Latest news with #W124
India Today
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Mercedes-Benz W124: The three-pointed star that introduced luxury on four wheels
In the early 1990s, India's automotive landscape was dominated by rugged Ambassadors and nimble Marutis. Amid this era of simplicity and frequent breakdowns, a star was born on Indian roads, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, also known as the W124. Launched in India in 1995 through a partnership with Tata Motors, then called Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (Telco), the W124 brought an air of sophistication that was previously unseen. Assembled in Pune, this luxury sedan became a symbol of prestige, reliability, and engineering excellence, capturing the imagination of India's burgeoning W124 wasn't just a car; it was a statement. With its sleek, aerodynamic lines and understated elegance, it stood in stark contrast to the cars of that era. It was their first encounter with the three-pointed star, a marque synonymous with German W124, globally introduced in 1985, was the second generation of Mercedes-Benz's E-Class. Designed by Bruno Sacco, it was lauded for its timeless aesthetics and robust engineering. In India, the W124 arrived as the E220 (petrol) and E250D (diesel), catering to a market that prized fuel efficiency alongside luxury. The diesel variant, in particular, resonated with Indian buyers, offering remarkable mileage for a car of its stature. The W124's assembly in India was a milestone. Mercedes-Benz partnered with TELCO to produce the car locally, making it more accessible in a market sensitive to import duties. Priced at around Rs 20-25 lakh in the mid-1990s which was a princely sum at the time but it was a favorite among industrialists, film stars, and politicians. The sight of a W124 gliding through the streets of Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore was enough to turn heads and spark made the W124 iconic was its engineering brilliance. Built to last, it boasted a chassis that could withstand India's pothole-ridden roads and a suspension tuned for comfort. The diesel E250D, powered by a 2.5-litre OM602 engine, was a workhorse with a reliability that became legendary. The W124 can clock lakhs of kilometers with minimal interior was a sanctuary of luxury with plush seats, wood trim, and a dashboard designed with driver-centric precision. Features like power windows, central locking, and a sunroof were novelties in India at the time, elevating the W124 to an aspirational pedestal. Its safety features, at a time when no one cared about safety included airbags and ABS in later models, way ahead of their time, setting a benchmark for what a car could India, the W124 was more than a mode of transport, it was a status symbol. It adorned the garages of Bollywood celebrities and industrial tycoons. Its presence in films and media cemented its image as the ultimate luxury W124 also earned a reputation for reliability that bordered on mythical. Even today, well-maintained W124s are cherished by enthusiasts, often fetching premium prices and the W124 is one of the best projects for 1997, Mercedes-Benz introduced the W210, the W124's successor, and production of the W124 in India ceased. Yet, its legacy endured. The W124 laid the foundation for Mercedes-Benz's growth in India, proving that there was a market for premium vehicles. It also set a standard for quality that competitors struggled to the W124 remains a nostalgic icon. In an age of sleek EVs and tech-loaded SUVs, the W124 reminds us of a simpler time when craftsmanship trumped gimmicks. Its boxy silhouette, chrome accents, and that iconic grille evoke memories of India's economic liberalisation, a period when the country was opening up to the world and the W124 was leading the charge in the luxury those who drove it, owned it, or simply admired it from afar, the Mercedes-Benz W124 is more than a car, it's a time capsule. A reminder of when a car could be both a status symbol and a trusted companion, built to outlast trends and conquer to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
At $11,500, Will This 2002 Mercedes E55 AMG Make For A Fast Sale?
According to its seller, today's Nice Price or No Dice E55 AMG has been ceramic coated, which explains its crazy-shiny appearance. Let's see if we all take a shine to this performance sedan's price. It's been said that good things come in small packages, and, truth be told, the 2007 Mini Cooper S 'Sidewalk edition' we looked at yesterday was pretty dang small. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said—either small or good—about its $15,500 price tag. That resulted in a honkin'-big 80 percent No Dice loss. Back in the 1980s, Mercedes tuner AMG released its masterpiece of autobahn-eating performance, the E-Class-based AMG Hammer. Liking what they saw, Mercedes engineers decided to build their own hot rod, consigning Porsche to revamp the W124's engine bay and fenders in the creation of the E500. For ensuing elephantine-performance E-Classes, both construction and AMG were pulled in-house, leading to the latter becoming Mercedes' official performance brand, ala BMW's M Group. It also led to cars like this 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG. Based on the E-Class for a new millennium, the W211 E55 AMG earned the title of fastest production sedan in the world upon its 2002 debut. Making all the fuss is a hand-crafted 5.4-liter M113K V8, fitted with a twin-scroll supercharger and good for 469 horsepower and an earth-churning 516 lb-ft of torque. Behind that is an AMG-tuned five-speed automatic, and everything rides on a revised and more aggressive suspension setup. Stopping is by way of massive eight-piston front and four-pot rear disc brakes. The E55 isn't a one-trick pony, either. Unlike most high-performance cars that require kid gloves and a trust fund for maintenance and repairs, the AMG has earned a reputation for reliability and fuss-free ownership when properly looked after. This one has been looked after for 157,000 miles and boasts a clean title. According to the seller, not everything on the car has made it that far as the ad notes the replacement of the passenger seat, plus a recent refresh of the engine oil, spark plugs, and O2 sensors. Two of the tires are also new, but we're left to guess which ones those are. Aesthetically, the Benz appears to be in excellent condition. The seller touts a recent color correction and '10-year' ceramic coat that leaves the body with an unnatural gloss as though it's been dunked in ArmorAll. Chrome wheels are never a good choice, and there's no exception here, although the owner claims these Monoblocks were specially ordered all the way from Germany. There are appear to be no complaints in the cabin. The leather on the replacement passenger seat fits in with the rest of the space, and the carbon fiber appliqué on the dash and console lends the car a unique and more modern look. Obviously, there are plenty of toys in here, including a double-DIN head unit with a screen that's appreciably large for the car's age. There don't seem to be any missing pixels on any of the displays in the dash, something that typically can't be said about competitors like Audi and BMW. As far as the mechanicals go, the seller claims the car 'runs extremely smooth' and is 'very powerful.' Also noted is the car's rarity, as the seller states that only 275 E55 AMGs were brought to America in 2002. The asking price of this shiny bauble is $11,500. What's your take on paying that kind of cash for this hot rod Benz? Does it seem like a good deal to get one of the greatest performance cars of all time? Or has time and value passed this model by? You decide! San Francisco Bay Area, California, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears. H/T to Patrick Liu for the hookup! Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up via email and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
