GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: New C-Class raises tech levels even higher

Mercedes-Benz has long declared its intentions of making technology and safety more accessible. Now, with the arrival of its all-new top-selling C-Class, it seems that edict is particularly relevant – the model incorporating most of the mod cons found in the flagship S-Class, and without the usual wait for ‘trickle down’.

A host of new driver assistance systems and enhanced interface functionality Mercedes markets under the banner ‘Intelligent Drive’ will be launched with the new C-Class in Europe this week, and just months after appearing in the new E- and S-Class.

These include a system designed to detect driver fatigue and inattentiveness known as ATTENTION ASSIST, which can even operate in conjunction with the satellite navigation to flag nearby rest stops. The system’s sensitivity levels are adjustable, and can advise the driver how long they’ve been at the wheel, and when it is recommended they should stop for a break.

For driver and passengers alike, the navigation system can also present an animated route tracking system similar to that found in aircraft. Known as Drive Show, the on-screen presentation uses Google Maps to provide not only a visual representation of your journey, but also accurate real-time traffic information received via the internet-based Live Traffic Information service.

Also governed via satellite is the C-Class’ climate control in what Mercedes says is a “substantial improvement” of its air-conditioning system. The system can detect when the vehicle is about to travel through a tunnel and close the recirculation flap to prevent vehicle fumes from entering the cabin. And in case the air inside is still less than favourable, an optional system dubbed AIR-BALANCE will fragrance and ionise the air to suit.

Not forgetting your ears, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is further offered with a completely new multimedia system with more “elaborate animations and visual effects”, improved user-friendliness and optional Burmester surround sound.

A new-in-class Frontbass system uses the space within the cross-member and side member of the body structure as a resonance chamber to channel richer sound to the front seat passengers. Audio is sourced via the usual means, though can also be streamed via Bluetooth from the internet, from your iPod, an SD card or a USB stick. As with the current model, LINGUATRONIC voice control and TV reception are also available.

Mac users will also delight in the fact Mercedes-Benz is corroborating with Apple on an integrated infotainment system dubbed CarPlay, which seamlessly duplicates iOS 7 functionality on the car’s 8.4-inch floating screen.

COMAND Online, Mercedes’ internet capable audio package, further allows access to the internet (while stationary), connecting to Mercedes-Benz supported apps including Weather, Google Local Search with StreetView and Panoramio, Destination/Route Download and Facebook on the go. For backseat drivers, COMAND Online also functions as a WiFi hotspot.

Also available are Active Parking Assist, which enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention to manage both end-on and parallel parking, and a 360-degree camera to provide a bird’s eye view of the car and its surroundings. Traffic Sign Assist provides speed limit info and can even tell you if you’ve gone the wrong way down a one-way street, while Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus is able to “mask out” other vehicles from your high-beam headlights whilst leaving them on.

The new C-Class also offers Adaptive Brake Assist, and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, which can autonomously brake the car from speeds between seven and 200km/h. The system is said to be able to prevent rear-end collisions completely at speeds up to 40km/h. DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot is able to follow the vehicle ahead in traffic jams at speeds up to 60km/h, while the BAS PLUS Brake Assist System detects crossing traffic and boosts the amount of braking force should it deem the driver’s input to be insufficient.

Blind-spot monitoring, Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist and radar-based cruise control are all available optionally. 

And, should it all go to pot, the new C-Class comes fitted with pyrotechnical belt tensioning and belt force limitation for all outboard passengers (yes, front and rear), anti-whiplash head restraints, newly developed window airbags, pelvis airbags and a driver’s knee airbag, rear seat side airbags and the option of child-seat recognition for the front passenger seat to deactivate the front passenger airbag automatically if the seat is not occupied. 

Like its predecessor, it is expected the new C-Class will achieve a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating. It is, of course, also fitted with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control, et al.

The new C-Class is slated to go on sale locally later this year. It is not yet known which of the above listed features will be available in Australian-specified models, though if the E- and S-Class models already on sale are anything to go by, we anticipate most will be offered.

Pricing and full specifications for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be announced closer to the model’s local launch, around July or early August of this year.

Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our International Launch Review of the all-new C-Class.

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