The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Sheer attraction

The all-new C-Class heralds a new chapter in the C-Class success story and sets new standards in the premium medium-luxury segment. Thanks to an intelligent lightweight-design concept boasting weight savings of up to 100 kilograms, excellent aerodynamics and new economical engines, the C-Class establishes new efficiency benchmarks in its segment. A host of new assistance systems offers safety of the highest standard, while a new optional air-sprung suspension provides for exemplary ride and driving comfort as well as nimble and agile handling. In terms of appearance the new C-Class adopts a progressive approach with its clear yet emotional design and its high-class interior. Many other innovations and equipment features underscore the sedan's energising comfort and refined sportiness. The high-class appeal of the new C-Class is an "upgrade to a higher class of vehicle".

“The C-Class is a best seller that has always been a trendsetter in the mid-size luxury segment. This is also true for the new C-Class as it comes with qualities usually reserved for higher-class vehicles – environmentally responsible, technologically advanced and high levels of comfort and driving enjoyment,” says Florian Seidler, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa.

With a sensuous and clear design and a host of technical innovations, the new C-Class offers a comprehensive scope of standard equipment and exemplary emissions and fuel consumption figures. This all adds up to substantial added value and long-term fuel savings.

“Our new C-Class embodies what we understand modern automotive luxury to be and showcases automotive passion by way of a contemporary design idiom. We are confident that our new C-Class will be a huge success,” adds Seidler

The C-Class has grown to take account of people's increasing average height. With an 80-millimetre increase in the wheelbase (2840 millimetres) compared with the previous model, the vehicle is 95 millimetres longer (4686 millimetres) and 40 millimetres wider (1810 millimetres). The result is a more spacious interior. At 480 litres the new C-Class also surpasses its predecessor in terms of boot capacity (in accordance with ISO 3832).

Sensuous clarity and purist forms

On a visual level, the new C-Class with its striking, dynamic design, exudes sensuous clarity and arouses emotions. Modern aesthetics were the source of inspiration for the new sedan's sensuous lines and surfaces, whose harmony and dynamism directly touch everyone. The designers have created minimalist, purist forms for the C-Class which emphasise its intelligent technology and engineering. The clearly defined surfaces also deliberately display a degree of tension, lending them a modern and at the same time emotional character. Precise lines and sculptural surfaces create progressive light and shadow effects.

In the side view a long bonnet, a passenger compartment set well back and short overhangs, define the C-Class's classic, well-balanced Mercedes-Benz sedan proportions.

There is a choice of two different fronts: sporty with a central star or – reserved solely for the Exclusive line – the classic sedan radiator grille with the Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet.

The new C-Class comes with H7 halogen headlamps as standard. In addition to the standard-fit headlamps, two energy-saving LED variants are available: a static system and a dynamic version with the "LED Intelligent Light System". The rear lamp and brake light in the tail lamps feature LED technology with all headlamp versions.

High-class interior with fine details

The Mercedes-Benz designers have styled the interior on a level which is rarely encountered even in higher vehicle categories. This applies to the carefully chosen high-class materials and their pleasant touch and feel as well as to the precision of the finely crafted details. But also equally to a new design idiom which perfectly combines sensuousness and clarity with dynamic sportiness, and thus contributes to the high-class appeal of the interior.

The driver and front passenger enjoy a great deal of space and luxury in an unobtrusive, modern style in the new C-Class. This gives rise to a feel-good atmosphere which is new to this category of vehicle.

The interior design demonstrates a bold new approach by Mercedes-Benz. Here the designers combine, in accomplished style, the architecture of the Mercedes-Benz sports cars with a totally new centre console featuring sporty flowing lines. In vehicles with automatic transmission, a large one-piece centre console panel performs an elegant sweep from the centre air vents to the armrest. These seamless, clear-cut lines create a sense of open space and convey a thrillingly purist and modern feel.

On vehicles with manual transmission, the centre console is slightly steeper and features two separate trim elements in order to create ample space for ergonomic operation of the shift lever.

A centrally positioned free-standing central display is the main eye-catching feature across the centre console – with a screen diagonal of 17.78 centimetres (7 inches), or 21.33 centimetres (8.4 inches) if COMAND Online is specified.

Five round air vents lend the instrument panel a sporty touch. With their metallic cool-touch effect they create a tangible contrast to the warm look of the other materials – such as the wood in the centre console or the Artico man-made leather on the instrument panel. The "upgrade" feel duly continues with the controls. All switches have a high-quality, three-dimensional design befitting a luxury vehicle and benefit from a clear layout.

The innovative touchpad developed by Mercedes-Benz in the handrest above the controller on the centre tunnel marks a further evolutionary step. As on a smartphone, this provides for very simple and intuitive operation of all the head-unit functions using finger gestures. 

The touchpad also permits letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting - in any language supported by Audio 20 or COMAND Online. The user receives clear tactile feedback when operating the touchpad's control surface, which is highly conducive to genuine intuitive use.

A head-up display is also new to the C-Class. Like in a fighter jet, it displays important information directly in the driver's field of vision on the front windscreen, thus providing for clear legibility and less distraction from the road ahead. The system provides information on speed, navigation instructions and messages from the DISTRONIC system

Three different design and equipment lines for the exterior and interior each offer further scope for individualisation in addition to the standard equipment and appointments. The Avantgarde line showcases the C-Class as a sporty sedan, the Exclusive line places the emphasis on an elevated status and modern luxury while the AMG Line lends the C-Class a decidedly sporty appearance.

Rigid body – lightly done

The body-in-white of the new C-Class provides an innovative basis for reduced weight, outstanding rigidity, including load introduction rigidity for excellent handling, combined with optimum noise and vibration characteristics and a high level of crash safety. Thanks to intelligent and innovative lightweight construction, the aluminium hybrid body is around 70 kg lighter than a conventional steel body. The vehicle's overall weight is reduced by up to 100 kilograms. As such, the new C-Class leads the "lightweight rankings" in its segment. 

This has numerous benefits: the lightweight construction of the new C-Class cuts fuel consumption by up to 20 percent without any loss of performance, while at the same time enabling a lower centre of gravity, which in turn gives rise to the vehicle's noticeably sporty and agile handling.

Mercedes-Benz achieves this technological leap in lightweight construction by various measures, including a completely new design and an unusually high aluminium content for a vehicle built in large-scale series production. Compared with the successful predecessor, the aluminium content has increased from less than 10 percent to almost 50 percent.

In keeping with Mercedes-Benz traditions, the body shell is designed for exemplary crash safety. The sedan not only meets all current national and international laws, but also all rating requirements as well as the more stringent internal Mercedes-Benz safety requirements, which are based on what actually happens in real-life accidents.

A high-strength passenger safety cell forms the core of this concept. It is surrounded by specifically computed and field-tested deformation zones, which ensure maximum safety for the occupants by virtue of optimised force paths and a combination of die-cast aluminium components and ultra-high-strength materials. An outer skin consisting almost completely of aluminium provides a protective shell for the body structure.

Leading the field in aerodynamics and quiet running

A low drag is crucial to achieving outstanding efficiency. From a speed of just under 70 km/h, aerodynamic drag exceeds the sum total of all other driving resistance factors. As such, drag constitutes a major leverage in efforts to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. With a Cd value of 0.24 the new C-Class sedan sets a new benchmark in the medium-luxury segment. The wind noise level which was already very low in the preceding generation of the C-Class has been lowered still further.

The engineers have also devoted painstaking attention to optimising other potential sources of disturbance that may have an adverse effect on the driver's and passengers’ well-being and concentration, even though they may not consciously notice their effects. NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) – the specialists have optimised the noise characteristics of the interior blower, the power windows, the seat adjustment functions and many other actuating and operating noises. As a result, in terms of NVH, the new C-Class occupies a benchmark position in its segment.

Outstanding CO2 values

“Powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines, all equipped with the ECO start/stop function, provide for lively performance and great fun at the wheel. They also cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared with the preceding model,” says Selvin Govender, Divisional Manager, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

An advanced version of the proven 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine is available with an output range of 125 kW. This BlueTEC diesel engine in the new C-Class is equipped with the established SCR technology (selective catalytic reduction) for particularly environment-friendly driving.

BlueDIRECT petrol engines with third-generation direct injection

“In May 2014 we launch four model derivatives with power output ranging from 115 to 155 kW. Three of these are petrol models and include the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, the C 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and the C 250 BlueEFFICIENCY. The one diesel model that is available in May is the C 220 BlueTEC. Coming later in September 2014 will be the C 250 BlueTEC diesel with the C 300 BlueEFFICIENCY due in June 2015,” says Govender.

The BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines of the C-Class combine spontaneous response and exemplary power delivery with high efficiency and best-in-class emissions. To this end, Mercedes-Benz has transferred the BlueDIRECT technology from the V6 and V8 engines to the four-cylinder engine. The direct injection system with spray-guided combustion, first introduced into passenger-car series production by Mercedes-Benz, employs an electronically controlled precision multiple injection process. The third-generation direct injection technology is complemented by "fast multiple ignition".

Optimised powertrain

Depending on the installed output ratings, Mercedes-Benz offers a new 6-speed manual transmission for the C 180, C 200 and C 220 BlueTEC models, which stands apart first and foremost by virtue of its enhanced ease of shifting coupled with increased shifting precision and a harmonious gear change sequence. Smooth automatic gear shifting is provided by the optional 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, which has undergone further development at Mercedes-Benz in the interests of enhanced environment-friendliness and driving enjoyment (standard on the C 250 BlueEFFICIENCY).

Suspension – sporty yet comfortable

The suspension on the new C-Class is a totally new development. It provides for nimble and agile handling that makes driving a great pleasure on winding roads while also offering the highest standard of ride comfort in the segment.

A newly designed 4-link front axle plays a major part in the agile handling characteristics. Thanks to the 4-link principle, the wheel suspension is fully decoupled from the spring strut. The resultant favourable axle kinematics allow more grip and higher cornering forces. As a result, the suspension responds more sensitively to steering movements and allows a sporty, agile driving style. An optimised multi-link independent rear suspension with 5‑links ensures unsurpassed wheel location qualities and supreme straight-line stability.

The new C-Class sedan is fitted as standard with a steel suspension. Three DIRECT CONTROL suspensions with selective damping system are available in conjunction with this suspension:

• a comfort suspension 
• a comfortable Avantgarde suspension lowered by 15 millimetres 
• a sports suspension lowered by 15 millimetres

First air suspension in this category

“The new C-Class is the first vehicle in its segment that can be optionally equipped with an air suspension, – AIRMATIC – on the front and rear axle. AIRMATIC offers outstanding road roar and tyre vibration characteristics, courtesy of electronically controlled and continuously variable damping at the front and rear,” adds Govender.

The driver can use a switch to choose between the various characteristics: "Comfort", "ECO", "Sport" and "Sport+". The additional "Individual" setting enables drivers to configure their vehicle according to their own preferences. AIRMATIC also features all-round self-levelling for optimum ride comfort.

The new C-Class also comes with an electric parking brake as standard. This brake is released automatically when the driver ends parking mode with the aim of moving off.

Steering with a sporty character

All models of the C-Class family features an electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard. This combines road-speed-dependent power assistance from the speed-sensitive power steering system with a steering ratio that varies with the given steering angle. The power steering assistance provided by the rack-and-pinion steering gear is controlled as needed, thereby contributing towards efficiency.

Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive: the intelligent car

“The new C-Class incorporates almost all of the new assistance systems which were only just recently introduced in the new S-Class and E-Class. The assistance systems, which are called “Intelligent Drive” by Mercedes-Benz, are fully integrated and enhance both comfort and safety,” adds Govender.

The new C-Class offers numerous innovative safety and assistance systems. It is equipped as standard with ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and fatigue. On highways the optional COMAND Online navigation function offers nearby break options as stopovers. The ATTENTION ASSIST function offers an adjustable level of sensitivity and can inform drivers in a separate view in the instrument cluster about their level of drowsiness and how long they have been driving since their last break.

In addition to Adaptive Brake Assist, which offers protection from collisions from speeds as low as 7 km/h, standard-fit COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS also features an additional function: when the risk of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out partial autonomous braking at speeds of up to 70 km/h, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles. The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 50 km/h, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at up to 40 km/h.

In addition, new assistance systems and existing assistance systems with significantly enhanced functions are also optionally available, combining data from various sensor technologies as part of the Intelligent Drive concept to substantially enhance comfort and safety:

• DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and integrated Stop&Go Pilot is a semi-autonomous Stop-and-Go assist system, which in addition to using the lane markings is able to follow the vehicle ahead at speeds below 60 km/h, thus providing a safe and convenient means of following the flow of traffic.
• BAS PLUS Brake Assist can now also detect crossing traffic and boost the braking force if the driver fails to apply the brakes sufficiently; the PRE-SAFE® Brake can detect stationary vehicles and even pedestrians, brake autonomously if the driver fails to react and thus prevent accidents at speeds of up 50 km/h and mitigate the severity of collisions at speeds of up to 72 km/h. In flowing traffic the PRE-SAFE® Brake provides assistance according to the same mode of operation throughout the speed range from 7 to 200 km/h.
• Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist can now also prevent the vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of lane by applying the brakes on one side when the lane markings are broken and there is a risk of collision, e.g. as a result of vehicles overtaking at high speed, parallel traffic or even oncoming traffic.

The numerous assistance systems also include

• Active Parking Assist, which enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention in both parallel and end-on parking spaces,
• a 360° camera, which is able to show the vehicle and its surroundings from various perspectives, including a virtual bird's-eye view,
• Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus (part of LED Intelligent Lights), allows the high-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling traffic by masking out other vehicles in the light cone of the high-beam headlamps.

Airbags for safety

In addition to 3-point safety belts with pyrotechnical belt tensioning and belt-force limitation for driver, front passenger and those in the outer rear seats, numerous airbags serve to protect the vehicle's occupants in an accident.

These include:

• combined thorax/pelvis sidebags for driver and front passenger
• a newly developed windowbag
• a kneebag for the driver

Air conditioning: signals from space

Mercedes-Benz has systematically advanced and substantially improved the air conditioning system in the new C-Class. This applies in particular to the control quality, performance, efficiency and air quality.

Another highlight contributing to a feel-good atmosphere is the AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing, air ionisation and more efficient filtration than is available on the base model.

Vibrant infotainment

A completely new multimedia generation offers intuitive operation in the new C-Class, featuring elaborate animations and visual effects which present all the functions in a clear and highly attractive manner. Furthermore the new C-Class is equipped with the unique Frontbass system. This avant-garde acoustic system uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the woofers. The result is a listening experience almost on a par with a concert hall. A Burmester® surround sound system is optionally available.

The navigation system presents its contents in interactive mode. Its features include an animated compass, a "Drive Show" with information for passengers and Google Maps displayed on the head unit. COMAND Online is now also able to provide more accurate real-time information about the situation on the roads when it receives its traffic data via the internet by means of the "Live Traffic Information" service.

Internet and diverse data sources already available in the basic version

A Bluetooth®-capable mobile phone with data option is all it takes to make the Audio 20 system internet-capable. This enables surfing the internet without restrictions when the vehicle is stationary.

In conjunction with COMAND Online, Mercedes-Benz Apps such as Weather, GoogleTM Local Search with StreetView and Panoramio, destination/route download and Facebook can be used while on the move. Audio and video playback is possible from various sources, for example, via Bluetooth®, from an Apple iPod or iPhone®, from an SD card, USB stick or CD/DVD (with Audio 20 CD with Touchpad and with COMAND Online).

COMAND Online with hotspot functionality

COMAND Online not only offers a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and a special bonded glass cover such as is familiar from consumer devices like the iPhone® or iPad. It also enables radio reception, for example, and offers a host of other features including fast hard-disc navigation, automatic tailback avoidance via up-to-date and accurate "Live Traffic Information" traffic data, integrated WLAN hotspot functionality and the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system.

Telephony via Bluetooth® as standard

The Audio 20 CD with Touchpad and COMAND Online all come with a basic telephony feature as standard, which connects the mobile phone with the vehicle via a standardised Bluetooth® interface.

PremiumDrive – ‘Class-leading’ maintenance package

As with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, the new C-Class comes standard with the 6-years/100 000 km maintenance contract with no customer contribution and the option to extend. The new C-Class is introduced at:

C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY R415 900

C 200 BlueEFFICIENCY R436 600

C 250 BlueEFFICIENCY R502 600

C 220 BlueTEC R459 000 * exempt from CO2 tax - 113 g/km

 

[ source : Mercedes-Benz ]

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