NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS FACELIFT NOW IN MZANSI

Mercedes-Benz South Africa launched the newly refreshed C-Class in the country last week, promising a raft of new technologies, features and efficiencies for the range. East London-built C-Class is a segment leader, which means it sells more than the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo S60/ V60 every month, and has been for over two years now. Its makers hope this refresh will continue where the predecessor has left off.

Over 2000 changes are said to have been made, including a new lightweight aluminium bonnet, a new front bumper, newly designed front grille, and side air inlets on the bumper. Aluminium is also used for the front wings and door modules. The headlights are also new. The come with optional bi-xenons and LED daytime running lights, all of which you pay extra for. Cornering lights are also optional.

No self-respecting redesign excludes the interior, and Merc has gone to some lengths in updating the C-Class from inside. One of the major changes is the fresh dashboard with an enhanced quality trim. A new instrument cluster is designed to fall in line with Mercedes-Benz’ latest technologies. The latest in-car communication and entertainment systems are installed for both the ELEGANCE and sportier AVANTGARDE models.

And now for the engines. C 180 BlueEfficiency uses its 1.8-litre engine direct injection, turbo engine to garner 115kW and 250Nm of torque. Claimed figures are 0 – 100km in 9 seconds, top speed of 225km/h, average fuel consumption of 6.5 litres per 100km and C02 emissions of 150 g/km. Higher up is the C 200 BlueEfficiency which shares the same engine, but for 135kW and 270Nm, an 8.2 0 – 100km/h time, 237km/h top speed and 6.4 litres per 100km fuel average. Then we have the C 250 BlueEfficiency, a new model in the Mzansi range. Same engine again, but now with 150kW and 310Nm. C 250 is said to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds, topping out at 240km/h while using an average of 6.9 litres per 100km. Lastly on the petrols side is the C 350 BlueEfficiency powered by a 3.5-litre V6 motor giving out more power now, at 225kW and 370Nm of torque. They say this one will steal 0 – 100km/h in 6 seconds and run out of steam at 250km/h. Mean fuel usage is said to be 7 litres per 100km.

As far as diesel is concerned, three rides are available. The one is a C 200 CDI BlueEfficiency using a 2.1-litre 4-cylinder for its 100kW and 360Nm, average fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100km. Next is the C 250 CDI BlueEfficiency, same engine but for 150kW and 500Nm, averaging 5.2 litres per 100km at the pumps (where there is fuel available) and a top whack of 240km/h. Last on the list is the C 350 CDI BlueEfficiency, a pompous desert eagle firing out 165kW and 510Nm, quite short against the competition, but very effective nonetheless. It averages 7.6 litres per 100km. Later the new facelift C 63 AMG will appear, still sporting the same old 6.2-litre V8 worth 336kW and 600Nm. However, an optional AMG Performance Package will up the ante a bit to 358kW, making that car as powerful as the old E 55 AMG.

The new COMAND Online multimedia system gives occupants access to the internet while they are in the car and allows them to see SMS messages on the main display. Certain features cannot be accessed while the car is moving, but others can, such as the 3D mapping with a Google Maps feature.

Safety features include Distronic Plus, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Pricing

Sedan

C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY (R359 000)

C 200 BlueEFFICIENCY (R379 000)

C 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (R380 000)

C 250 BlueEFFICIENCY (R469 000)

C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (R470 000)

C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY (R520 000)

C 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (R520 000)

Estate

C 180 T BlueEFFICIENCY (R368 000)

C 200 T BlueEFFICIENCY (R388 100)

C 200 CDI T  BlueEFFICIENCY (R389 300)

C 250 T BlueEFFICIENCY (R478 600)

C 250 T CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (R479 600)

C 350 T BlueEFFICIENCY (R530 000)