Mercedes-Benz re-acquires targets

The company logo is more gunsight than peace symbol, so it's fitting that Mercedes-Benz is launching an all-out attack on its two most immediate competitors in Australia.

The company has adjusted pricing and specification for more than 70 per cent of its product range. Since the W204 C-Class has just been released in the country (more here) it missed out on this round of musical chairs, but had already benefited from the company's product planning scrutiny.

Although the changes will doubtless fire up more interest in the Mercedes-Benz range, it may have some undesirable consequences. Recent buyers of new Mercedes models may feel some disappointment if the options they purchased at some expense are now standard for much less expense.

There's also the consideration that some buyers may prefer to pay a discount price without features they don't want or need and were previously optional.

However, Benz does advise that the changes were made after consultation with the company's client base and these new specifications reflect the majority opinion of the company's customers.

The MD of Mercedes-Benz in Australia, Horst von Sanden, seemed to be promoting the brand as much as aiming for increased market penetration, when he said: "As I have previously stated, leadership is not solely about numbers. Mercedes-Benz' goal is to be able to offer the best possible products and services to customers in order to exceed their expectations and today's announcement is another step in achieving this."

Price increases range from $300 to $5100, depending on variant. We've included a breakdown of the new specification and respective pricing.

2007 Mercedes-Benz range update

Model Price (RRP) Price Increase Value Increase
A 170 Classic three-door $34,700 $300 >$1,700
A 200 Avantgarde three-door $44,800 $4,400 >$6,000
A 200 Turbo $48,300 $3,900 >$6,000
A 170 Classic five-door $37,200 $300 >$1,700
A 200 Elegance five-door $47,300 $4,400 >$6,000

B-Class
>> Rear side airbags standard
>> 'Metro' package available ($3000) for the B 180 CDI and B 200 Turbo; fitted as standard for B 200 Turbo
>> Front sports seats

E-Class
>> Electric front seats with memory function as standard
>> E 200 Kompressor gains Elegance model line and speed sensitive power steering as standard
>> E 63 AMG gains newly-designed AMG performance sports steering wheel and active bi-xenon headlamps, and is optionally available with carbon fibre trim for the interior and exterior
>> Avantgarde line now includes Sports Package (including braking system with perforated and internally ventilated brake discs at the front and lowered sports suspension), active bi-xenon headlamps
>> Revised AMG Sports Package available
>> KEYLESS-GO automatic lock / unlock and drive authorisation system now available for cars fitted with the Avantgarde model line or AMG Sports Package
>> 'Premium' Package available, including DISTRONIC cruise control, luxury front seats (includes heating and ventilation) and KEYLESS-GO, for $6590
>> Six- and eight-cylinder E Class now come fitted with dual exhaust tailpipes
>> New 'Tenorite Grey' metallic paint available

Model Price (RRP) Price Increase Value Increase
E 200 Kompressor $88,000 $3,500 >$9,000
E 280 $101,300 $1,800 >$3,900
E 280 CDI $103,300 $1,800 >$3,900
E 350 $127,500 $1,000 >$1,500
E 500 $161,300 $1,000 >$1,500
E 63 AMG $228,600 $1,000 >$2,400
E 280 Estate $107,300 $1,800 >$3,900
E 280 CDI Estate $109,300 $1,800 >$3,900
E 350 Estate $133,500 $1,000 >$1,500
E 500 Estate $167,300 $1,000 >$1,500
E 63 AMG Estate $234,600 $1,000 >$2,400

M-Class
>> Choice of two 'Luxury' upgrades for ML 350, ML 320CDI and ML 500 including electric front seats with memory function for the driver's seat (includes electrically adjustable steering column) and five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels. Package is available for $8000 on the ML 280
>> New optional packages: Vision Package ($4800), Premium Package ($4900) and designo Edition ($11,000)
>> Off-road styling package standard for ML 280 CDI, ML 350 and ML 320 CDI
>> Reversing camera standard for ML 500 and ML 63 AMG

CLK-Class
>> Rear side airbags and electric front seats with memory function now standard
>> CLK 200 Kompressor gets the updated M271 evolution supercharged four-cylinder engine (with an increase of 15kW/10 Nm) and speed sensitive power steering standard
>> CLK 500 comes with alarm system with tow-away protection, interior motion sensor as standard
>> CLK 63 AMG comes with active bi-xenon headlamps (includes dynamic range adjustment, cornering light function and headlamp cleaning system) as standard and is offered with an optional newly-designed AMG performance sports steering wheel
>> Avantgarde CLK now with full Sports Package which includes features such as the braking system with perforated and internally ventilated brake discs at the front, lowered sports suspension, active bi-xenon headlamps (includes dynamic range adjustment, cornering light function and headlamp cleaning system), and Black Ash interior timber trim
>> 'Premium' Package for all CLK models, including DISTRONIC cruise control, luxury front seats, KEYLESS-GO system, for $6590
>> All models in the CLK-Class now come fitted with an AUX-IN socket in the glove compartment
>> New metallic paint options: Chromite Black, Tenorite Grey and Indium Grey

Model Price (RRP) Price Increase Value Increase
CLS 350 $140,400 $1,000 >$2,000
CLS 500 $178,900 $1,000 >$1,000
CLS 63 AMG $253,300 $1,000 >$1,000

S-Class
>> All models in the S-Class range now come standard fitted with 3D map display for COMAND APS navigation system, triple AUX-IN socket in the glove compartment including video input
>> S 350 now comes standard with luxury front seats, new 17-inch alloy wheel in a five-spoke design
>> S 500 now comes standard with Night View Assist, reversing camera, luxury front head restraints, 18-inch alloy wheels in five-spoke design, remote boot lid closing
>> New 19-inch alloy wheels with twin-spoke design in mixed width (front to rear)
>> S 65 AMG biturbo V12 now receives 20-inch AMG alloy wheels as standard equipment; previously a no-cost option

Model Price (RRP) Price Increase Value Increase
S 350 $189,874 $1,974 >$3,900
S 350 (Long Wheelbase) $205,874 $1,974 >$3,900
S 500 $259,874 $5,100 >$9,000
S 500 (Long Wheelbase) $274,974 $5,100 >$9,000
S 600 (Long Wheelbase) $365,974 $2,100 NA
S 65 AMG (Long Wheelbase) $449,974 NA NA

SL-Class
>> Now standard with steering-wheel-mounted gearshift paddles, electric folding exterior rear vision mirrors, interior motion sensor (for the already-standard anti-theft alarm system)
>> SL 350 V6 comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels in a five-twin spoke design, luxury front seats, TV tuner (both analogue and digital)
>> SL 500 now comes standard with Linguatronic voice control for audio, telephone and navigation systems, BOSE surround sound system
>> SL 55K AMG comes standard with Linguatronic voice control
>> SL 65 AMG biturbo V12 now comes standard with Exclusive nappa leather upholstery
>> Premium Package available ($6800) including DISTRONIC cruise control, panoramic glass vario roof, KEYLESS-GO system
>> New metallic paint options: Chromite Black and Tenorite Grey

CL-Class
>> Now standard with DISTRONIC PLUS cruise control with parking guidance and reversing camera, 3D map display for COMAND APS navigation system and triple AUX-IN socket in the glove compartment including video input

Model Price (RRP) Price Increase Value Increase
CL 500 $307,974 NIL >$1,000
CL 600 $388,974 NIL >$1,000
CL 63 AMG $382,974 NIL >$1,000

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