The Indian arm of the German luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has launched the new generation of the C-Class car model in New Delhi at a price of Rs 40,90,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi). The car is now available across the company’s dealerships across India.
As stated by Mr. Eberhard Kern Managing Director & CEO Mercedes-Benz India, the C-Class has been designed and developed to feature modern luxury along with the contemporary design. He added that the car features qualities and technology usually reserved for higher class models.
A glance at what’s new in the new C-Class car model as showcased by the carmaker:
- Technological evolution: Seamless integration of advanced Telematics and IT systems
- C 200 petrol variant, diesel variant to follow in 2015
- Most powerful petrol engine and fastest vehicle in the segment: 135 kW@5500 rpm; 0-100 kmph in 7.3 seconds
- 7G-TRONIC PLUS with dynamic response and shift paddles on the steering wheel
- Drive mode selector (AGILITY SELECT drive experience switch): Comfort, Economy, Sport, Sport+, or Individual drive modes
- Intelligent lightweight design and high aluminum content: ‘Lightweight construction leader’ in its segment
- Full LED Intelligent Light System with Adaptive Main Beam Assist
- Longest wheelbase in the segment: More room in the interior
- Infotainment System with new interface design and touchpad as standard; GARMIN map pilot navigation with 3D-visualisation
- Ambient lighting in 3 colors and illuminated door sill panels
- Exemplary safety: 7 airbags, PRE-SAFE, Attention assist, Tyre pressure monitoring system, Hill start assist, ESP, ASR, BAS, ABS
The new C-Class is powered by a 2.0 Liter 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with direct injection which offers power of 135 kW at 5500 rpm with a maximum torque of 300 Nm at 1200-1400 rpm. It can accelerate to a speed of 100 kilometers per hour in 7.3 seconds and is claimed to have a top speed of 235 kilometers per hour. The engine is mated to the 7-speed automatic transmission (7G-TRONIC PLUS) which contributes to reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Sporting a fuel efficiency of 14.74 kilometers per liter, the engine features the ECO start/stop function and a lower engine weight compared to other 4-cylinder petrol engines in the segment.
The new luxury car model has been equipped with a suspension suitable for Indian roads and conditions. It also features a greater ground clearance and a long wheel base of 2840 millimeters offering improved ride comfort, better handling and driving performance. The long wheel base also provides more legroom to the passengers in the rear.
The C-Class has been aerodynamically designed to achieve better fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions with a low drag coefficient of Cd = 0.27 along with noise reduced interiors.
The redesigned exterior of the C-Class car model includes a sports grille with twin louvres designed to emphasize the long bonnet. The LED headlamps with LED Intelligent Light System feature the functions “direction indicator”, “position light” and “daytime running lamp”. The rear fog lamp has been integrated into the tail light cluster.
The interiors of the C-Class feature electrically adjustable “Cobra-look” front seats with a new design. The integral head restraints are fitted into the all-new C-Class. The ARTICO leather covered seats feature a new seat adjustment system allows improved individual adjustments. The rear seat backrests can be split-folded into a 40/20/40 ratio.
The infotainment dashboard is optically divided into lower and upper sections separated by a trim strip and combines entertainment, information and communication. The new generation Audio 20 CD with touchpad features a new user interface and graphics, 3D navigation and allows networking with mobile devices via BluetoothR. The system also features navigation, map data and route guidance enabled by the GarminR MAP PILOT.
Among the safety features, the C-Class is equipped with ATTENTION ASSIST which is capable of warning the driver when it detects typical signs of drowsiness in steering behavior. Further the Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus allows the high-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently since oncoming traffic or vehicles in front are masked out in the beams’ cone of light. The PRE-SAFER system in the C-Class comes with belt tensioners for the driver and front passenger seats.
The year 2014 was announced by Mercedes-Benz India as the ‘Year of Excellence’ wherein the carmaker grew by 16 percent during the third quarter of 2014 across brand, product and services spectrum. The carmaker grew 47 percent in the fiscal 2013-14 with sales of more than 9500 vehicles in India.