Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2011 Review - International

Mercedes-Benz C-Class update

But to sell this as only a facelift is to short change the work that's gone on under the skin. Sure, the changes to the front and rear of the C-Class are minor but inside the cabin – and in terms of the mechanical, electronics and driver aids platforms that underpin the latest version, there are myriad changes.

Indeed, Mercedes-Benz claims this is 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 entry-level saloon get updated powerplants, a seven-speed auto across the range and inherit arguably the most comprehensive safety package in the class.

This powertrain line-up won't be quite as wide as previous, however – at least at launch. Comprising two petrol and three diesel models at launch, the only six-cylinder variant offered initially will be the muscular 620Nm (and 195kW) 350 CDI oiler. A version of Mercedes' latest 60-degree V6 petrol engine is slated for introduction into the local C-Class lineup in early 2012.

The turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder petrol C 200 and C 250 wear BlueEfficiency badging only in this generation of C-Class. Mercedes has taken the decision to drop the shortlived CGI designation from its petrol powertrains. Too easy to confuse with the well-establish CDI turbodiesel designation, it's probably a smart move.

The 1.8-litre four-cylinder engines have been further refined since their introduction in 2009. Now at 135kW/270Nm and 150kW/310kW respectively, they feature auto stop-start for the first time. Coupled with Benz's latest 7G-TRONIC Plus seven-speed auto (previous C-Class fours used a five-speed box), they promise significant improvements in real world fuel economy. Indeed, Mercedes says the new 200 returns as low as 6.6L/100km in NEDC combined testing.

Local ADR fuel stats are still to be determined. If the figure ends up close to the NEDC benchmark, this is a substantial decrease on the current 200 GGI's 7.3L/100km. And note the new 250 matches the 200 for frugality in NEDC testing. The current C 250 is rated between 7.7 and 7.8L/100km depending on variant.

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.

A cracking drive even in the larger E-Class body, the 250 CDI pumps out 150kW and a substantial 500Nm but when bolted into the C-Class matches its smaller sibling in terms of economy.

With 620Nm and 195kW (as noted above) the upcoming 350 CDI promises to be a very rapid oiler and perhaps the fastest non-AMG C.

As is typically the case in the period between an international launch and the car's local introduction, Mercedes-Benz is playing new C-Class equipment levels and pricing very close to its corporate chest. The midsized prestige market is among the hardest fought battlegrounds in the Australian automotive landscape so the three-pointed star crew is not going to telegraph too many shots to their archrivals at BMW, Audi et al.

What we do know is that the new line-up will comprise two trim grades -- Elegance and Avantgarde. The old Classic designation is effectively dead with this model.

Equipment levels are variously promised to be higher than the outgoing grades and we'd expect pricing to be held very close to current levels -- if not reduced just a touch.

This seems to be the way of the world as competition gets hotter and the Aussie dollar remains strong. And despite a substantial increase in interior quality and the mechanical upgrades including the much-improved seven-speed auto…

Mercedes-Benz Australia is also keen to ensure the upgraded safety suite offered in this generation makes its way into as many Cs as possible. That should translate into a well priced safety package (see SAFETY below).

Expect to pay a similar premium for the five-door ($1940 approx) as was charged in the outgoing range.

What has changed substantially is the layout and ambience of the interior. Quality of design and fit and finish has improved, and generally the materials used at least look and feel 'richer'.

Gone is the single binnacle dashboard of the previous generation with its pop-up centre screen. In its place is a new dashboard with an extra element that sweeps across to top off the centre stack. It's reminiscent of the E-Class' dash layout and features an integrated high resolution colour screen that boasts excellent graphics.

Overall the new cabin seems 'softer' – at all grades the trim materials have a higher quality feel. Satin and brighter finishes combine to give the metallic parts a 'real' quality that the last generation missed. And ancillary controls are better crafted. It's a little like Benz let the C-Class team steal from the S-Class department's toolbox.

In another example of this filter down effect, the Avantgarde C-Class models (Avantgarde is the 'sportier' of the two trim grades) get a new three-spoked steering wheel from the latest CLS-Class. And this is the first generation of C-Class in which you can option high-grade features such as ventilated seats.

Why? Luxury buyers don't always want big, argues Benz.

The C's new telematics systems will also attract buyers. 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 the net when moving sooner rather than later.

Of course, the exterior has not been forgotten but it'll take a keen eye to pick the latest car – unless of course you've got new and old parked side by side.

Aficionados will notice external changes that have made the saloon and wagon a touch sharper. A handsome if still conservative car, the latest C-Class is just a touch more 'jewelled' -- thanks largely to the adoption of new LED equipped head and tail lamps. As they are flavor of the month of late, you won't be surprised to learn the LED component of the new C's headlamps is a daylight running lamp.

Updated alloy wheels of varying dimension are offered. In addition there are new paint colours including a strong non-metallic red that caught our eye.
Worthy of note, too, are the changes to the AMG Sport package offered on all C-Class models. An SLS-style flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifts connects the driver to his or her purchase and the usual AMG goodies are included. There's a hint more attitude to the body kit to boot.

We especially liked the AMG-enhanced C 250 petrol wagon we experienced at the Tenerife launch. Mercedes wagons have traditionally been big on practicality but down the list on style. Though the latest version offers up to 1500 litres (when the split fold rear seat backrests are folded forward and the vehicle is loaded to roof height) and a claimed maximum usable interior length (from the tailgate to the front passenger's footwell) of 2.82m, it's nonetheless a stylish hauler. It's an option that would better suit many active singles and families than the compact premium SUVs that are rapidly becoming the default choice.

At the top end of town it represents an engaging blend of style and economy – both in terms of running costs and projected purchase price.

New petrol V6 aside (more below), the major mechanical change to the latest C-Class is the adoption of Mercedes' own 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic gearbox across the range. Now fitted to all of the C-Class' range of four and six-cylinder powerplants -- petrol and diesel -- the new gearbox plays a significant role in reducing the new lineup's fuel economy.

It might seem like overkill to install the same seven-speed gearbox in a 135kW C-Class (or indeed SLK) as that fitted to a 300kW S-Class, but Mercedes engineers explained at the Tenerife launch of the new C-Class, the gearboxes are optimised for their individual installations via a choice of torque converters and other internal components.

Manual and Sport settings are retained for the 7G-TRONIC PLUS but in place of the Comfort mode offered on previous generations is an 'E' for ECO setting. The gearbox has also been modified to facilitate fuss-free auto stop-start.

All of the new C-Class's engines feature direct fuel injection and the adoption of new auto stop-start systems. The turbo fours benefit from other minor tweaks but are otherwise carried over.

Benz claims up to 31 per cent reduction in fuel economy for the new fours – but this is a touch misleading… The 31 per cent relates to the difference between the four-cylinder petrol powertrains (known in Benz speak as M271 EVO) and the older small capacity V6 petrol engine they replaced in 2009. Nonetheless, as detailed above, there have been worthwhile economy improvements in this latest range.

The champions, the latest 200 and 250 CDI diesels, achieve just 4.8L/100km in combined cycle European testing.

Set for release locally in 2012, the C 300 petrol range-topper gets a version of Mercedes all-new narrow-angle 60-degree V6 powerplant as launched in the new generation CLS. The new powerplant was not available to be driven in the C-Class at Tenerife, however, we were able to sample it in the new-generation SLK.

Smoother, more refined, more efficient but also sportier in its characteristics than the old 90-degree Benz V6, the new engine does not require power-sapping balance shafts and uses lean burn tech-nology at light loadings for better fuel economy and reduced emissions. It's also smaller and lighter than the engine it replaces and has been designed to facilitate smart packaging for future turbo-charged versions.

In its C 350 guise the engine is rated at 225kW and 370Nm – up 25kW and 20Nm – yet achieves 6.8L/100km. Compared to the outgoing 350 CGI variant offered in some markets this is an im-provement of almost 20 per cent.

The new C-Class's suspension has been changed 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 a Sport setting that, in addition to firming up the suspension also adjusts throttle and gearbox characteristics but not steering (as incorrectly noted in our C-Class launch news story). Instead, C-Class models equipped with the Dynamic Handling Package are fitted with a faster (i.e. more direct) steering rack.

They also retain a stability control off button. 'Normal' C's require you to delve into the Comand menu system to partially disable the stability control system.

A sports version of the non-adaptive suspension will also be offered.

There's one another small thing but worth noting – at least we think it is! Like the E and S-Class models, the latest C-Class brake system gets a HOLD mode. At traffic lights or similar, you need only depress the brake pedal hard once and the car will hold at a stop without any need to further apply the foot or parking brake. Touch the accelerator to move away and the hold function is can-celled. Nice!

Ten systems are included in the C's 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.

These are on top of a substantial base level of safety – both passive and active – including PRE-SAFE, Benz's system that prepares the car for a crash when all else has failed…

Though not of the ten new features will be standard equipment, Mercedes-Benz Australia says it 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 at the C-Class's international launch

"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.

In short, the changes wrought across the C-Class line-up have resulted in meaningful improvements in terms of overall performance and refinement. Already a pretty solid performer in terms of its balance of handling and comfort, the latest C-Class is better for the most part. Whether it's better than its direct BMW or Audi opposition is a judgment that will take back-to-back local testing (and full pricing and equipment details) to determine.

What is marked is the step up in cabin quality. Especially so when the cars are optioned with features new to C-Class such as ventilated comfort seats and the like. In this respect Benz has to an extent followed the example of BMW in its evolution from the first E90 3 Series models, which were a touch Spartan, to the latest fluted bonnet 3s.

Like its arch nemesis' interior, the latest C-Class cabin is a softer, better finished place to be. There are large displays of alloy and timber that looks and feels like real metal and wood. Vents, dials and knobs and the like have a better, more heavily damped feel to them.

The 250 petrol is a willing powerplant that is energetic. On the hefty climbs encountered on the launch drive it was, however, a touch busy – the seven-speeder was prone to hunting up and down ratios. In fact, it did so to a degree that I felt almost compelled to use the paddles of the AMG-equipped wagon I was driving to make the decisions for it.

In contrast, the hefty torque output of the 250 CDI saw the gearbox more happily locked down to third and fourth gear in the same precipitous terrain. Alas, via the ear you're always aware it's a diesel – in a way that perhaps some less vaunted brands' diesel are not.

The oilers are far from clattery. That said if you could combine the CDI's torque with the 250 petrol's excellent aural characteristics you might have the perfect medium car powerplant.

To be fair not many local C-Class drivers are going to be tackling the sort of roads the launch route was littered with. On the freeway along Tenerife's east cost the car settled into a comfortable gate that augurs well for local road conditions. And I should note that while the gearbox can get 'busy', gone are the clunky gear changes that sometimes made the old five-speed box seem uncultured in comparison to the rest of the C-Class packaging.

With a couple of notable exceptions (found on the SLK launch route the next day) Tenerife is possessed of the most amazingly sinuous yet billiard table smooth roads yours truly has driven anywhere. On these the Dynamic Handling Package equipped C-Class models were especially at home though they might be less convincing on Australia's rougher tarmac. Time will tell…

In the Sport setting body control is excellent but the ride is quite firm and a touch brittle.

Bottom line is even buyers of relatively low-spec'ed C-Class models will benefit from core changes. The freshening of steering response and adoption of the new seven-speed gearbox, even on the fours, is a plus. We'll be keen to see how much so on local roads when the cars arrive soon…

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