Mercedes-Benz India today flagged off ‘StarDrive Experience’ at the Sector 5 Helipad at Panchkula, the sister city of Chandigarh. This exciting driving extravaganza was specially conceptualized by Mercedes-Benz to highlight the unparalleled safety features and cutting edge technology that is trademark of each Mercedes-Benz vehicle. StarDrive Experience offers prospects and customers an opportunity to understand the handling of critical road situations in a safe and controlled environment.
This exclusive drive experience put to test the power and performance of the Mercedes-Benz product range, with the likes of the dynamic off-roaders; the ML-Class and the GL-Class and the flagship sedans the C-Class and E-Class. This provided an opportunity to the prospects and discerning customers of Mercedes-Benz, an understanding of the handling of critical road situations in a very safe and controlled environment. New additions to this line up of performance cars are the AMGs, which includes the exciting C 63 AMG and the iconic off-roader the G 55 AMG. Through the simulations, the different dynamics of the vehicles namely safety, agility and performance in both off-road and on-road conditions are brought to the fore. The participants could experience the tangible benefits of world-class safety technologies like Pro-Engineering Package, Airmatic Package, 4ETS, Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) etc. during the driving program.
Speaking at the inauguration of this initiative, Mr. Manas Dewan, General Manager, Strategic Planning and Corporate Communications, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “The StarDrive Experience which is in its third year is our unique initiative in sync with our successful ‘Go to the Customer’ approach and we are happy to bring this initiative to Chandigarh again. The StarDrive Experience will give the customers and enthusiasts of brand Mercedes-Benz a one-of-its kind opportunity to see, feel and experience some of the best cars from our portfolio. The North Indian market has been very successful for us with our SUVs and the StarDrive will give our connoisseurs the best platform to familiarize themselves with the off-roading prowess of these vehicles.”
He further added “Our aim is to enable our customers to personally experience the unmatched safety and technology aspects of our cars besides additionally offering them an opportunity to further hone their driving skills. Combining the vital fundamentals of driving experience with simulation of critical road situations, the StarDrive Experience embodies Mercedes-Benz’s spirit of innovation with an element of fun, reiterating the Mercedes-Benz philosophy of “Best or Nothing.”
Mr. Sidhartha Nair, Managing Director, Daimler Financial Services India, commented, “Mercedes-Benz StarDrive is a spectacular experience which showcases the technological prowess of Mercedes-Benz cars & proves its leadership in high-end automotive technologies. StarDrive provides the opportunity to experience the DNA of Mercedes Benz cars – sporty, safety, innovative technology, comfort and performance. Mercedes-Benz Financial is pleased to be associated with this initiative.”
The third edition of the StarDrive Experience 2012 has covered Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi and Chandigarh so far. This year the event activities are divided into following three sections:
1. PRE-SAFE Demonstration activity: Dynamics of Mercedes-Benz sedans, C-Class and E-Class namely safety, agility and performance like PRE-SAFE®, ESP® are brought to the fore through controlled demonstration activities.
2. Off-roading demonstration activity: Tangible benefits of key off-roading technologies like Pro-Engineering Package, Airmatic Package, 4ETS, downhill speed regulation (DSR), etc. are showcased through demonstration activities with MB SUV’s – GL-Class and ML-Class. Artificial parcour set-ups have been created that resemble natural off-road terrains to demonstrate off-roading features in MB SUV’s. These parcours have been designed on the basis of global guidelines made by Mercedes-Benz driving events team at Germany for creating parcour set-up for globally held driving events.
3. ‘StarDrive with Farhan Akhtar contest’: For the first time ever in India, participants get a chance to get behind the wheels of a Mercedes-Benz by participating in the StarDrive with the Farhan Akhtar contest and win exciting gift vouchers. One lucky winner along with his spouse gets a chance to experience StarDrive at the grand finale at Mumbai on 23rd September with noted actor, director, and singer Farhan Akhtar.
StarDrive Experience is an Avante Garde initiative by Mercedes-Benz India and is in association with Daimler Financial Services and Mobil 1.This is a part of Mercedes-Benz India’s strategy to increase its engagement with customers and patrons across the country.
Photographs- Saurabh Jain