A glittering evening

About 200 guests attended the event at which the newest models to wear the famous Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star were unveiled - the second-generation A-Class and the sensational CLS-Class four-door, four-seater coupe.

However, the newcomers were not the only cars to wow the audience as also on display were an awesome Mercedes SLR McLaren high performance sports car - worth a cool £325,000 on the road - and the world's most luxurious production car, the mighty Maybach 57.

Celebrity chef James Martin, from Winchester, was also in attendance with his stunning 1955 300SL Gullwing.

Guest of honour was the Mayor of Winchester, Cecily Sutton, who welcomed Mercedes-Benz's arrival in the city.

She said: "Throughout auto-motive history, cars sporting the three-pointed star have been synonymous with prestige, style and luxury.

"Now, following a successful construction programme, Mercedes vehicles have a retail outlet embracing those hallmarks in this city.

"To consider this new facility to be just another dealership does not really do justice to the careful thought and planning that has gone into the design."

Mercedes-Benz of Winchester began trading in December and its impressive facilities include an eight-car showroom, extensive approved used display area and a state-of-the-art service department featuring eight workbays and the latest diagnostic technology.

Michael Wilson, managing director of Pentagon, which owns the Winchester operation and its sister sites in Southampton, Portsmouth and Chichester, said the opening of the new site was an important landmark for the group.

"It enables us to better cater for our valued customers who come from the north of our territory," he said.

"Not only have we got a superb location but we've also assembled an excellent team with many years' Mercedes-Benz service between them to take the business forward and deliver customer service standards of the highest order."