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An update to Mercedes-Benz’s popular C-Class was shown recently and the revised model is due to be rolled out in South Africa soon.
The C-Class’s gets a shapelier front end and new features for the cabin, while as many as 10 new driving assistance systems have filtered down from its bigger brothers.
More than 2000 new components have been introduced, Merc says, to take the stalwart range through the final phase of this generation and one of the additions is a leather steering wheel, now standard across the range.
But the most obvious changes to the C-Class are the physical ones that include a new front bumper, rounded headlights that make the V-shape of the front end more prominent, and air dams for the front bumper that are lower than before to give the car the appearance of a wider stance.
Horizontal LED daytimee running lights in the bumper also add to the new C-Class’s distinctive look.
At the rear, a new bumper and light clusters with centrally positioned LED indicators are also visible.
NEW LOOK, LOWER MASS
The overall weight of the C-Class has also been reduced with the introduction of an aluminium bonnet for both sedan and estate bodies, while front wings and door panels are also constructed from the lightweight material.
The interior was also given the once over. Merc said its focus was the restyling of the dashboard, where its mission was to create “a powerful, sporty and high-quality look”.
Surfaces of the instruments are said to be more detailed while an extension now also houses the central display and large trimmed sections are said to be an important part of the fascia’s redesign.
New communication and information units are included. The latest version of Mercedes’ telematics system makes its debut on the C-Class before being rolled out to other model series. Its biggest drawcards are its larger displays, phone book transfer, display of SMS messages and the inclusion of a USB port in the centre armrest.
The Comand multimedia system, for the first time, also allows internet access when the car is stationary and there's a satnav system with added functions, including a 3D display, route-recording and the display of alternative routes.
BLUE EFFICIENCY COMES STANDARD
New engines are part of the revised C-Class deal, too, and Merc quotes an overall reduction on fuel consumption of as much as 31 percent.
To this end, most C-Classes will be fitted with start/stop and all engine variants are now classified as BlueEfficiency models. The latest version of Mercedes’ 7G Tronic plus - usually reserved for higher-end models - will be fitted to all auto versions.
Direct fuel-injection becomes standard on all petrol engines and one of the C-Class’s highlights is the introduction of a new V6 in its C350 BlueEfficiency that can generate 225kW and 370Nm (up from 200kW/350Nm) while the quoted fuel consumption is down from 9.9 litres/100km to a frugal 6.8.
Equally high-tech is the addition of new driving assistance systems, among them Attention Assist (to detect driver drowsiness), Distronic Plus, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Parktronic with parking guidance and Blind Spot Assist.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class is expected to go on sale in South Africa in July, 2011.
The C-Class’s gets a shapelier front end and new features for the cabin, while as many as 10 new driving assistance systems have filtered down from its bigger brothers.
More than 2000 new components have been introduced, Merc says, to take the stalwart range through the final phase of this generation and one of the additions is a leather steering wheel, now standard across the range.
But the most obvious changes to the C-Class are the physical ones that include a new front bumper, rounded headlights that make the V-shape of the front end more prominent, and air dams for the front bumper that are lower than before to give the car the appearance of a wider stance.
Horizontal LED daytimee running lights in the bumper also add to the new C-Class’s distinctive look.
At the rear, a new bumper and light clusters with centrally positioned LED indicators are also visible.
IN THE DETAILS: Mercedes' engineers are reported to have spent some time ensuring the cabin looks and feels more high-quality.
The overall weight of the C-Class has also been reduced with the introduction of an aluminium bonnet for both sedan and estate bodies, while front wings and door panels are also constructed from the lightweight material.
The interior was also given the once over. Merc said its focus was the restyling of the dashboard, where its mission was to create “a powerful, sporty and high-quality look”.
Surfaces of the instruments are said to be more detailed while an extension now also houses the central display and large trimmed sections are said to be an important part of the fascia’s redesign.
New communication and information units are included. The latest version of Mercedes’ telematics system makes its debut on the C-Class before being rolled out to other model series. Its biggest drawcards are its larger displays, phone book transfer, display of SMS messages and the inclusion of a USB port in the centre armrest.
The Comand multimedia system, for the first time, also allows internet access when the car is stationary and there's a satnav system with added functions, including a 3D display, route-recording and the display of alternative routes.
FROM JULY 2011: Following its March 2011 global debut, the facelifted Mercedes will soon be in South Africa.
New engines are part of the revised C-Class deal, too, and Merc quotes an overall reduction on fuel consumption of as much as 31 percent.
To this end, most C-Classes will be fitted with start/stop and all engine variants are now classified as BlueEfficiency models. The latest version of Mercedes’ 7G Tronic plus - usually reserved for higher-end models - will be fitted to all auto versions.
Direct fuel-injection becomes standard on all petrol engines and one of the C-Class’s highlights is the introduction of a new V6 in its C350 BlueEfficiency that can generate 225kW and 370Nm (up from 200kW/350Nm) while the quoted fuel consumption is down from 9.9 litres/100km to a frugal 6.8.
Equally high-tech is the addition of new driving assistance systems, among them Attention Assist (to detect driver drowsiness), Distronic Plus, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Parktronic with parking guidance and Blind Spot Assist.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class is expected to go on sale in South Africa in July, 2011.
