All-new C-Class debuts

Take an S-Class, trim away the bulk but keep the grown-up looks and add a dose of sportiness... That's how we'd summarise the look and feel of Mercedes-Benz's all-new C-Class premium compact model.

Launched early this morning at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart (see launch webcast here), the new W204 C-Class is bigger than the car it replaces but according to the carmaker, is more frugal. It arrives with a range of revised, more powerful four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. In AMG guise the C will even get a V8.

And for the first time in one of its sedans, Mercedes uses different front-end treatments to define model variants. While the Classic and Elegance trim levels will boast 'conventional' grilles, Avantgarde will feature a three-louvre grille with a large-centrally positioned three-pointed star.

Traditionally used in Mercedes' sportiest models including the SL and SLK coupes, the new grille will also feature in AMG versions of the C-Class. Like other Benz models a range of AMG enhancements will also be available.

The new C-Class is bigger than the car it replaces -- 55mm longer overall, 42mm wider and riding on a 45mm-longer wheelbase. Not surprisingly, the car's overall dimensions are aligned with that of its natural competitor, BMW's 3 Series.

Aligned but not identical, that is: at 4581 the C is 61mm longer than the BMW. It's also 47mm narrower though the two archrivals ride on identical 2760mm wheelbases.

Mercedes says there is more interior room than the outgoing C with the couple distance (the space between the same points of the front and rear seats) increased by 10mm to 795mm with attendant increases in knee and legroom. Effective interior width dimensions for front and rear have also been increased -- by between 20 and 40mm depending on where you hold the tape.

In addition front footwells have been increased and the new bodyshell features large door apertures for easy access.

Expect a sparring match to erupt between the C and its BMW equivalent regards useable space. The first of many 'battles' we suspect...

Under the undeniably handsome skin, as noted above the new C-Class gets a revised range of engines. In essence, the revisions are focused on the four-cylinder models -- both petrol and diesel.

The Kompressor (supercharged) petrol-engined C 180 K and C 200 K each get power and torque increases -- to 115kw/230Nm and 135kW/250Nm respectively. According to Benz the modified engines "considerably improve the performance and fuel consumption."

The C-Class' four-cylinder diesels (two versions are offered in Europe, though Australia only receives the C 220 CDI) also get power and torque boosts. The 220 CDI now develops 125kW (previously 110kW) and generates 400Nm of torque -- around 18 per cent more than before. Fuel consumption has also been reduced.

The V6 petrol engines are unchanged in the new C-Class and feature Benz's default auto gearbox -- the much vaunted 7G-TRONIC.

All four-cylinder petrol models in the new C-Class are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. A new six-speed (manual) transmission featuring Mercedes' new Agility Control gearshift is available.

Indeed, Agility Control is a recurring theme in the new C-Class. Coined by Mercedes-Benz to define "all new and further developments that improve both comfort and agility in equal measure", the Agility Control label is applied to the new C-Class' suspension, steering and manual gearshift.

The C's new suspension system features adjustable dampers while the steering is more direct. Mercedes says an Advanced Agility package will be offered later in 2007 (probably in time for the model's arrival Down Under) which will offer drivers the choice of two programs and will tailor gearshift, suspension, throttle and steering response.

As you would expect from subsequent Mercedes-Benz generations, the C-Class arrives with a new improved safety story -- too long to cover in detail here. In brief, the car's structure has been improved and the interior now features seven airbags (driver and front passenger, driver kneebag, side and curtain airbags.

The new C also features Pre-Safe and all the other safety/driver aids you'd expect such as ESP, ABS and Brake Assist.

The new C-Class' Interior takes cues from the larger models in the Mercedes range, but eschews the S-Class' (and 3 Series') twin binnacle look for a more conventional cockpit. Finishes look to have stepped up a notch or two, and as noted above, interior room has been improved.

According to Mercedes-Benz Australia, the new C-Class arrives Down Under in June with pricing likely to kick-off close to existing levels.