2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Model Availability & Pricing
- C300............................. Q1 2015; TBA
- C300 4MATIC.................. September 2014; TBA
- C400 4MATIC.................. September 2014; TBA
- C63 AMG........................ Q1 2015; TBA
C-Class at its best
The all-new C-Class heralds a new chapter in the Mercedes- Benz success story and sets new standards in the premium mid-range class. Thanks to
an intelligent lightweight design concept boasting weight savings of up to 220 lbs, excellent aerodynamics and new, economical engines, the C-Class
establishes new benchmarks in its class. A host of new assistance systems offer safety of the highest standard, while a new suspension, optionally
air-sprung, provides for exemplary ride and driving comfort as well as nimble and agile handling. In terms of appearance the new C-Class adopts a
progressive approach with its clear yet emotional design and its high-class interior. Many other innovations and interior touches underscore the
sedan's luxurious comfort and refined sportiness. In all, the perceived quality of the new C-Class feels like an "upgrade to a higher class of travel."
The C-Class is the top-selling model series from Mercedes-Benz. Sales of the preceding model, which was launched in 2007, total over 2.4 million. The
new C-Class offers sensuous and clear design and a host of technical innovations as well as a comprehensive scope of standard equipment and
exemplary emission and fuel consumption values. The U.S. market launches with two C-Class models: C300 4MATIC with a 2.0L turbocharged
direct-injection in-line fourcylinder engine with preliminary power figures of 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and a C400 4MATIC with a 3.0L turbocharged direct-injection V6 at 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.
"Mercedes at its best - that's the new C-Class, which sets new standards for the mid-range segment on many fronts," says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber,
Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "It is characterised by an
emotional yet clear design which is continued in the high-quality and modern interior. Its efficient and high-performance engineering provides the basis for a high standard of driving enjoyment."
Ola Källenius, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, adds: "The new C-Class embodies Mercedes-Benz's claim 'The best
or nothing' in uncompromising style. This is immediately apparent when encountering our new Saloon for the first time, as it creates the impression
that one is sitting in a higher class of automobile. I am sure that our customers will be delighted by the high-class appeal and agility of the new C-Class."
The C-Class has grown to take account of people's increasing average height. With a 3 inch increase in the wheelbase (112 inches) compared with
the previous model, the vehicle is 3.7 inches longer (184 inches) and 1.6 inches wider (71 inches). The resultant additional space benefits first and
foremost the rear passengers, who now travel in even greater comfort. The new C-Class also increases its trunk capacity to 17 cubic feet.
Sensuous clarity and purist forms
On a visual level, the new C-Class represents a bold departure from its predecessor. Its striking, dynamic design exudes sensuous clarity and arouses
emotions. Nature was a source of inspiration for the new sedan's aesthetically sensuous lines and surfaces, whose harmony and dynamism create an
immediate effect. The designers have created minimalist, purist forms for the C-Class which emphasize its intelligent technology and engineering. The
clearly defined surfaces deliberately display a degree of tension, lending them a muscular and sensuous character. Precise lines and sculptural surfaces create lively light and shade effects.
As Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG, notes: "The new CClass showcases automotive passion by way of a contemporary design
idiom. Progressive and emotional highlights underscore the ground-breaking design style of the new C-Class and demonstrate sensual clarity. The new C-Class interprets modern luxury on a new level."
In the side view a long hood, a passenger compartment set well back and short overhangs define the C-Class's classic, well-balanced Mercedes-Benz
sedan proportions. Large wheels emphasize the rear and communicate a stylishly sporty character.
There is a choice of two different faces: sporty with centrally positioned star or the classic sedan radiator grille featuring the Mercedes star on the
hood. The fins of the radiator grille can be closed completely to optimize the vehicle's Cd value, highlighting the status of this cultivated sedan in duly self-assured style.
The new C-Class comes with H7 halogen headlamps as standard. In addition to the standard-fit headlamps, two energy-saving LED variants are
available: a static system and a dynamic version with "LED Intelligent Light System." The characteristic night design lends the new C-Class its very
own distinctive look in the dark, too. The rear lamp and brake light in the tail lights feature LED technology in all headlamp versions.
High-class interior with fine details
The Mercedes-Benz designers have styled the interior on a level which is rarely encountered even in higher vehicle categories. This applies to the
carefully chosen high-class materials and their pleasant touch and feel as well as the precision of the finely crafted details. The interior also embodies
a new design idiom which combines sensuousness and clarity perfectly with dynamic sportiness and contributes to the quality feel of the interior.
The driver and front passenger enjoy plenty of space and luxury in a discreet, modern guise on board the new C-Class. This gives rise to a feel-good
atmosphere which is new to this class of vehicle – settling into your seat in the C-Class is akin to the uplifting feeling of being upgraded from economy to business class on an airplane.
The interior design demonstrates a bold new approach by Mercedes-Benz. Here the designers combine in accomplished style the architecture of
Mercedes- Benz sports cars with a totally new center console featuring flowing lines. A large one-piece center console panel performs an elegant
sweep from the center air vents to the armrest. These seamless clear-cut lines create a sense of open space and convey a thrillingly purist and modern feel.
A centrally positioned free-standing central display is the main eye-catching feature across the center console – with a screen diagonal of 7 inches or 8.4 inches if Multimedia Package is selected.
Five round air vents lend the dashboard a sporty touch. With their metallic cool-touch effect they create a fascinating, tangible contrast to the
warm look of the other materials – such as the wood in the center console or the leather on the dashboard. The "upgrade" feel duly continues with
the controls. All switches feature a high-quality, three-dimensional design befitting a luxury vehicle and benefit from a clear layout.
The innovative touchpad in the handrest over the Controller on the center tunnel marks a further evolutionary step developed in-house at
Mercedes-Benz. As on a smartphone, this provides for very simple and intuitive operation of all the head-unit functions using finger gestures. The
touchpad also permits letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting - in any language. The user receives clear haptic
feedback when operating the touchpad's control surface, which is highly conducive to genuine intuitive use.
A head-up display is also new to the C-Class. Like in a jet fighter, it displays important information directly in the driver's field of vision on the front
windscreen, thus providing for clear legibility and ensuring that the driver is distracted less from the road ahead. The system provides information on
vehicle speed, speed limits and navigation instructions and displays messages from DISTRONIC PLUS.
Robust yet lightweight bodyshell
The body-in-white of the new C-Class provides an innovative basis for reduced weight, outstanding rigidity, including introduction rigidity for
excellent handling, combined with optimum noise and vibration characteristics and a high level of crash safety. Thanks to intelligent and innovative
lightweight construction, the aluminum hybrid body is around 154 lbs lighter than a conventional steel body. The vehicle's overall weight is even
reduced by around 220 lbs. As such, the new C-Class leads the "lightweight rankings" in its segment. This spawns numerous benefits: the lightweight
construction of the new C-Class cuts fuel consumption by up to 20 percent without any loss of performance, while at the same time enabling a lower
center of gravity, which in turn gives rise to the vehicle's noticeably sporty and agile handling.
Mercedes-Benz achieves this feat of lightweight construction by various measures, including a completely new structural design and the use of an
unusually high proportion of aluminum for a mass-produced range. The share of aluminum has risen compared with the successful predecessor from under 10 percent to almost 50 percent.
In keeping with Mercedes-Benz traditions, the body is designed for exemplary crash safety. As a result, the Sedan complies not only with all current
national laws but also with all rating requirements, as well as meeting the more stringent internal Mercedes-Benz safety standards based on what actually happens during accidents.
A high-strength safety passenger compartment forms the core of this concept. It is surrounded by specifically configured and field-tested
deformation zones which ensure maximum safety for the occupants by virtue of optimized force paths and a combination of aluminum castings and
ultra-high-strength materials. An outer skin consisting almost completely of aluminum provides a protective shell for the body.
Leading the field in aerodynamics and quiet running
Low drag is crucial to achieving outstanding efficiency. From a speed of just under 43 mph, aerodynamic drag exceeds the sum total of all other
driving resistance factors. As such, drag constitutes a major parameter in efforts to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The wind noise
level, which was already very low in the preceding generation of the C-Class, has been lowered still further.
The engineers have also devoted painstaking attention to optimizing other potential sources of disturbance which may have an adverse effect on the
driver's and passengers' well-being and concentration, even though they may not consciously notice the effects. NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) is
the technical term for such nuisance factors. The specialists have optimized the noise characteristics of the interior blower, the power windows, the
seat adjustment functions and many other actuation and operating noises, for example. As a result, the new C-Class occupies a benchmark position in its segment.
Optimized drive train
Smooth automatic gear shifting is provided by the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, which has undergone further development at Mercedes-Benz in the interests of enhanced environment-friendliness and driving pleasure.
The 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system serves to improve traction and driving stability in the C-Class, too, while additionally underscoring the vehicle's refined sportiness.
Suspension – sporty yet comfortable
The suspension on the new C-Class is a totally new development. It provides for nimble and agile handling that makes driving a great pleasure on
winding roads while also offering the highest standard of ride comfort in the segment.
A newly designed 4-link front axle plays a major part in the agile handling characteristics. Thanks to the 4-link principle, the front independent
suspension is fully decoupled from the spring strut. The resultant favorable axle kinematics allow more grip and higher lateral stability. As a result, the
suspension responds more sensitively to steering movements and allows a sporty, agile driving style. An optimized multi-link independent rear
suspension with 5-link concept ensures unsurpassed wheel location qualities and supreme straightline stability.
The new C-Class Sedan is fitted as standard with a steel suspension. Two suspensions with selective damping systems are available:
- a comfortable yet sporty base suspension
- a sports suspension lowered by .6 inches as part of the optional Sport Package
First air suspension in this category
Alternatively, the new C-Class is the first vehicle in its segment that can be fitted with an air suspension (AIRMATIC) on the front and rear axles.
Thanks to electronically controlled, continuous variable damping at the front and rear, it offers outstanding road roar and tire vibration characteristics
even with the vehicle loaded. The driver can use the AGILITY SELECT switch to choose between the various characteristics: "Comfort", "ECO",
"Sport" and "Sport+." The additional "Individual" option enables drivers to configure their vehicle according to their own wishes. AIRMATIC also
features all-round self-leveling for optimum ride comfort even when the vehicle is loaded.
The new C-Class also comes with an electric parking brake as standard. This brake is released automatically when the driver ends parking mode with the aim of moving off.
Steering with a sporty character
All models of the C-Class family will feature the electromechanical Direct Steer system as standard in future. This combines road-speed-dependent
power assistance from the speed-sensitive power steering system with a steering ratio which varies according to the given steering angle. The power
steering assistance provided by the rack and pinion steering gear is controlled on-demand, thereby contributing towards efficiency.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive: The intelligent car
It is the declared aim of Mercedes-Benz to make the highest standard of safety available to everyone. To this end, the new C-Class incorporates
almost all of the new assistance systems with a host of enhanced functions which celebrated their world premiere in the S-Class and E-Class only a
few months ago. The assistance systems enhance both comfort and safety. Mercedes-Benz calls this Intelligent Drive.
The new C-Class offers numerous innovative safety and assistance systems. It is fitted as standard with ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn the
driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness. On motorways, the COMAND system navigation function flags up nearby break options as stopovers,
providing the system has been specified in the vehicle. The ATTENTION ASSIST function offers an adjustable level of sensitivity and can inform the
driver in a separate view in the instrument cluster about their level of drowsiness and how long they have been driving since their last break.
In addition to Adaptive Brake Assist, which offers protection from collisions from speeds as low as 4 mph, standard-fit COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS also features an additional function: when a danger of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out
autonomous braking at speeds of up to 124 mph, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles. The system also brakes
in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 31 mph, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at speeds of up to 25 mph.
New assistance systems and existing assistance systems with a host of enhanced functions from the new S-Class and E-Class are also optionally
available, combining data from various sensor technologies as part of the Intelligent Drive concept to enhance comfort and safety substantially:
Airbags for safety
In addition to 3-point seat belts with pyrotechnical belt tensioning and belt force limitation for the driver, the front passenger and those in the outer
rear seats, numerous airbags serve to protect the vehicle's occupants in an accident. These include:
- Pelvis bags for driver and front passenger
- a newly developed window bag
- side bags for the outer rear seats
- a knee bag for the driver
The front passenger seat is fitted as standard with automatic child seat recognition, which dispenses with the previous transponder in favor of a
weight mat. This enables any child seat to be used. The airbag is automatically deactivated when a child seat is fitted and reactivated once it has been removed.
Air conditioning: signals from space
Mercedes-Benz has undertaken systematic further development and substantial improvement of the air conditioning system in the new C-Class. This
applies in particular to the control quality, performance, efficiency and air quality. The new C-Class is also the only vehicle in the segment to offer
tunnel detection via satellite navigation. It uses the map information from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air
recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel, subsequently re-opening it when the vehicle emerges from the tunnel.
Another highlight contributing to a feel-good atmosphere is the AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing, air ionization and more efficient filtration than is available on the standard model.
Vibrant infotainment
A completely new multimedia generation offers intuitive operation in the new C-Class, featuring elaborate animations and visual effects which present
all the functions in a clear and highly attractive manner. The new C-Class is also equipped with the unique Frontbass system. This avant-garde
acoustic systems uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the bass speakers to
conjure up a listening experience almost on a par with a concert hall. A Burmester® surround sound system is optionally available.
The navigation system presents its contents in interactive mode. Its features include an animated compass, a "Drive Show" with information for
passengers similar to the on-screen presentations on board airplanes and Google Maps displayed on the head unit.
In-car technology
COMAND not only offers a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and a special bonded glass cover such as is familiar from consumer devices like the iPhone or iPad.
The new C-Class will also include mbrace2 connected car technology, including the available option to have over twenty Mercedes-Benz Apps integrated into the COMAND system.
Quick Reference Guide 2015 C-Class
Models
- C300
- C300 4MATIC
- C400 4MATIC
- C63 AMG
Standard Feature Highlights
- Innovative touchpad for radio, telephone and navigation system operation
- Keyless Start
- COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
- ATTENTION ASSIST
- PRE-SAFE
- ECO Start/Stop System
- Full Power Front Seats with Memory Function
- USB Port, Bluetooth Audio Streaming and HD Radio
- Bluetooth Interface for Hands-Free Phone Use
- Media Interface
Optional Feature Highlights
- Head-Up Display
- AIRMATIC Air-Suspension
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- Active Lane Keeping Assist
- DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist
- BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist
- PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist
- Air Balance Package
- Burmester Premium Sound
Model Positioning
The next generation C-Class sets a new standard in the premium mid-range class with an unmistakable design, high-class interior and dynamic handling characteristics.
- C300/4MATIC
- MSRP.......................TBA
- Engine.....................2.0 L In-line turbo 4-Cylinder
- Transmission.............7-speed automatic7-speed automatic
- Performance.............241hp / 229 lb-ft torque
- C400 4MATIC
- MSRP.......................TBA
- Engine.....................3.0L Biturbo V6
- Transmission.............7-speed automatic7-speed automatic
- Performance.............329 hp / 354 lb-ft torque
|