New models for Mercedes

Prestige car buyers are being drawn to the 125-year-old Mercedes-Benz with a steam roller list of new and revised models that aim to cement it as Australia's premier luxury vehicle maker.  The plan for 2011 follows a commanding 2.6 per cent passenger market share in 2010.

"It's a very busy year ahead," understates Mercedes Australian boss Horst von Sanden.  Fresh from this week launching a new S-Class line-up that includes a new V6 petrol and an ultra-clean turbo-diesel, he expects further sales growth on the back of it topping the prestige sector in 2010.

The German starts running out of the block in March with two versions of the heavyweight G-Class 4WD wagon.  Australia gets a G350 BlueTec turbo-diesel - the first market to get this engine variant - and the bi-turbo V8 G55 AMG.

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In the same month the company launches a V6 turbo-diesel version of its five-star people mover, the Viano, and the biggest GL version, the 450CDI turbo-diesel.

The updated C-Class range is here in May and aside from an external makeover, enhanced safety equipment and a revised interior, will add a seven-speed automatic gearbox to all its four-cylinder variants. It will also debut a Euro-5 V6 turbo-diesel.

The new CLS and SLK - both sporting Mercedes new corporate grille - arrive in June and then the C-Class Coupe and its 6.2-litre V8-engined AMG derivative get here in the third quarter of the year.

The C63 will be officially launched at the Classic Adelaide Targa.  "We would like to import the S400 Hybrid, but its not yet made in right-hand drive," Mr von Sanden says.

"We have also looked at the S250 CDI - rated at 5.4 litres/100km - but we've not made a decision for Australia."  Diesels are big on Mercedes' list but they're not finding favour with luxury car buyers.

"We want to get a greater level of acceptance for the S350 BlueTec before we expand into other diesel engines for the S-Class models," Mr von Sanden says.

"We have less than 10 per cent take up for diesels in our luxury sedan models.  "The SUVs are no problem - but buyers of luxury cars just don't get the advantages of diesel engines."

Despite that, he's optimistic.  "I think the S350 BlueTec is the type of car that can change that."