Mercedes-Benz reveals the all-new C-Class

 The C-Class has been Mercedes’ best sell-ing model in the last decade and we don’t doubt that claim as it is a very popular model across the globe. While not being the gate- way car into the three-pointed star family, the C-Class does however hold great aspirational value for the young executives.  The exterior sees a marked change from the exist-ing line-up of Mercedes cars in India, with the fifth generation C-Class now sporting the more angular front and rear design from the newer crop of Mer-cedes’ global models. 

                 The long bonnet with the power bulge is distinctive while the overall stance of the new C is sportier than ever before, thanks primarily to the smooth, uncluttered lines and redesigned headlamps and tail lights. It loses none of its elegance and is possibly in its most attractive form yet,

              In this new guise, the C-Class has grown in dimen-sions externally, as is the norm with new generation models but it’s the resulting increase in interior space that customers would be more interested in. Elbow- room has increased by 22mm in the front and 15mm in the rear over the previous model while headroom in the rear is up by 13mm. More importantly, the new C-Class offers up to 35mm more kneeroom in the rear. The most evident change in the interior is the por- trait-style infotainment display complete with the sec- ond gen MBUX system. Clearly inspired from the S- Class, this screen measures 9.5 inches and integrates most of the in-car functions. 

         There is no gear stick or any other physical controller in the centre consolewith only a slim line of buttons placed just under the screen. The instrument panel is an LCD unit measuring 10.25 inches while both the central display and instrument panel can be specified with larger screens. From inside the cabin to inside the en- gine bay, where the next set of changes lie.

                    The range of engines on offer now, are all based on the current modular FAME (Family of Modular Engines) Mercedes-Benz engine family and are all turbocharged four-cylin- der units. Both petrol and diesel engines make use of an integrated starter-generator (ISG) for electric assistance at low engine speeds from this mild hybrid system. This 48-volt system is capable of functions such as coasting, boosting power or energy re- covery depending on the driving demands with the stand out benefit beingmaximising fuel savings. 

      Engine options include three petrol and two diesel engines. In the C 180 trim with a 1.5-litre, turbocharged-petrol, 4-cylinder mill producing 170bhp, 250Nm and an 8.6 second run from 0 to 100kmph. An additional 200Nm of torque can be pro- vided by the mild-hybrid system. The same engine also features in the C 200 trim with 204bhp, 300Nm and the additional 200Nm from the electrical system making the C 200 claim a 7.3 seconds run from 0 to 100kmph.The C 300 uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and develops 258bhp and 400Nm along with the same 200Nm boost from the mild-hybrid system, clocking an impressive 6 seconds for a 0-100kmph run.

         The two diesel engines are available in the C 220 d and C 300 d trims. Both use a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine but the former produces 200bhp and 440Nm while the latter is tuned for 265bhp and 550Nm. Both engines can get an additional 200Nm of boost from the mild-hybrid system with the C 300 d being capable of clocking a quick 5.7 seconds run from 0 to 100kmph. All engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission while the C 200, C 300 and C 220 d trims are offered with 4MATIC or Mer- cedes' all-wheel-drive system.The new C-Class will ride on a combi-nation of a new four-link front axle and a multi-link rear axle suspension components.

Mercedes will also make continuously ad-justable damping and a sport suspension available as options although air suspension at the rear comes as standard. Interestingly, Mercedes will also offer an optional rear-axle steering with 2.5 degrees of steering angle reducing lock-to-lock steering wheel turns and turning circle while aiding faster, more agile cornering. Needless to say that the new C-Class comes with a host of safety equip-ment and driver assists along with many more comfort and convenience features.

        There is no official word from Mercedes on the India launch of the new saloon however, we expect the car sometime in the later half of the year and it will continue finding rivals in the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Jaguar XE and the Volvo S60.