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New ADR regulations have cleared the way for Mercedes to offer sports suspension across a wider range of vehicles. But that's not all -- the simple changes could open the doors to the hottest production Benz ever to come Down Under.

The change affects ADR 43.04 Vehicle Configuration and Dimensions which includes regulations related to the minimum permissible ground clearance of production vehicles. Under the new regulations, the previous 100mm clearance specified under ADR 43.03 has been deleted and replaced by a regulated 'running clearance.'

Running clearance measures the car's clearance when unladen, rather than the previous rule that required the car to be loaded to gross vehicle mass.

ADRs affecting exhaust discharge (ADR42.04) and mudflaps (ADR42.04) on offroad passenger vehicles were harmonised to match European regs as part of the package of changes.

The immediate result of the main change will be the availability of sports suspension across the new W204 C-Class range. The suspension, which will be offered as part of Benz's AMG Sport Pack for the new midsizer, drops the car around 15mm over standard.

As part of the change, Mercedes will also now also be able to offer its Dynamic Handling Package for C-Class for the first time. Like the systems offered on larger Benz models, this set-up includes multi-mode electronically adjusted dampers.

Mercedes-Benz Australia confirmed the change at yesterday's local launch of the new C 320 CDI C-Class range-topper (more here).

Though details are still to be finalised, it's understood that the sports suspension will be included in the optional AMG Sports Package ($12,000 for C 200 K and C 220 CDI; $6300 in the case C280 and C320 CDI) at no additional cost. No price has been announced for Dynamic Handling Package yet.

The latter also includes 're-mapped' steering assistance in overseas configurations.

The ADR change was lobbied by Mercedes-Benz's local engineering compliance team, however, in the longer term it will also benefit other marques -- including some of the more exotic brands.

It will also potentially open the way for the three-pointed star to add some more exotic models to its local line-up.

It's been strongly rumoured that Mercedes is looking to add the supersport CLK Black Edition to its local line-up. Though the ground clearance changes are not sufficient to 'rubber stamp' the arrival of the limited edition V8-powered hotshoe two-door, the Carsales Network understands that relatively simple engineering changes to the model ex-factory could now see it comply with the Australian regulations and therefore be able to be registered Down Under.

Benz insiders say the car is now a better than even chance to arrive Down Under, perhaps as early as the first half of 2008.

"There's still a way to go, but we're working on a business case for the car," one source told the Carsales Network.

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