WITH diesel models taking 60% of the four-wheel drive market, Mercedes-Benz expects the ML270 CDI to take the lion's share of the range's sales. The company expects to sell about 6,000 in the UK during 2000 - up on 1999's total of 4,000.

Dermot Kelly, director of passenger cars for Mercedes-Benz, said: 'Due to the UK market for four-wheel drives being 60% diesel, we need the ML270 if we are to really move forward - we see this as an important niche. We also see the user-chooser market as a tempting one for the ML270, where its low depreciation and excellent fuel consumption will mean attractive leasing rates.'

The ML270 is the first launch for the company in 2000 and will be followed in the spring by the revised SLK range and two new additions to the S-class - the S600 flagship and the S320 CDI common rail turbodiesel. Summer will also see the all-new C-class range launched and in September the M-class gets another new model - the awesome ML55 AMG powered by a 5.5-litre V8 engine producing 350bhp, 0-62mph in 6.9 secs and a 144mph top speed.