The new C-Class will be
launched in spring 2011 and
is a comprehensive
modernisation. The front and
rear sections of this best
selling model have a more
striking design. There is
now a high-resolution colour
display screen in the
instrument cluster, an
elegant new dashboard with
grained surface and
prominent decorative trim
emphasising the premium
character of the interior.
Fuel consumption has been
improved by up to 31 per
cent. Efficiency-enhancing
measures including new
engines, the improved
7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic
transmission and the ECO
start/stop function also
feature. Ten new driving
assistance systems ranging
from the standard ATTENTION
ASSIST drowsiness detection
system to the optional
DISTRONIC PLUS proximity
control system are also now
available for this model
series for the first time.
"In terms of drive and
protection systems the
new-generation C-Class
offers the same comfort and
safety as our luxury
models. High-grade interior
features remind one of the
new CLS, the C-Class sets
completely new standards in
its segment with respect to
perceived value and
quality," says Dr. Joachim
Schmidt, Sales & Marketing
Director at Mercedes-Benz
Cars. This interior
modernisation is
supplemented with a new
telematics generation that
not only includes completely
redesigned displays, but
also makes onboard internet
access available.
A total of more than 2,000
new components distinguish
the latest generation of the
Mercedes-Benz C-Class from
its predecessor. The UK
market launch of the Saloon
and Estate versions will
take place in March 2011.
The C-Class is the
highest-selling model series
for Mercedes-Benz. The
current series has found
well over one million buyers
worldwide since its launch
in March 2007 (98,000 UK
sales). Since the
introduction of the first
C-Class in 1982 (then known
as the model 190),
Mercedes-Benz has sold more
than 8.5 million vehicles in
total in this segment. In
2010 too, the C-Class has
repeatedly won top places in
the registration statistics.
Dynamic, resolute,
self-assured: the exterior
The front bumper has more
expressive and dynamic
contours, with the front
section being brought in
line with the brand's new
design idiom. The radiator
grille surround is now more
prominent. The central air
intake opens out upwards in
a V-shape, forming a visual
base unit for the radiator
grille. Pronounced side
sections extend from the
sporty V-shape at the centre
of the bumper. Continuing
beneath the headlamps, these
sections blend into the
feature lines along the
vehicle flanks, linking the
front section with the
sides. The side air inlets
in the bumper are positioned
low down, giving the car a
more road-hugging
appearance.
The Saloon and Estate now
have a new aluminium bonnet,
which contributes to weight
reduction and therefore
enhances fuel efficiency.
Its contour in the area of
the headlamps and radiator
grille emphasises the
V-shape of the front section
more heavily than before. In
conjunction with the newly
designed headlamps, this
gives the front section a
more resolute impression.
The shape of the clear-lens
headlamps has been modified
to create a more dynamic and
resolute impression, and to
act together with the
bonnet, radiator grille and
bumper to emphasise the
V-shape of the front
section. This impression is
reinforced by both the
exterior form of the
headlamps and the interior
of the housings. The
headlamps show their
modernity by precision and
an interplay between matt
and high-sheen areas. The
halogen headlamps are
arranged in the classic way,
with low beam on the
outside, high beam on the
inside and the indicators
neatly arranged in the outer
corner formed with the front
wing.
If the optional bi-xenon
headlamps with the
Intelligent Light System (ILS)
are specified, the
impression of depth is
reinforced by a row of
lighting modules. A position
light with a distinctive
C-shape emphasises the night
design. Behind it is a
cornering light extending to
the main headlamp module on
the outside. All three
levels are connected by a
transverse strip extending
through the complete
headlamp interior with dark
contrasts, shiny areas and
matt areas. A visual base in
the lower section of the
headlamp is formed by a
horizontal broadband LED
indicator unit. The
horizontal LED daytime
running lamps in the bumper
also make the C-Class
unmistakable from a
distance.
In the case of the rear
bumper, the light-catching
contours and dividing lines
have been modified to
emphasise the width of the
Saloon and Estate even more
strongly. This change is
particularly obvious in the
more steeply rising course
of the side light-catching
contours towards the tail
lights. A continuous
light-catching contour at
the upper end of the rear
bumper extends into the
flanks to connect the rear
end with the sides to
emphasise the sporty
character of the rear
aspect. In the latest model,
the tail lights are even
more neatly integrated into
the rear section by a
continuous covering lens.
The characteristic surface
meander is now on the inside
of the light, and
reminiscent of preceding
model series. The particular
impression of depth is
achieved by a centrally
located LED indicator, which
appears to float in front of
the red upper and lower
light bands with their more
deeply set LEDs. The tail
lights have a particularly
high recognition factor in
the dark.
The aerodynamics of the
C-Class are a mark of the
bodyshell's efficiency. With
a Cd figure of 0.26 it not
only sets the benchmark in
its class, but also glides
through the wind better than
most compact cars with its
drag area of Cd x A = 0.57
sq. m.
Sporty, high-quality
interior
The main focus of the design
work in the interior was on
restyling the dashboard with
its integrated screen and
new surface grain. The touch
surfaces of the controls are
now also more finely
detailed and galvanised. A
stepped extension to the
instrument cluster now also
accommodates the central
display. The instrument
cluster and a discreet
light-catching contour
continue into the front
passenger side while the
central, trapezoidal air
vents and the round vents on
the outside are highlighted
in detail by galvanised
trim.
The large section of trim is
an important part of the
newly designed dashboard.
This extends from the centre
air vents across the front
passenger side to the outer
air vent, while the lower
edge of the upper dashboard
section continues into the
beltlines of the door panels
with a new surface grain.
The control panel of the
new-generation communication
and information unit has
keys with high-gloss surface
inserts. The combination of
keys, high-gloss areas and a
new knurled wheel design
accentuates the enhanced
interior. In conjunction
with the new generation
telematics generation, the
C-Class is now available
with a high-resolution
colour display in the
instrument cluster.
More power, lower
consumption: the engines
An improvement of up to 31
per cent has been achieved
in fuel consumption and all
C-Class launch models will
feature the ECO start/stop
function as standard. All
the engine variants are now
classed as BlueEFFICIENCY
units, showing that they are
particularly efficient and
environmentally compatible
in their use of fuel. In
future all automatic
versions will feature the
further-developed 7G-TRONIC
PLUS
seven-speed automatic
transmission. In addition,
the overall ratio of all new
powertrain variants has been
optimised for better fuel
economy.
All the petrol engines in
the model series have direct
injection. One of the
highlights is the
introduction of the new V6
petrol engine with its
innovative and highly
efficient BlueDIRECT process
in the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY.
The quantum leap in
efficiency is particularly
well illustrated by the
six-cylinder
unit: Power has increased
considerably, the C 350
BlueEFFICIENCY delivering
306 hp and 370 Nm
(previously 292 hp and 365
Nm).
The four-cylinder petrol
engines, which made a great
evolutionary leap forward
in 2009 and all feature
direct injection and
turbocharging and excel with
high performance and
exemplary economy.
All C-Class petrol models at
a glance
|
Model* |
Cyl. |
cc |
hp
at rpm |
Nm from
rpm |
0-62
mph (s) |
Top speed
mph |
MPG
NEDC
comb. |
CO2
g/km |
|
C 180 BE |
4/in-line |
1796 |
156
5000 |
250
1600 |
8.9
(9.0) |
138
(140) |
44.1
(42.2) |
148-160
(157-169) |
|
C 250 BE |
4/in-line |
1796 |
204
5500 |
310
2000 |
7.2 |
149 |
44.1 |
150-161 |
|
C 350 BE |
V6 |
3498 |
306
6500 |
370
3500 |
6.0 |
155 |
41.5 |
159-164 |
BE = BlueEFFICIENCY, *
figures for automatic
transmission, manual
transmission in brackets
The most economical model in
the Mercedes C-Class range
has also become even more
frugal: the C 220 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY with the
manual six-speed
transmission and the
standard ECO start/stop
function. This corresponds
to 117 grams of CO2
per kilometre. In
conjunction with the
improved 7G-TRONIC PLUS
automatic transmission and
the ECO start/stop function
included as standard, the C
220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C
250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY both
deliver
top-class figures with a
combined diesel consumption
of 58.8 mpg. This
corresponds to CO2
emissions of 125 grams per
kilometre.
All C-Class diesel models at
a glance
|
Model* |
Cyl. |
cc |
hp
at rpm |
Nm
from
rpm |
0-62
mph (s) |
Top
speed
mph |
MPG
NEDC
comb. |
CO2
g/km |
|
C 200 CDI BE |
4/in-line |
2143 |
136
2800 |
360
1600 |
9,1
(9.2) |
134
(135) |
56.5
(58.9) |
129-140
(125-139) |
|
C 220 CDI BE |
4/in-line |
2143 |
170
3000 |
400
1400 |
8.1
(8.4) |
143
(144) |
58.9
(64.2) |
125-136
(117-133) |
|
C 250 CDI BE |
4/in-line |
2143 |
204
4200 |
500
1600 |
7.1 |
149 |
58.9
(55.4) |
125-136
(125-140) |
BE = BlueEFFICIENCY, *
figures for automatic
transmission, manual
transmission in brackets
