- Six-cylinder power is not available, but an updated version of Mercedes’ well-regarded M254 turbocharged four-cylinder gets the job done nicely with 255 hp.
- During our New York and New Jersey test drive, a 48-volt mild hybrid system contributed to an impressive 35.7 MPG.
- Mercedes designers convinced management to offer three interior color options: bold caramel, blazing red and ivory. They’re sharp.
Mercedes-Benz, one of many deep-rooted legacy automakers planting new and different seeds as the world of mobility pivots to electrification, has to keep the brand loyalists happy, and that means a significant number of consumers who just aren’t interested in switching from gasoline engines to all-electric vehicles that require frequent plugging in.
Stuttgart produced a stunning new-generation S-Class sedan just two years ago and then updated the E-Class sedan. And now the C-Class—which used to be the entry point as the “Baby Benz”—comes along, all new, borrowing heavily from the technology and styling cues of the S-Class.
This product cadence is very common in the auto sector, taking into account all the other internal combustion models in the pipeline, especially the SUVs, crossovers, and the trucks that pay the bills of every automaker.
Lost in this product-development haze is the enormous resources and staffing devoted to the all-electric cars on which Mercedes-Benz—a progressive European brand that wants to help slow climate change—has pegged its future. As the Stuttgart team tries to surpass Tesla with its century of automotive experience, the sleek EQS sedan has already been released.
This background is necessary, as a decade ago, the all-new C-Class was huge news in the compact luxury sedan category it was leading or trying to lead. Yet, C-Class sales in America fell from 86,000 to 46,000 between 2015 and 2019.
The volume of the C-Class has fallen by nearly half in five years. You can imagine that some bean counter wondered if an all-new C Class made any sense. We’re glad that voice was silenced because the 2022 C 300, which comes available with 4Matic all-wheel drive, is more than competitive, comes with a reasonable starting price of $43,550, and delivered outstanding fuel economy during last week’s test drive in New York and New Jersey.
The new C-Class isn’t perfect, but it has a conservative style. The front end has been reshaped, and the taillamps are more prominent. They extend almost to the license plate and wrap around the rear corners.
From the side, the sheetmetal wrinkles are less prominent than on the older model. Overall, the new C-Class appears more mature than the S-Class and is 2.5 inches longer that the old C. Evidently, the design team was kept under control.
The performance aspect is not AMG, and six-cylinder power will not be available. An updated version of Mercedes’ well-regarded M254 turbocharged four-cylinder (from the modular engine family) gets the job done nicely with 255 hp (at 5800 rpm) and 295 lb-ft of torque, available at a low 2000 rpm, which should be good for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 5.9 seconds, according to Mercedes.
Capable yes, but the powertrain does not sell the new C-Class, unless you’re shopping for fuel efficiency. This model has a starter generator, which is now integrated into the housing of the nine speed automatic transmission. It’s part of a 48-volt mild hybrid electrical system, adding 20 horsepower (for short spurts), and a significant 148 lbft more torque.
This 48-volt system makes for quick, smooth engine restarts when lifting off the brake as the traffic light turns green, and at certain speeds you’ll be able to glide along on the highway when the engine shuts off because enough juice has been regenerated to the battery through the course of braking. This standard feature is available on all C-Classes. It is great for consumers and simplifies the process of building the new C in Germany or China.
Our C 300 rear-drive C 300 (sticker costing $57,970), achieved a remarkable 35.7 MPG on the 100-mile highway journey from Kingston, New York to Newark Airport. While not sounding or feeling like an econobox, it never felt or sounded econo-box-like. The twin-scroll turbocharger was a likely enhancement to engine performance. This turbocharger has been updated with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team for a quicker response.
The new C 300 comes standard with an Agility Control suspension. This suspension has continuously adjustable damping and is able to provide a comfortable ride thanks to a 4-link front suspension as well as a multi-link back suspension. AMG suspensions are also available for C300 customers, but they will likely not want a firmer ride than standard.
The driver-assistance technologies were well loaded on our test vehicle, and Distronic adaptive cruise controlled worked well. Less impressive (and this is a technology complaint across multiple brands) is the Active Steering Assist, which acts like a virtual rumble strip to nudge you into the center of the lane, in case you’re drifting off line.
It is easier to use the blinker for actual lane changes. If you’re intentionally hugging one side of the lane to avoid a splattered raccoon, though, this technology doesn’t care: It wants you lane-centered.
Inside, the C-Class’s new C-Class switch from a horizontal central display touchscreen with a palm-rest controller and to a larger 11.9-inch touchscreen. Everything happens: climate control, entertainment, performance gauges, vehicle settings, and navi directions—including arrows flashing as your exit approaches.
There’s no volume knob and not a single hard button in the center console—just a few capacitive switches at the base of the touchscreen for selecting dynamic drive mode, or calling up vehicle settings, or sliding the volume up or down. The only hard button on the instrument panel is for starting and stopping the engine, right of the steering wheel (on which you’ll also find the usual controls, many of them redundant).
Between the vertical touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the generally clean layout, you’ll love this cockpit if you feel likewise about the latest S-Class: They are virtually identical, although the S-Class has four upper vents on the dashboard, instead of three in the C-Class.
Even though most C-Class buyers choose a black interior with faux leather or real leather, Mercedes designers convinced management to offer three color options: bold red, bold caramel, as well as ivory. For this, I am one of the most grateful.
The C-Class’s new model is available in showrooms now. It comes with Premium trim, Exclusive trim (starting from $46,850), Pinnacle trim (48,550) and base Premium trim (starting starting at $46,850). You can add two grand to your budget for 4Matic All-Wheeling. There’s a lot of content here for the money.
Is the C-Class a reliable and safe purchase? Yes, for the next few years. But sales growth in the industry hinges on the success of all-electric vehicles—for EV startups that can’t rub two nickels together as well as established biggies, like Mercedes-Benz.
How do you feel about the new C-Class Is it worth the cost or do you prefer the new battery electrics? Comment below.
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Source: autoweek
