After more than 6 years, we finally have an all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class generation.
Ever since Mercedes-Benz released the 190E in 1982, this family of cars has come to represent the 3-pointed Star’s most compact 4-door offering. Now Mercedes-Benz has launched their 6th-generation C-Class, and the role of the nameplate has been elevated. Now the smallest sedan on offer is the A-Class Sedan, and the outgoing C-Class has set itself up as the best selling model from the brand with 2.5 million units sold since 2014. There’s a lot to live up to.
What’s clear from the sales data of the outgoing W205 is this: the C-Class is loved mostly by customers in China. As such, you can expect Chinese market tastes to shape this new model. However, before we get into the subjective elements, let’s talk about more objective criteria.
Changes In Dimensions Of The New C-Class (W206 vs W205)
EXTERIOR
- Length is up by 65mm (4751mm)
- Width is up by 10mm (1820mm) exc mirrors
- Height is down by 9mm (1438mm)
- Front track is up by 19mm (1582mm)
- Rear track is up by 48mm (1594mm)
INTERIOR
FRONT OCCUPANTS
- head room is up by 2mm
- elbow room is up by 22mm
- shoulder room is up by 26mm
REAR OCCUPANTS
- head room is up by 13mm
- elbow room is up by 15mm
- shoulder room is up by 13mm
- knee room is up by 35mm
Some dimensions have stayed the same, including luggage capacity and front legroom.
C-Class Petrol Engines
As Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has traditionally only sold petrol and petrol hybrid models of the C-Class, we shall only mention details of these here. But do note there are plenty of diesel models, including the first ever pairing of a diesel with an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) from Mercedes-Benz.
There are 2 engine options, all paired with an ISG that’s housed within the 9G-TRONIC gearbox. This gives the C-Class a bit of fuel savings and a bit of an ‘EQ Boost’ in 3 different output settings. The option of AWD is there for 2 of these outputs. Here’s how it’s structured for the European market.
| C 180 | C 200 | C 200 4MATIC | C 300 | C 300 4MATIC | ||
| Displacement | cc | 1496 | 1496 | 1496 | 1999 | 1999 |
| Output | kW/hp | 125/170 | 150/204 | 150/204 | 190/258 | 190/258 |
| at | rpm | 5500-6100 | 5800-6100 | 5800-6100 | 5800 | 5800 |
| Add. output (boost) | kW/hp | 15/20 | 15/20 | 15/20 | 15/20 | 15/20 |
| Peak torque | Nm | 250 | 300 | 300 | 400 | 400 |
| at | rpm | 1800-4000 | 1800-4000 | 1800-4000 | 2000-3200 | 2000-3200 |
| Add. torque (boost) | Nm | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Combined fuel consumption | l/100 km | 6.5-6.2 | 6.6-6.2(6.7-6.3) | 6.9-6.5 | 7.0-6.6 | 7.3-7.0 |
| Combined CO2emissions2 | g/km | 149-141 | 150-141(153-143) | 157-149 | 159-150 | 168-161 |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | s | 8.6 | 7.3 (7.5) | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Top speed | km/h | 231 | 246 (240) | 241 | 250 | 250 |
Plug-in Hybrid models will follow soon after. These will no longer suffer from having a stepped boot and will have at least 100km of pure electric range.
Highlights of this new C-Class
- Fee-standing driver display in either 10.25″ or 12.3″ form
- Infotainment screen in either 9.5″ or 11.9″ form
- Dashboard and central display are tilted towards the driver. MBUX’s “Hey Mercedes” command is linked to appliances thanks to a Smart Home function
- Optional rear axle steering with a 2.5-degree angle. It reduces the turning circle by 40cm
- Second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) with a more structured layout, new display styles (Discreet, Sporty, Classic) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service)
- MBUX Smart Home function to control temperature and lights, shutters and electrical appliances from the car
- Augmented Video is optional. This uses a camera to register and superimposes virtual objects, house numbers, road signs and more to make navigation easier
- 9″ X 3″ colour head-up display optional
- A fingerprint scanner for MBUX login is present in the car
- Over-the-air updates can be carried out
