Why Australia's top-selling luxury vehicle just got better

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class dominates the Australian luxury vehicle market and a thorough mid-life update coming in August will help cement its position. Here's why.

1. Turbo hybrid engine

The new entry-level Mercedes-Benz C 200 has downsized from a 2.0-litre engine to a puny 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, but the good news is the C 200 still generates just as much power (135kW/280Nm).

It's a plucky powertrain with plenty of hustle on the road and the mild-hybrid system adds an extra boost (10kW/160Nm) when accelerating from standstill, while reducing fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

2. High-tech instrument cluster

Although the exterior of the new 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class range doesn't look particularly different, a trick new high-resolution (1920×720px) 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster makes the car feel a lot more sophisticated.

Drivers can customise the display via touch pads on the new steering wheel – which also looks schmick – placing nav maps or efficiency data where they need it.

3. Self-driving systems

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class inherits its advanced autonomous driving aids from the flagship S-Class limousine, which costs about triple the price. That means radar systems that constantly scan 250 metres in front, 40 metres to the sides and 80 metres to the rear and the ability to accelerate, brake or steer the car without driver input.

The camera systems scan up to 500 metres in front and the car can drive itself for around 40 seconds on the freeway, and even change lanes by itself with a flick of the indicator.

4. More standard features

In most markets the fancy new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will be optional – but in Australia it will be standard on all models, including the new entry-level C 200 mild-hybrid.

On top of the usual electric leatherette seats and alloy wheels, other standard features will include auto steering (lane keep assist), a 10-inch widescreen central infotainment display, better smartphone integration and ambient interior lighting with 64 colour options.

5. New infotainment

All Australian versions of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be delivered to customers with a new 10-inch widescreen display as standard.

Although it's not a touch-screen system it features a range of new functionality including online voice searches for the navigation and pretty new 3D mapping.

6. Connectivity

In Europe the updated 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with advanced connectivity services via the Mercedes Me app, connecting car and owner at all times via smartphone.

Although Aussie customers will have to wait until April 2019 for the functionality, some of the features include a 'dog act' mode, as Aussies may call it, which alerts the owner if their parked vehicle is damaged, broken into, towed or stolen.

7. Epic V8 hero

The BMW 3 Series has the legendary M3 and the Audi A4 has the iconic RS 4, but the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the thunderous C 63 AMG.

The big difference here is the Mercedes-AMG hot shop in Affalterbach has stuck to its twin-turbo V8 guns and, in terms of bragging rights, eight cylinders beats six every day of the week.

8. Sales momentum

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has found almost 10 million homes since 1982, including a whopping 415,000 in 2017 alone, which is remarkable for an expensive premium sedan.

Of the 120 countries in which it’s sold China, North America and Germany accounted for highest number of sales. In Australia just over 8500 vehicles were sold in 2017 – more than any other luxury car or SUV and roughly quadruple the number of A4s and triple the number of 3 Series.