Diesel B and R-Class boost Benz line-up

Mercedes-Benz has boosted its line-up with new turbodiesel B and R-Class models

Two new turbodiesel models have gone on sale at Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country. The B 180 CDI and R320 CDI were launched to local media last week and are now in showrooms.

The 80kW/250Nm B 180 CDI is Mercedes-Benz’s first compact diesel – at least Down Under where the A-Class has never been offered with turbodiesel power. Priced from $44,900, the six-speed manual CDI matches the entry-level (five-speed manual) petrol B 200 on price.

The 165kW/510Nm R 320 CDI joins its petrol-engined R 500 and R 350 stablemates (click here for details). The innovative two-box  ‘half-van half-estate’  all-wheel-drive is priced from $85,900 -- $3000 more than its petrol equivalent. The long wheelbase R 320 CDI L kicks off at $88,900

“The B 180 CDI is the first compact vehicle introduced by Mercedes-Benz with a diesel engine, and we are delighted to offer this technology to our customers in this class, particularly given the increasing popularity of diesel vehicles,” managing director of the Mercedes Car Group in Australia, Horst von Sanden said.

“We are pleased with the consumer response we have had towards the R-Class since the R 500 was launched in April. The R 320 CDI will only add to the appeal as initial predictions suggest this will be the volume seller”, opined von Sanden on the R-CDI’s debut.

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class was released in Australia in October last year with the B 200 and B 200 TURBO models (to read our launch review click here). According to Mercedes, customer demand is outstripping supply. Mercedes has delivered 646 units (end of May).

Look out for CarPoint’s launch review of the B 180 CDI and R 320 CDI in coming days...