Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Opening a new chapter

The fifth generation C-Class is introduced in Malaysia with a host of new developments. By Jerrica Leong

The much awaited C-Class has finally been launched on Malaysian shores and features a sensuous and progressive design with a host of technical innovations. The C-Class’s designers have created minimalist, purist forms to give emphasis on the intelligent technology and engineering of the car.

The new C-Class’s wheelbase is 80mm longer than the previous model while the vehicle is now 95mm longer and 40mm wider. The car measures at 4686mm long and 1810mm wide. This increase in length and width is to take into account the increasing height of an average person. Along with more leg and headroom, the new C-Class also has 480-litre of boot space.

There are two different front ends; the AVANTGARDE line will get the sports grille with two louvres and a central star, while the EXCLUSIVE line gets the classic saloon radiator grille with the Mercedes star on the bonnet. The EXCLUSIVE line also features an AIRPANEL active radiator shutter which opens and closes the radiator grille depending on the cooling demand.

The C-Class boasts an intelligent and innovative lightweight construction. The aluminium-hybrid body is around 70kg lighter than a conventional steel body. Mercedes is proud to say that the vehicle’s overall weight is reduced by up to 100kg. The C-Class now leads the “lightweight-rankings” in its segment.

This technological leap in lightweight construction is achieved by creating a completely new design and an unusually high aluminium content for the body. The new C-Class has an almost 50 per cent share of aluminium, 10 per cent more than its predecessors.

The aluminium technology also helps with providing a protective shell for the body structure. A high-strength passenger safety cell forms the core of the safety concept in the C-Class. It is surrounded by specifically computed and field-tested deformation zones that ensure maximum safety for the occupants.

The C-Class sets another benchmark in the mid-size Saloon in terms of Cd value. The car has a record of 0.24 Cd value, which aids in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The NVH levels have also been reduced to create better ride comfort for both the driver and passengers’ well-being and concentration.

Two variants are available for the C-Class, the C 200 and the C 250. The C 200 AVANTGARDE has an inline-4 direct petrol injection engine with a rated output of 184bhp at 5500rpm and 300Nm at 1200-4000rpm. The C 200 has a kerb weight of 1465kg. The C 200 hits 100kph at 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 235kph.

The C 250 EXCLUSIVE’s inline-4 direct petrol injection engine has a rated output of 211bhp at 5500rpm and 350Nm at 1200-4000rpm, a kerb weight of 1480kg and a gross weight of 2045kg. The C 250 reaches 100kph at 6.6 seconds and has a top speed of 250kg.

Both variants are geared with smooth automatic gear shifting provided by the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission that has undergone further development at Mercedes-Benz with interests of environment-friendliness and driving pleasure in mind.

Drivers can choose between various characteristics: “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport” and “Sport+”. Or they can pick “Individual” that configures their car according to their own preferences.

The suspension is an entirely new development. A newly designed 4-link front axle plays a major part in agile handling characteristics. The wheel suspension is fully decoupled from the spring strut which results in a more sensitive response to steering movements and allows a sporty, agile driving style. The rear suspension features a multi-link independent rear suspension with five links that ensures unsurpassed wheel location qualities and supreme straight-line stability.

Mercedes-Benz aims to make the highest standard of safety available to everyone. The C-Class offers numerous innovative safety and assistance systems. The car is fitted with Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive like ATTENTION ASSIST, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS and Active Parking Assist.

The interior is fitted with vibrant infotainment that features elaborate animations and visual effects which present the functions in an attractive manner. The C-Class is equipped with Bluetooth-capable mobile phone with data option is to make the Audio 20 system internet-capable. This enables surfing the internet without restrictions when the vehicle is stationary.

The C-Class C 200 AVANTGARDE sells at RM285,888 on-the-road without insurance and the C 250 EXCLUSIVE sells at RM314,888 on-the-road without insurance as well. Both cars are CBU imported with CKD versions coming along eventually.