Benz goes sporty on C-class special

MERCEDES-BENZ has moved to ramp up the appeal of its top-selling C-class by releasing a limited-edition Sports Package for four-cylinder petrol and diesel sedans and wagons.

Following on from its decision to release a limited-edition version of its four-door CLS ‘coupe’ from next month, the German importer has waved the extra-feature wand over the C-class, which accounts for about a third of all Mercedes-Benz sales in Australia.

The company’s limited production run of 800 C-class Sports Package cars – 600 sedans and 200 wagons – started to arrive in dealerships this week.

At $59,990, the C-class Sports Package tacks $2900 on to the price of the standard Mercedes C200 Kompressor sedan, but Mercedes-Benz Australia says the extra features add up to more than $5000 in additional value.

Externally, the Sports Package C-class models get the Avantgarde model’s sportier grille, with the three-pointed star integrated into the louvres, along with chrome highlights on the bumpers, lower door trims, boot lid handle and foglight surrounds.

Grey-tint tail-lights and unique 17-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior changes.

Left: The Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition.

Inside, the Sports Package adds ambient lighting, special upholstery, double cup-holder and stowage compartment in the rear central armrest and aluminium trim.

The Sports Package is restricted to three body colours – Obsidian Black metallic, Iridium Silver metallic and Calcite White (non-metallic).

The only optional extra available is a glass electric sunroof with tilt/slide function, priced at $3093 on the petrol C200K Saloon and Estate and $2379 on the C220 CDI model. This feature costs less on the diesel models because they qualify for Fuel Efficient Car exemption to the Luxury Car Tax (LCT).

Although Mercedes-Benz's overall sales volume has declined 18.4 per cent this year, C-class sales are holding up slightly better - down 17.8 per cent - in line with the decline in volume of its arch rival, BMW’s 3-Series.

So far this year, Mercedes’ C-class is leading the over-$60,000 medium-car class with a 38.9 per cent share, compared with the BMW 3-Series’ 30.5 per cent.

In February, Mercedes-Benz Australia raised eyebrows in the motor industry with its Let’s Talk discount advertising campaign, in which it said it needed to clear 2421 vehicles.

In an interview with GoAuto, Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director Horst von Sanden denied the discounting campaign would damage the Mercedes brand.

Today, Mr von Sanden said the arrival of the C-class Sports Package in showrooms was an extension of the customer value strategy that had been the cornerstone of the ongoing success the C-class since 2007.

“We have the opportunity to offer our C-class customers outstanding value with this tailor-made Sports Package on both C200K and C220 CDI models, saving them at least $5000 over a comparably equipped C-class.”

Mr von Sanden said the limited-edition version was the result of feedback from customers and motor industry awards experts.

Mercedes C-class Sports Package
C200 Kompressor Sports Package Saloon	$59,900
C200 Kompressor Sports Package Estate	$61,800
C220 CDI Sports Package Saloon	$62,700
C220 CDI Sports Package Estate	$64,200

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