The latest 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class range boasts high-tech changes, light weight exterior aluminium bonnet and front fenders, a new interior dashboard center console and engines.
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the benchmark for prestige compacts is now on-sale in Australia, starting from $58,900 for the C200 BlueEfficiency, to C350 CDI Avantgarde at $94,400. The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class range comprises petrol and diesel models in standard to upmarket ‘Avantgarde’ with a total of ten model variants from six sedans to four wagons.
The new engines are more efficient and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class affords a new generation of telematics with internet access, as well as a number of driver assistance technologies such as the Parktronic system, blind-spot assist, pre-safe brake, adaptive high-beam assist and lane-keeping assist. Active lane assist utilises cameras mounted in the mirror to monitor road markings and sends warnings via a steering wheel shake to alert the driver if veering from the lane and, if not corrected, automatically brakes one side of the car to steer back on-course.
The C-Class boasts direct injection for all engines, standard start/stop for all diesels and standard 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. Petrol engines are C200 (1.8-litre, four-cylinder with 135kW/270Nm), C250 (1.8-litre, four-cylinder with 150kW/310Nm) and the C300 3.5-litre V6 (185kW/340Nm). Overall fuel consumption is 7.2l/100kms for the C200 and C250 petrol versions. The front bumper is also a new design with horizontal LED daytime running lights, a new rear bumper and taillight design with central LED indicators.
The interior has a totally new instrument cluster, trimmed in a galvanized-look material and telescopic in design. Leather or material seats are contoured and ventilated. A new TFT colour screen telematics system with Benz’ Command on-line setup incorporating an internet browser, 10GB music register which can hold 3000 tunes and a Suna Traffic navigation system. The latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class range remains the benchmark premium compact in Australia or in fact anywhere in the world.