Larger, higher and in possession of a cabin borrowed from the S-Class, the infant Benz is all grown up now.
Mercedes Benz first launched the C-Class in India again in 2001. Placed on sale at a princely sum of Rs 21 lakh, the W203 featured a strong construct, a standard rail diesel engine and dynamics that managed to be each consolation oriented and sporty on the similar time. Generally known as the infant S-Class, as a result of it had an nearly an identical rear finish, it kick-started India’s love affair with the C-Class, and Mercedes India hasn’t regarded again since. Now 20 years and three full generations on, with a number of thousand vehicles bought in between, Mercedes is again with the all-new C-Class or W206, and from what we are able to inform, it deserves the infant S-Class tag much more. However simply how a lot better is it in comparison with the sooner W205? And does it ship what Indian consumers need of their luxurious automobile? Simply a few of the questions answered beneath.
2022 Mercedes C-Class: recent tackle the compact luxurious sedan
The brand new C is a child S. Place one above the opposite in profile, stretch the C-Class, and what you get is a close to mirror picture. It’s that shut. And the rears are much more of a match. The wedge-shaped rear, the slimline tail-lights, the clear and compact boot, they’re indistinguishable from one another. And that, after all, is not by chance. A method Mercedes has used efficiently up to now, that the C-Class is simple to confuse with the S-Class, is clearly intentional.
The nostril, nonetheless, is sort of completely different, particularly on this AMG kit-equipped model. The AMG grille is wider on the base, there’s a shark-like overbite that appears neat, and whereas the common automobile will get vertical slats, the AMG line will get a star sample. What additionally will get my consideration is the sporty profile; the lengthy bonnet dips down in an nearly Maserati-like method, and with the cabin pushed properly again, a distinguished aspect skirt and larger AMG wheels, the C300d appears the enterprise. Yeah, bear in mind when vehicles regarded good… and never simply imposing?
The C-Class, after all, retains its rear wheel drive structure and there’s an up to date four-link suspension on the entrance and the multi-link rear will get a chassis-mounted subframe. Rear wheel steering is out there on this automobile in different markets, particularly on sportier fashions, however we don’t get the characteristic in India.
The brand new C comes with three engine choices, all of which have a 48V Built-in Starter Generator. Basically a gentle hybrid system that makes use of a motor/generator to wind again energy to a battery after which present an electrical increase, the automobile sends again 20hp or 200Nm of torque through the e-motor. It’s the primary time this tech makes its debut on a diesel engine in India and helps make each diesels very environment friendly; the 220d has an ARAI-certified gasoline effectivity of 23kpl, with even the 300d recording 20.37kpl. The C200 petrol will get a determine of 16.9kpl.
As is the norm at this time with many carmakers, the badge seldom matches the capability of the engine. So right here the C200 is a 1.5-litre direct injection turbo petrol with 204hp and 300Nm of torque, the C220d is a 2.0 litre diesel that will get 200hp and 440Nm of torque, and the C300d is identical engine with extra increase, which makes a really robust 265hp and 550Nm of torque.
2022 Mercedes C-Class: just like the S-Class on the within too
The primary clue that this automobile makes use of an up to date chassis comes while you shut the door. Sure, the well-known Mercedes ‘thunk’ is there, however isn’t fairly the identical. The sound is a bit muted right here, and the door would not really feel fairly as heavy. The construct, nonetheless, nonetheless feels implausible, and the door slots proper in with millimetre precision.
As soon as inside, a little bit of disorientation units in; is that this the S-Class or the C-Class? The cabins are so shut, it’s price remembering that the C-Class has round vents; C for round. The illuminated vents are excellent to take a look at and a pleasure to make use of; particularly the twist to shut perform that clicks house sweetly while you shut it. What grabs my consideration subsequent is the gorgeous AMG steering wheel with the piano black spokes. It will get capacitive contact buttons which are fiddly to make use of, however grip on the steering wheel is implausible and it feels simply the appropriate dimension.
Additionally a part of the AMG pack is the metallic carbon-fibre end that appears simply gorgeous. And what I completely love is the deconstructed sprint. This contains all method of ‘floating’ parts, and even the door pads with their scooped out sections look gorgeous. Particularly just like the floating door deal with with its comfortable contact buttons and LED lighting.
What helps brighten up the cabin and flood it with comfortable gentle is the large sunroof. Want the capacitive contact controls weren’t used right here too; they’re cool, however performance, once more, is poor. You have to slide your finger alongside the size to get the sunroof to open, however this solely works typically, which will be galling, particularly on the transfer. And whereas I’m ranting,I don’t a lot take care of the pinstripe sprint on the non-AMG automobile, which to me solely kind of works.
My consideration subsequent drifts to the luxurious 11.9-inch portrait-oriented display… that once more, just like the S-Class, is breathtaking. The sharpness, color and distinction are all implausible and performance is first price too. And, wow, doesn’t the wi-fi Apple CarPlay look grand right here. Just like the S-Class, the display additionally will get touchscreen-based aircon controls that stay static right here. That is good. No, you possibly can’t ‘really feel’ the buttons, nor can you employ them whereas wanting elsewhere, however you don’t have to dive right into a menu to get to them both, and that’s an enormous plus.
This automobile additionally will get some fascinating options like fingerprint-based biometric authentication. It lights up blue and mechanically selects your profile; neat. And also you additionally get a high flight Burmester audio 3D encompass system, whereas the Mercedes Me app now will get further options like distant cabin cooling, and a number of different common related options, together with cloud connectivity. The latter permits a number of Mercedes vehicles to share alerts on rain, site visitors and even requires help. And also you get additionally get Energetic Brake Help, which is a bit oversensitive for our circumstances.
Cooled seats, nonetheless, are absent on this automobile after which while you wish to modify the powered entrance seats, the seat pictograms on the doorways aren’t very practical. Push them and so they don’t transfer, and there’s no haptic suggestions both, so that you’re unsure if the buttons are working or not.
Discovering a snug driving place, nonetheless, is simple. The entrance seats are massive, they supply good lateral assist and since there isn’t a lot pedal offset, regardless of the large gearbox, the driving place of the C-Class feels fairly pure. Consolation ranges within the again are a lot improved too. The brand new C will get 21mm extra legroom, because of the longer wheelbase. Nonetheless, the seat is a bit low, a bit extra legroom would have gone down properly and a 3rd passenger won’t be comfy. There aren’t any aircon controls within the again and headroom for tall passengers may very well be tight. You do get blinds throughout and the rear blind is electrically operated. There’s even a nifty cellphone holder that pops out from the elbow relaxation. Whereas the rear of the brand new C is clearly an enchancment over the sooner C-Class, which was extra cramped and got here with a smaller seat, this nonetheless isn’t the automobile to purchase if you’ll be predominantly chauffeur-driven.
So far as practicality goes, you get a very good quantity of storage within the large door pockets, the area within the central console has been cleverly designed to carry a cellphone securely and cost it, and with the adjustable cup holders, you will be certain your drink is safe. You, nonetheless, get just one USB C port upfront and two within the elbow field; rear passengers don’t get any. The 455-litre boot isn’t class main, and whereas it’s huge and deep, the spare tyre sits right here and takes up a whole lot of area. You’ll be able to flip the rear seats down on the contact of a button and open up extra room.
2022 Mercedes C-Class: sharper drive, but it surely’s nonetheless a Merc
Get behind the wheel of the brand new C-Class and you may inform it is completely different from the phrase go. Lighter on its toes, it feels taut, responsive and keen to vary route. This doesn’t come on the expense of straight line stability. In truth, in a straight line, it feels rock strong at the same time as speeds rise. It shows phenomenal physique management over undulating roads after which what elevates the driving expertise is that the steering is fast, direct and provides you an actual sense of join. Mercedes at this time clearly are the gold normal relating to electrical steering techniques. In tighter corners, the steering can be fast off centre, physique management is implausible after which, even while you hurl it right into a nook, it stays steady and stoic. As traction within the rear begins to fade, it means that you can appropriate simply and benefit from the rear wheel drive dealing with.
There’s no Sport plus on supply right here, however the C300d does slacken the ESP in Sport and this makes driving it quickly much more thrilling. Want the brakes supplied extra preliminary chew and confidence although; the usually comfort-oriented Mercedes brake set-up is a bit comfortable initially and this doesn’t actually assist while you wish to ‘really feel’ your means right into a nook.
Including to the driving expertise is the 265hp diesel. Responses within the midrange are robust, the engine likes to rev; after which what makes it enjoyable to drive is that it has super grunt. Faucet the throttle at nearly any engine velocity and the C-Class simply shoots ahead, and the 9-speed automated retains you properly within the powerband. Energy supply isn’t spiky as on most BS6 diesels, and this masks velocity and catches you off guard. In truth, with a lot torque underneath foot, 500Nm from the diesel and an additional 200Nm from the electrical motor, it typically appears like you’ve gotten a a lot bigger engine pushing you ahead. And it’s fast, how a couple of claimed 0-100kph time of 5.7 seconds; and it feels faster nonetheless at instances. What’s additionally good is that in Sport, it holds on to gears for longer and even downshifts for you as you brake exhausting. Whereas the diesel is sort of silent and refined for probably the most half, there’s a little bit of a grumble at idle, and prolong it to the redline and it does drone a bit. Whereas that is solely to be anticipated, a six cylinder would clearly have been smoother and extra refined, particularly certainly one of Merc’s creamy straight sixes.
We additionally drove the C200 petrol. The 1.5-litre engine could also be small but it surely makes 204hp, and manages properly at small throttle openings. Drive it in a relaxed method and the engine and e-boost really handle fairly properly collectively and the underside finish is responsive. Ask for extra energy, nonetheless, put your proper foot down and it doesn’t ship the efficiency in a fast or seamless method. Missing in cubic capability, the mid-range isn’t the strongest round. It must be revved to assist it ship extra efficiency, and whereas the efficiency is there, when you get the engine spinning sooner, it tends to really feel strained and a contact noisy at increased revs. Including to that is the truth that the gearbox isn’t too fast on the draw after which simply because the engine will get into its stride, the gearbox shifts up at a modest 6,100rpm. So it’s finest to drive the C200 in a relaxed and laid again method.
On its 18-inch wheels, the C300d rides properly when you up the tempo. It rounds off uneven surfaces properly, the C-Class rides flat and it doesn’t get tossed round within the least. In truth, over undulating hill roads it shows nothing wanting phenomenal physique management, permitting us to hold on, and even add energy. Nonetheless trip at decrease speeds is a bit agency and busy, particularly for a Merc. Some sharp edged bumps do thump by means of and the C-Class can be upset by bigger craters and potholes because the comparatively quick journey suspension battle when better wheel excursions are referred to as for. The C200 petrol, on its smaller 17-inch wheels, does trip higher. The taller sidewalls absorb extra of the bumps after which the set-up doesn’t appear to be fairly as sporty because the C300d.
2022 Mercedes C-Class: First impressions
The New C-Class has advanced in some ways; cleaner, greener and extra luxurious on the within, it’s a large step ahead. All fashions include a 48V hybrid system, the brand new cabin is extra spacious and luxuriously appointed… after which there’s that vast S-Class display, and all of the tech that comes with it. Even agility and dealing with are in one other league. The petrol engine, usually the one to purchase if you need efficiency, nonetheless, left us wanting: take a look at the 300d if you need extra grunt. Then, the spare tyre that sits exterior the wheel-well takes up a whole lot of area within the boot, and of even better concern is that, with all the brand new tech and top quality bits the brand new C-Class is prone to be priced between Rs 55 lakh-60 lakh and a bit extra. So sure, whereas there’s by no means been a C-Class that has moved the purpose posts fairly as a lot, and in some ways it is a child S-Class, quite a bit is dependent upon how Mercedes chooses to cost it. One factor’s for certain, this clearly is the perfect C-Class ever, one that may rattle the competitors. Be ready to need one.
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New Mercedes-Benz C-class video assessment
