Mercedes-Benz C55 News

Mercedes-Benz could offer diesel alternatives in its C-Class Estate, or 'station wagon.' The new C-Class Estate will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, and will be launched here in the second quarter of next year.Models, specifications and pricing will be announced closer to its Australian release, but diesel engines could be offered.DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific corporate communications senior manager David McCarthy says it is “a bit early as we don't have production slots yet, but we are looking at it (diesel).”The C-Class wagon presently comes only with petrol engines, the C 200 Kompressor with the 1796cc, 120kW four-cylinder and C 230 with the 2496cc, 150kW V6. The new four-cylinder Kompressor petrol engines have a more dynamic supercharger and improved pistons to boost power by up to 11 per cent.However, the new line-up also could include the powerful C 350 V6 petrol and a four-cylinder diesel engine for the first time.The new C-Class sedans have arrived here with the 200kW C 350 as well as the option of a C 220 CDI diesel engine with 125kW of power and 400Nm of torque and 6.1L/100km fuel economy.There is also the possibility of a new C 320 CDI diesel with an output of 165kW.With the exception of the C 350, all engine variants are coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. The C 350 gets the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.It is expected to again be offered in three model lines including Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde.Avantgarde features a large Mercedes star in the centre of the radiator grille, which has been used for Benz's sporty models in the past.Elegance gets a three-dimensional, louvered radiator grille with a high-gloss paint finish, and Classic is more traditional. An AMG sports package with sports suspension, 15mm lower and 17-inch light-alloy wheels is available.Cargo capacity is up 146 litres to 1500 litres and it comes with features for easy loading and safe transportation, including a tailgate that opens and closes at the push of a button.Maximum interior load length is 2.82m from tailgate to the front passenger footwell, which is 17cm more than the previous model estate. 

Mercedes-Benz has launched an extensive value-added campaign to hit back at aggressive incursions into its customer base by luxury rivals. With BMW, Audi and Lexus all improving market share ahead of Mercedes, the once-dominant luxury leader has added equipment and technology across its range.While the additional features are accompanied by price increases up to $5100, Mercedes insists the overall value equation is a positive for customers.Mercedes-Benz Australia's Horst von Sanden says the widespread moves are not simply a knee-jerk reaction to the success of other luxury brands.“We have spent a lot of time listening to our customers about what they need and want in their new Mercedes-Benz and these changes are commensurate with their feedback,” von Sanden says.“These model revisions have been in development for some time. The all-new C-Class was the first car in our range to benefit from this new approach to our product strategy.”Von Sanden says Mercedes has undertaken extensive research into what customers want in each of the product ranges. “As I have previously stated, leadership is not solely about numbers. Mercedes-Benz's goal is to be able to offer the best possible products and services to customers in order to exceed their expectations,” von Sanden says.Mercedes claims that about 70 per cent of the model range has benefited from the upgrades with much of the additional equipment, such as side and curtain airbags, the night-vision system and keyless start systems, previously having been offered as optional extras.BMW holds a comfortable lead in the luxury passenger car market this year with almost 1500 more sales than Mercedes.Mercedes has improved its sales figure by just 1.7 per cent over last year, while BMW is up more than 7 per cent and Audi, from a much lower base, is 43 per cent ahead of where it was in 2006. Lexus is showing an 11per cent improvement for the same period. 

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

The move to V8 engines for small high-performance European sedans seems to be gaining momentum. Audi has just introduced the V8 S4 and Benz will follow soon with its C55AMG. BMW's M3 also goes V8 next model.The C55AMG has a 5.5-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 shoehorned under the bonnet.This is the first V8 C-Class and represents quite a shift in thinking for Benz which used supercharged V6s in its previous high-performance small sedans.The 55 has a sequential five-speed automatic transmission and drives through the rear wheels.It accelerates from 0-100kmh in 5.2 seconds but the real treat is roll-on acceleration which is blink-of-the-eye stuff.It rolls on a set of 18in wheels with gumball low-profile tyres.Inside you can't ignore the superb sound system and other goodies. The seats have large side bolsters for lateral grip and pretty well everything is electrically operated.On a searching high speed blast, three things were driven home emphatically; the don't-mess-with-me acceleration, the sophisticated ride and handling that sticks to the road but retains plenty of comfort and the raunchy exhaust note.A manual would be fun but there is so much giddy-up in the auto it doesn't matter.Of course, electronic modulations control virtually every dynamic area of the car but most can be switched off, besides they have high thresholds so aren't too intrusive.It will sell here for around $150,000 putting it in direct competition with the M3 and S4.It arrives in September.