The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is big business in South Africa. The Mercedes-Benz factory in East London currently produces both left- and right-hand drive models of the W204 C-Class for both local consumption and export to the U.S. Since the month of the W204 C-Class launch in 2007 the sedan has commanded over 40% market share in markets in which it competes and has thereby become the most successful C-Class – of the most successful nameplate – in Mercedes-Benz’s illustrious 100-plus year history. The W205 C-Class that replaces the W204 is therefore a bit of a big deal for South Africa and the world. After being snapped at the Nurburgring honing its handling; as well as undergoing extensive endurance testing all over the world, for more than 300000km, under every driving condition imaginable – Mercedes-Benz has divulged the first pictures and details of the all-new C-Class.
100kg lighter thanks to its lightweight Modular Rear-drive Architecture that sees almost half of the body made from aluminium; it’s now longer and wider and longer-wheelbased than before, with a larger 480-litre boot. Model wise there is the C180 and C200, each with a 1.6-litre engine, and the C220 BlueTec diesel variant with a 2.1-litre engine, 4.0l/100km and just 103g/km CO2 courtesy of its auto start/stop, Euro 6-compliance and a new selective catalytic reduction system. There will also be a C300 V6 petrol with an estimated 250kW in due course, along with a C300 BlueTec diesel hybrid in the vein of the brilliant E300 hybrid, which claims to achieve below 3.9l/100km fuel consumption on the combined cycle. The gearboxes are a new – although mostly unfamiliar for a modern Mercedes – six-speed manual, and the more common 7G-Tronic Plus automatic.
Ride wise, the new W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a newly-designed four-link fully-independent front axle and the rear gains a new five-link independent setup. The steel suspension comes with selective damping fitted as standard, and a sporty 15mm lowered setup can be found on any AMG Line C-Class. Additionally, Airmatic air suspension is offered for the first time in the C-Class. Standard safety items include Attention Assist, Adaptive Brake Assist and Collision Prevention Assist. Systems from the S-Class like, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Parking Assist, a 360-degree camera, Traffic Sign Assist and Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus are optionally available.
