The DCSA plant in East London has invested R2 billion to prepare for the production of the W204-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class compact saloon. Set to be unveiled at next year’s Geneva Show and reach showrooms in the middle of ’07, the new C will be much sportier than the W203. Check out these spy pics.
The DCSA plant in East London has invested R2 billion to prepare for the production of the W204-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class compact saloon. Set to be unveiled at next year’s Geneva Show and reach local showrooms in the middle of ’07, the new C will be much sportier than the current model. Check out these spy pictures, which were sent to CARtoday.com by Dieter Muller, the webmaster of www.W204.com.
DaimlerChrysler SA is gearing up to produce 80 000 new-generation C-Class Mercedes-Benz vehicles, for both left- and right-hand-drive markets, to be sold locally and internationally from 2007. It is anticipated that the project will create 2 000 jobs, split between the Eastern Cape factory and its supplier network.
There have been a plethora of spy pictures of disguised W204 prototypes undergoing testing (some of much better quality than others) and various bloggers/bulletin board contributors have speculated that the new C might make its début, at least in concept form, at the Paris Show in September. Perhaps the US-German multinational will spring a surprise at Auto Africa in October?
However, the rear-wheel drive W204 will definitely only go on sale next year, followed twelve months later by the estate version. And although it’s hard to tell from these pictures, the new C-Class is expected to be much sportier and no longer just a downsized S-Class. The more avante garde ‘Benz – with larger headlights, grille and aggressive bonnet contours – could attract younger and less conservative buyers (read “the traditional BMW clientele”).
But “as independent and modern” as the new C is expected to look, it will share even more components with E- and S-Class models than its predecessor, including a version of the S’ Comand Control system, third-generation 4Matic all-wheel-drive and maybe brake assist plus, pre-safe and optional Distronic. However, sources have ruled out the possibility of Benz’s air suspension and active body control systems being offered on W204, due to cost restraints.
The new range will offer KDI EVT (electronic valvetrain without camshafts, supercharged and direct-injected) engines. The base engine will be a direct injection four-cylinder 1,8-litre with varying power outputs (from 112 to 142 kW), while peak outputs for the 2,5- and 3,5-litre V6 will be 157 kW and 201 kW respectively.
AMG’s normally-aspirated 5,4-litre V8 will reportedly be uprated to produce in excess of 300 kW in the W204-series C55. It remains unclear whether the Affalterbach-based tuning company will be able to wedge the CLS 63 AMG’s 378 kW 6,3-litre V8 engine, which is said to produce the highest specific power and torque of any naturally aspirated eight-cylinder production engine in the world, into the W204. If AMG can make that happen, the current Audi RS4 and upcoming BMW M3, wouldn’t have a prayer!