A-grade for updated C-Class

Mercedes-Benz has debuted the most comprehensive midlife upgrade of the C-Class range yet. Comprising over 2000 new parts according to Benz's official blurb, the update sees Mercedes-Benz's volume-selling range adopt many of the safety and convenience features of larger series vehicles for the first time.

Highlights of the update include the adoption of the latest suite of dynamic safety aids from Mercedes' larger models, the arrival of a seven-speed automatic gearbox across the range, a new COMAND system with online functionality and updated engines including auto stop-start and an all-new direct-injected V6 petrol powerplant.

Inside the cabin has been upgraded. There's a new dashboard with integrated high resolution screen and all spec grades get significantly upgraded trim materials.

And though most changes are under the skin, the exterior has not been forgotten. Aficionados will notice external changes that have made the saloon and wagon a touch sharper. A handsome if still conservative car, the latest W204 C-Class ( the model family designation has not been changed) is just a touch more jewelled -- thanks largely to the adoption of new LED equipped head and tail lamps (the former including C-shaped running lamps for the first time).

Its AMG Enhanced variants feature new body kits which add more than a hint of attitude.

The C-Class upgrade was rolled out at the Geneva show this week. Also debuting alongside the new sedan and wagon was the first-ever true C-Class Coupe. Aimed squarely at the 3 Series two door, the coupe will replace the CLC and be the star of its own separate launch in the coming months.

Expect the two-door to arrive Down Under, hot on the heels of the updated sedan and wagon which go on sale in June -- ahead of the USA and most other markets outside of Europe.

The new Aussie C-Class sedan lineup will comprise two petrol and three diesel models at launch. The turbocharged direct-injected petrol 200 and 250 drop the CGI badging in this generation. Instead they are badged as BlueEfficiency powerplants.

The 1.8-litre four-cylinder engines are rated at 135kW/270Nm and 150kW/310kW respectively and feature auto stop-start for the first time. Coupled with Benz's 7G-TRONIC Plus seven-speed auto (previous C-Class fours used a five-speed box), they promise significant improvements in real world fuel economy.

Mercedes says the new 200 returns between 6.6-7.2L/100km in NEDC Combined testing. Local ADR fuel stats are still to be determined. If the figure ends up at the lower end of the NEDC range, this is a substantial decrease on the current 200 GGI. The 250 matches the 200 in NEDC testing.

A petrol-engined 300 model, powered by Mercedes' latest 60-degree petrol V6, is expected to join the local line-up late in 2011. No performance or fuel efficiency stats are available on the variant yet.

The C's new diesels are the 200 CDI, 250 CDI and 350 CDI. The 100kW/360Nm 200 replaces the 220 CDI as the entry-level turbodiesel and will potentially deliver sub 5.0L/100km combined economy.

The 250 CDI pumps out 150kW and a substantial 500Nm but matches its smaller sibling in terms of economy. With 620Nm, the 195kW 350 CDI promises to be a very rapid oiler and perhaps the fastest non-AMG C.

Suspension has been changed for the new generation across petrol and diesel models with tweaking to the damper and spring rates in the standard models and the addition of an optional new Dynamic Handling Package.

The Dynamic system uses adaptive electronically adjustable dampers. It offers drivers the choice of Sport setting that, in addition to firming up the suspension also adjusts steering, throttle and gearbox characteristics. A sports version of the non-adaptive suspension will also be offered.

It's arguably the safety package and new telematics systems that will get most attention for the new Cs, however.

Dubbed Comand Online, the top-spec infotainment/telematics system is claimed to be two generations ahead of the systems used in Benz's top of the line S-Class limos. Using the data roaming capability of your mobile phone, Comand Online delivers in-car web surfing and a raft of other infotainment features including updatable navigation with Google/address book interface and more.

The system even lets you plan touring routes on your desktop and upload them to the car remotely.

Mercedes says Comand Online will be offered with full functionality Down Under but is still to test all aspects of its operation. Some functions will be disabled when the car is moving but expect the carmaker to utilise its SplitView screen technology to allow passengers to surf when moving sooner rather than later.

Perhaps the most significant upgrade the C-Class has undergone however is the arrival of the full complement of safety features previously available locally only in the CL and S-Class.

Ten systems are included in the full suite including Active Land Keeping Assist (which uses brakes to nudge the car back online), blind spot and Distronic Plus cruise control with autonomous braking and a speed limit assistance system which combines navigation data and front video cameras to display speed limit warnings to the driver. Adaptive Headlamps and an automated parking system are also on the equipment list.

Though not all will be standard equipment, Mercedes-Benz Australia officials say the company is seeking to set pricing and equipment for the new range that "encourages" C-Class buyers to opt for the new systems.

"We are working with head office to ensure that we can make these important safety breakthroughs available to a wider group of C-Class buyers," Mercedes Australia Corporate Communications Manager Jerry Stamoulis told the Carsales Network.

"This is the first time these latest safety features have been offered in the medium size segment. That they have also arrived in C-Class less than a year after their introduction in our executive and luxury class cars is significant," he said.

The upcoming lineup will also break new ground locally in terms of sedan and wagon mix. For the first time Aussie C-Class wagon buyers will be able to choose from all powertrain variants. Expect to pay a similar premium for the five-door, as was charged in the outgoing range.

Stamoulis said full pricing and specification details of the Australian C-Class range would be announced closer to the local launch in June.

The Carsales Network sampled a number of four-cylinder C-Class models this week at the range's launch on the islands of Tenerife and can report that the changes have resulted in meaningful improvements in terms of overall performance and refinement.

The step-up in cabin quality is marked especially when the cars are optioned with features new to C-Class such as ventilated comfort seats and the like.

The Dynamic Handling Package equipped cars especially were at home on the challenging mountain roads of the volcanic island though might be less convincing on Australia's rougher tarmac. In Sport settings body control is excellent but the ride is quite firm and a touch brittle.

Even buyers of low-specced cars will benefit from core changes however. The freshening of steering response and adoption of the new seven-speed gearbox, even on the fours, is a plus. The number of ratios can see the engine hunting up and down at times when pushing on, however in normal driving conditions the engines settle into a very gate.

Look out for full details and comprehensive coverage of the new C-Class range soon.

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