This news is a little late due to the fact that I actually had some things to do and that my kid is finally sitting for her SPM papers. Being a somewhat dedicated father, as well as other commitments, this has taken priority. And the fact that I am essentially semi-retired these days.... Anyway, yes, Mercedes-Benz has launched the all new W206 generation of C-Class sedans in fully imported form for the moment with the locally assembled variants coming in later. We now get the C200 AV or Avantgarde and the C300 AMG-Line for now at around RM288K and RM330K respectively. Still quite decent prices for what is offered, although the C200 is now back to a 1.5liter turbocharged engine (with some electric motor boost) and the C300 comes with the 2.0liter turbocharged engine.
I haven't had a chance to drive them at the launch event as it was a public one and it was full of people. May eventually get to try one but here are my thoughts about it and full details of it are below in the official press release which I am publishing here too.
The exterior of the car is indeed 'Baby S-Class'. It does take after all the familiar family styling as the recently launched S-Class with the now familiar front and rear teardrop shaped lights which you first saw in the current CLS-Class and first made popular or familiar with the current A-Class. It does make the car look wide and very contemporary but also streamlined and sporty with less of the grandiose stance of the old car. The whole execution of the car now seems suited to a younger crowd than the more uncle and auntie Mercedes crowd of old. It shows in the people that showed up at the launch event.
But make no mistake that the new W206 C-Class is NOT A LARGER CAR. It is. It is actually huge. From looking at it and then sitting inside it most of us media people, or those that I talked to at the unveiling was that it is almost as large as the W212 E-Class. The current W213 E-Class has many comparing its size to the S-Class so I suppose this isn't wrong to say that the new C-Class is actually an E-Class from a generation or two ago.
Inside you can tell that everything is bigger. You only get the width of the C-Class but you get more length. The front seats feel good in terms of space but the sloping huge touch screen in the middle while makes the car look super modern and cool does feel like the interior is built around the screen and you do feel that the centre console and dashboard area takes up a lot of space to ensure that you can use the screen easily. So while you do have a clean uncluttered center console, it divides the drivr and the passenger more than a protruding gearknob.BUT, that said, the large screen is good for the eyes and the whole interior looks so darn modern because of it. And the mood lighting too.
So yes, more space and more bling for the interior. I believe no premium car in this segment looks or feels like it in terms of its interior.
Aside from that, the rear seats are now more spacious. There is a feeling of more shoulder space and legroom. The rear backrest for the rear seats are now curved in and not flush with the wheelarches. You actually sink into your rear seating position and you have to actually pull yourself out a little when you exit the C-Class. Of course, older folk who need assistance may need a little boost from there. But once seated, its all good. Of couse,the slight curved rear seats actually meant that some of the boot space had to be taken up by the inward curve of the seatback, so you lose a tiny bit of bootspace compared to the W205 from the looks of it. By a few milimeters only. No issues if you upgraded from the previous C-Class still.
So yes, I think the new C-Class is all good. Imagine this evolutionary move by Mercedes-Benz. Just imagine the new lights on the outside, slightly larger proportions outside and insude, and the bling levels to show that you've made it in life turned up a notch inside and that upgraded connectivity suite with the huge middle screen inside.
Technically, you don't really need an E-Class anymore. Well, the E-Class in terms of size did that to the S-Class....but you still want them all if you can. Welcome to the new king in terms of compact premium sedans.
Press Release
The new C-Class: Your personal universe
The C-Class is the best-selling Mercedes-Benz model series of the last ten years. This new
premium mid-size sedan has everything it takes to continue this success: sporty exterior,
futuristic interior – it has never been in better shape.
The C-Class is also equipped with cutting-edge features, like navigation with augmented video
and biometric login. All thanks to one intelligent user interface, our latest generation NTG7
MBUX which is much more than just a personal assistant. It serves as a central nervous system
that intelligently networks all the vehicle’s function and so personalized to make life much easier
for our customers.
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available as a CBU unit in two variants. These are the
C 200 Avantgarde Line, and the C 300 AMG Line and will be priced at RM 288, 334 and RM
330, 681 respectively.
Kuala Lumpur. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today introduced the most anticipated, all-new Mercedes-
Benz C-Class, setting groundbreaking standards in comfort with an array of new features.
Sagree Sardien, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said, “The C-Class has been our
bestselling model to date. Since its introduction as the 190, over 10.5 million Mercedes-Benz C-
Class has been delivered globally. Likewise in Malaysia, our customers love this vehicle as we
continue to define the standards of comfort and innovation in the premium midsize sedan segment.
With the new C-Class, our designers have been tasked to develop a car that combines human-
centered innovations with sporty and modern design. Today, we are convinced that we have
succeeded in delivering a car where design meets luxury and technology. We are very excited to
introduce the new C-Class in Malaysia and with the latest edition, we are taking the next logical step
on our road to a digital and sustainable future with a host of innovations that sets the benchmark in
this segment.”
Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
said, "The new C-Class redefines its segment in several respects at once: the comfortable
spaciousness in the rear, the interior ambience and the high-quality workmanship. Following the
pinnacle of luxury in the S-Class, the second generation of MBUX already débuts in the new C-
Class. All the possibilities for intuitive operation and personalisation have been adopted, plus driver-
orientation as a new feature specific to the model series: the dashboard and central display are
slightly tilted towards the driver, underlining the sportiness of the C-Class as a first in a Mercedes-
Benz passenger car".
Design: Sensual purity with a sporty and elegant touch
The C-Class has never been in a better shape: modernized all round and enhanced with sporty
design elements, thanks to the combination of short front overhang, long wheelbase and rear
overhang. The sporty bonnet with power domes accentuates this urge of forward motion. The
windscreen and passenger cell have been moved to the rear for these classic proportions known in
the industry as "cab-backward design". The preceding model was already a great step forward in
terms of a high-value appeal in the interior, and the new C-Class goes even further with respect to
modern luxury. The interior adopts highlights from the new S-Class, adding a sporty touch.
Exterior highlights: Profile with attractive light effects
When viewed from the side, elaborately sculptured surfaces create unique light effects. Conversely,
the designers have reduced lines to a minimum, which accentuates the so-called catwalk line or
shoulder line even more.
The brand's hallmark radiator grille characterizes the front. All models feature a central star, with the
design and character of the radiator grille differing in the details.
The C 200 is equipped with Avantgarde line exterior. The highlights include in particular the radiator
grille design with central Mercedes star as well as elegant trim strips in high-sheen aluminium and
chrome with lowered comfort suspension and 18” 5-spoke wheels.
The distinguishing feature of the C 300 with AMG Line exterior is the Mercedes-Benz pattern grille
with the star design in chrome. The expressive bodystyling of the AMG Line lends the exterior of the
C-Class a sporty, exclusive touch along with 19-inch AMG multi spoke wheels. Other key exterior
highlights of including panoramic sunroof, LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive High
Beam Assist.
The rear-end design is typical of a Mercedes-Benz sedan. The high-quality design of the tail lamps
fascinates with an unmistakable day and night appearance. The lamps for the first time have a two-
piece design in the C-Class, with the light functions divided between the side wall and boot lid lamps.
Their precisely configured interiors also showcase the standard of particularly high quality in detail
with the silver grey diamond-pattern trim.
Interior design: sporty touches thanks to the driver-centered design
The dashboard is divided into an upper and a lower section: into a wing-like section with new,
flattened round vents reminiscent of aircraft engine nacelles, and into an opulent expanse of trim.
The latter flows from the center console to the dashboard without interruption.
Driver-focus adds to the sportiness: the dashboard and central display are slightly tilted towards the
driver by six degrees. It features a high-resolution 12.3” free-standing driver display, setting it apart
from traditional cockpits with classic round dials.
The paradigm change to digitization is also obvious in the revolutionary central display: the vehicle
functions can be controlled using the high-quality touchscreen. Its portrait orientation is particularly
advantageous for navigation and features a fingerprint scanner which can identify you quickly and
conveniently. This is because your personal data, such as profiles or even office functions, are
protected. When you touch the scanner, the system then grants the user access. This is secure and
additionally more straightforward than entering a PIN.
The fingerprint scanner is located in an ergonomically convenient location below the central display.
As part of a one-time process it records the distinctive biometric features of up to two random fingers
per user. Therefore no one is able to observe a number combination, which could happen with PIN
entry.
The touchscreen appears to float above the expanse of trim. Like the dashboard, the screen is
slightly tilted towards the driver. A high-quality chrome insert divides the center console into a rear,
padded section for the armrest and a front section in lustrous jet black. The seemingly free-floating
central display rises smoothly and seamlessly from this three-dimensional surface.
The modern, highly reduced design of door panels frames both ends of the dashboard. The door
center panel with integrated armrest evolves from a vertical surface into a horizontal orientation.
Reflecting the design of the center console, the front section takes the form of a metallic high-tech
element. It can be used as a grab or closing handle, and houses the power window controls. Another
highlight is the floating control cluster, into which the door opener and seat adjustment controls are
integrated.
The special design of the comfort or sport seats of the new C-Class uses layers and enveloping
surfaces to create a visual impression of lightness. The head restraints are a completely new design
and are attached to the backrest with a sealed piece of trim under which the adjustment mechanism
is located.
A dashboard covered with man-made leather and featuring nappa-look beltlines is available for the
C-Class. The available trim showcases innovative surfaces. These include new interpretations of
open-pored veneers in stylish tones and a black, open-pored wood veneer featuring fine inlays of
genuine aluminum that follow the dashboard's contours.
The driver display and media display offer a holistic, aesthetic experience. The look of the screens
can be individualized with three display styles (Discreet, Sporty, and Classic) and three modes
(Navigation, Assistance, Service). In "Sporty", for example, the color red is predominant and the
central rev counter has a dynamic design. The new C-Class is equipped with ambient lighting
featuring optical fibers as standard.
Latest generation of MBUX: intuitively operated and learning
Like the new S-Class, the new C-Class is equipped with the second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-
Benz User Experience). The vehicle interior becomes even more digital and intelligent, as both the
hardware and software have made great strides: Brilliant images on the LCD screens make it easy
to control vehicle and comfort functions.
The driver display and media display offer a holistic, aesthetic experience. The information is
presented in a clearly structured way. Mercedes-Benz developed a new display aesthetic for the S-
Class, which now is systematically used as the basis for other models.
The look of the screens can be individualized with three display styles (Discreet, Sporty, and
Classic) and also features three modes (Navigation, Assistance, and Service).
• In "Classic" style, the driver is welcomed with a familiar display environment. The proven
display with two tubes and changing content between them provides all the information
relevant to the driver.
• "Sporty" is dominated by the color red, with dynamic design of the central rev counter.
• In "Discreet" style, the content is reduced to what is essential. In addition, both screens can
be shown in seven color schemes with the ambient lighting. This makes for an impressive
color experience in the interior.
• In the new "Assistance Mode", the traffic situation is shown in real time and supplemented
with important displayed information.
The full-screen navigation was adopted from the S-Class, and gives the driver the best possible
guidance on a journey.
Hey Mercedes: the increasingly sharp voice assistant
The voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" becomes more interactive and has learning capabilities by
activating online services in the Mercedes me App. Moreover, certain actions can be performed
even without the activation keyword "Hey Mercedes". These include taking a telephone call. "Hey
Mercedes" also explains vehicle functions, and, for example, can help when asked how to connect a
smartphone by Bluetooth or where the first-aid kit can be found.
Music streaming: millions of songs to choose from
With the "Spotify and Apple Music" service, Mercedes-Benz has now fully integrated the major music
streaming services into the MBUX infotainment system. MBUX enables seamless access to the
personal user profile at the linked music provider. This not only gives customers convenient access
to their favourite songs and personal playlists, but also the opportunity to discover millions of songs
and curated playlists. Operation is intuitive, using the MBUX voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" or
touch controls on the steering wheel, or directly on the central display.
Other highlights
Augmented Video is available as standard equipment in the Malaysian configurations of the C-Class.
A camera registers the surroundings in front of the vehicle. The moving images are shown on the
central display. In addition, virtual objects, information and markers are superimposed on the video
image. These include directional arrows, lane-change recommendations and more. This can make
navigation much easier, especially in urban areas.
As soon as a new update from Mercedes-Benz becomes available, a message appears in MBUX.
The update is downloaded and installed in the background. The user then has to agree explicitly to
its activation again. In this way the vehicle is always up-to-date. Features which have not even been
invented yet can also be installed by means of OTA updates in vehicles already sold. To transfer the
data, Mercedes-Benz relies on mobile communications technology and the communication module
installed in the vehicle due to the high security standard.
Powertrain: systematic electrification of the modern four-cylinder engines
Thanks to systematic electrification and intelligent downsizing, the new C-Class sets new standards
in efficiency. The engine range has only four-cylinder units from the current modular FAME (Family
of Modular Engines) Mercedes-Benz engine family. Accordingly, the engine range plays a major role
in the flexibility of the international production network, with needs-based electrification.
The new C-Class engines now have an integrated starter-generator (ISG) for intelligent assistance
at low engine speeds as a mild hybrid of the second generation. This ensures outstanding power
delivery. The ISG uses a 48 volt on-board electrical system that ensures functions such as gliding,
boosting or energy recovery, and makes significant fuel savings possible. The engines also start
very rapidly and comfortably as a result, so that the start/stop function is almost as imperceptible to
the driver as the transition from gliding with the engine switched off to strong acceleration under
engine power. When idling, the intelligent interaction between the ISG and the combustion engine
ensures outstandingly smooth running.
Four-cylinder petrol engine also with a second-generation ISG
The four-cylinder petrol engine with a second-generation starter-generator with an additional output
of up to 15 kW and 200 Nm more torque is also celebrating its première in the C-Class. Thanks to
energy recovery and the ability to "glide" with the engine switched off, the petrol engine is highly
efficient. Mercedes-Benz has for the first time combined all the innovations of the modular engine
family of four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units in a single engine.
A completely new feature is the segment charger with flow connection, an advancement of the twin-
scroll technology for even more instantaneous response of the forced induction system. The
completely newly developed segment turbocharger is a result of cooperation between Mercedes-
Benz turbocharger developers and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team. The technology
transfer to series production sets new standards with respect to power combined with maximum
efficiency. For short periods, the output of the C 300 can additionally be increased by up to 20 kW
overboost.
Transmission: 9G-TRONIC enhanced for the latest engines
The 9G-TRONIC transmission was developed further for adapting the ISG, and is installed in all C-
Class models. In addition, the efficiency of the transmission has been increased. Amongst other
things, the optimized interplay with the electric auxiliary oil pump reduces the delivery rate of the
mechanical pump by 30 percent compared with the predecessor which is good for efficiency.
Furthermore, it uses a new generation of the fully integrated transmission control with multi-core
processor and new design and connectivity technology. In addition to the increased computing
power, the number of electric interfaces has been drastically reduced, and the weight of the
transmission controls have been cut by 30 percent compared with the predecessor.
Already impressed? Then have a look at the financing
Get the most ideal finance and insurance solution for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, all from a single
source. Designed with the customers in mind, Mercedes-Benz Financial tailored packages enables
you to have regular fixed monthly instalments over a set period of time. Just choose a financing
package that suits your need and we will take care of the rest. Perfectly tailored for the individual
who seeks value, unrivalled benefits and peace of mind at the wheel.
Terms and conditions apply
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class models at a glance:
Model C 200 Avantgarde Line / C 300 AMG Line
Displacement (cc) 1,496 / 1,999
Rated Output (kW[hp]/rpm) 150 [204]/5,800 - 6,100 / 190 [258]/5.800 - 5.800
Rated Torque (Nm/rpm) 300/1,800 - 4,000 400/2000 - 3200
Rated Output for Electric Motor 15 kW 15 kW
Rated Torque for Electric Motor 200 Nm 200 Nm
Battery Capacity (Ah) 70 70
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (sec) 7.3 6
Top speed (km/h) 246 250
Kerb weight/payload (kg) 1,650/615 1.675/605
Fuel consumption, combined (l/100km) 6.6 - 6.2 7.0-6.6
Combined CO₂ emissions (g/km) 150.0 - 141.0 159-150
Recommended Retail Price (OTR w/o
Insurance)
RM 288,334 RM 330,681
For more information, visit our Virtual Showroom today to browse your desired Mercedes-Benz and
request a quote from your preferred dealer.
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