Mercedes-Benz introduces BS VI compliant vehicle well ahead of regulation

Mercedes-Benz has launched the first ever BS VI compliant vehicle in India 2 years ahead of regulation, becoming the first automobile brand in the country to do so. Before certification, the vehicles went through stringent tests including particulate numbers, engine power test, on-board-diagnosis test and Real world driving emission (RDE) data collection.

The Certificate of Compliance to the CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rule) for Mercedes-Benz India was presented by ARAI Director, Smt. Rashmi Urdhwareshe to Mr. Roland Folger, MD & CEO, in the presence of  Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport Highways & Shipping and Mr. Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport Highways.

The Government of India plans to advance BS VI grade fuel availability in Delhi NCT by April, 2018 and shift to BS VI norms by April, 2020 across the country. This will help the industry advance to global technologies and drastically reduce pollution.

The introduction of the first BS VI vehicles for Indian market is a significant milestone and will pave the way for compliance by other manufacturers. The BS VI engine in the Mercedes-Benz S 350 d is the most powerful in Mercedes-Benz history and consumes up to 6% less fuel.

Special traits of the engine include a stepped-bowl combustion process, two-stage turbocharging and the use of CAMTRONIC variable valve-lift control for the first time. Its design features a combination of aluminium engine block and steel pistons, and improved NANOSLIDE® coating of the cylinder walls.

The upcoming S 350d and Mercedes-Maybach S 560 additionally get ARAI certificates as ‘Indian Crash Norm Compliant’ vehicles.