Mercedes-Benz has lifted the wraps off its 2012 model year C-Class ahead of the model’s official debut at the upcoming Detroit Show. In addition to some cosmetic tweaks, the new model ushers in the company’s new direct-injection engines and new on-board connectivity systems.
According to Mercedes-Benz, much of the new car’s frontal aspect is centered around a V-shaped central air intake, which is again echoed by the bumper moulding to give the car a more sporty, aggressive look. The bonnet, which also features v-shaped contours near the headlamps, is now hewn from aluminium in a bid to lower kerb weight. The headlamps have also been re-styled to more closely resemble those the company’s radical-looking new CLS model and, in the case of the optional bi-xenon units, feature a c-shaped LED element alongside the high beams. The tail-lamp clusters also feature re-styled LED elements and a mild re-shape to accentuate the car’s width.
The C-Class’ interior has often come in for criticism due to a combination of so-so plastics (especially on the nav screen’s lid) and ergonomics. The new model’s interior does away with the lidded nav/infotainment screen, opting instead for a tiered facia similar to that of the current E- and CLS-Class models. The trim quality has reportedly taken a step up with the use of new surface grains and galvanised accents, while the optional high-resolution colour information display in the instrument binnacle also helps to lift the ambience.
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class also debuts a new range of infotainment systems which will also be gradually introduced in other model series. New features include greater operating convenience, larger displays, telephone directory transfer, display of SMS messages, wireless music reproduction via Bluetooth and a USB interface now accommodated in the centre armrest.
The new COMAND Online infotainment system provides internet access via the driver’s compatible phone, allowing access to such integrated services as weather information and a special destination search via Google, as well as the option of downloading a route that has been previously configured on a PC using Google Maps and sent to the car.
Mercedes claims a 31 percent improvement in fuel consumption for all C-Class models thanks to the introduction of start/stop technology, a revised version of the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission optimised for greater fuel economy, and BlueEfficiency measures across the board. All of the engines on the C-Class range will now feature direct fuel injection – in the case of the four-cylinder units, this will be augmented by turbochargers to achieve a balance of improved performance and fuel economy. With the addition of direct-injection to theV6 in the C350 outputs climb from 200 kW/350 N.m to 228 kW/370 N.m.
The new C-Class also ushers in an uprated array of safety features which include, Adaptive High beam Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, DISTRONIC PLUS, Speed Limit Assist, Parking guidance including PARKTRONIC, PRE-SAFE Brake, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.