MERCEDES-BENZ Australia has signalled how serious it is about diesel engines by importing the C320 CDI as its range-topping C-class model, at least until the C63 AMG arrives next March. Its decision to use the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel to power its most sought-after C-class instead of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that is available in Europe has raised some eyebrows. The available figures support the decision made by Mercedes-Benz Australia. The diesel six-cylinder pumps out a reasonable 165kW and a hefty 510Nm of torque. Such numbers are usually followed by unpleasant fuel consumption figures, but not in the case of the C320. When tested to the ADR81/01 standard, the C320 uses 7.6L/100km of city and highway driving. The C320 is the second diesel in the C-class range, joining the C220 which uses a four-cylinder engine. Sitting at the top of the range, the C320 costs $92,800, which is $7826 more than the C280 petrol V6. It comes with the same high level of specification as the C280, but adds three-zone climate-control.