Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps of the latest generation of its most successful model, the C-Class. As well as borrowing styling cues from the flagship S-Class, the new C-Class also shares a plethora of the latest automotive technology with the larger car.
At launch, Mercedes will offer a 1.6-litre turbodiesel option, in the form of the 168bhp C220 BlueTEC, a 1.6-litre petrol-engined C180, with 154bhp, and an 181bhp 2.0-litre petrol-engined C200. Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and AMG-tuned versions of the C-Class will follow later in the car’s model cycle.
As you might expect, fuel economy is up and emissions are down. An average weight saving of 100kg across the range, thanks in part to a new aluminium hybrid body, means the new C-Class is the most efficient yet, with the C220 BlueTEC emitting just 103g/km carbon dioxide and returning over 70mpg. Even the powerful C200 emits a stingy 123g/km.
Where a new Mercedes must earns its keep, however, is in refinement, and the new C-Class promises to deliver it in spades. The new car gets Mercedes’ AirMatic air suspension for the first time, and the self-levelling technology – which keeps the car level even when fully or unequally loaded - can be setup in four different modes ranging from Comfort to Sport+. Incidentally, the C-Class’s boot space now matches that of the BMW 3 Series, at 480 litres.
Mercedes says the 2014 C-Class is also segment leader for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, with an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.24 (a Porsche 911 comes in at around 0.3) and painstaking work to lessen the noise from the car’s interior fans, seat adjustment and even the electric windows. As well as two new manual transmissions for four-cylinder models, Mercedes will also offer a further developed version of its smooth 7G-Tronic Plus seven speed automatic gearbox.
While on the theme of refinement, the interior of the new car looks nothing short of revolutionary, with silky smooth TFT screens and a touchpad control on the transmission tunnel. The cabin architecture itself is similar to the sporty CLA, but the finish will be a step up from that car and closer to the E-Class and S-Class than in previous generations. On first impressions we’d have to say that the BMW 3 Series simply won’t be able to compete in terms of luxury.
Mercedes hasn’t yet given a release date for the 2014 C-Class, although the range starts at 33,558 euros in Germany. Expect more information early next year, but with the new car on its way Mercedes dealerships will undoubtedly be offering generous deals on the outgoing model, which remains an excellent all-rounder.
In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some dealers offer more than £10,000 off the price of a brand new C-Class through AutoeBid’s unique reverse auction format. Either way, it’s worth checking what’s available.
