The new Mercedes Benz C-Class was recently unveiled in the marque’s Bonifacio Global City showroom in Taguig. This fifth-generation model features the latest innovations and modernizations, giving a unique set of panache it inherited from the flagship S-Class.
“The C-Class has raised the bar of luxury compact executive sedans. It’s where modern luxury meets driving dynamics, human-centered innovations, and all that in a good-looking form that you would fall in love with, once again,” the local distributor’s chief operating officer, Frankie Ang, said.
This stunner carries the new design language that was first introduced back with the S-Class — from the exterior design characteristics, headlamp, and tail lamp design, all the way to the flowing, seamless, and extensively digitized interior.
These were all carried over to the compact sedan segment, wherein the new C-Class can bring all these luxurious touches to a wider market. As such, it deserves to be dubbed as the “Baby S.”
The exterior features a newly redesigned front bumper with a single louver radiator grille that accentuates the prominent marque’s star. Its LED high-performance headlamps with daytime running lights redesigned to be are made sleeker and modern. Pronounced power domes on the bonnet also give its sporty and masculine character.
From the side, it is longer than its predecessor, and with a sleeker coupe-like design — topped with new 18-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels and run-flat tires.
The rear is a familiar sight since it now features two-section tail lights also found on the E-Class and S-Class. These lights have full-LED technology making the car appear wider and stout.
Inside, it feels like stepping into the world of the S-Class. Its flowing forms and refined materials raise interior materials to a new level.
The refreshed operating and display concept, which relies on digitization, also contributes to this. The 11.9-inch floating central display touchscreen is loaded with features and is also slightly inclined toward the driver to make it easier to read and operate. While 10.25-inch free-standing full digital instrument display is already part of the standard equipment. You can customize the display style to suit your preference, such as Classic, Sport, and Understated. It can also show you driver assistance menus.
It is also equipped with the latest-generation NTG7 MBUX multimedia system that now gets more connectivity features and a “Hey Mercedes“voice command system. The driver can also operate the MBUX in the multifunction steering wheel via touch control buttons.
Furthermore, it offers generous space with larger legroom and more headroom. Once set, the seats are electrically adjustable for the driver and passenger with capacitive switches. This reacts to the touch input. The front seats have memory function settings for up to three people. Profiles can be selected easily, and changed at any time. It also has a four-way lumbar support to adjust the seat contour to your lumbar area and it improves seating comfort and ergonomics.
Stepping up the game is its 64-color ambient lighting that helps create the right mood for you. It is also equipped with Thermatic dual-zone automatic climate control, where it can be set easily with the convenient temperature and ventilation controls found on the central display. This also have an activated charcoal filter to filter dust and reduces harmful chemicals and substances — the balanced interior climate will always give optimal comfort for both the driver and passengers.
Powering it is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 170hp and 250N-m of torque. Now, it comes with an electrified drivetrain with EQ boost mild-hybrid technology. Mercedes-Benz’s advanced technology is also electrifying the compact sedan segment with its second-generation mild-hybrid system, introduced in the flagship S-Class last year.
The integrated starter generator and 48-volt power supply supports the combustion engine by providing up to 15kW of additional power and up to 200-N-m more torque. This is particularly noticeable in the acceleration behavior of the combustion engine while maintaining low fuel consumption.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels by the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, with barely noticeable gear changes for a smooth yet engaging drive. The transmission maintains low engine speeds which reduces the fuel consumption even more and maintains a quiet running engine.
The new C-Class Avantgarde variant is tagged P3,890,000 and is now available for viewing in all Mercedes-Benz showrooms located at Bonifacio Global City, Edsa Greenhills, Alabang, and Cebu City.