Tag: Mercedes-Benz Middle East & Levant

The A 250 Sport: The hottest hatch in town

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Mercedes-Benz A 250 SPORT, (W 176), Fahrveranstaltung Slowenien

Mercedes is back in the good books of diva…after their big foray into 6×6 (I really think they should stay out of this segment and stick to their awesome luxury cars), I got news via Bassam that with the new A 250 Sport, Mercedes-Benz has entered an entirely new segment in the Middle East in the luxury compact segment.

I was cynical at first (especially after getting over the 6×6 news)…. it’s just not very ‘Mercedes’ but then I was converted when I saw the images – it certainly looks like a powerful, sporty and luxuriously designed hot hatch that will excite and enthrall the region’s aspirational go-getters of the next-cool-things.

I can only comment on the tech specs and the looks for now because I have not driven the car so my opinion on this is purely from a perspective of someone who loves cars and can comment on the looks and power based on previous experience. It is apparently a powerful four-cylinder, two-litre turbocharged engine that produces a roaring 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque, thundering a market that demands success to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds….cool aye!

Like most Mercs, it comes with GCC standard specifications and is fully loaded compared to the international market, including a very sporty interior design with red stitching, designo red seat belts, red framed SLS AMG style air vents, comfortable sport seats, aggressive exterior look with diamond grille, red brake callipers, 18” five spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in high sheen black finish and headlamps with red marker rings.

For safety, the standard specification includes, amongst other things, the radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system. Smiles will broaden when learning that ownership of a car sporting the unmistakable status of the sparkling three-pointed star starts at just USD$37,000 GCC wide. GCC options in addition to the standard specification include Xenon Lights, Active Parking Assist, and a Light Sight Package (Interior Ambient Lighting).

Launched with the tagline ‘Drive yourself’, the arrival of the A 250 Sport to the region aims to turn the luxury small car segment on its head and marks a new direction for Mercedes-Benz in the region.

In summary…the car has good looks, performance, prestige and attitude, at a price point that makes attainability of the brand a reality for those that may consider owning a Mercedes-Benz as ‘something they want but sometime in the future’.

Ten months of double digit growth for Mercedes-Benz

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Yum! The M-Class exudes strength and class

Just heard from the awesome performers at Mercedes Benz – it seems the Olympics was not the only event for record-breaking performances in July. Mercedes-Benz Middle East & Levant have clearly taken the gold in a flurry of best ever sales results. New records include a marathon 10 consecutive months of double digit regional growth, with year to date (YTD) sales up 16% on 2011. Regional distributors in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar also celebrated from the top of the podium with best ever July country sales as well.

I agree that I have not yet tested the bigger cars in the Mercedes Benz line up but the new records are testament to the success of Mercedes-Benz Middle East and Levant’s ‘Year of the SUV and AMG’ 2012 sales strategy, building on the success last year. SUV sales increased 25% over July 2011, led by 50% month on month (MOM) growth from the newly launched M-Class – pairing performance with sophistication….cool aye! I’m told the evergreen G-Class continued to assert its dominance in the segment, with 19% more customers lured by the resilient icon’s rugged charm.

That’s not just it though – The fires of Affalterbach were given a high octane sales boost, with July sales for the precision Mercedes-AMG performance division turbo charged by 178% over the same month last year. Feeding the flames of Affalterbach’s success was an astronomical increase in demand for the bi-turbo AMG version of the fashionable CLS 63 AMG four door coupé… I need to make time to check this one out!

The beast in a business suit (E 63 AMG executive saloon) increased 20% YTD, with five times more people buying the newly launched 0-100km/h in 4.7sec ML 63 AMG. Still refusing to rest on its laurels, the relentless success of the G 55 AMG grew sales 65% MOM, together with its newly launched G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG variants. I can just see the Merc team looking at Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant for a night out as reward.

Now I wonder if I can get some tips and pointers from the Mercedes Benz team in reaching the right premium audience for our products and exhibitions.