Benz adjusts C-Class value equation

Mercedes-Benz has grabbed with both hands the opportunity presented by the five per cent reduction in the imported passenger vehicle tariff earlier this year. The prestige importer has swung a deal with the factory for an enhanced C-Class range to be sold in Australia and those cars are now reaching Benz dealers.

"For 2010 we have added $3000 worth of new standard equipment right across the four-cylinder C-Class with no price increase -- but with significant improvements in power, emissions and fuel economy. The six-cylinder C-Class gains almost $8000 worth of equipment in addition to new nomenclature," said the Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Horst von Sanden, welcoming the revised models.

As the new entry-level model for the range, the C 200 CGI succeeds the supercharged C 200 Kompressor, which has been dropped.  Turbocharged and direct-injected, the C 200 CGI models are priced at $57,900 for the sedan and $59,790 -- the same level as the C 200 K counterparts. Those cars come with additional equipment claimed by Benz to be worth over $3000. The new standard items are: 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, Avantgarde-style grille/bonnet badge, dual cup holders and 70/30 split-folding rear seats.

Displacing 1.8 litres, the new engine picks up eight per cent more torque over the superseded C 200 K supercharged engine -- and it does so emitting almost 10 per cent fewer exhaust emissions and using almost nine per cent less fuel in combined-cycle testing. Peak power for the CGI engine remains the same as for the Kompressor engine, 135kW, but torque is 270Nm (250Nm for the earlier engine). Fuel consumption and emissions are rated at 7.3L/100km and 171g/km respectively, versus 8.0L/100km and 189g/km for the Kompressor.

The C 200 CGI's standard features beyond the C 200 K specification have also flowed through to the continuing C 220 CDI models. As for the entry-level (petrol) models, Benz has left pricing for the diesel variants where it was, $61,400 for the sedan and $62,805 for the wagon.

Based around a new level of trim, the C 250 CGI is powered by an up-rated version of the direct-injection turbo engine in the C 200 CGI models. According to Mercedes-Benz, this model has been introduced in answer to those buyers who want extra performance without going to a V6 engine.

Consequently, the 1.8-litre engine in this state of tune produces 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque, using 7.7L/100km of fuel and emitting 180g/km of CO2 in combined-cycle testing. Despite the extra power and torque, the C 250 CGI engine also remains more efficient and economical than the supercharged Kompressor engine.

Standard features in the C 250 CGI grade -- available as both sedan ($65,900) and wagon ($67,990) -- in addition to the C 200 CGI spec include: COMAND APS (entertainment and navigation system) with single-disc CD/DVD player, 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and Avantgarde model line. As for the C 200 CGI, the C 250 CGI variants score dual cupholders and 70/30 split-fold rear seating.

For buyers happy to purchase a V6-engined C-Class, Benz has upped the specification of the C 300 petrol and C 350 CDI turbodiesel variants without raising the prices. Benz claims that the upgraded models have gained $7900 worth of standard features. These comprise: Vision Package (incorporating bi-xenon headlights with Intelligent Light System, Harmon/Kardon® LOGIC7® 450W surround sound system, glass electric sunroof with tilt/slide functions) and 18-inch 5-twin-spoke alloy wheels. As for the lower-spec models, the V6 C-Class variants also gain a split-fold rear seat and dual cupholders.

Pricing for the range-topping C 63 AMG is unchanged, but the V8 models inherit a reversing camera and the dual cupholders -- an improvement of $1280 in the value of the sedan and wagon variants.

All prices quoted are manufacturer's list prices and do not include on-road costs or dealer pre-delivery charge.

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