MERCEDES-BENZ has debuted the most recent technology of its C-Class sedan and wagon with the volume-selling mid-sizer set to usher in a raft of styling, expertise, platform and powertrain updates when it arrives Down Below within the fourth quarter of this yr.
Now resembling one thing of a shrunken E-Class, the brand new C-Class has grown significantly in comparison with the present mannequin, with the sedan measuring in at 4751mm lengthy (+65mm), 2033mm huge (+3mm) and 1438mm tall (-9mm) whereas the wheelbase has been stretched by 25mm to 2865mm.
The entrance and rear tracks have additionally been widened by 19mm (1582mm) and 48mm (1594mm) respectively with the platform itself being an up to date model of the acquainted MRA platform, optimised to higher cater for electrification measures – all C-Courses are actually fitted with a 48V delicate hybrid system and an built-in starter-generator (ISG).
Three engines will likely be out there from launch – two petrol and one diesel – earlier than the inevitable high-performance and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variations come alongside later.
To begin with, all the engines will likely be four-cylinder mills with the vary opening with a turbocharged 1.5-litre pinched from the up to date E-Class vary.
In C180 guise, the little four-banger develops 125kW of energy and 250Nm of torque with an extra 15kW/200Nm contributed by the ISG (identical as on all variants).
Whereas there may be certain to be some variation between physique types, Mercedes says the entry-level mill will propel the C-Class from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds and drink between 6.2-7.2 litres of gas per 100km on the WLTP cycle.
The C200 variants will utilise the identical engine albeit in the next state of tune, this time creating 150kW/300Nm.
Gas financial system for the C200 is rated at between 6.3-7.6L/100km relying on the drive kind (rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive) whereas the 0-100km/h instances additionally fluctuate from 7.1-7.5s.
On the high of the petrol vary is the C300 which ups the displacement to 2.0 litres and in flip the facility and torque, creating 190W/400Nm.
Identical to the C200, drive is shipped to both the rear or all 4 wheels with each the two-wheel drive and all-paw 4Matic finishing the 0-100km/h dash in 6.0s.
Gas financial system is a bit more assorted nevertheless, starting from 6.6-7.9L/100km relying on the variant.
As for the diesels, simply the one engine is being supplied from launch however in two states of tune, each paired with the aforementioned ISG.
Within the C220d, the two.0-litre turbo oil-burner develops 147kW/440Nm and sips between 4.9-5.6L/100km whereas the gruntier C300d churns out 195kW/550Nm, ingesting between 5.0-5.6L/100km within the course of.
Efficiency smart, the C220d will cease the clock from 0-100km/h in 7.3s (7.4s for wagon) whereas the C300d roves the athlete of the vary, stopping the clock in 5.7s (5.8s for wagon).
All variants will likely be paired to an up to date nine-speed automated transmission.
Shortly after the preliminary launch, Mercedes says it would launch a collection of each petrol and diesel PHEV powertrains centred across the 2.0-litre engines detailed above.
Paired to a 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery, the PHEV powertrains will develop 95kW of pure-electric energy and 440Nm of torque and will ship an all-electric vary of as much as 100km.
The claimed all-electric high velocity in the meantime is 140km/h.
When the battery is depleted, it may well reportedly be recharged in simply half-hour when hooked as much as a 55kW DC charger.
Identical to the powertrains, expertise throughout the cabin and infotainment programs have been stepped up, primarily although the inclusion of the second-generation MBUX system lifted straight out of the brand new S-Class.
Gone are the twin 10.25-inch screens and of their place – in entrance of the driving force not less than – resides a brand new freestanding 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (non-compulsory 12.3-inch) whereas the infotainment display screen has been reoriented (to vertical) and moved down on the centre fascia.
Measuring 9.5 inches in diameter (11.9-inch possibility), the brand new display screen is underlined by a skinny row of key drive-mode and HVAC controls and is complemented by a very button-free centre console dashboard – save for the beginning/cease button.
Above the display screen are three air vents set into an virtually floating higher sprint panel.
Whereas native pricing and specification ranges are but to be revealed, world normal gear highlights embody alloy wheels (17- to 19-inch relying on variant), ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice recognition, over-the-air software program updates and LED ‘Excessive Efficiency’ headlights.
In keeping with Daimler and Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, the hole between the volume-selling C-Class and the flagship S-Class is shrinking when it comes to expertise and normal gear.
“The C-Class is already our best-selling saloon,” he stated.
“Nonetheless, I’m sure our new C-Class will excite much more clients with a variety of high-tech options derived from our flagship S-Class.
“With the latest-generation MBUX, rear-axle steering (non-compulsory) and complete electrification, our most profitable mannequin vary will as soon as once more elevate the bar as probably the most subtle providing in its section.”
The present C-Class has had a triumphant begin to 2021, occupying 41.8 per cent of all $40,000-plus medium automobile gross sales final month with 398 models shifted – greater than double the quantity of BMW 3 Collection’ (139/14.6%).
