Mercedes-Benz Holds Fast on 1999 Pricing
25 August 1998
Mercedes-Benz Holds Fast on 1999 Pricing Pricing Down 1.09 Percent on an Equipment-Adjusted Basis;
Overall Increase Held to 1.3 Percent
MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 25 -- Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc. today announced pricing for the 1999 model line, the most extensive line
of cars and light trucks ever offered by Mercedes-Benz in the United States.
The 1999 lineup features more than 20 models in eight distinct model lines.
There are four new models, which will be available at Mercedes-Benz
dealerships in early fall: the ML430 sport-utility vehicle and CLK430 coupe,
both powered by a new-generation 4-3-liter V8 engine; the CLK320 Cabriolet and
the C230 Kompressor, the latter powered by the supercharged engine from the
acclaimed SLK roadster.
While base-to-base pricing on several models has increased marginally,
additional standard equipment for 1999 translates into a price reduction for
most models on an equipment-adjusted basis. When adjusted for additional
standard equipment across the entire 1999 Mercedes-Benz line, there is a
1.09 percent reduction.
C-Class: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class sport sedan line, which received
significant enhancements last year, includes three models for 1999: the new
C230 Kompressor is powered by the supercharged engine from the SLK roadster;
the V6-powered C280 and the limited-production V8-powered C43. With a
suggested retail price of $31,200, the C230 Kompressor represents a
6.5 percent reduction from the 1998 C230 when adjusted for additional standard
equipment, including the high-performance engine, standard fall-range ASR
traction control (a $990 option in 1998), leather seating inserts and a
new-generation radio unit. The C280 has a suggested retail price of $35,600,
a 2.1 percent reduction when adjusted for additional equipment, and the C43,
at $53,000, is $250 higher than in 1998.
E-Class: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class line, which showcased the world's first
door-mounted side impact airbags in 1996, ups the ante again for 1999 with the
Windowbag Side Protection Curtain. The new safety system helps protect both
front and rear occupants in a side impact by extending protection from the
A-pillar to the C-pillar and is standard equipment in all 1999 E-Class sedans.
The E-Class line includes the E300 Turbodiesel sedan at $42,400, a
1.6 percent reduction when adjusted for equipment. The V6-powered E320 sedan,
the E320 wagon and V8-powered E430 sedan all have prices comparable to the
1998 models on an equipment-adjusted basis. The popular 4MATIC
all-wheel-drive system remains an option for the E320 sedan and wagon.
M-Class: The highly acclaimed Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport-utility vehicle
line adds a second model for 1999, the VS-powered ML430. Powered by a
268-horsepower V8, the ML430 includes as standard equipment the features from
the ML320's M1 option package (leather interior trim, digital trip computer,
privacy glass, 8-way power heated seats and other luxury amenities). Its
suggested retail price of $43,750 is sure to make it the best value in the top
of the luxury SUV segment where it competes with several truck-based models.
The award-winning V6 ML320 is $34,950 (a 1.5 percent equipment-adjusted net
reduction). Both M-Class models include as standard the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP), which can help prevent slides and spins on slippery road
surfaces.
CLK: The acclaimed CLK model line numbers three cars for 1999: the
V6-powered CLK320 coupe, priced at $40,600 (a 1.1 percent equipment-adjusted
net reduction); the all-new CLK320 Cabriolet priced at $47,200, and the
V8-powered CLK430 coupe, which includes standard ESP (a $1,000 option on the
other two CLK models) and an AMG-designed Sport package as standard equipment,
priced at $47,900.
SLK: For 1999, the chic SLK roadster gets a new five-speed manual
transmission and is priced at $40,000, an increase of less than one percent
compared to the 1998 model. The driver-adaptive five-speed automatic
transmission is now an option for $900. Last year, Mercedes-Benz had to
double production and increase allocation to the U.S. to keep up with demand
for the SLK, the only car in the world with an automatic retractable hardtop.
SL: The legendary SL coupe/roadster line gets significant enhancements for
1999. The SL500 model gets a new 5.0-liter V8, replacing a V8 of the same
displacement but offering a broader torque range and lower emissions. Both
the SL500 and the V12-powered SL600 get a redesigned interior with
new-generation radio/cassette head unit and, for even more impressive
handling, larger wheels and tires for 1999. The 1999 SL500 is $81,100
(3.0 percent decrease on an equipment-adjusted basis). The SL600 is priced at
$126,900, which is 1.1 percent higher than 1998 when adjusted for the
additional equipment.
S-Class: The 1999 S-Class premium luxury sedan line was released last
spring. Overall, pricing for the S-Class line is up one percent from 1998.
There are five S-Class sedans: the six-cylinder S320 standard and
long-wheelbase models; the V8-powered S420 and S500 and the limited-production
V12-powered S600 sedan (all long-wheelbase). Pricing for the 1999 S-Class
starts at $64,750.
CL: The incomparable 1999 CL premium luxury coupe models include the
V8-powered CL500 at $91,900 (the same as in 1998) and the limited-production,
V12-powered CL600 -- flagship of the Mercedes-Benz line -- at $137,300 (a
three percent increase from $133,300).
1999 MERCEDES-BENZ
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices
Model 1999 MSRP 1998 MSRP % Change % change,
equipment-
adjusted
C-Class Sedans
C230 Kompressor $31,200 $30,450 2.5 -6.5
C280 $35,600 35,400 0.6 -2.1
C43 $53,000 $52,750 0.5 0.0
E-Class Sedans and Wagon
E300 Turbodiesel $42,400 $41,800 1.4 -1.6
E320 Sedan $46,200 $45,500 1.5 0.1
E320 Sedan 4MATIC $48,990 $48,250 1.5 0.0
E320 Wagon $47,200 $46,500 1.5 -0.1
E320 Wagon 4MATIC $49,990 $49,250 1.5 -0.2
E430 Sedan $51,300 $50,600 1.3 -2.1
M-Class Sport-Utility
ML320 $34,950 $33,950 2.9 -1.5
ML430 $43,750 New for 1999 -- --
CLK-Class
CLK320 coupe $40,600 $39,850 1.9 -1.1
CLK320 Cabriolet $47,200 New for 1999 -- --
CLK430 coupe $47,900 New for 1999 -- --
SLK Roadster
SLK230 Kompressor $40,000 $39,700 0.75 1.8
CL-Class Coupes
CL500 $91,900 $91,900 0.0 0.0
CL600 $137,300 $133,300 3.0 3.0
SL Coupe/Roadsters
SL500 $81,100 $79,900 1.5 -3.0
SL600 $126,900 $125,000 1.5 1.1
S-Class Sedans
S320 standard wheelbase$64,750 $64,000 1.0 1.0
S320 long wheelbase $68,000 $67,300 1.0 1.0
S420 long wheelbase $73,900 $73,900 0.0 0.0
S500 long wheelbase $87,500 $87,500 0.0 0.0
S600 long wheelbase $134,250 $132,250 1.5 1.5
Destination charge for all models: $595
Federal Gas Guzzler tax:
SL500: $1,000
SL600: $2,600
S420: $1,300
S500: $1,700
S600: $3,000
CL500: $1,300
CL600: $2,600
