BOMBARDIER'S FIRST CAR FOR DELHI METRO INDIA

BOMBARDIER'S METRO CARS IN DELHI PIC'S & SPECIFICATIONS:

Bombardier's First MOVIA Car for Delhi Metro Touches Down in India
New MOVIA Designed and Constructed for Optimum Environmental Operation
Thursday February 26, 2009, 8:00 am EST
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BERLIN, GERMANY--(MARKET WIRE)--Feb 26, 2009 -- The first vehicle in the new high-technology fleet of BOMBARDIER MOVIA metro cars, ordered by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for its Phase II expansion, has arrived today in the capital of India. In order to meet the challenging project deadlines, the first vehicle was built in an extremely short 18-month period. It was transported directly from Germany to India in an Antonov aircraft, where it was received by DMRC, Bombardier Transportation representatives and the media at Delhi International Airport.
The first MOVIA train-set will commence track tests in March while the service introduction is scheduled for the second week in June. The first 36 vehicles for DMRC will be built in Goerlitz, Germany and the following 388 cars in Savli, India, where Bombardier has recently inaugurated a modern railway vehicle manufacturing facility. With an investment valued at 33 million euros, this greenfield facility will directly employ 750 people and indirectly generate approximately 3,000 jobs in the region.
The arrival of the first MOVIA car is a significant milestone for two major reasons; first, DMRC has ambitious targets to expand its metro service in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where the environmentally friendly fleet of 424 state-of-the-art MOVIA vehicles ordered to date will play a vital role in increasing sustainable mobility; second, the project is to be carried out in the new, large-scale manufacturing plant in India, the first of its type wholly owned by a private company in the country. Present at the airport was Dr. E. Sreedharan, Managing Director, DMRC as well as Stephane Rambaud-Measson, President, Passengers Division, Kristian Mikkelsen, President, Asia, Passengers Division, and Rajeev Jyoti, President and Managing Director, India, all from Bombardier Transportation.
During the arrival of the new MOVIA vehicle, Stephane Rambaud-Measson declared, "We, at Bombardier, are very proud of delivering our high quality vehicles to Dehli Metro. I would like to congratulate the Bombardier employees located here in India as well as those from other engineering and manufacturing sites in Europe, like Goerlitz in Germany and Vasteras in Sweden for their amazing performance and dedicated participation in this project."
Ensuring that its world-class standards and practices are maintained across the board, the workforce being recruited by Bombardier in India is receiving training and support both in Savli and in Goerlitz. In following the production line process of the first 36 vehicles in Germany, the newly recruited staff in India will be able to acquire all the necessary skills to duplicate the process at the Savli site where they will be involved in training their co-workers in India. For many of them, it will be their first trip away from home and a life-changing experience where they will be learning new skills as well as adapting to a completely different culture.
Rajeev Jyoti also present said, "This moment is a truly historic one for Bombardier in India. It represents the success of our efforts here over the last 35 years, and is a sign of how much more we can achieve together with the Indian railway operators in terms of sustainable, eco-friendly mobility in the future. We are honored to have among us today our partners in this current endeavor and representatives from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to share this momentous occasion with us."
Bombardier products supporting the sustainable mobility of an expanding city
To counter the dramatic rise of Delhi's population from 0.6 million to 14 million people over the last years, the first line of New Delhi's Metro network opened in December 2002. Phase I consisted of 3 lines totaling 65 km with Phase II, now under construction, representing an additional 125 km. In phase II of the expansion of Delhi Metro, the modern MOVIA high-capacity vehicles will transport an impressive 4 million passengers every day.
The high capacity MOVIA vehicles will form an integral element of these expansion plans to meet the anticipated increase in passengers and are designed to comfortably accommodate some 1,480 passengers per four car train unit. Air conditioning is included for the comfort of the passengers and driver. CCTV and open gangways ensure security and visibility throughout the train. In addition, emergency speaker units, installed on the vehicles, will provide passengers with the opportunity to communicate directly with the driver. The safety egress door via the driver's cab also allows for easy passenger evacuation in the event of an emergency.
The vehicles incorporate BOMBARDIER MITRAC Propulsion and Control system, featuring IP technology, a sophisticated passenger information system that includes predefined messages and notification of upcoming stations as well as a digital route map highlighting journey progress. A vital differentiator is the fact that the vehicles are designed and constructed for optimum environmental operation, entailing solutions that are part of the innovative BOMBARDIER ECO4 portfolio of technologies launched by the global rail leader last year. Such outcomes are lower energy consumption, minimal noise emissions and recyclability levels of up to 90%. Overall, the new ECO4 portfolio offers energy and cost-efficient solutions for total train performance with the possibility of saving up to 50 percent energy.
Concluding on his remarks, Rajeev Jyoti also declared, "The touchdown of the Antonov in New Delhi heralds a new era of progress for the Indian railway industry, of which Bombardier is proud to be a part."

MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS 2009 MODEL

MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS 2009 MODEL LAUNCHED:
MERCEDES S CLASS SPECIFICATIONS,OVERVIEW,PIC'S:

Class is the benchmark for those desiring a large ultra-luxury sedan that has everything and can do everything.

Pros:

State-of-the-art luxury features, handling and performance of a smaller sport sedan, eye-watering acceleration of AMG models, available all-wheel drive, famed S-Class prestige.

Cons

Expensive options, COMAND system is not intuitive, turn signal stalks are awkward to use.

What's New for 2009

Only minor equipment changes make their way onto the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Both rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive versions of the S550 now come standard with the Premium 1 package, which adds an electronic trunk closure, as well as heated and active ventilated front seats.

2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Vehicle Overview

Introduction:

Perhaps no luxury sedan has ferried so many celebrities, foreign dignitaries and well-to-do professionals as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In recent years, this flagship four-door, with its über-luxurious interior, brand prestige and host of high-tech options, has been one of the finest luxury sedans one can buy short of much more expensive options from Bentley, Maybach or Rolls-Royce.

Although the 2009 S-Class has a bulky curb weight to match its imposing street presence, any of the available engines can pull the sedan's weight with ease. From a 5.5-liter V8 that delivers 382 horsepower to a twin-turbo V12 pumping out 604 hp, the S-Class offers a range of power plants that are sure to impress. Inside, the richly appointed cabin is adorned with high-quality leather and polished wood. High-tech accessories such as a hard-drive-based navigation system, adaptive seats, the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension technology and Distronic Plus cruise control offer an impressive range of capabilities that set the S-Class apart from the pack.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will no doubt satisfy just about any ultra-luxury-sedan buyer. But it's still worth taking a look at other options. Specifically, the all-new 2009 BMW 750i should be a more athletic-handling alternative to the S550, and the often-overlooked Audi A8 remains a favorite of ours due to its understated yet classy demeanor. And for those who can't decide between the two high-performance AMG models, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur sits nicely in between, both power- and price-wise. Still, Mercedes' S-Class essentially sets the standard here -- and that's something the world's celebrities, foreign dignitaries and well-to-do professionals will no doubt testify to.

For Pricing information, see our Pricing page.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

Five trim levels are available on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedan: the S550, the all-wheel-drive S550 4Matic, the V12-powered S600, the high-performance S63 AMG and the über-performance S65 AMG. Standard equipment on both S550 models includes 18-inch wheels, an automatic air spring suspension, bi-xenon headlights, an electronic trunk closer, heated and active ventilated front seats with 14-way power adjustments, leather upholstery, the COMAND control interface, a hard-drive-based navigation system, an in-dash memory-card reader, Bluetooth and a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio. Optional on the S550 is the Premium 2 package that includes a rearview camera, a park distance system and keyless ignition and entry, as well as a sport package that includes 19-inch AMG wheels, dual-chrome exhaust and a body kit.

The S63 AMG, in addition to a larger, more powerful V8 engine, comes standard with all the features of the S550 and adds 20-inch lightweight AMG wheels, Mercedes' ABC adaptive suspension (optional on the rear-drive S550), larger brakes, park distance sensors, a rearview camera, specific exterior styling pieces, keyless ignition and entry and sport seats with massage function. An optional AMG performance package adds different 20-inch wheels and carbon-fiber trim, and the top speed of the car is raised from 155 mph to 186 mph.

The V12-equipped S600 comes standard with 18-inch wheels and all the features found on the S550, plus the Premium 2 package, the ABC suspension system, a panoramic sunroof, Night View Assist, the Distronic Plus system, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, four-zone climate control, dynamic-adjusting front seats with massage function, and power rear sun blinds. The S65 AMG includes all these features plus 20-inch wheels, dedicated AMG exterior and interior styling, special sport seats and a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles.

Many standard features found on the higher-end S-Class models are available as stand-alone options on models without these features as standard. In addition, a glovebox-mounted iPod integration kit is optional on all models.

For more Style information, see our Compare Styles page.

Powertrain and Performance:

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 sports a 5.5-liter V8 that makes 382 hp and 391 pound-feet of torque. In testing, we've found that this is enough for a 6.1-second 0-60-mph time. A standard seven-speed automatic transmission routes power to the rear wheels. Opt for the S550 4Matic and this same transmission routes power to all four wheels. The Mercedes S63 AMG has a 6.2-liter V8 capable of 518 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. The S63 also uses the seven-speed automatic, but it's recalibrated for faster, firmer shifts.

A choice of two 12-cylinder engines is found in the two remaining S-Class models. The S600's twin-turbo V12 is of the same displacement as the V8, but provides 510 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. For the S65 AMG, a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 develops a positively ludicrous 604 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Anything more would have to be fueled by nuclear fission. Mercedes says the S65 AMG can hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. On the V12s, Mercedes sticks with a five-speed automatic since the seven-speed unit isn't capable of handling the V12's torque output. The S65 has a sport-tuned version of this automatic that provides quicker shifts.

Fuel economy is predictably mediocre for a heavy sedan with this much power. The S550 is rated at 14 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined. The S550 4Matic comes in at 14/21/17 mpg. The S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG all somewhat surprisingly achieve the same 11/17/13 mpg.

For more Performance Data, see our Specifications page.

Safety:

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has some of the most advanced safety systems on the market today. Active headlights, stability control, eight airbags (including full-length curtain and side rear airbags) and brake assist are all standard, as well as Mercedes' PreSafe system, which can sense an impending crash and automatically tighten the seatbelts and reposition the power seats for maximum airbag protection. The optional Night Vision Assist uses infrared technology to detect objects far beyond headlight range.

For more Safety information, see our SAFETY page.

Interior Design and Special Features

Fit and finish is impeccable on Mercedes' flagship, and the materials quality is truly superb. When it comes to usability, many find Mercedes' COMAND system quirky and unintuitive, although the current generation of the interface is easier to use than in the past. Another pet peeve is the S-Class' turn signal stalk, which is located down lower than on most cars and is somewhat inconvenient to reach.

Optional dynamic multicontour seats have 11 air chambers that fill and deflate as you drive, which allows the seat to cradle your body in virtually any position. During aggressive driving, the side bolsters can automatically pump up and down in response to cornering forces to better hold you in place. These seats can also provide a soothing massage. Those in the rear seat can be taken care of in similar fashion, particularly when the S-Class is equipped with the rear-seat package that adds power adjustment, heating and cooled seats, and its own set of two-zone automatic climate controls.

For more Interior Features information, see our Specification page.

Driving Impressions:

Ride and handling on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are compliant and fitting for a luxury sedan, yet the heavyweight four-door's capabilities go beyond what you'd expect. The Airmatic suspension system does a fine job gliding over bumps and ruts, and body lean is effectively minimized when the S-Class is equipped with the ABC system. The steering is fairly quick and precise with decent heft to the wheel, though we'd still give the BMW 7 Series a slight edge in road feel. Tight handling makes the car feel smaller than it is, even if we wouldn't exactly call the S-Class athletic.

MERCEDES BENZ M CLASS LAUNCHED IN INDIA

Mercedes benz m class launched specifications pic's completeview:

Exterior :
Base ML350 4dr 4x2Options
Length 188.2 "
Body width 75.2 "
Body height 71.5 "
Wheelbase 114.7 "
Ground clearance 8.3 "
Curb 4,705 lbs.
Gross weight 6,240 lbs
Interior :
Front head room 40 "
Rear head room 40 "
Front shoulder room 60 "
Rear shoulder room 60 "
Front hip room 56 "
Rear hip room 56 "
Front leg room 42.2 "
Rear leg room 40.0 "
Luggage capacity 29.4 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity 72.4 cu.ft
Standard seating 5
Performance :
Base engine size 3.5 liters
Base engine type V-6
Horsepower 268 hp
Horsepower rpm 6,000
Torque 258 lb-ft.
Torque rpm 2,400
Payload 1,635 lbs.
Maximum towing capacity 7,200 lbs.
Drive type four-wheel rear-wheel
Turning radius 19.0 '
Fuel :
Fuel tank capacity 25.1 gal.
EPA mileage estimates 15 / 20 (city/highway)

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