Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today welcomed the arrival of the fifth-generation C-Class into the Mercedes-Benz’s range, which is pegged as the best-selling and most sought-after model to date.
Currently available as imported units in C200 Avantgarde and C250 Exclusive trim, the on-the-road price with insurance for both are RM 285,888 and RM 314,888 respectively. At launch, MBM announced a Hire Purchase Balloon financing whereby consumers can own or upgrade their old C-Class for these new models from as low as RM110 per day with 20% down payment and 60 month-tenure.
The secret of success behind the German brand’s bread-and-butter luxury sedan is through its progressive design inspired by the S-Class with a host of technical improvements compared to its predecessors. Both versions come packed with luxury features such as Bluetooth -capable mobile phone connectivity that makes the Audio 20 system internet-capable. This enables surfing the internet without restrictions when the vehicle is stationary.
The new C-Class is now possess an 80 mm increase in the wheelbase (2840 mm) compared with the previous model, 95 mm longer (4686 mm) and 40 mm wider (1810 mm). The result is a more spacious interior, more leg and headroom with 480-litres of boot space.
If you notice from the picture above, there are two different front ends are available for both variants. They are the sports grille with twin louvres and a central star in the Avangarde line, or the classic saloon radiator grille with the Mercedes star on the bonnet exclusively for the Exclusive line. To improve its aerodynamics, the Exclusive line will also feature an Air Panel active radiator shutter which opens and closes the radiator grille depending on the cooling demand to optimise the Cd value and reduce air resistance.
The C-Class C200 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine pumping out 184hp and 300Nm of torque. The more powerful C250 on the other hand, churns out 211hp and 350Nm of torque. While the C200 sprints from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds whilst reaching a top speed of 235km/h, the C250 acceleration is a tad quicker at 6.6 seconds with top speed limited to 250km/h. Both models are mated to Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic gearbox. The company claims that both variants returns 5.3-litre/100 km with CO2 of 123g/km.
The new C-Class also offers reduced weight, outstanding rigidity, including load introduction rigidity for excellent handling, combined with optimum noise and vibration characteristics and a high level of crash safety.
Thanks to an intelligent and innovative lightweight construction, the aluminium-hybrid body is around 70 kg lighter than a conventional steel body. The vehicle’s overall weight is reduced by up to 100 kg. As a result, the new C-Class cuts fuel consumption by up to 20% without any loss of performance, while at the same time enabling a lower centre of gravity, which in turn gives rise to the vehicle’s noticeably sporty and agile handling.
The driver can use a switch to choose between the various characteristics: “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport” and “Sport+”. The additional “Individual” setting enables drivers to configure their vehicle according to their own preferences.
The new suspension fitted in the C-Class provides for nimble and agile handling that makes driving a great pleasure on winding roads while also offering the highest standard of ride comfort in the segment.
The new C-Class is fitted as standard with a steel comfort suspension. It also comes with an electric parking brake as standard. This brake is released automatically when the driver ends parking mode with the aim of moving off.
The new C-Class feature an electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard. This combines road-speed-dependent power assistance from the speed-sensitive power steering system with a steering ratio that varies with the given steering angle. The power steering assistance provided by the rack-and-pinion steering gear is controlled as needed, thereby contributing towards efficiency.
In terms of safety, the new C-Class offers numerous innovative safety and assistance system to protect it’s occupants in an accident. For instance, the Attention Assist function offers an adjustable level of sensitivity and can inform drivers in a separate view in the instrument cluster about their level of drowsiness and how long they have been driving since their last break.
In addition to Adaptive Brake Assist, which offers protection from collisions from speeds as low as 7 km/h, standard-fit Collision Prevention Assist Plus also features an additional function: when the risk of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 200 km/h, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles.
The new C-Class also features Active Parking Assist, which enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention in both parallel and end-on parking spaces.
Mercedes-Benz has substantially improved the air conditioning system in the new C-Class. This applies in particular to the control quality, performance, efficiency and air quality. The new C-Class is also the only vehicle in the segment to offer tunnel detection via satellite navigation. It uses map data from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air-recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel, subsequently re-opening it when the vehicle emerges from the tunnel.
Another highlight contributing to a feel-good atmosphere is the Air-Balance package, standard in the C 250 with active fragrancing, air ionisation and more efficient filtration than is available on the base model.
To learn more about the Hire Purchase Balloon, customers can download the myMBFS app on the Apple’s App Store and on Google Play via your smartphone. For more info about the new C-Class, visit www.mercedes-benz.com.my.
