Mercedes-Benz Malaysia had introduced the new facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class on the 1st of November 2018. It essentially updates the already very competent, and polished premium sedan with a little bit more and adds some design tweaks, state-of-the-art safety and assistance systems, superior technology and also adds tweaks for better driving dynamics than the pre-facelifted one. At the launch, Malaysia will have three variants which are all locally assembled - the C200 Avantgarde Line (seen below), C300 AMG-Line and the Mercedes-AMG C43.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is furnished with a more refined design with more usage of high-grade materials for an even higher level of premium feel to it. There is also KEYLESS GO for all variants that enhances the convenience of the driver as well as sophistication. Being a Mercedes-Benz facelift, this isn't just a new bumper front and rear as well as some extra equipment.
There is a raft of changes underneath too, with a new engine for the C200, better infotainment screens inside and even the suspension feels tweaked after trying it out (a report on the drive will follow shortly). All variants feel much improved which is why Mercedes-Benz states that they have #neverstopimproving with this car. Yes, a hashtag for the C-Class folks.
The new Mercedes-Benz C 200 is powered by the new M264 four-cylinder turbocharged engine in a tiny 1.5-litres with a 48 volt on-board electrical system with mild hybrid boost via a smart starter/alternator cum electric boost motor of sorts. It makes 184hp plus 13hp EQ boost and 250Nm and 160Nm EQ boost making the C200 quite agile for what it is...a 1.5liter C-Class. My, my, my... the times are a changin'.
The new C300 gets the M264 in 2.0-litre form and it is quite normal compared to the C200 as it makes do without the mild hybrid system - it just makes nice power from the straightforward tubocharged setup - 258hp and 370Nm torque. This variant replaces the C350 e Plug-in Hybrid and it has most of the equipment of that variant minus the hybrid system. It also runs on air-suspension by the way.
The top of the range locally assembled C-Class, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 gets the V6 bi-turbo engine with an increased power output of 287 kW (390 hp, 23hp more than before) and a peak torque of 520 Nm. Couple this with all-wheel drive, the C43 is a stormer. The C200 and C300 are traditional Mercedes sedans as they are both rear wheel driven car.
Interior - C300
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been the most successful model series for the premium brand. This is the fifth year of production for the W205 C-Class and this major facelift does bring many changes including more active safety features. The new C-Class features the latest Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems offering the driver cooperative support, and therefore provides a higher level of active safety than its pre-facelifted model.
“The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class now comes with a refined design, a next generation digital infotainment system, state-of-the-art safety assistance systems and more dynamic engines making a great car even better. We are excited and confident to continue the success story of our bestselling locally produced model in Malaysia,” said Mark Raine, Vice President Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
I have driven both the C200 and the C300 during the media drive which took us to Cameron Highlands and back to Kuala Lumpur. I must say that I could feel the changes made to the chassis in both variants. The C200 is more comfortable and quieter than before whilst the C300 really hits the spot in terms of nearly all out performance driving - it was one of the best high speed drives down a windy road that I have had in months!
Stay tuned for a write up on this two soon.
The new Facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class Product Brief:
Equipped in Avantgarde Line, the Mercedes-Benz C 200 (above) is powered by the new 1.5-litres four-cylinder petrol engine with a powerful starter/alternator combination of 48 volt, introduced as EQ Boost contributing an additional 10 kW (13 hp) that is unique in this segment, for sporty driving pleasure with high efficiency. This provides a maximum power output of 135 kW (184 hp) bridging the brief moment until the turbocharger builds up it full charge pressure. This boosting is also used to reach the engine’s ideal rpm as quickly as possible during gearshifts. The shift time of the automatic transmission is shortened as a result.
The Mercedes-Benz C 300 AMG Line, on the other hand, now comes with a 2-litre four-cylinder
petrol engine which provides a maximum power output of 190 kW (258 hp) and delivers maximum torque of 370 Nm, complementing the 9G-TRONIC transmission that keeps the turbo engine/s power on point.
The V6 biturbo engine of the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC excels with a powerful output together with low consumption and emissions. Installed close to the engine, the two turbochargers are especially spontaneous in their response. For the new C-Class, the AMG development engineers have increased the output of the 3.0-litre V6 engine by 17 kW (23 hp) to 287 kW (390 hp). The peak torque of 520 Nm is available from 2500 to 5000 rpm.
With the new enhancement, the C 200 now comes with an athletic character with new levels of
sophistication. Enhanced with the AVANTGARDE exterior features as a dynamic front bumper with central trim element in high-sheen chrome and air inlets with diamond-pattern mesh in grained black. With the twin pipe exhaust system in high-gloss chrome at the rear bumper sharpen the sporty appearance of the vehicle.
The new-look C-Class combines emotionality with intelligence. The focus of the redesign work was on the front of the vehicle as well as the design of the headlamps and the rear lamps. Both, the headlamps and rear lamps is defined by clear-lined contours. Exquisitely crafted details add highlights and underscore the modern character, particular by its sophisticated LED high performance headlamps and rear lamps on the Mercedes-Benz C 200 that enhances the design of the vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz C 300 and Mercedes- AMG C 43, on the other hand, is equipped with the Multibeam LED headlights system that provides optimum visibility in all conditions.
In terms of interior, the new generation C-Class features high-quality materials and the excellent
integration of functional elements with a 12.3-inch digital cockpit – a cutting-edge screen design that offers three different display styles; “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive”. The styles can be switched quickly according to personal tastes or to suit the selected interior. The new high-resolution 10.25-inch media display can be operated with two touch control buttons on the sporty steering wheel. The touch sensitive control also responds to swiping motions just like the screen of a smartphone. It enables the driver to control the functions of the instrument cluster and the entire infotainment system without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.
The interior reinforces the dynamic calibre of the new C 43 4MATIC with numerous individual details. Sporty materials such as the AMG performance steering wheel in DINAMICA and aluminium in a high quality finish continue the expressive exterior design in the interior.
The new generation C-Class comes with Smartphone integration links the mobile phone with the media system via Apple® CarPlay® and Android Auto®. This gives you convenient access to the most important applications of your smartphone. The new generation C-Class also comes with KEYLESS-GO which enables access and drive authorization even if the key remains in your pocket. All the doors can be unlocked and locked simply by touching the door handle.
Further highlights enrich the feature level of the new C 200 Avantgarde is the Blind Spot Assist. In the speed range from approximately 10 – 200 km/h, this system is able to provide the driver with a visual alert along with an audible warning when a turn indicator is actuated, to warn of a danger of side collisions. It operates not only while driving, but also for up to three minutes after the ignition is switch off.
New in the Mercedes-Benz C 300 and the Mercedes-AMG C 43 is the Active Lane Keeping Assist, a system that is able to warn the driver by means of pulsed vibrations at the steering wheel when the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of its lane at speeds between 60 and 200 km/h. If the vehicle passes over a continuous line, it can pull the vehicle back into lane by applying the brakes on one side. In the case of a broken line, such intervention also takes place when there is a danger of collision with a vehicle in the next lane - 2018 Motoring-Malaysia.
The most noticeable difference between the the C43 AMG (above) and the C300 AMG-Line (below) are the alloy wheel design - the C300 uses the pre-facelift C43 design with has a slightly different spoke design at the wheel hub.
C300 interior (above & below)
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