2019 Mercedes-Benz C Class - A Best Seller Gone Better

The C-Class has often been seen as the aspirational car for those who have the range-topping S-Class in their sights... Speaking of which, the new car’s assistance systems are now on par with that of the larger S-Class.

A new headlamp assembly, featuring internally sculpted high-performance LED lamps are available for the first time with MULTIBEAM with ULTRA RANGE technology as an option. Rear tail lights have also been re-styled with equally stylish clear-lined contouring.

With the model facelift, the Saloon now sports the diamond grille as standard in combination with AMG Line and the front bumpers have been redesigned for all lines. These new designs render the EXCLUSIVE exterior of the Saloon in an even more expressive manner, and lend the AVANTGARDE exterior a yet more dynamic character.

The C-Class Cabriolet displays independence of character compared to the Sedan and Estate models; thanks to its distinctive rear-end styling, together with its wide shoulders and flush LED tail lamps. But even with a deeper emphasis on styling, the Cabriolet can boast a boot capacity of up to 360 litres.

The Coupe benefits from similar styling. A high beltline and frameless doors with free-standing exterior mirrors underscore the sporty character.

Both the Cabriolet and Coupe sit 15mm lower than its sedan sibling, while its four-link front axle with wheel suspension decoupled from the spring strut plays a major part in the agile handling characteristics of both cars. At the rear, a multi-link independent suspension with five links ensures excellent wheel location qualities and supreme straight-line stability. And an optional new DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL suspension including the Sport Direct-Steer system further enhance the driving experience and allow thrilling dynamism.

The newly-available open-pore brown walnut or open-pore anthracite oak further adds to the elegance of the interior. Its centre console has also been mordernised with 3D real wood veneer surfaces. New to the car are magma grey/black colours while the AMG Line interior gets a unique saddle brown tone. The colour options have also been changed for the seatbelts, which now allows for a magma grey switch, instead of the previously offered crystal grey option.

Also new to C-Class Saloons and Estates is the Multicontour Seat package, which adds side bolsters and lumbar support which are adjusted by means of an electrically driven pneumatic pump, and features a massage function in the lumbar area, through the inflation and deflation of the air chambers, in a wave-like motion.

The C-Class also now gets a full 12.3-inch digital instrument display, replacing the previous car’s analogue unit, and carries the same “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive” display themes featured in the brand’s stable of larger cars. The multimedia screen above the centre console is also available in two sizes. In conjunction with its optional Audio 20 multimedia system, a high-resolution media display with a 10.25-inch screen is available for the first time.

The two displays works in tandem with the car’s new touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel, which features swipe functions, similar to how a smartphone operates.

The new car also features a suite of semi-autonomous driver supports, built in to react to road situations. For example, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC as part of the Driving Assistance package is not only able to support the driver to automatically maintain the correct distance from the vehicle ahead, but also to give the driver noticeable steering assistance, even on bends. Other new developments include intuitively understandable Evasive Steering Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist as new functions of Active Steering Assist.

The new car also comes with extended Active Brake Assist as standard, built to help mitigate the consequence of rear-end collisions with slow-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead, and even with crossing pedestrians and cyclists, or to even fully deploy, to prevent a full-on accident if the need arises.

An all-new 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 48 volt onboard electrical system (EQ Boost) that is unique in this segment, for sporty driving pleasure with high efficiency. The new EQ Boost system can assist the engine with an additional 14hp for a brief period, until the turbocharger has spooled up to supply full pressure.

The system also allows the car to glide with the engine switched off, with the start/stop system utilising its belt-driven alternator while on the run to restart the car almost silently and rapidly.
C 200: 135 kW/184 hp, 280 Nm; add. output of electric motor 10 kW, add. torque of electric motor 160 Nm; (combined fuel consumption 6.3-6.0 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 144-136 g/km)

C 300: 190 kW/258 hp, 370 Nm; (combined fuel consumption 6.9-6.5 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 158-148 g/km)

Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC: 287 kW/390 hp, 520 Nm; (combined fuel consumption 9.3 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions
211 g/km)

C 180 AVANTGARDE - $182,888*
C 180 EXCLUSIVE – $185,888*
C 180 Coupé - $192,888*
C 180 Cabriolet - $222,888*

*Accurate as at 10 December 2018

Additional Pictures Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

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