसकी आधिकारिक कीमत और भारत-स्पेसिफिक डिटेल्स की घोषणा करेगी।
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After four years of being on sale, Audi India is slated to replace the second-generation Q3 in India. Our dealer sources have indicated that the third-generation Q3 will launch in October 2026. In the months leading up to its debut, Audi’s entry-level luxury SUV has been spied on our roads.
While the previous-gen Q3’s design took an understated approach, the new-gen goes for a flamboyant look. The imposing front-end has a split headlamp design, with slim LED DRLs with four configurable light signatures and vertically stacked LED headlamps. The grille is larger than before, featuring a hexagonal pattern and a 2D Audi logo. The bumper gets a dual-tone look with black surrounds for the headlamps, and there are wide air intakes with a honeycomb pattern.
In profile, the Q3 gets a clean design with subtle moulding for the lower side of the doors, and creases over the wheel arches. You also get a split-lamp design for the back, with the main units having a striking design with optional OLED illumination. Additionally, you also get a thin light bar, and the Audi logo is illuminated. Though the global-spec Q3 gets wheel sizes ranging from 18 to 20 inches, expect the India-spec version to have 18-inch rims.
The third-gen Q3 sits on the latest version of the VW Group’s MQB platform. The global-spec version is 4,531mm long, 1,859mm wide, 1,601mm tall, and gets a 2,681mm wheelbase. Compared to the previous generation, it is 96mm longer, 10mm wider, and 6mm shorter, while the wheelbase is 1mm longer.
Like the exterior, the interior is also a departure from the current version, with the dashboard angled toward the driver. You get a curved dual-screen setup dominating the dashboard, a new sporty-looking three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear lever has moved from the centre console to the steering column. A unique touch is that controls for the lights, wipers and indicators are combined into a single stalk. However, like most manufacturers, Audi has reduced the number of physical buttons. While the global-spec Q3 gets a black theme for the interior and offers a choice of black or beige seats, it remains to be seen how the India-spec version’s interior would be specced.
As for equipment, the Audi Q3 is expected to have a 11.9-inch digital driver’s display, a 12.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, configurable ambient lighting, 3-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a powered driver’s seat, and cooled front seats. The safety kit could include an ADAS suite and a 360-degree camera, along with essentials like 7 airbags, ABS, and ESC.
The Q3 is expected to arrive with petrol-only powertrains as its previous generation. It will likely utilise an updated version of the current 2.0-litre TSI unit, churning out 14hp more power at 204hp and 320Nm. A 7-speed DCT handles transmission duties, while you get Quattro AWD as standard.
Expect the new-gen Q3 to be pricier than the previous version. The second-gen that’s currently sold in India has an ex-showroom price of Rs 43.67 lakh to Rs 53 lakh. It will take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the BMW X1. We even had the opportunity to drive the third-gen Q3 in global-spec guise.
All prices are ex-showroom, India
Mercedes-Benz is set to expand its India line-up with the launch of the new AMG E 53 performance sedan on July 23. This AMG version of the Mercedes E-Class was unveiled globally in March 2024 and is now finally headed to India, more than two years later. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Mercedes-AMG E 53.
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 price is expected to be around the Rs 2.2 crore (ex-showroom) mark. If that holds, the E 53 will carry a premium of about Rs 29 lakh over the AMG C 63 S E sedan, which costs Rs 1.91 crore.
While the previous E 53 that was on sale in the country came with a 48V mild-hybrid system, the new version is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The 2026 performance sedan continues to use a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight-six engine, but pairs it with an electric motor integrated into the 9-speed automatic gearbox. Combined, this setup produces 585hp and 750Nm. Drive is sent to all four wheels via the brand’s 4Matic+ AWD system.
With the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package, power increases to 612hp (when Race Start is activated). In this mode, the E 53 can sprint from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 280kph. It also gets a 21.2kWh lithium-ion battery, offering a claimed electric-only range of over 100km. The 400V battery supports AC charging speeds of up to 11kW. In some markets, an optional 60kW DC fast charger is also on offer, which can charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes.
The E 53 gets several AMG-specific chassis upgrades, including extra bracing at the front and rear axles, an 11mm wider front track, and adaptive suspension with Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ mode settings. Its braking system has also been tuned to work better with the hybrid system’s energy recuperation.
The Mercedes-AMG E 53 gets a sportier look than the standard E-Class. Up front, it features an AMG-spec grille with illumination, a redesigned bumper with larger air intakes, and front fenders widened by 11mm on each side. Even the design for the wheels stands out. At the rear, it gets a boot-lid spoiler, and a redesigned bumper with a blacked-out diffuser and four round exhaust tips. Inside, the E 53 gets AMG-spec seats (with powered adjustment at the front) and AMG steering wheel.
It gets a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.4-inch touchscreen. In international markets, buyers can also opt for the brand’s Superscreen, which adds a separate display for the front passenger. It remains to be seen if Mercedes offers the Superscreen with the E 53 in India. Other features include Burmester sound system, panoramic sunroof, ambient lights, wireless charger, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, drive modes, 360-degree camera, multiple airbags and more.
Upon launch, the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 will see competition from models like the BMW M5 and the Porsche Panamera. The M5 is priced at Rs 2.11 crore, ex-showroom, while the Panamera starts at Rs 1.79 crore before options.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the 2026 facelift of the Maybach GLS. The ultra-luxury SUV adopts similar styling cues to that of the 2026 GLS that was unveiled a few months ago, but brings an array of Maybach-specific touches, a stronger V8 engine, and an expanded set of features.
Up front, the 2026 Maybach GLS incorporates reshaped LED headlamps with dual three-pointed star DRL signatures, along with a new chrome-laden grille that gets illumination for both the surround and the Maybach wordmark. There’s a fresh, more discreet design for the front bumper too, which houses triangular air intakes and a chrome-lined skid plate.
In India, open-top cars are enjoyable only on a handful of days. Mostly, it’s either too hot or too cold, or the air quality is poor. But when the weather does cooperate, a convertible can feel genuinely special. Here, we take a look at 14 convertible cars currently on sale in the country. Mercedes, Maserati and Ferrari have three each, BMW has two, and Mini, McLaren and MG have one apiece. Read on to see what sets each of these drop-tops apart.
The Mini Cooper S Convertible is the most accessible and the smallest convertible car in India. At speeds of up to 30kph, its electrically operated fabric roof can be opened and closed in 18 seconds and 15 seconds, respectively. Under the hood of the Cooper S Convertible, Mini has plonked a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with peak outputs of 204hp and 300Nm. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sends power to the front wheels, and there’s no manual on offer. The run from 0 to 100kph takes 6.9 seconds.
Next in line is the MG Cyberster, whose soft top takes just 10 seconds to open or close at speeds of up to 50kph, matching the BMW Z4 (also on this list) for the quickest roof operation. Coming to the MG Cyberster specs, its 77kWh battery pack powers two electric motors, one on each axle. Combined outputs of 510hp and 725Nm are sent to all four wheels, taking the electric vehicle from a standstill to 100kph in just 3.2 seconds.
While BMW has confirmed the end of the Z4’s production, the model is still listed on the brand’s India website, likely for existing stock. The BMW car features a 3.0-litre straight-6 turbo-petrol engine, pushing out 340hp and 500Nm, sending power to the rear wheels. The Z4 M40i can be had with either an 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission (AT) or a 6-speed manual transmission (MT), making it the only convertible on this list to offer a manual gearbox. The 0-100kph sprint is done in 4.6 seconds with the MT and in 4.5 seconds with the AT.
The BMW M440i Convertible is one of the latest convertibles to launch in India. Its soft-top roof can be opened or closed in 18 seconds at speeds up to 50kph. Under its hood is the same 3-litre 6-cylinder turbo-petrol engine as the BMW M340i, producing peak outputs of 374hp and 500Nm. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which sends power to all four wheels. While BMW claims a 0-100kph sprint time of 4.9 seconds.
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The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 Cabriolet is the most affordable convertible car from Mercedes in India, and its soft-top roof opens and closes in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 60kph. Under the hood lies a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 258hp and 400Nm, paired with a 9AT unit, which sends drive to all four wheels. The 100kph mark from rest is hit in 6.7 seconds.
Next, Mercedes has two SL models on sale in India: the AMG SL 55 and the Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series. The AMG SL 55 has a multi-layer fabric roof that can be opened or closed in 16 seconds at up to 60kph.
The Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series is the brand’s most expensive convertible. Like the AMG SL 55, the Maybach car also has a multi-layer fabric roof with a 16-second operation time, but it works at slightly lower speeds of up to 50kph.
While both these models are powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine mated to a 9AT, which sends the engine output to all four wheels, the Maybach SL 680 boasts higher power and torque figures of 585hp and 800Nm than the AMG SL 55’s 476hp and 700Nm. But when it comes to the 0-100kph sprint, the AMG does it in 3.9 seconds, slightly ahead of the Maybach’s 4.1 seconds.
The Maserati GranCabrio – the convertible version of the Maserati GranTurismo – features a folding fabric setup that can be lowered or raised in 14 seconds, at up to 50kph. The GranCabrio shares its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, which makes 550hp and 650Nm, with the GranTurismo, as well as the MCPura Cielo (also on this list). Transmission duties are handled by an 8AT unit, which sends output to all four wheels. The Maserati convertible can do the 0-100kph sprint in 3.6 seconds.
The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, the only other electric roadster here besides the Cyberster, features a powered fabric roof that can be lowered or raised in 14 seconds at speeds of up to 50kph. Its three electric motors generate combined outputs of 761hp and 1,350Nm. The Maserati electric convertible rockets from a standstill to 100kph in 2.8 seconds.
The Ferrari Amalfi Spider is the newest convertible to go on sale in the country. Its folding fabric roof opens in 13.5 seconds at speeds of up to 60kph. The Amalfi Spider uses the same 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine as the Amalfi coupe, producing 640hp and 760Nm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Ferrari claims the convertible can sprint from 0-100kph in 3.3 seconds.
The third convertible offering from the Italian carmaker in this list is the MCPura Cielo, which is the evolution of the MC20 Cielo. The convertible comes with an electrochromic glass roof, which opens and closes in just 12 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 50kph. It gets the brand’s 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol unit, delivering 630hp and 720Nm of torque. According to Maserati, the mid-engined supercar accelerates from 0 to 100kph in just 2.9 seconds.
The Ferrari 296 GTS gets a foldable hard top that takes 14 seconds to pack itself behind the flying buttresses at speeds of up to 45kph. As for the powertrain, the 296 GTS plug-in hybrid gets a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor, which together produce 830hp and 740Nm. Its 8-speed DCT sends output to the rear wheels, making the 296 GTS go from 0 to 100kph in 2.9 seconds.
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While most cars on this list have a fabric roof or a hard top, the McLaren 750S Spider takes it up a notch with an electrochromic glass roof that can be dimmed at the touch of a button. This retractable top can glide up or down in 11 seconds at up to 50kph. The 750S Spider is powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine making 750hp and 800Nm, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The engine output is sent to only the rear wheels, and the run from 0 to 100kph is achieved in just 2.8 seconds.
*Might be lowered to Rs 5.46 crore after the India-UK FTA rollout.
Lastly, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider is the most expensive convertible featured on this list. Ferrari has equipped the convertible version of the 12Cilindri with a retractable hard top, which takes 14 seconds to open/close at up to 45kph. Even the rear glass automatically slides down when the roof is tucked away. The 12Cilindri Spider has a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 830hp and 678Nm. The 8DCT sends engine output only to the rear wheels; 0-100kph comes up in 2.9 seconds.
Ex-showroom prices above are indicative and may change; availability of some models may depend on stock availability.
The new-gen Lexus ES initially went on sale in India in all-electric 500e guise a few months ago. Lexus has now launched the strong hybrid 350h version of the new ES in India as well, completing the sedan’s powertrain line-up. We compare the 2026 Lexus ES to its rivals – the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series LWB and Audi A6 – on paper to find out how the Japanese luxury sedan stacks up.
2026 Lexus ES dimensions compared to rivals | ||||
| ES | E-Class | 5 Series LWB | A6 | |
| Length (mm) | 5,145 | 5,082 | 5,175 | 4,939 |
| Width (mm) | 1,920 | 1,880 | 1,900 | 1,886 |
| Height (mm) | 1,575 | 1,492 | 1,518 | 1,470 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,950 | 3,094 | 3,105 | 2,930 |
| Boot space (litres) | 377 | 540 | 500 | 530 |
| Wheel size (inches) | 19-21 | 18 | 19 | 18-19 |
The ES is the widest and tallest car in its segment, and the second-longest overall, falling short of the 5 Series LWB by only 30mm. However, the ES’ wheelbase is trounced by those of the E-Class and 5 Series LWB, and the Lexus sedan also has the smallest boot here. The ES hybrid does get 19-inch wheels as standard, though, beating the likes of the E-Class and A6 – only the ES EV gets 21-inchers.
2026 Lexus ES powertrains and performance compared to rivals | ||||
| ES | E-Class | 5 Series LWB | A6 | |
| Engine/battery | 2.5H / 74.68kWh | 2.0P / 2.0D / 3.0P | 2.0P | 2.0P |
| Motor setup | NA / Front+rear | NA | NA | NA |
| Mild hybrid system | NA | 48V | 48V | 12V |
| Cylinder count | 4 / NA | 4 / 4 / 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Power (hp) | 247 / 343 | 204 / 197 / 381 | 258 | 265 |
| Torque (Nm) | 235 (E)+270 (M) / 438 | 320 / 440 / 500 | 400 | 370 |
| Gearbox | e-CVT / 1-speed AT | 9-speed AT | 8-speed AT | 7-speed DCT |
| Drive layout | FWD / AWD | RWD / RWD / AWD | RWD | FWD |
| 0-100kph time (sec) | 7.7 / 5.5 | 7.5 / 7.6 / 4.5 | 6.5 | 6.7 |
| Claimed range (km) | – / 580km | – | – | – |
H: Hybrid, P: Petrol, D: Diesel
E: Engine, M: Motor
As noted previously, the ES is the only luxury sedan in its class that can be had in strong hybrid and electric guises. The 2.5-litre engine of the ES 350h is the largest 4-cylinder mill in its segment, though it’s beaten in power output by the A6 and 5 Series LWB. The ES hybrid also claims the slowest 0-100kph time in this company, but it’s worth noting that this powertrain is geared more towards fuel efficiency and ease of driving instead of outright performance.
Coming to the ES 500e EV, it’s the second-most powerful here, with the 6-cyl E450 edging ahead – the E-Class stands out as the only sedan in its segment to offer diesel and 6-cyl petrol engine options. Both the ES 500e and E450 uniquely offer AWD as well, but Lexus’ electric sedan takes a full second longer to complete the 0-100kph sprint.
2026 Lexus ES price compared to rivals | |
| Price range (Rs, lakh) | |
| ES hybrid | 66.10-71.80 |
| ES EV | 89.99 |
| E-Class | 81.50-95.00 |
| 5 Series LWB | 76.60 |
| A6 | 64.81-71.66 |
The Lexus ES 350h hybrid is the second-most affordable option in its segment, beaten only by the A6. It’s worth noting, however, that the A6 currently sold in India is quite old and there’s a new-gen model available globally. Still, the ES hybrid is a whopping Rs 10.5 lakh more affordable than the 5 Series LWB, and undercuts the base E-Class by a staggering Rs 15.4 lakh. As for the ES 500e EV, its price tag can be compared with that of the top-spec E450, which costs Rs 5 lakh more.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.
Launched in April 2026, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is currently the entry point to the manufacturer’s EV lineup in India. It is offered in two variants– 200 and 250+. The CLA 200 gets a 58kWh battery with a claimed WLTP range of 542km, whereas the higher-spec CLA 250+ gets a 85kWh battery and has a WLTP claimed range of 792km. We put the CLA 250+ variant to the test to calculate its real-world efficiency.
The CLA 250+ makes 272hp of power and 335Nm of torque, with a RWD setup. Before starting our range test, we charged the 85kWh battery to 100 percent and switched it to the most efficient ‘Eco’ mode.
In the city, with the regen set to strongest mode, it delivered an efficiency of 6.87km/kWh that translates to a range of 584km. On the highway, with the regen set to ‘Normal’, it delivered an efficiency of 7.52km/kWh for a 640km range. With an average efficiency of 7.2km/kWh, you can expect a real-world range of 612km on a single charge, which is really good.
In the city, the strongest regen setting enabled it to recoup energy effectively, which helped boost the efficiency. Whereas, the two-speed gearbox with a taller 5:1 ratio second gear that enables greater efficiency at higher speeds, coupled with the low drag coefficient of 0.21Cd and the normal regen mode that allows for coasting, helped it to be even more efficient on the highway which isn’t usually the case with EVs.
The Mercedes CLA 250+ can be charged at speeds of up to 320kW but those chargers are few and far between in our country. In our charging test using a 150kW DC fast charger, we saw an average charging speed of around 92kW with a peak charging speed of 125kW. To charge from 20-80 percent, it took 35 minutes and consumed 53.89kWh in total.
Before our real-world range tests, the battery of our test car was fully charged, and we maintained tyre pressures in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. The car was driven on a weekday in Mumbai city and on the adjoining state highway in a fixed loop, and we maintained the set average speeds. At the end of each cycle, we calculated the range based on the percentage charge consumed.
Throughout our tests, the climate control was set to 22deg C in a full-auto setting, and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and heated and massaging front seats, were used when required, just as a regular user would. We take pride in our testing data, which isn’t merely consistent but also gives users an accurate indication of what they can expect in the real world.
सोशल मीडिया पर जारी एक बयान में, मर्सिडीज-बेंज इंडिया के ऑफिशियल हैंडल ने कहा कि “सभी मर्सिडीज-बेंज पेट्रोल BS VI गाड़ियां E20 फ्यूल के साथ पूरी तरह से इस्तेमाल के लायक हैं और संबंधित अधिकारियों ने इसे सर्टिफाइड भी किया है।” भारत के पॉपुलर डेली व्लॉगर सौरव जोशी ने हाल ही में YouTube पर एक वीडियो शेयर किया, जिसमें उन्होंने दावा किया कि उनकी मर्सिडीज-बेंज लग्जरी गाड़ी का माइलेज सिर्फ दो दिनों में 17 से घटकर 5 हो गया।
उन्होंने कहा कि उनकी गाड़ी की एफिशिएंसी सिर्फ 48 घंटों में बहुत ज़्यादा गिर गई है। जोशी ने अपने दर्शकों से कहा, “कल मैंने आपको दिखाया था कि हमारी कार का माइलेज 17 से सीधे 9 पर आ गया था।” उन्होंने आगे कहा, “और क्या आपको पता है कि आज यह कितना हो गया है? आज यह पाच पर पहुंच गया है… इसे देखिए, यह पांच का माइलेज दिखा रहा है।”
जोशी ने इसके लिए लोकल फिलिंग स्टेशनों पर मिलने वाले फ्यूल को ज़िम्मेदार ठहराया। उन्होंने कहा, “एथेनॉल की वजह से ही ऐसा हुआ है।” व्लॉगर ने बताया कि पहले पेट्रोल की एक फुल टैंक से गाड़ी लगभग 800 किलोमीटर तक चलती थी, लेकिन अब रिफिलिंग के बाद अनुमानित रेंज सिर्फ 480 किलोमीटर ही दिखाती है। उन्होंने कहा कि रेंज में आई इस भारी कमी की वजह से उन्हें जर्मन SUV के पेट्रोल इंजन में संभावित मैकेनिकल खराबी की चिंता हो रही है।
Customer Advisory pic.twitter.com/RxuTYl6Phz
— Mercedes-Benz India (@MercedesBenzInd) July 12, 2026
उन्होंने कहा, “पता नहीं यह कार कब खराब हो जाए… आजकल पेट्रोल भरवाने में भी बहुत डर लगता है।” जोशी ने यह भी बताया कि उनके पास G-Wagon (एक और मर्सिडीज SUV) का इलेक्ट्रिक वर्जन है, जिससे उन्हें इथेनॉल से जुड़ी चिंताओं की कोई फिक्र नहीं रहती। जोशी का वीडियो ऑनलाइन वायरल होने के कुछ ही समय बाद मर्सिडीज-बेंज इंडिया ने ग्राहकों के लिए एक एडवाइजरी जारी की। हालांकि इस बयान में जोशी का नाम नहीं लिया गया, लेकिन इसमें E20 पेट्रोल को लेकर उनकी चिंताओं का जिक्र किया गया।
जर्मन कार कंपनी ने कहा, “मर्सिडीज़-बेंज के लिए ग्राहकों की सुरक्षा, गाड़ी की भरोसेमंदता और परफॉर्मेंस सबसे जरूरी हैं। मर्सिडीज-बेंज की सभी पेट्रोल BS VI गाड़ियां E20 फ्यूल के साथ इस्तेमाल के लिए पूरी तरह से सही हैं और संबंधित अधिकारियों ने उन्हें इसके लिए सर्टिफाई भी किया है।”
“हम ग्राहकों की किसी भी तकनीकी सवाल में मदद करने के लिए तैयार हैं। मर्सिडीज-बेंज सस्टेनेबल मोबिलिटी (पर्यावरण के अनुकूल परिवहन) के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है।”E20 फ्यूल एक मिला-जुला मोटर फ्यूल है जिसमें 20% इथेनॉल और 80% पेट्रोल होता है। भारत में E20 फ्यूल को बढ़ावा देने का मुद्दा विवादित हो गया है क्योंकि ऐसे दावे किए जा रहे हैं कि इससे पुरानी गाड़ियों (जो इसके लिए नहीं बनी हैं) के इंजन खराब हो सकते हैं और माइलेज भी कम हो सकता है।
हालांकि, शुक्रवार को सरकार ने इथेनॉल-मिश्रित पेट्रोल प्रोग्राम का बचाव किया। सरकार ने इंजन खराब होने और माइलेज कम होने की चिंताओं के बीच कहा कि इस स्कीम से चीनी अर्थव्यवस्था को मदद मिली है, किसानों की आय बढ़ी है और 2014-15 से देश के ₹1.90 लाख करोड़ से ज़्यादा विदेशी मुद्रा की बचत हुई है।
