Sleek and not for the meek

Elegant orchestral music and beautiful women created the backdrop at the launch of Mercedes-Benz's eighth-generation S-Class luxury vehicle yesterday.

Jutta Aulich, chief operating officer of Mercedes-Benz China, said the carmaker was hoping to sell the new model to people over 35. The new version is replacing a model series that sold 500,000 units around the world between 1998 and 2005, of which 3,000 were sold in Hong Kong. The S350L is selling for $1.28 million and the S500L for $1.49 million.