Daimler’s bestseller Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes, with a new face, to revive the range that sold over 415,000 vehicles solely in 2017. The mid-size sedan is now more intelligent and features brand-new headlamps and tail lights design, with the diamond radiator grille being fitted as standard. So here is all about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift!
Produced at four plants on four continents, with the plants in Bremen (Germany), East London (South Africa), Tuscaloosa (United States) and Beijing (China) leading the way, the mid-size sedan is bestseller by tradition.
The front bumper of the C has undergone a restyling for the EXCLUSIVE exterior package, with either a silver trim strip as standard or a three-part chrome strip, while the AVANTGARDE promises yet more dynamic looks with a chrome-plated trim strip. The rear bumper of the sedan and of the Estate model feature a new lower section, with the geometry, trim and tailpipes getting the looks according to the equipment and the engine selected by the future owner.
Bright clear contours redefine the layout of the front and rear lights. Thankfully, the two-layer multi-beam LEDs seen in the prototypes caught testing recently have been dropped. The C-Class is standaradly fit with LED daytime running lights. The LED High Performance headlights are optionally available. For the first time in the range, the MULTIBEAM LED headlights with ULTRA RANGE high beam function are available.
Mercedes is giving its customers more freedom in terms of choices, so the company now optionally paints the C saloon and estate in Mojave silver metallic and emerald green metallic.
The C-Class goes all digital, yet keeping its class, with open-pore brown walnut or open pore anthracite oak. New to the C-Class range are the magma grey/black trims, plus saddle brown for the AMG Line interior. There is a possibility to order the Multicontour Seat Package, with side bolsters and lumber support that can be individually adjusted via a pneumatic pump. Air chambers that are inflated and deflated, in a pulsing or wave-like motion, provide lumbar massage.
The dashboard follows the concept of the S-Class, with an optional fully digital instrument display offering three different styles, “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive”.
The entry-level variant will get the classic two-tube instrument cluster, with a 5.5-inch color display separating the dials. The fully digital instrument display is optionally offered with a 12.3-inch screen, with styles being switched according to the preference of the driver and with certain menus such as trip data or fuel consumption figures being displayed.
Meanwhile, the central screen located above the center console is available in two sizes. Combined with the Audio 20, it comes in a 7-inch size. If the COMAND system box is ticked, the driver gets the 10.25-inch display.
Debuted with the E-Class, the touch-sensitive controls can also be found on the steering wheel of the C, responding to swiping motions like the screen of a smartphone, allowing the driver to control the infotainment system and the instrument cluster without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The LINGUATRONIC voice control and the touchpad with controller also provide access and control of the infotainment system.
The sedan will be launched together with the T-Modell and they will both receive the standard KEYLESS-GO, while the start/stop button features a new turbine-look design. The vehicle will also look different, with the customers being able to choose from three options: black with high-gloss chrome surround, white with chrome surround or high-gloss white with matt chrome surround.
As expected, the C-Class comes with all the latest driving assistance systems, being capable of semi-autonomous driving in certain situations, thanks to its improved camera and radar systems, allowing it to detect obstacles up to 500 meters ahead. The radars scan the surroundings across a distance of up to 250 meters at the front, 40 meters to the sides and 80 meters to the rear. The 500-meter camera range also includes 3D scan capability for 90 meters.
Based on map information, the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC can adjust the speed when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. The car is capable of Active Lane Change and Active Emergency Stop. Active Brake Assist is fitted as standard, in order to mitigate the consequences of the rear-end collisions.
For the first time, the mid-size sedan gets the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, with 84 individually controllable LED modules. Junction light, roundabout light, city light and bad-weather light are all new functions of the LED Intelligent Light System that optionally fits the car.
The C-Class also receives as an option the ENERGIZING comfort control, the system that uses the functions of the climate control (including fragrancing) and the seats (heating, ventilation and massage), combined with lighting and music, to enable a specific set-up customized according to the moods and the needs of the occupants. Six programs are available, depending on the equipment line, all running for ten minutes.
We remain inside the sedan, to check the standardly fit Audio 20 infotainment system. The customer can optionally get the latest generation of the COMAND Online system with 3D hard-disc navigation with topographic map display, photo-realistic 3D buildings and 3D map rotations. The driver gets real-time traffic information, data on weather, filling stations with fuel prices and free parking spaces.
The car maker also gives the option of choosing an additional sound system with nine speakers and an output of 225 W, positioned between the standard sound system and the top-of-the-range Burmester surround system.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift will be on display next month, at the Geneva Motor Show. Further details on the engine range and sales will be provided then. So stay tuned!
