Speaking at the launch meet in Chennai recently, Mercedes India sales and marketing director Debashish Mitra said globally the S-class has been a market leader in its segment and the new S-Class would carry forward the leadership in the domestic market too.

‘We are getting additional support in engineering and logistics that we are building up to make sure that we can leverage the advantages of India more aggressively,’ he said.

Mitra pointed out the renovated S 350 would come with more high-tech features including ‘Splitview’ technology which offered two views on a single screen where both driver and passenger sitting on the front side could view different functions concurrently on the screen.

A wireless headset with remote made sure the co-passenger did not interfere with the driver’s concentration while on tour.

S 350 from Mercedes Benz also featured an upgraded guidance system along for parking with ultrasonic sensors, reversing camera, multi-coloured ambient lighting and LED light package.

Likewise, the new support systems turn the new S-Class model into a level-headed associate for the driver where the car would be capable of seeing, feeling and reacting automatically and act separately in order to avoid accidents or lessen their sudden impact.

In 2009, Mercedes Benz sold 3,220 cars in the Indian market as against 3,250 in 2008. Mercedes Benz India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler group of Germany, makes cars and trucks at its Chakan facility in Maharashtra.

The company has framed a strong development plans with large investments in Chennai. It has invested around Rs 250 crore in its Pune plant having a capacity of producing 5,000 vehicles per year. The overall capacity of the plant would increase to 12,000 vehicles in the coming years.

According to the company, the petrol variant of S 350 L would Rs 82.42 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) and the diesel edition S 350 CDI L (Blue Efficiency) was priced at Rs 80.42 lakh.