World First for a Production Car

"Mercedes is serious this year." The event began with these words from Kintaro Ueno, the company's Representative Director and CEO. The concept behind the new C-Class is "Agility & Intelligence." This flagship model, which has consistently set the benchmark for its segment in terms of performance, comfort, and safety since the launch of the "190 Class" in 1982, is now equipped with features befitting a new generation and has finally made its debut in Japan today.

The new C-Class, developed with a variety of cutting-edge technologies, features the following three key points:

• Adoption of a lightweight, high-rigidity aluminum hybrid body
• Intelligent Drive inherited from the new S-Class
• Further advanced semi-autonomous driving



The new C-Class (W205) shares its rear-wheel-drive platform with the current E-Class and S-Class. While the previous C-Class used only about 10 percent aluminum in its body shell, the new model boasts an unprecedented approximately 50 percent for a production car in its class. Combined with high-tensile steel and other materials strategically placed, this has resulted in an innovative lightweight, high-rigidity aluminum hybrid body. The vehicle weight is reduced by as much as 70 kg compared to the previous generation (white body).

This adoption of a lightweight, high-rigidity body lowers the center of gravity, contributing to sporty and agile handling, optimizes NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) characteristics, and, according to Mercedes, improves fuel efficiency by up to 30 percent or more without sacrificing performance.

The manufacturing of this aluminum hybrid body is made possible by a joining method called "ImpAcT" (Impulse Accelerated Tacking). This technique involves overlapping aluminum and steel components and then joining them by driving rivets through at high speed. By extensively using aluminum for most exterior panels, such as doors, the hood, and the roof, thorough weight reduction has been achieved. This is a manufacturing method that Mercedes-Benz is employing for the first time in the world for a production car.

Intelligent Drive Inherited from the S-Class

The safety and driver assistance systems, including the "Radar Safety Package" that garnered attention upon its debut in the new S-Class last year, are also featured in this new C-Class with many of the latest technologies.

Mercedes-Benz's "Intelligent Drive" safety and driver assistance system is based on the philosophy that comfort, which minimizes driver fatigue, contributes to safe driving, and it fuses safety and comfort at a high level.

The foundation for this is a comprehensive sensor system that covers 360° around the vehicle. Just like humans, the "eyes" are cameras, the "ears" are radar, and the "brain" is a computer that analyzes data from the cameras and radar. It detects surrounding conditions such as preceding vehicles, crossing vehicles, rear vehicles, oncoming traffic, and pedestrians, judges the situation, and automatically assists with acceleration, braking, and steering. This is precisely what is meant by "semi-autonomous driving."



Key functions included in Intelligent Drive are "DISTRONIC PLUS," which recognizes the vehicle ahead and maintains a set distance according to speed; "PRE-SAFE Brake," which detects the risk of collision with vehicles or pedestrians and automatically applies maximum braking force if the driver does not respond to a warning; and "Active Lane Keeping Assist," which warns the driver by intermittently vibrating the steering wheel or applies light corrective braking to one wheel to keep the vehicle within its lane.

Also available is "Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus," which automatically controls the high-beam illumination range to avoid dazzling other drivers while ensuring maximum visibility, a feature being actively adopted by other brands as well.

Air Suspension for the First Time in the C-Class

One of the concepts of the new C-Class, "Agility," is further enhanced not only by the advanced aluminum hybrid body but also by the newly developed four-link front suspension.

The new suspension, which separates the link mechanism from the strut-type spring for ideal suspension movement, allows for free camber angle settings, significantly improving cornering grip. The rear features the C-Class's traditional multi-link suspension, but with an evolved five-link independent suspension to enhance straight-line stability.



Three types of suspension are available. The "Agility Control Suspension," which adjusts damping force by varying oil flow within the dampers according to driving conditions, is installed in the "C 180," "C180 Avantgarde," and "C 200 Avantgarde."

The "C 180 Avantgarde AMG Line" features "Sports Suspension," which is based on the Agility Control Suspension but with harder spring and damper settings for a more dynamic driving experience.

A notable addition is the first-ever air suspension for the C-Class. The "AIRMATIC suspension," fitted to the "C 250 Sport" and "C 200 Avantgarde AMG Line," electronically controls air springs and continuously variable dampers to achieve excellent road noise and tire vibration characteristics that remain consistent from normal driving to when the vehicle is loaded. This provides a comfortable ride previously only available in luxury-class vehicles.

Evolved COMAND System

Looking at the interior, the new C-Class offers a level of quality and design that can truly be called a "small S-Class." The COMAND infotainment system has been significantly enhanced, now featuring a touchpad in addition to the traditional dial control. Like modern smartphones and tablets, it supports multi-touch gestures, allowing for text input by tracing with a finger.

Furthermore, ambient lighting in three colors—orange, blue, and white—that elegantly illuminates the center console, doors, and footwells is standard (on all models except the C180). The newly introduced "AIR-BALANCE package" equips the air conditioner with an air purification function and a perfume atomizer that diffuses a pleasant fragrance. Four types of scents can be selected, with adjustable intensity and on/off switching, along with ion emission for virus removal and enhanced air filtration.



Three engine options are available for the new C-Class. The "C 180" is powered by a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder turbo engine producing a maximum output of 115 kW (156 hp) and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. The "C 200" features a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbo engine with 135 kW (184 hp) and 300 Nm. The "C 250 Sport" is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbo engine delivering a maximum output of 155 kW (211 hp) and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. All are gasoline engines.

However, the company also announced plans to sequentially introduce diesel and plug-in hybrid models to the domestic market. All models are paired with the 7-speed automatic transmission, "7G-TRONIC PLUS."

Prices start at 4.19 million yen for the "C 180," 4.67 million yen for the "C 180 Avantgarde," 5.24 million yen for the "C 200 Avantgarde," and 6.44 million yen for the "C 250 Sport." All prices include 8% consumption tax.