Mercedes-Benz’s next generation C-Class sedan has modern lines, with a large grille, domed roof and bold side sculpting
Mercedes-Benz C-Class is arguably the most important car in the ever expanding range of vehicles from the iconic German marque. Details of the all-new new C-Class have just been revealed. It has modern looks, low fuel consumption and emissions thanks to weight savings of up to 100 kilograms and either significantly revised or all-new engines.
Though the C-Class is lighter, it’s also larger than ever. It probably comes as no surprise to Australians that Mercedes’ global research shows every new generation of people is larger than the one before. New Mercedes therefore has an 80-millimetre increase in the wheelbase, is 95 mm longer and 40 mm wider. Most of the extra size has gone into added space for rear passengers.
STYLING
Styling of the new C-Class is a clever combination of that on the current C-Class and the all-new A-Class, with a touch of CLA-Class thrown in for good measure. The grille is huge and carries the three-pointed star, the bonnet is long, the sides each have two curved style lines and the roof is domed. The shape looks set to look bang up to date for quite a few years.
The designers of the interior say they have aimed for an interesting combination of sportiness and luxury, with an emphasis on quality of materials.
Though this is a midsize model, the overall feel is of the spaciousness offered by cars in the next size class up. Wood look trim and leather are offered on some models, full details are yet to be revealed.
INFOTAINMENT
A central screen has a size of either 7.0 or 8.4 inches, the latter installed if the Mercedes’ Comand Online system is specified.
A head-up driver’s display is also new to the C-Class, something in which Mercedes has been lagging behind its competitors for several years. We assume the intervening time has gone into designing a better system, but will have to wait to drive the new Merc before commenting.
SAFETY
Mercedes-Benz assures us its new C-Class not only complies with all current national safety laws, but also with the even more stringent internal Mercedes-Benz standards that are based on investigations into real crashes.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
A wide range of petrol and diesel engines, the former with four or six cylinders are to be made available, though not all at the time of the introduction of the new cars. We will bring more details on these when Australian specifications are finalised early in 2014.
A fascinating, super-clean 1.6-litre unit will soon be introduced. A single-stage supercharged four-cylinder engine it will produced either 85 or 100 kW of power and a very impressive 280 or 320 Nm of torque.
Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmissions are to be fitted to the new C-Class, though it’s unlikely manuals will reach Australia.
Likewise, the all-wheel drive system may not come downunder as it’s designed for extra traction in the European alpine areas.
The suspension on the new C-Class is all-new, with a four-link front axle and a five-link setup at the rear. New C-Class will be the first vehicle in its segment that can be fitted with an air suspension, front and rear as an option on some models and as standard on others.
No date has been announced for the introduction of the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class to Australia. Stay tuned and we will bring further information when we have it.
