Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Highly sought-after, Mercedes-Benz’s latest release, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

A fifth-generation build (W206), the D-segment (compact executive sedan) runner underpins two powertrain setups (MHEV, PHEV).

Locally assembled (CKD – Pahang), available via Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) are two variants (C 200 AMG Line – RM292,888, C 350 e AMG Line – RM349,888).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) cover vehicle (four years, unlimited mileage – C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line) and PHEV battery (six years/100,000 km – C 350 e AMG Line) warranties.

Exterior (single-tone) colours (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line: Polar White, Obsidian Black, Spectral Blue, Graphite Grey, Selenite Grey, High-tech Silver – C 350 e AMG Line: Canvasite Blue, MANUFAKTUR Hyacinth Red). 

Interior (single-tone – dual-tone) colours (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line: Black – C 350 e AMG Line: Black-Sienna Brown).

The new C-Class has a cascading and tiered dashboard (AMG Line Interior Package), linked to a high-rising-wide centre console (gear selector-omitted, infotainment, vehicle telematics, wireless charger, storages).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, centre console, steering wheel, doors), its sees leatherette (ARTICO Nappa-look) upholstery in variant-specific colour schemes (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line: Black – C 350 e AMG Line: Black-Sienna Brown) with contrast trims (C 200 AMG Line: Silver-Grey Diamond pattern, High-Gloss Black – C 350 e AMG Line: Silver-Grey Metal structure, High-Gloss Black).

Equipped are the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) driver/central displays (individual units: instrument cluster, infotainment), air-conditioning vents (single corners, three-piece centre – Metallised turbine-designed), ambient lights (Light and Sight Package: 64-colour, Merc logo projection), AMG sport pedals (brushed Stainless Steel, rubber studs) and AMG floor mats.

Inclusively, the layout is simple and straight-forward with accessibilities purposefully arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Part of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (third-generation NTG 7 – individual unit), installed is a 12.3-inch colour TFT LCD fully digital (Multi-Information Display – MID) driver display (instrument cluster) with a Head-Up Display (HUD).

Features are three display styles (CLASSIC, SPORTY, DISCREET), multiple interfaces (drive modes, vehicle settings) and three modes (NAVIGATION, ASSISTANCE, SERVICE).

Mounted is a three-spoke-flat-bottom Sport steering wheel. Nappa leather (Black) with contrast trims (Metal structure, High-Gloss Black).

Features are multi-switches (capacitive touch controls – Bluetooth, media, voice assistant, vehicle settings), paddle shifters (Silver-Chrome), gear selector (right stalk) and column adjustments (electric: tilt, telescopic).

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Practical storage spaces. E.g., glove box, centre console spaces (partitioned, caverned, retractable, under-stowage), pockets (seat backs, side doors) and hidden boot space (under-boot floor).

Equipped are four USB ports (USB Package: two – front, rear), one 12 V power socket (front) and one wireless charger (Comfort Package: front).

The boot comes with the Comfort Plus Package feature (handsfree: remote control/key fob, button).

Accessing the tailgate opens to 455 litres (C 200 AMG Line) and 355 litres (C 350 e AMG Line) of load spaces.

Solidly dynamic, its exterior parades the typical Mercedes-Benz styling, emphasised by seamlessly clean and roundly cut surfaces.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet (Merc emblem), rounded quarter panels (raised fenders) and a sculpted bumper (grille: Mercedes-Benz pattern insert, Merc emblem, air intake: lower full width).

Fitments, AMG Line Exterior Package (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line) and Night Package (C 350 e AMG Line).

Seamlessly solid, it continues the typical Mercedes-Benz styling, emphasised by cleanly cut and roundly symmetrical surfaces.

The rear-end sees a straight-cut roofline, a cascading tailgate (spoiler-omitted, Merc emblem), rounded quarter panels (raised fenders) and a sculpted bumper (diffuser: corner exhausts, corner slit air intakes).

Fitments, AMG Line Exterior Package (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line) and Night Package (C 350 e AMG Line).

Roundly angular, the headlamps are framed sharp and inward-tilted. Installed are full LED (C 200 AMG Line: High Performance – C 350 e AMG Line: Digital Light) units.

Features are automatic On/Off/high-/low-beam/levelling/cornering, Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), Adaptive High Beam Assist (C 200 AMG Line), Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus (C 350 e AMG Line), welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Roundly triangular, the tail lamps are framed large with wraparound pointed edges. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals (LED). Included is a high-mounted stop light (windscreen-integrated).

The side mirrors (C 200 AMG Line: body-colour-Black – C 350 e AMG Line: Black) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust). 

Features are sequential turn signals (LED), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Assist – BSA), automatic-dimming/heating (Mirror Package), memory (Memory Package) and ground light projection (Mercedes-Benz pattern).

Mounted are ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes, featuring coloured callipers (Silver, ‘Mercedes-Benz’ lettering).

Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system and a regenerative braking system (Recuperative Braking – C 350 e AMG Line).

Sportily designed, fitted is a set of 19-inch (C 200 AMG Line: multi-spoke, Silver, high-sheen) and 18-inch (C 350 e AMG Line: five-spoke, Silver, high-sheen) AMG light-alloy rims.

The sets are rubbered up in 225/40 R19 (front) and 255/35 R19 (rear) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 (C 200 AMG Line) and 225/45 R18 (front, rear) Michelin Primacy 4 MO (C 350 e AMG Line) tyres.

The new C-Class features the variant-specific sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped (C 200 AMG Line) are Blind Spot Assist (BSA), Active Brake Assist (ABA), Tow-Away Protection with Visual and Audible Warning (TAP-VAW), Adaptive High Beam Assist (AHBA) and Parking Package (360-degree camera, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC – APA-P).

Grouped (C 350 e AMG Line) are Driving Assistance Package Plus (Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC – ADAD, Active Lane Keeping Assist – ALKA), Active Brake Assist (ABA), Blind Spot Assist (BSA), Tow-Away Protection with Visual and Audible Warning (TAP-VAW), Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus (AHBAP) and Parking Package (360-degree camera, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC – APA-P).

Others (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line) are Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill-Start Assist (HSA), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety under GUARD 360-degree Vehicle Protection, grouped are Anti-theft Alarm system (ATA – immobiliser, security alarm, collision detection), PRE-SAFE System, PRE-SAFE Impulse Side, interior monitoring system, pedestrian protection and passive person presence reminder.

Others include seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver-knee, front sides, front-rear curtains), airbag disable function (front-rear), seat belts (pretensioners, anchors, reminders), ISOFIX (two – rear outer seats), Door Opening Warning (DOW), automatic door locks (speed-sensing, collision-sensing, central-locking, walk-away-auto-lock), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-/low-beam/levelling/cornering), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (rear – dynamic guidelines, 360-degree), Mirror package (automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors – exterior, interior), side mirrors (BSA), impact beams (side, front), emergency brake signal, windscreen electric defrosting (front), laminated safety glass (break-in resistant, heat-noise-insulated – Acoustic Comfort Package) and TIREFIT.

Part of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (third-generation NTG 7 – individual unit), installed is a 11.9-inch HD touchscreen central display (infotainment).

Features are three display styles (CLASSIC, SPORTY, DISCREET), multiple interfaces (drive modes, vehicle settings) and three modes (NAVIGATION, ASSISTANCE, SERVICE).

The system supports MBUX Interior Assistant (front – voice/gesture/steering controls), MBUX AR-Navigation (C 350 e AMG Line), MBUX Navigation Premium, Live Traffic Information, Mercedes-me Services, AM/FM radio, USB, Bluetooth, 5G/WiFi/WiFi hotspot, media, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless) and fingerprint scanner (MBUX custom drive settings).

Entertainment is channelled via a Burmester 3D surround sound system (C 200 AMG Line: eight speakers – C 350 e AMG Line: six speakers).

Fused (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line) to the setups is a 9G-Tronic (nine-speed) automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels (C 200 AMG Line, C 350 e AMG Line), via a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) system.

Propping-up the chassis is a setup of multi-link (front, rear) suspension. Incorporated is an agility control suspension with selective damping system (C 200 AMG Line) and a self-levelling comfort suspension system (C 350 e AMG Line).

The sedan is comfortably spacious and safe. Ride quality is firm and well-balanced, delivering high-power density, high efficiency and high-power reliability.

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The build is acoustically designed to enhance the in-car ambience.

Part of the aero-acoustic measures used is the installation of the laminated safety glass (break-in resistant, heat-noise-insulated – Acoustic Comfort Package).

Overall, the cabin can suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, in most of the day-to-day driving environment.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class exudes a solidly elegant outlook. A luxuriously sleek and sporty design that features seamlessly dynamic body contours.

Stepping inside is like stepping into the future, with its high-tech cockpit design and interface (MBUX multimedia system), and the cocooning luxurious premium-designed cabin.

Ultimately, the build quality is excellent, and with its energising powertrain (MHEV, PHEV), the new C-Class is truly a contender in its segment.