The German brand has just unveiled the first official photos of the 2014 Mercedes C-Class: the usual formula but with new arguments.
Since the first generation, the D-segment models from the house of Stuttgart have assumed themselves as little disciples of their older brother S-Class. In this new generation of the 2014 Mercedes C-Class, that fact is more true than ever. The lines, technology and inspiration result directly from the Mercedes S-Class.
And as everyone knows, following in the footsteps of a car that is considered by many to be the "state of the art" of the automotive industry is not for everyone. Mercedes is aware of this, and therefore took care to develop the C-Class, not to be one more among many, but to be the reference within its segment. This was immediately apparent, when the first photos of the new Mercedes C-Class appeared, revealed first-hand here at Razão Automóvel.
The formula is the same as in past generations, but Mercedes has improved the quality of the "condiments". Read: the quality of construction; the design; the technological content; the dynamic appeal; and habitability. After all, with the introduction into the CLA range, the C-Class is no longer the gateway to the star brand's saloons, and so it had to grow. Grow to be bigger than the CLA (which is longer than the current Class C) and grow to increase the livability and comfort of the interior.
The interior, which has already been shown here, is completely new. But it nevertheless follows the stylistic line that had already been debuted in the Mercedes A-Class, with the display highlighted in the center console marking the prominence. Apart from that, the interior of the new «C» is also inspired by the lines of the latest S-Class. .
As far as technology is concerned, Mercedes has put at the service of its new “baby S” the best it has been doing in recent years. We are talking, for example, of the AIRMATIC suspension, which is an absolute first in the segment and which is nothing more than a self-levelling adaptive damping system, which should appear as an option. As standard, the new 2014 Mercedes C-Class will come equipped with conventional suspensions with three distinct modes: comfort; normal and sporty.
Despite the increase in space and equipment, this generation of the C-Class manages to be lighter than its predecessor. This is thanks to the new modular MRA platform for the brand's rear-wheel drive models. With the adoption of this platform, the German brand announces a reduction in total weight of over 100kg and a 20% increase in energy efficiency.
As for engines, in a first phase the new Mercedes C-Class will be available with only three engines: one diesel and two petrol.
The first will be the C 220 BlueTec which makes use of a 2.2 liter four-cylinder block with 170hp of power and 400Nm of torque. For this engine, the Stuttgart brand promises consumption of just 4L/100km and emissions of 103g/km. As for performance, the 170hp of this engine is felt: 0-100km/h in just 8.1 seconds.
At the lowest level of gasoline engines we find the C180 which uses a 1.6 liter turbo engine with 156hp and 250Nm of torque. The performance is interesting: 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds. Consumption is in line with what was promised by these engines: 5 liters per 100km and emissions of 116g/km.
For now, at the top of the gasoline range we find the C200 which uses a turbo engine, but with 2 liters of capacity. The performance is the most interesting of the three engines: 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds. Consumption is naturally the highest of all, around 5.3 litres/100km.
In a second phase, after the launch phase, new engines will appear and, of course, the long-awaited Mercedes C-Class AMG family. Sales in Portugal should start at the end of the first quarter of 2014. The official presentation is scheduled for the Detroit Motor Show.
