C-Class adds equipment and beats luxury car tax limit

Mercedes-Benz has taken the unusual step of announcing pricing of its all-new C-Class sedan range more than a month before its official arrival Down Under. And it's sharp pricing at that!

The new range, which will eventually include both four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel models, will kick off at $56,990 -- just under the current Luxury Car Tax threshold of $57,009 and below the outgoing W203 Series.

Three W204 models will be offered at launch in late July. The C 200 Kompressor kicks off the range at the above recommended retail price in 'Classic' trim -- it arrives at a lower price than the outgoing C 180. Next comes the turbodiesel four-cylinder C 220 CDI Classic at $60,300, with the V6 petrol-engined C 280 Elegance starting at $85,000.

Both the C 200 and C 220 will offer Elegance and Avantgarde versions at an additional cost of $3500 and $5700 respectively. The C 280 is also available in the Avantgarde variant at no extra cost.

Launched in Europe in April (more here), the Avantgarde version of the new C-Class (white car pictured) offers significantly more differentiation with unique body details and a grille which feature a centrally-placed three-pointed star. In the past this feature was traditionally reserved for Mercedes' sportscars.

With the run-out of the W203 Series, Mercedes significantly upgraded the standard equipment list across its C-Class range -- adding up to $14,000 worth of 'options' on some models. The company now says the new W204 series will include "an expansive specification list."

All models feature ESP, Parktronic park distance sensors, Parameter Steering, eight airbags and Mercedes' PRE-SAFE "anticipatory occupant protection system" as standard equipment.

The new C-Class also features Mercedes' 'AGILITY CONTROL' suspension across the range. According to Mercedes this feature "controls the car's shock absorber forces according to the driving situation, optimising comfort and agility in equal measures."

A full rundown of standard inclusions across the W204 C-Class range is listed below.

Also available across the three models from launch will be two feature option packages: the traditional AMG Sports offering and what Mercedes terms its Vision Package.

Priced at $12,000 for the C 200 Kompressor and C 200 CDI and $6300 for the C280, the AMG pack includes bodykit (front apron, rear apron and side skirts), 17-inch six x twin-spoke alloys, upgraded calipers and cross-drilled discs, front sport seats and three-spoke steering wheel, paddle shift, sports pedals and more.

The Vision package is priced at $4500 on all models and delivers Active Bi-Xenon headlamps, glass sunroof and an upgraded Harmon Kardon LOGIC7 audio system.

According to Mercedes the pricing announcement was made ahead of the release due to customer pressure.

"Customers are already in our dealerships and want to know what the new car is going to cost," a Mercedes insider told the Carsales Network.

"To be frank the amount of interest in this new model has caught us by surprise. We seem to attracting a whole new group of younger customers with the car -- and it's not even launched yet," the staffer said.

Officially, the C-Class range will be unveiled locally in late July. Local pricing and availability of the Estate (wagon) versions is yet to be officially confirmed.

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Mercedes W204 C-Class standard equipment

C 200 Kompressor and C 220 CDI sedans