Mercedes-Benz faces class action over emissions

Mercedes-Benz has been landed with a new class-action-style lawsuit by Germany's Federal Association of Consumers (VZBV).

The legal proceedings, filed against the car-maker in a court in Stuttgart on Wednesday, claims that Mercedes-Benz deliberately used devices to alter exhaust emissions in various models.

Issuing a statement to the media, VZBV identified both the Mercedes-Benz GLC and GLK SUVs fitted with Benz's OM651 diesel engine as evidence of intentional emissions manipulation.

Among the alleged unlawful tech identified by the consumer group was a thermo switch that altered the filtering of exhaust emissions depending on various factors, including the ambient temperature.

"By installing such devices, manufacturers can ensure that vehicles comply with the permissible limit values for exhaust gases during type approval. In road traffic, however, they clearly exceed these values," said VZBV in a statement.

Back in 2018, Mercedes-Benz was forced to recall 670,000 cars fitted with diesel engines, with more than 280,000 of those in Germany.

Vehicles included in the mandatory recall included the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, GL, GLC, GLK, GLE, GLS, ML, SLK, SLC, V-Class, Vito and Sprinter vans.

Despite the recall, Mercedes-Benz has been consistent with its denial that it was using illegal tech to manipulate its diesel emissions.

If Germany's largest consumer group is successful in its claim, legal experts say it would allow other owners throughout Europe and elsewhere to claim compensation.

In an official statement, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler described the legal action against it as baseless and said it would contest the case brought by VZBV.

If found culpable, Daimler is almost certain to be dragged deeper into the wider Dieselgate scandal that has cost the Volkswagen Group an incredible €32 billion ($A50.5bn) to date.