Mercedes-Benz must be on a real high these last few days after netting the illustrious World Car of the Year title, read the full story here. Just a few days after claiming that award the German automaker announced that it will be launching a C160 in its domestic market.
The new entry-level variant will be powered by a down-tuned version of the 1,6 turbopetrol as found in the C180. The C160 produces 95 kW and 210 N.m and is only offered with a six-speed manual transmission. Mercedes-Benz SA spokesperson Shirle Greig confirmed that the C160 will not be launched in SA.
However, there are expansion plans for the C-Class range. Soon enough BMW’s M3/M4 will have serious competition with the imminent arrival of the twin-turbocharged V8 C63.
Other new models on the cards for the South African market are the C300, which features a 180 kW version of the firm’s turbopetrol four-pot, and the C450. The latter (pictured above) boasts a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that develops 270 kW and 520 N.m. More interesting, when it is launched here next year, it will be the very first C-Class model to feature an all-wheel drive layout.
