Ahead of the Geneva International Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off its facelifted C-Class (and then its updated Mercedes-AMG C43). And now that the sedan has enjoyed its premiere in the Swiss city, the Stuttgart-based automaker has revealed more details about the SA-built model’s refreshed engine line-up.
Mercedes says four engine options will be offered at launch (the local line-up, however, has yet to be announced), with further variants to follow at a later stage.
The first is the new C200, which employs a new-generation turbocharged 1,5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit worth 135 kW and 280 N.m (replacing the old 135 kW/300 N.m 2,0-litre of the outgoing model), mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The C200 is now equipped with an additional 48-volt onboard network with a belt-driven starter/alternator (technology Benz calls “EQ Boost”). A 160 N.m electric motor brings an extra 10 kW to the party to bridge “the brief moment” before the turbocharger has built up its full charge pressure.
This model’s 0-100 km/h sprint takes a claimed 7,7 seconds (topping out at 239 km/h), while fuel consumption comes in at 6,0 L/100 km. The C200 4Matic, meanwhile, adds all-wheel drive, hiking the listed fuel figure to 6,5 L/100 km and the claimed sprint time to 8,1 seconds.
Next is the new C220d, which now uses a 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel heart (replacing the old 125 kW/400 N.m 2,1-litre oil-burner) sending 143 kW and 400 N.m to the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The obligatory dash to three figures takes 6,9 seconds (and top speed is listed as 240 km/h), while claimed fuel economy is a mere 4,4 L/100 km.
Lastly, there’s the Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic, with its 287 kW/520 N.m 3,0-litre V6. As revealed in our earlier story, this model sees off the 0-100 km/h sprint in a claimed 4,7 seconds, and is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Mercedes-Benz says a new 2,0-litre petrol engine will follow, along with a plug-in diesel hybrid. Expect the updated C-Class to hit the South African market in the third quarter of 2018.
