The best-selling model of the Mercedes-Benz car company, the C-class , was officially presented in a new generation today. The predecessor has sold around 2.4 million units since 2007, so the novelty has something to build on. That is why it has been redesigned from the ground up and has features never before seen in the given segment.
The first representative of the new generation of the C -Class is naturally a basic sedan, which is supposed to express sport-oriented luxury at first glance. Because of this, it clearly resembles the brand's flagship sedan, the S-Class . The basis of the new product was the MRA rear-wheel platform , on which the body, which makes extensive use of aluminum , is built. Most body panels are made of the same material. The result should be a car with a stiffer and safer construction, which is as a result up to 100 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. A lower center of gravity will give the driving characteristics a sportier feel. The overall aerodynamic efficiency of the model has also improved, where the smallest measured value can be Cd 0.24 in the case of the C 220 BlueTEC ECO model!
A pair of available masks remain from the predecessor, where the basic one is a classic grid with a small star on top, the second one is a large three-pointed star in the middle of the mask with two transverse slats. The car's headlights are equipped with H7 halogen bulbs as standard, while LED headlights are also available in static or adaptive form. The rear lights are made of LEDs in all cases.
The new generation has increased in size to offer more space to passengers and make room for the smaller CLA sibling. The specific dimensions compared to the predecessor look as follows: length 4,686mm (+95mm), wheelbase 2,840mm (+80mm), width 1,810mm (+40mm). There were also more liters in the luggage compartment, where 480 are now ready.
From the start of sales, the new Céčko will be available on the European market with three engines, all of which are equipped with the ECO start/stop system, comply with Euro 6 , enjoy up to 20% lower consumption and are stored longitudinally . The basis is the C 180 with a four-cylinder gasoline engine with a volume of 1.6 l, an output of 156 hp and a stated combined consumption of 5.0 l/100 km . A more powerful variant is the C 200 with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that provides 184 hp and a fuel consumption of 5.3 l/100 km . The diesel units will then be replaced by the C 220 BlueTEC model with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder , 170 hp and 4.0 l/100 km consumption.
Later, we will see a special 16-litre C 180 ECO Edition , while on the other side of the spectrum, a six-cylinder unit with a capacity of 333 hp will appear. There will also be other diesel engines in the form of a 1.6l four-cylinder in a version with 115k and 280Nm or 136k and 320Nm . The larger 2.2l four-cylinder engine will receive variants with 204 horsepower and the BlueEFFICIENCY Edition with 170 horsepower . The hybrid drive system will be represented by the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid model with a four-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 150 hp and a small electric motor with an additional 27 hp; consumption in this case will be 3.7l/100km . The plan is also to introduce a plug-in hybrid class C.
All four-cylinders will be equipped with a six-speed manual as standard, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic 7G-TRONIC PLUS will also be available. As standard, these transmissions drive the rear wheels , the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system is also available. The car's suspension is completely new, with steel springs as standard. These can be equipped with shock absorbers with variable DIRECT CONTROL effect. They will offer a comfort mode, which in the AVANTGARDE version gets a sporty touch, and a sports mode. The latter will reduce the car's ground clearance by 15 millimeters . For the first car in its class, the owner of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will also be able to order AIRMATIC air suspension on both axles. This will be equipped with a ground clearance function and the ability to switch modes in ECO, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ or Individual modes. The advantage is the standard electromechanical Direct Steer control , which changes its stiffness and steepness depending on the speed and angle of turning the steering wheel.
The interior of the novelty was designed to offer more space in all directions and create a luxurious impression with a touch of sportiness. Mercedes-Benz engineers focused on reducing noise in the cabin, which they achieved not only by better sound insulation, but also by optimizing the sound effect of lowering the windows and others. At first glance, the large screen of the multimedia system on the top of the dashboard catches the eye. It basically has a diagonal of 7" , and when the customer orders the car with the additional COMAND Online system, the diagonal increases to 8.4" . The driver controls the output of the screen with a classic rotary controller, above which is located a new touchpad , which recognizes not only certain gestures, but also letters, numbers and special characters. And in all languages! A pleasant novelty is the head-up display , which projects information about speed, speed limits, navigation and more onto the windshield.
Of course, the new product did not forget about the safety equipment, which is the richest in the segment and represents elements that only recently appeared in the flagship S class . Attention Assist , Adaptive Brake Assist or Collision Prevention Assist Plus systems are standard for Céčko . For an additional fee, it is possible to get Distronic Plus including Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot , BAS Plus Brake Assist System or Active Lane Keeping Assist . In addition, it is possible to get Active Parking Assist , which parks transversely and longitudinally, a camera with 360° coverage, Traffic Sign Assist with Wrong-Way Assist and Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus .
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class should already be available to order at all brand dealers in selected markets. Official prices with the first three engines in neighboring Germany start at 33,558 euros for the C 180 , 36,414 euros for the C 200 and 38,675 euros for the C 220 ; all including 19% VAT. The car will have its exhibition premiere next month at the Detroit Auto Show . Later in 2014, a station wagon body variant should be introduced, and probably also an all-new cabriolet . A year later, we will see a liftback that will reportedly get an extended chassis and attack the BMW 3 GT and Audi A5 Sportback . Also in this generation we will see a derivative coupe and a sharp C63 AMG with a twin-turbocharged V8 (5.5l, 525k), but we do not yet know the date of their introduction.
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Source: Mercedes-Benz, caranddriver.com, worldcarfans.com, motorauthority.com
