For the last decade the C-Class has been the best-selling model at Mercedes-Benz. The current generation, W205, since 2014, has accumulated more than 2.5 million units sold (between sedan and van). the importance of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class W206 it is, thus, indisputable.
The brand now raises the bar on the new generation, both as Limousine (sedan) and Station (van), which will be available right from the start of their marketing. This will start soon, from the end of March, with the opening of orders, with the first units to be delivered during the summer.
The global importance of this model is unequivocal, with its biggest markets also being one of the most important in the world: China, USA, Germany and UK. As was the case with the current one, it will be produced in several locations: Bremen, Germany; Beijing, China; and East London, in South Africa. Time to discover everything that brings new things.
Engines: all electrified, all 4-cylinder
We start with the topic that has generated the most discussion about the new C-Class W206, its engines. These will be exclusively four-cylinder — up to the all-powerful AMG — and they will all be electrified as well. As one of the German brand's highest-volume models, the new C-Class will have a strong impact on CO2 emission accounts. Electrifying this model is crucial to reducing emissions for the entire brand.
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All engines will feature a 48 V mild-hybrid system (ISG or Integrated Starter Generator), comprising a 15 kW (20 hp) and 200 Nm electric motor. mild-hybrid system features such as “freewheeling” or energy recovery in deceleration and braking. It also guarantees a much smoother operation of the start/stop system.
In addition to the mild-hybrid versions, the new C-Class W206 will feature the unavoidable plug-in hybrid versions, but it won't have 100% electric versions, like some of its rivals, largely because of the MRA platform that equips it, which does not allow a 100% electric powertrain.
As for the internal combustion engines themselves, there will be essentially two. THE M 254 petrol comes in two variants, 1.5 l (C 180 and C 200) and 2.0 l (C 300) of capacity, while the OM 654 M diesel has just 2.0 l (C 220 d and C 300 d) of capacity. Both are part of FAME… No, it has nothing to do with “fame”, but rather it is an acronym for “Family of Modular Engines” or “Family of Modular Engines”. Naturally, they promise greater efficiency and… performance.
In this launch phase, the range of engines is distributed as follows:
- C 180: 170 hp between 5500-6100 rpm and 250 Nm between 1800-4000 rpm, consumption and CO2 emissions between 6.2-7.2 l/100 km and 141-163 g/km;
- C 200: 204 hp between 5800-6100 rpm and 300 Nm between 1800-4000 rpm, consumption and CO2 emissions between 6.3-7.2 (6.5-7.4) l/100 km and 143-163 ( 149-168) g/km;
- C 300: 258 hp between 5800 rpm and 400 Nm between 2000-3200 rpm, consumption and CO2 emissions between 6.6-7.4 l/100 km and 150-169 g/km;
- C 220 d: 200 hp at 4200 rpm and 440 Nm between 1800-2800 rpm, consumption and CO2 emissions between 4.9-5.6 (5.1-5.8) l/100 km and 130-148 (134 -152) g/km;
- C 300 d: 265 hp at 4200 rpm and 550 Nm between 1800-2200 rpm, consumption and CO2 emissions between 5.0-5.6 (5.1-5.8) l/100 km and 131-148 (135 -152) g/km;
The values in parentheses refer to the van version.
The C 200 and C 300 can also be associated with the 4MATIC system, that is, they can have four-wheel drive. The C 300, in addition to the sporadic support of the 20 hp and 200 Nm ISG 48 V system, also has an overboost function only and only for the internal combustion engine, which can add, momentarily, another 27 hp (20 kW).
Practically 100 km of autonomy
It is at the level of plug-in hybrid versions that we find the biggest news, as 100 km of electrical autonomy or very close to that (WLTP) are announced. A considerable increase as a result of the much larger battery, fourth generation, with 25.4 kWh, practically double the predecessor. Charging the battery will take no more than 30 minutes if we choose the 55 kW direct current (DC) charger.
For now, we only know the details of the gasoline version — a diesel plug-in hybrid version will arrive later, as in the current generation. This combines a version of the M 254 with 200hp and 320Nm, with an electric motor of 129hp (95kW) and 440Nm of maximum torque — the maximum combined power is 320hp and the maximum combined torque of 650Nm.
In electric mode, it allows circulation up to 140 km/h and energy recovery in deceleration or braking has also increased up to 100 kW.
The other big news concerns the “tidying up” of the battery in the trunk. It's goodbye to the step that interfered so much in this version and we now have a flat floor. Even so, the luggage compartment loses capacity compared to other C-Classes with only an internal combustion engine — in the van it is 360 l (45 l more than its predecessor) against the 490 l of the combustion-only versions.
Whether Limousine or Station, C-Class plug-in hybrids come standard with rear air (self-levelling) suspension.
goodbye manual cashier
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class W206 not only says goodbye to engines with more than four cylinders, it also says goodbye to manual transmissions. Only a new generation of the 9G-Tronic, a nine-speed automatic transmission, becomes available.The automatic transmission now integrates the electric motor and corresponding electronic management, as well as its own cooling system. This integrative solution has saved space and weight, as well as being more efficient, as shown by the 30% reduced delivery of the mechanical oil pump, a consequence of the optimized interaction between the transmission and the electric auxiliary oil pump.
Evolution
While there are many novelties in the mechanical chapter, in terms of exterior design, the focus seems to have been on evolution. The new C-Class maintains the typical proportions of a rear-wheel drive with a longitudinal front engine, that is, a short front span, a rear passenger compartment and a longer rear span. Available rim dimensions range from 17″ to 19″.
Under the “Sensual Purity” language, the brand's designers tried to minimize the profusion of lines in the bodywork, but even so there was still room for one or another more “florous” detail, such as the bumps on the hood.
For fans of details, for the first time, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class no longer has the star symbol on the hood, with all of them having the large three-pointed star in the middle of the grille. Speaking of which, there will be three variants available, depending on the equipment lines chosen — base, Avangarde and AMG Line. On the AMG Line, the grid is filled with small three-pointed stars. Also for the first time, the rear optics are now made up of two pieces.
Inland, the revolution is greater. The new C-Class W206 incorporates the same type of solution as the S-Class “flagship”, highlighting the dashboard design — surmounted by rounded but flat vents — and the presence of two screens. One horizontal for the instrument panel (10.25″ or 12.3″) and another vertical LCD for infotainment (9.5″ or 11.9″). Note that this is now slightly tilted towards the driver in 6º.
More space
The clean look of the new C-Class W206 doesn't allow you to notice at first glance that it has grown in almost all directions, but not much.
It is 4751 mm long (+65 mm), 1820 mm wide (+10 mm) and the wheelbase is 2865 mm (+25 mm). The height, on the other hand, is slightly lower, 1438 mm high (-9 mm). The van also grows in relation to its predecessor by 49 mm (it has the same length as the Limousine) and also loses 7 mm in height, settling at 1455 mm.
The increase in external measures is reflected in the internal quotas. The legroom grew 35mm at the back, while the elbow room grew 22mm at the front and 15mm at the back. The space in height is 13 mm greater for the Limousine and 11 mm for the Station. The trunk remains at 455 l like the predecessor, in the case of the sedan, while in the van it grows 30 l, up to 490 l.
MBUX, the second generation
The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 debuted the second generation of the MBUX last year, so you would expect nothing more than its progressive integration into the rest of the range. And just like the S-Class, there are many features that the new C-Class inherits from it.
Highlight for a new feature called Smart Home. Homes are also becoming “smarter” and the second generation of MBUX allows us to interact with our own home from our own car — from controlling lighting and heating, to knowing when someone was home.
The “Hey Mercedes” or “Hello Mercedes” also evolved. It is no longer necessary to say “Hello Mercedes” for some features, such as when we want to make a call. And if there were several occupants on board, you can tell them apart.
Other news related to MBUX are related to the access via fingerprint to our personal account, to the (optional) Augmented Video, in which there is an overlay of additional information to the images captured by the camera that we can see on the screen (from traffic signs to directional arrows to port numbers), and to remote updates (OTA or over-the-air).
Finally, there is an optional Head-up display that projects a 9″ x 3″ image at a distance of 4.5 m.
Even more technology in the name of safety and comfort
As you would expect, there is no lack of technology associated with safety and comfort. From more advanced driving assistants, such as Air-Balance (fragrances) and Energizing Comfort.
A new piece of technology that stands out is Digital Light, that is, technology applied to front lighting. Each headlamp now has 1.3 million micro-mirrors that refract and direct light, which translates into a resolution of 2.6 million pixels per vehicle.
It also has additional functions such as the ability to project guidelines, symbols and animations over the road.
Chassis
Last but not least, ground connections were also improved. The front suspension is now subject to a four-arm scheme and at the rear we have a multi-arm scheme.
Mercedes-Benz says that the new suspension ensures a high level of comfort, whether on the road or in terms of rolling noise, while ensuring agility and even fun at the wheel — we'll be here to prove it as soon as possible. Optionally we have access to a sport suspension or an adaptive one.
In the agility chapter, this can be enhanced when opting for the directional rear axle. Despite not allowing extreme turning angles like those seen in the new W223 S-Class (up to 10º), in the new W206 C-Class, the announced 2.5º allows the turning diameter to be reduced by 43 cm, to 10.64 m. Steering is also more direct, with just 2.1 end-to-end laps compared to 2.35 in versions without steered rear axle.
