Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches two new C-Class variants

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches two new C-Class variants

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has launched two new variants of the W204 C-Class for our market today, in conjunction with the latest edition of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience held at the Sepang International Circuit.

Taking centre stage was the C 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, which now replaces the C 230 Avantgarde. The other variant introduced was the C 300 Avantgarde Estate, which would be brought in as Completely Built-Up (CBU) vehicles and sold in limited numbers, effectively on a per order basis.

Driving the C 300 Estate is the same powertrain setup used in the current W212 E 300, mating the 2,996cc M272-E30 V6 engine with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. Peak power is quoted as 231hp @ 6,000rpm and a maximum torque of 300Nm is spread nicely between 2,500 and 5,000rpm.

It also comes with Merc’s dynamic handling package, which comes with speed-sensitive power-steering and also enables the driver to choose between two suspension characteristics – Comfort and Sport – from which variable electronic control alters behaviour of the shock absorbers. Equipped with shorter springs and thicker torsion bars, the C 300 Avantgarde Estate sits 15mm closer to ground than the garden variety versions.

Indeed it also sits on differently-sized tyres as well. Rubbers up front measure 225/45, and are mated to 17″ x 7.5J alloys. Those behind are wider, but have a lower profile, measuring at 245/40, and wrap around 17″ x 8.5J rims.

In the aspect of safety, occupants of the C 300 Avantgarde Estate will be cushioned by a total of 8 airbags in the event of a severe accident. Belt-pretensioners all-round further minimize injuries, while the NECK-PRO head restraints protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash.

As you would expect, the estate configuration endows the C 300 with generous cargo carrying capacity – 485 litres with seats up, extendable to a maximum of 1,500 with rear seats folded.

Being priced at an eye-opening RM396,888*, the C 300 Avantgarde Estate isn’t likely to find too many buyers, though MBM isn’t expecting big volumes anyway. But with the only alternative for luxury estates being the Volvo V50, this is a relatively untapped market segment in Malaysia.

The one that MBM expects to sell in greater numbers would be the C 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, replacing the C 230 Avantgarde. Pensioned off is the 2,496cc M272-E25 naturally aspirated V6, being replaced by the 1,796cc M271 DEH turbocharged inline-4. Oh yes, we kid you not, Mercedes is swapping out a 2.5-litre V6 for a 1.8-litre four-banger, albeit at a slightly lowered price. (RM296k vs RM288k)

However, there is some pretty good justification for this decision. The M271, which currently serves in the E 200 CGI in a 184hp/270Nm state of tune, is tweaked to produce 204hp here, which is equal to the C 230, but arriving earlier at 5,500rpm. Torque has also been improved by 27%, upping it from 245Nm in the C 230 to 310Nm in the C 250, and you can have it all the way from 2,000rpm right up to 4,300.

A further bonus for those buying the C 250 CGI instead of the C 230 is a claimed reduction of fuel consumption by 15%, with Mercedes-Benz claiming 7.2 – 7.9 litres/100km in the combined cycle. The downsized engine also brings about positive implications for annual road tax and insurance bills in Malaysia, thanks to our (ridiculous) displacement-based taxing system.

The impressive on-paper specs of the C 250 CGI despite the relatively small-sized engine can be attributed to two positive developments in powerplant engineering – turbocharging and direct injection (Charged Gasoline Injection in Merc-speak). With direct injection able to deliver precisely metered amounts of fuel into the combustion chamber, Mercedes engineers were able to extract more power per volume of fuel combusted, translating to simultaneous gains in performance and economy.

As with most engines coming out from top European manufacturers these days, the M271 engine is compliant to EU5 emission standards. In Malaysia, that claim comes with a little fine print, as certain tuning adjustments had to be made in order for the engine to be able to run on the high-sulphur (i.e. crap) fuel sold in Malaysian pumps. There will be increased sulphur emissions at the tailpipe, but other parameters are said to be compliant to EU5 standards.

Unlike the C 230, which came with the 7G-TRONIC, the C 250 CGI will have to make do with five ratios in its automatic transmission, though that’s unlikely to be a handicap considering the diesel-like avalanche of torque available. This powertrain setup will be made available for the E-Class in the E 250 CGI scheduled for introduction in April.

Like the C 300 Estate, the C 250 CGI is also equipped with the Dynamic Handling Package that lowers the car’s ride height by 15mm. At Sepang today, members of the media were given a taxi ride lap around the circuit by a trained Mercedes-Benz driving instructor, demonstrating to us the car’s surefooted handling and urgent power delivery.

It performed impressively, navigating through some pretty tight turns at speed with great fluency, but as always, the final verdict comes after our own test drive. Locally assembled, the C 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY will set you back by RM287,888.00*.

Writer’s Note: Terms of pricing (OTR, retail price, with/without insurance) were not made clear in the press release. We shall update the article upon clarification by MBM. – KON

UPDATE (14/4/2010): We have since been informed that the price of RM287,888.00 is OTR without Insurance. The Autoworld insurance calculator estimates an insurance premium of about RM7,700 give or take.

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