Mercedes-Benz set to launch new C-Class range in October
Mercedes-Benz has announced at an event in Europe that the facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class line up will launch in India around October. The range will consist of four models starting with the C 200 petrol, the C 220d diesel, the more powerful C 300d diesel and the high-performance Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic+. This new C-Class is a significant mid-life upgrade over the current car so a mild price hike over the present car can be expected.
Exterior changes include sportier design elements in the front and the rear end of the car, redesigned LED headlamps, new light-alloy wheels and new colour options.
The interior gets a larger 10.25-inch display for the infotainment, a new stereo system which sits between the old standard unit and the top-spec Burmester audio. A new multifunction steering wheel with touch control buttons, open-pore trim elements and new colours for the mood lighting round off the changes inside. The all-digital instrument cluster has been revised as well, but it is not known if the new C-Class will get that feature in India.
The new C200 also comes with the latest iteration of Mercedes' driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, steering assist, lane change assist, emergency stop assist and brake assist. These could make their way to India, given that Mercedes has started offering such tech in its flagship S-Class.
The C200 petrol, now powered by a new 1.5-litre inline four motor good for 184PS and 280Nm, gets the EQ Boost system which provides an additional 14PS and 160Nm while accelerating. This helps to tide over the flat spots in the powerband before the turbo kicks in. Other advantages include the gliding mode with the engine switched off, and recuperative braking when the vehicle is coasting. Improvements have also been made in shift times for the 9-speed auto and to the engine cooling system. The EQ Boost system is effectively a mild-hybrid system, Mercedes chooses to call it differently.
Alongside the C200 petrol, Mercedes-Benz India will also bring the facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class to India in the C220d diesel variant. The engine will be the new 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel motor which puts out 194PS and 400Nm, replacing the older 2.1-litre unit which made 170PS/400Nm. The new 9-speed auto also makes its way here. Changes have been made to the engine to improve frictional losses and also to reduce weight. Most notably though, the diesel motor misses out on the EQ boost 48-volt system that the petrol motor comes with. International models also get a four-wheel drive version. But keeping cost considerations in mind, that version is unlikely to be available here.
The C 300d with the same 2.0-litre diesel motor will also make it to the Indian line-up. This version makes 245PSÂ but a final decision hasn't been taken yet on whether it be called as such, or come in the more recognisable C 250d moniker.
The other variant will be the high-performance Mercedes-AMG C 43. This version will sit at the halfway mark between the full-bore C 63 AMG and the regular C-Class line. For the new C-Class, the AMG development engineers have increased the output of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine by 23PS to 390PS. Peak torque stays at 520Nm. The 9-speed auto gets model-specific software tweaks here to improve responsiveness. Four-wheel drive will be standard. The C 43 will initially come with the saloon body style, the coupe version coming in at a later date. The AMG-specific aero and visual updates will be present as well.
The C-Class is one of the more popular models in Mercedes' global lineup. The C-Class has sustained this appeal in India as well with its traditional mix of luxury and newfound dynamic ability. The facelifted range with its selection of different powertrains will broaden this appeal further.