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After
about 48 months of development and a total investment of more than 1.36
billion Euros, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is ready for the world.
With the new C-Class, Daimler Chrysler is confident that the market
segment leadership established by its predecessor (which had a
production run of some 1.6 million units) will not only be maintained
but also strengthened, thanks to an extensive package of technical
innovations being phased in which is claimed to be on an unprecedented
level for this market segment.
“Never before has so much attention been paid in this vehicle class
to the aspects of safety and comfort as in the development of the new
Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which with this top-class technology guarantees a
maximum of both dynamism and driving pleasure,” declares
Daimler-Chrysler.
While retaining familiar Mercedes styling cues, the ‘face’ bears a
modern interpretation of the twin headlamp face first seen in the latest
S-Class. It continues to set trends in body design, especially in
aerodynamics: Though Cd (aerodynamic resistance) numbers feature less
prominently in consumers’ minds, efforts are still ongoing to lower them
and with a Cd of 0.26 (C180 version), the new C-Class is claimed to be
the most aerodynamic sedan in its class. Lift on the front and rear
axles is also down by up to 57%, enhancing stability.
“The only thing that was carried over was the concept – the
successful concept, I might add, of a compact car – and it has the same
wheel nuts,” said Juergen Hubbert, Daimler-Chrysler board member in
charge of passenger cars, at the car’s international debut.
Dimensionally, the new C-Class measures 4526 mm in length, which is just
10 mm longer than before. However, the wheelbase has been increased by
25 mm to 2715 mm which means better interior space.
The standard equipment of the new sedan includes pioneering technical
innovations that were previously only available in the flagship models
bearing the 3-pointed star – window airbag; adaptive airbags for driver
and front passenger; Headlamp Assist; the multi-function steering wheel
and fibre optics, etc. Overall, more than 20 technical innovations from
the Mercedes flagship models are included as standard in the new
C-Class.
In addition, maximum safety is ensured by standard systems such as the
Electronic Stability Program, Brake Assist, automatic child safety seat
recognition, seat belt tensioners and belt force limiters for the front
seats and rear outer seats, head restraints for all seats and side
impact airbags in the front doors. The SPEEDTRONIC electronic
speed-limiter and the 6-speed manual gearbox are also fitted as
standard.
Individuality on the road
Three distinctive design and equipment lines are offered to meet the
demand for individuality. Whilst the basic Classic model has a classical
and reserved air, the Elegance line lives up to its name with an even
higher level of standard equipment and with chrome trim strips, alloy
wheels and a leather-covered steering wheel. In the Avantgarde version,
the new C-Class displays its most dynamic side… blue tinted glass,
textured aluminum interior trim and 16-inch alloy wheels. The bumpers
and side sills also have a unique design that also emphasizes the
avant-garde character of this model variant.
Voice control for the radio
In the optional equipment range, C-Class owner can enjoy some of the
pioneering systems of the S-Class, including the THERMOTRONIC
sensor-controlled luxury automatic climate control, the innovative
COMAND display system, the DynAPS dynamic routing system and the Bose
sound system with automatic driving noise compensation. The innovative
LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system that was previously only
available for the carphone can now control the radio and CD player.
More performance
At launch, the new C-Class comes with seven new or enhanced engines.
They deliver, on average, up to 20% more power and up to 43% more torque
than their counterparts in the outgoing generation. The power spectrum
of the four petrol and three diesel engines ranges from 85 kW/115 bhp to
160 kW/218 bhp.
With the newly-developed 2.0-litre supercharged engine, the new C-Class
is going to be one of the most dynamic vehicles of its displacement
class. The belt-driven supercharger boosts power output to 120 kW/163
bhp for this 4-cylinder engine, endowing it with performance
characteristics of a larger 6-cylinder engine. Proof: with a full 230 Nm
of torque, the new C 200 KOMPRESSOR is claimed to be able to accelerate
from 0 to 100 km/h in only 9.3 seconds and achieve a top speed of 230
km/h.
The 3.2-litre V6 is also a newcomer to the C-Class; with 160 kW/ 218 bhp,
this unit should provide superior performance among its peers.
Incidentally, all the petrol engines meet the tougher EURO-4 emission
control levels which will only be enforced in 2005.
More driver-friendly
An advanced operating and display concept increases the comfort and
driving pleasure on board the new C-Class. More than ever before, modern
technology is relieving the driver of various burdens by performing many
functions automatically. With the aid of the new multifunction steering
wheel and the central display in the speedometer, the driver can program
more than 50 individual settings and call up important information
simply by thumbing the appropriate button.
High-grade interior materials testify to the premium character of the
sedan. The cockpit is crafted to measure – the armrests, the new
multifunction steering wheel and the gear lever form a near-perfect
ergonomic unit. The driver will find everything within reach immediately
on taking up position in the driver’s seat.
Easy to repair ends
If you’ve worried about the cost of repairing a Mercedes after a minor
collision, you’ll be happy to note that the company’s engineers
have found a way to reduce the cost. The front end structure now
comprises a module with crash boxes made of high-strength steel. The
module is bolted to the body and can therefore be rapidly and
inexpensively replaced after a crash. In minor bumps at up to 15 km/h,
the front module absorbs the entire impact energy, so that the structure
of members behind remains undamaged. A similar easy-to-repair
construction is also installed at the rear end.
3-link front axle
Mercedes engineers spared no effort in redesigning or improving the
suspension, steering and brakes in order to surpass the already high
standards set by the predecessor. Suspension innovations include a newly
developed 3-link front axle with MacPherson struts, an efficient and
precise rack-and-pinion steering system and generously dimensioned disk
brakes with improved cooling air flow for maximum braking capability.
The original multi-link rear axle has been entirely redesigned and
retuned.
Prices in Germany are said to be, on average, 3% higher than the old
model, although when taking into consideration the higher equipment
level, there is actually a ‘decrease’. The sedan will be available at in
Europe from next month and will progressively be introduced in other
markets. No launch date has been announced for Malaysia but from past
practice, locally-assembled right-hand drive variants take a year or
more to appear; of course, before year’s end, you’ll probably see the
car in the yards of private importers.
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