Mercedes-Benz Cars AG has unveiled the latest generation of its C-Class saloon and estate which is the brands highest-volume production model.
Longer, wider, but shorter in height, the new C-Class saloon and estate introduces more efficient plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, as well as more efficient four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, depending on the export market.
All new C-Class PHEV models will be equipped with rear air-suspension as standard.
“The new C-Class saves resources as a plug-in hybrid as it runs for more than 100 kilometres on electric power, which is twice that of the preceding model, and can be charged to 100% capacity in 30 minutes,” Mercedes-Benz Cars AG chief operating officer Markus Schäfer says.
Available petrol models will include the following variants: C 180, C 200, C 200 4Matic, C 300 and C 300 4Matic. Diesel model variants will include the C 220 d and the C 300 d. However models bound for Australasian markets are yet to be confirmed by the local distributor.
Mercedes-Benz Cars says the more spacious interior of the C-Class adopts the display and operating concept from the new S-Class, with the dashboard and central display slightly tilted towards the driver.
More than 2.5 million saloon and estate models have been delivered since the current generation was introduced in 2014 says the manufacturer.
Two out of every three C-Class cars sold in Germany are the estate while the largest C-Class saloon market has been China since 2016. More than 10.5 million Mercedes-Benz cars in this category have been delivered to customers since the 190E sedan rolled off the production line in 1982.
Domestic equipment and household appliances can be controlled using the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant of MBUX. Thanks to the Smart Home function, they can be networked with the vehicle and controlled remotely.
The turning circle of the new C-Class is reduced by over 40 centimetres to under eleven metres with rear-axle steering. With this optional feature, the steering angle at the rear axle is 2.5 degrees says Mercedes-Benz Cars.
The new C-Class will be produced in the Mercedes-Benz Cars plants in Bremen (Germany), Beijing (China) and East London (South Africa).
From 2022, all Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans plants will produce on a carbon-neutral basis. Many Mercedes-Benz plants already source their electrical power from renewable energy sources today, and this also applies to Bremen.
