The facelifted C-Class will go into production in mid March and Mercedes-Benz has revitalised its now four-year-old range with cosmetic updates, new technology and added features.
The facelifted C-Class will go into production in mid March and Mercedes-Benz has revitalised its now four-year-old range with cosmetic updates, new technology and added features.
DaimlerChryslerSA spokesman Shirle Greig told CARtoday.com on Tuesday that the facelifted C-Class models would start rolling off the company’s East London assembly line by mid March and by launched to the public about a month later.
The most noticeable cosmetic alteration to the car’s exterior is a newly-designed front bumper, featuring a prominent lower air intake and new radiator grille which now has three louvres. The louvres are either painted or feature a more dynamic design, depending on the model. The Classic and Elegance models will be equipped with sportier side skirts and the rear bumper from the Avantgarde model.
The C-Class’ track width has increased from 1493 mm to 1505 mm and 16-inch wheels and 205/55 R 16 tyres are now standard. Furthermore, the entire range will have clear-lens headlamps fitted as standard with bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function an optional extra.
Mercedes-Benz will offer a six-speed manual transmission, steering-wheel gearshift buttons for the automatic models and a new range of audio/navigation systems. There are newly-developed bearings on the front and rear axles, as a more direct steering ratio and a reinforced anti-roll bar at the rear, reports say.
Engine wise, a supercharged four-cylinder powerplant with an output of 141 kWwill be added to the engine line-up for the Saloon and Estate models. The C 220 CDI will develop 110 kW, thus making it 5 kW more powerful than its predecessor.
The C-Class interior is enhanced by minor changes to the cabin’s trim. The Classic model comes with new fine-wood trim as standard, improving the appearance of the centre dome and centre console. Meanwhile , there is a choice of trim for the Avantgarde line: aluminium (standard) or bird’s-eye maple (optional).
Other standard features include the Thermatic automatic climate control system, and a new scratch resistant clearcoat paint equipped with nano-particle technology, Mercedes-Benz said.