A New Generation C-Class, One Step Above

The fourth-generation C-Class is larger than its predecessor. This decision was undoubtedly necessary to clearly differentiate it from the recently released CLACLA. The body size of the CLA 180 is 4,640mm (4,685mm for the CLA 250) in length, 1,780mm in width, and 1,430mm in height. This is almost the same as the previous C-Class Avantgarde (W204), which measured 4,640mm in length, 1,770mm in width, and 1,445mm in height.

In contrast, the new C-Class (W205) shares its rear-wheel-drive platform with the current E-Classand S-Class, and is 95mm longer at 4,686mm and 40mm wider at 1,810mm. Furthermore, the wheelbase has been extended by 80mm to 2,840mm, significantly increasing interior space. The rear seats benefit most from this, offering greatly enhanced comfort.

The exterior also exudes an elegant ambiance reminiscent of the E-Class and S-Class, a significant departure from the previous generation's linear design. Like its predecessor, the front grille comes in two types: the "Exclusive Line" features Mercedes-Benz's traditional horizontal bar design, while the "AMG Line" sports a dedicated grille with a prominent three-pointed star, symbolizing its sporty nature.

While details of the interior are covered in the article released earlier, Interior Details Herethe skillful use of metal and leather, a recent trend for Mercedes-Benz, is also evident in this new C-Class, creating a sporty yet refined finish. The large display for the infotainment system, operated via a touchpad, comes standard with a 7-inch screen or an optional 8.4-inch screen, and a head-up display has also been newly introduced. The circular air vents, originating from the SLS AMGand adopted in the "A-Class" and CLA, also provide a significant visual impact.

The newly developed touchpad is another key feature of the new C-Class. Unlike previous versions, this large 65x45mm touchpad allows for all operations to be completed on the pad itself. It supports multi-touch gestures and allows for character input by tracing with a finger, enabling operation akin to a smartphone or tablet PC.

The European market launch will feature three powertrain options. The gasoline engines include a 1.6-liter inline-4 turbo producing 115 kW (156 hp) and 250 Nm of torque for the "C180," and a 1.9-liter inline-4 turbo for the "C200" producing 135 kW (184 hp) and 300 Nm. The diesel engine is a 2.2-liter inline-4 turbo diesel for the "C220 BlueTEC," delivering 125 kW (170 hp) and 400 Nm.

Mercedes-Benz states that the aluminum body, which is 100 kg lighter than the previous generation, and superior aerodynamics with a Cd value of 0.24 have resulted in fuel efficiency improvements of up to 20 percent compared to the predecessor.

Prices start at 33,558 euros for the C180, 36,414 euros for the C200, and 38,675 euros for the C220 BlueTEC. Japanese market prices have not yet been announced.

Models planned for later release include a V6 gasoline engine, as well as a "C 300 BlueTEC HYBRID" featuring an inline-4 diesel engine and a small electric motor, sharing systems with the S-Class and E-Class. This hybrid is expected to produce 150+20 kW (204+27 hp) and achieve 3.9 liters per 100 km (25.6 km/liter) in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle).