Mercedes-Benz unveils its latest model prices

Mercedes-Benz is starting 2006 with a flurry of new model price announcements, option packs and the introduction of traffic jam-busting TMC technology into its range.

R-Class ‘Grand Sports Tourer’

The revolutionary six-seat R-Class will arrive in UK showrooms on 6th April. The standard wheelbase R 350 retails for £38,470 on the road, with the R 320 CDI costing just £5 more, due to the diesel surcharge for road fund licences. Buyers can opt for the long wheelbase version – giving an extra 235 mm between the axles – for £1500. In addition to the standard variant, SE and Sport upgrades are available, costing £2,950 each. The range-topping R 500, available in SE or Sport trim only, starts from £49,990 on the road.

Equipment and specification levels are generous, and each model has the seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with Speedtronic speed limiter and cruise control as standard (controlled by a DIRECT SELECT wand on the steering column); as well as permanent 4MATIC four-wheel drive. Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers; Parameter speed-sensitive power-assisted steering; automatic climate control; 17" seven-spoke alloy wheels (with 235/65 R 17 tyres) and three rows of spacious seating all feature on every model. Partial electric adjustment of the front seats is coupled with a reach/rake adjustable steering column to give drivers the perfect seating position.

Six electric windows (rear row has vent opening) give everyone a breath of fresh air, meaning each of the individually-folding seats has an outside view. Long wheelbase variants also include Parktronic parking sensors to make reversing and low speed positioning easier.

As with every Mercedes-Benz, safety is paramount. All R-Class models share a wealth of safety features including ABS with BAS brake assist, and ESP® electronic stability program with ASR acceleration skid control. The permanent 4MATIC four-wheel drive system is controlled by the latest 4-ETS traction control system.

Every seat has a three-point safety belt with pre-tensioners and belt force limiters, while front seat occupants also have the benefits of the pioneering PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system. Neck Pro front head restraints push forwards and upwards in the event of a severe impact, reducing whiplash injuries.

Six airbags (two-stage front bags, front seat side impact bags and full length windowbags) are fitted as standard, and ISOFIX child seat mounting points with top tethers are fitted to all rear seats. The front passenger seat includes the Mercedes-Benz automatic child seat sensor, which deactivates airbags when an appropriate transponder-equipped baby seat is used. Remote central locking and tyre pressure loss warning system are also standard. All this is alarmed and immobilised, and numerous cubby holes and storage areas in the cabin help keep valuables away from prying eyes.

Upgrading to SE for £2,950 adds a host of extra features. Metallic paint is standard, and the red-tinted rear lights complement the exterior chrome trim elements. An interior lighting package keeps things inside visible when it’s dark, thanks to their calming orange glow. The executive front seats are now fully electrically-adjustable, and the standard model’s aluminium trim is replaced with burr walnut. Rather than being trimmed in fabric and Artico material (standard models), the SE cars have full leather upholstery – available in three colours.

Sport models also feature similar enhancements to the SE versions, like metallic paint, but with a more sporting intent. The alloy wheels are 19" with five spokes and 255/50 R 19 tyres. The front seats are heavily-bolstered sports seats (still electrically-adjustable); the interior trim is black aluminium whilst the seats are clad in Alcantara and Artico materials.

Every R-Class sold in the UK through an official Mercedes-Benz Retailer has a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, variable service intervals and up to 30 year MobiloLife anti-corrosion and breakdown cover. Full pricing and options details are included at the end of this press release.

S-Class Saloon

Heralded by many as the "best car in the world", the outgoing S-Class Saloon has set a tough benchmark for its successor to follow. Early indications have been extremely promising, though, and now the luxury car standards have been redefined.

Prices for the award-winning new model, which arrives in UK showrooms on 16th March, start from £54,975 for the S 320 CDI. Moving from the standard to long wheelbase version adds £4,000 to the price.

As befits the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz range, equipment levels are generous. The S 320 CDI has 17" alloy wheels with 235/55 R 17 tyres; seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with Speedtronic speed limiter and cruise control as standard (controlled by a DIRECT SELECT wand on the steering column); adaptive brake lights (which flash in emergency braking conditions); and adaptive brakes that hold the car when stationary. These brakes are also fitted with ABS and BAS Brake Assist, and the ESP® electronic stability program and ASR acceleration skid control keeps things on an even keel. Metallic paint is standard, and nano-particle clearcoat will ensure a showroom shine for years to come.

Eight airbags (two front, four side impact and windowbags) are standard, as is a development of the popular AirMATIC air suspension system – giving the best of both worlds - a cosseting ride and spirited cornering.

The COMAND system has been radically altered and now incorporates a rotary COMAND Controller, giving easy intuitive access to all the car’s major controls and settings. A DVD/CD player and HDD hard disk-based navigation system covers most of Europe. MP3 format music is supported, and there’s a PCMCIA slot for electronic music transfer, too.

PRE-SAFE® is fitted across the range, and headlights and wipers are automatic. Heated leather seats are adjustable electrically (front) and luxury climate control keeps everyone at just the right temperature.

Ease of ownership is standard with every car, and the doors have stepless stops – they can hold open at any angle. Interior lighting from underneath the eucalyptus wood trim gives a soothing ambient glow at night, whilst locking is remote. The front seats are electrically adjustable and heated, the steering is electrically adjusted and has an easy entry system. Every seat has a three-point safety belt, and the outer four include belt pre-tensioners with force limiters.

The S-Class is also the first Mercedes-Benz to have an electric parking brake. When the driver stops, the parking brake is automatically applied, and there’s no need to switch it off when pulling away – the car can do that, too.

The electric parking brake may be a first on a Mercedes, but there are a number of options that have never before been seen on a production car.

A new DISTRONIC PLUS system (£1,840) keeps the S-Class at a safe distance from the vehicle in front over a wide range of speeds: from 0 – 124 mph (where laws permit). This means the car is much easier to drive in stop and go traffic. The package also includes BRAKE ASSIST (BAS) PLUS, which adds to the standard system. In emergency braking situations, when the driver has applied braking force, BAS PLUS automatically administers the correct amount of brake force to stop the car in the distance available. If the gap’s too small, the car warns the driver early, who can then prepare to take avoiding action.

ABC Active Body Control is available for £2,310 and offers suspension that smothers bumps and corners with virtually no lean at all – some 40 per cent less than the previous system.

Night View Assist (from £1,200 (S 500)) infra-red headlights give main beam levels of vision even when dipped lights are used. The infra-red beams are picked up by a windscreen-mounted camera which then shows an enhanced image on a screen in front of the driver. Unlit, cold, warm, small or large objects are shown on the screen, improving safety for occupants and other road users.

Bi-xenon Active Light System headlights with cornering lamps (£1,100) swivel when cornering, allowing drivers to see up to 95 per cent further than fixed lights.

Other options include a state-of-the-art harman/kardon LOGIC7® audio system (£790) – the world’s first car factory fit audio system with certified Dolby Digital 5.1 status. Also featuring DTS, 14 speakers and 600 watts of amplification, the system takes in-car entertainment to another level.

Analogue and digital television is available for £820, and offers (when stationary) crystal clear free-to-air TV channels. A six-disc DVD changer is available for £530 and, if coupled with the surround sound system, brings a touch of the cinema to the car.

The relaxation continues with advanced multi-contour massaging seats – front £880, rear £880. As well as adjusting a number of ways to find the perfect level of support, there are four massage programs that give a realistic massage, thanks to their in-built piezo motors.

Full pricing, specification and option details are listed at the end of the release.

AMG Performance packs give even more punch

Enthusiastic owners of selected Mercedes-AMG models can now enjoy an even purer driving experience, thanks to the AMG Performance Pack. Available on
CLS 55 AMG, SL 55 AMG and SLK 55 AMG models, the Pack is available now.

The SLK 55 AMG pack costs £4,800 and takes its design cues from the F1 Safety Car. While the engine remains largely unchanged, the speed limiter is raised from 155 mph to 174 mph.

The brakes are uprated, too, to increase stopping power. Front composite brakes are internally ventilated and measure 360mm x 32mm. AMG Nürburgring suspension is stiffened to give more sporting characteristics, and an AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel in leather and Alcantara (developed specifically for the F1 Safety Car) allows better grip of the wheel.

Carbon fibre interior trim elements and 18" AMG multi-piece twin spoke alloy wheels complete the look: 7.5 x 18 with 225/40 R18s on the front; 8.5 x 18 with 245/35 R 18s on the rear.

The supercharged CLS 55 AMG also has an AMG Performance Pack, costing £7,000. As before, the speed limit is raised, this time to 186 mph. The composite front brakes measure 380 x 36 mm, while power is redistributed via a multi-disc limited slip differential with reinforced final drive unit. The F1-developed steering wheel is fitted and the car’s alloy wheels increase to 8.5 x 19 wheels and 255/35 R19 tyres on the front; 10 x 19 and 285/30 R19s on the rear.

The previously-launched SL 55 AMG’s kit adds to the CLS’s with an AMG front apron featuring larger air intakes and an extra oil cooler, and remains an option at £10,000.

COMAND your destiny with TMC

From January 2006, some Mercedes-Benz models fitted with COMAND or Audio 50 APS units will have an added feature: RDS-TMC (Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel).

The system works through the familiar Mercedes-Benz COMAND (Cockpit Management And Display) and Audio 50 APS units to update routes with traffic jam, road closure, accident or roadwork information, automatically diverting cars around the obstacle before being delayed.

As well as saving time by avoiding hold-ups, the new TMC system will work with the ergonomic interiors of Mercedes-Benz cars to help keep drivers and their passengers calm and collected – an important consideration in modern motoring conditions.

Existing cars are not necessarily precluded from this excellent technology. Many customers will be able to upgrade their current COMAND systems simply by purchasing a TMC-enabled navigation disc.

TMC is the latest in a long line of developments to COMAND which reinforces its position as a user-friendly system to control audio, navigation and mobile telephone calls.

To help keep drivers’ eyes on the road, COMAND is already available with LINGUATRONIC voice control, giving aural activation of most functions. CD tracks, radio stations, telephone calls and even destination details can all be changed and entered vocally.

Pan-European navigation is now possible in most models, with DVD-based COMAND giving mapping from London to Lisbon or Glasgow to Graz. Coupled with the forthcoming TMC system, Mercedes-Benz drivers will soon be able to drive across TMC-enabled European Union members without being hindered by the weight of traffic.

By adding TMC to their impressive list of comfort features, all models in the range will ensure that Mercedes-Benz drivers have the finest, smoothest, most traffic-free automotive experience available.

TMC will be introduced in the following models: CLS-Class, E-Class, the new S-Class from launch, and SL-Class, SLK-Class; in January 2006; other models to follow later in the year.

April 2006 pricing actions

As part of its annual inflationary pricing review, a modest price increase of an average of 1.4 per cent will be applied across the Mercedes-Benz range, on all cars registered on or after 1 April 2006. The R-Class and S-Class are not affected by this increase; nor is the CL-Class Coupé.

All cars registered before 1 April 2006 remain at current price levels.