Mercedes Benz New C-Class Launch

Mercedes Benz launched the New C-Class last September 11, 2014 at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Peninsula Hotel and I was able to attend this glamorous event. I wish I could say that I’m one of those rare, cool girls who know so much about cars but sadly, I am not. Half of the time I was at the event, I didn’t know what the hell I was looking at exactly. All I knew was that I liked what I saw, and that was enough for me!

The entire Rigodon Ballroom was packed! There must have been around 700 guests who attended the event.

Sarah Meier hosted the event. Here she is with Mr. Robert Shaw, Cats Motors Inc. VP for Marketing and Sales.

Singer and actress Nikki Gil performed a sultry rendition of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love”

Mr. Felix Ang (President of Cats Motors, Inc.), Sarah Meier, Nikki Gil, and Chairman Gregorio Yu (Chairman of Cats Motors Inc.)

Everyone got to experience what it was like to drive and ride the new C-Class

“Gotta go, my ride is here!” I was just imagining myself saying that. Swanky!

What the hell am I even looking at? I don’t know but it looks really neat!

This sure beats riding the bus and MRT anytime!

This one’s got class!

Here is the press release from Mercedes Benz. (They can explain this better than I can!) I said I’m not really a car connoisseur, but I am posting about the new C-Class anyway because it might be of help to someone who’s thinking of getting one, or thinking of getting a car in general.

With the all-new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz is defining new benchmarks in the premium medium-size category. A sensuous, clear design, a sporty interior with premium appeal and a generous sense of space, the lightest body shell in the segment, economical and lively engines, efficiency benchmarks, extensive safety features, a new agile and comfortable suspension as well as a host of other innovations create the impression of an upgrade to a higher class of vehicle.

The all-new C-Class heralds a new chapter in the Mercedes-Benz success story and sets new standards in the premium medium-size category.

With the introduction of an intelligent lightweight-design concept boasting weight savings of up to 100 kilograms, excellent aerodynamics and new economical engines, the C-Class establishes new efficiency benchmarks for the model. Assistance systems offer safety of the highest standard, while a new optional air-sprung suspension provides for exemplary ride and driving comfort as well as nimble and agile handling.

In terms of appearance, the new C-Class adopts a progressive approach with its clear yet emotional design and its high-class interior. Many other innovations and equipment features underscore the model’s energising comfort and refined sportiness. In all, the high-class appeal of the new C-Class feels like an “upgrade to a higher class of vehicle”.
The new C-Class offers sensuous and clear design and a host of technical innovations as well as a comprehensive scope of standard equipment and exemplary emissions and fuel consumption figures.

For the Philippine launch, the C 200 AMG line is initially unveiled, with other engine variants and design lines coming in the future. Three different design and equipment lines for the exterior and interior each offer further scope for individualisation in addition to the standard equipment and appointments. The AVANTGARDE Lineshowcases the C-Class as a sporty Saloon, the EXCLUSIVE Line places the emphasis on an elevated status and modern luxury while the AMG Line lends the C-Class a decidedly sporty appearance.

New DimensionsThe C-Class has grown to take account of people’s increasing average height. With an 80-millimetre increase in the wheelbase (2840 millimetres) compared with the previous model, the vehicle is 95 millimetres longer (4686 millimetres) and 40 millimetres wider (1810 millimetres). The result is a more spacious interior. At 480 litres the new C-Class also surpasses its predecessor in terms of boot capacity (in accordance with ISO 3832).

Key Dimensions		The new C-Class(W 205)	Difference
Wheelbase mm	2760	2840	+ 20
Track front/rear mm	1547/1547	1588/1570	+41/23
Length mm	4591	4686	+95
Width mm	1770	1810	+40
Height mm	1447	1442	-5
Elbow room front mm	1440	1454	+14

Sensuous clarity and purist formsOn a visual level, the new C-Class represents a bold departure from its predecessor. Its striking, dynamic design exudes sensuous clarity and elicits an emotional response. Precise lines and sculptural surfaces create progressive light and shadow effects. Modern aesthetics were the source of inspiration for the new model’s sensuous lines and surfaces, and the designers have created minimalist, purist forms for the C-Class to emphasize its intelligent technology and engineering.

In the side view a long bonnet, a passenger compartment set well back and short overhangs define the C-Class’s classic, well-balanced Mercedes-Benz Saloon proportions.

There is a choice of two different fronts: sporty with a central star or – reserved solely for the EXCLUSIVE line, the classic Saloon radiator grille with the Mercedes star on the bonnet. The grille louvres can close completely to optimise the C_d (drag coefficient) value, and with its overall appearance superbly emphasises the status of the refined Saloon.

The new C-Class comes with standard-fit headlamps, two energy-saving LED variants are available: a static system and a dynamic version with the “LED Intelligent Light System“. The characteristic night design lends the new C-Class its very own distinctive look in the dark, too. The rear lamp and brake light in the tail lamps feature LED technology with all headlamp versions.

Premium interior with fine detailsThe Mercedes-Benz designers have styled the interior on a level which is rarely encountered even in higher vehicle categories. This applies to the carefully chosen high-grade materials and their pleasant touch and feel, the finely-crafted precision details, and also equally to a new design idiom which perfectly combines sensuousness and clarity with dynamic sportiness, and thus contributes to the premium appeal of the interior.

The interior design demonstrates a bold new approach by Mercedes-Benz. The driver and front passenger enjoy a great deal of space and luxury in an unobtrusive, modern style on board the new C-Class. Here the designers combine in accomplished style the architecture of the Mercedes-Benz sports cars with a totally new centre console featuring sporty flowing lines. In vehicles with automatic transmission, a large one-piece centre console panel performs an elegant sweep from the centre air vents to the armrest. These seamless, clear-cut lines create a sense of open space and convey a thrillingly purist and modern feel.

A centrally positioned free-standing central display is the main eye-catching feature across the centre console – with a screen diagonal of 17.78 centimetres (7 inches), or 21.33 centimetres (8.4 inches) if COMAND Online is specified.

Five round air vents lend the instrument panel a sporty touch. Their metallic cool-touch effect creates a tangible contrast to the warm look of the other materials – such as the wood in the centre console or the ARTICO man-made leather on the instrument panel. The “upgrade” feel duly continues with the controls. All switches have a high-quality, three-dimensional design befitting a luxury vehicle and benefit from a clear layout.

The interior lighting uses primarily long-lived and energy-saving LED technology. This also applies to the optionally available ambience lighting in the three colours solar (amber), polar (ice blue) and neutral (white), which are selected via a menu item on the head unit and can be set to five brightness levels. In addition to the lighting elements in the dashboard console panel and on the door trim, the ambience lighting also includes illuminated outer door sill panels, for example.

The innovative touchpad developed by Mercedes-Benz in the handrest above the controller on the centre tunnel marks a further evolutionary step. As on a smartphone, this provides for very simple and intuitive operation of all the head-unit functions using finger gestures.

The touchpad also permits letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting – in any language supported by Audio 20 or COMAND Online. The user receives clear tactile feedback when operating the touchpad’s control surface, which is highly conducive to genuine intuitive use.

A head-up display is also new to the C-Class. It displays important information directly in the driver’s field of vision on the front windscreen, thus providing for clear legibility and less distraction from the road ahead. The system provides information on speed, posted speed limits, and navigation instructions.

Rigid body – lightly doneThe body of the new C-Class provides an innovative basis for reduced weight, outstanding rigidity, including load introduction rigidity for excellent handling, combined with optimum noise and vibration characteristics and a high level of crash safety. Thanks to intelligent and innovative lightweight construction, the aluminium hybrid body is around 70 kg lighter than a conventional steel body. The vehicle’s overall weight is even reduced by up to 100 kilograms. As such, the new C-Class leads the “lightweight rankings” in its segment. This spawns numerous benefits: the lightweight construction of the new C-Class cuts fuel consumption by up to 20 percent without any loss of performance, while at the same time enabling a lower centre of gravity, which in turn gives rise to the vehicle’s noticeably sporty and agile handling.

Mercedes-Benz achieves this technological leap in lightweight construction by various measures, including a completely new design and unusually high aluminium content for a vehicle built in large-scale series production. Compared with the successful predecessor, the aluminium content has increased from less than 10 percent to almost 50 percent.

In keeping with Mercedes-Benz traditions, the body shell is designed for exemplary crash safety. The Saloon not only meets all current national and international laws, but also all rating requirements as well as the more stringent internal Mercedes-Benz safety requirements, which are based on what actually happens in real-life accidents.

A high-strength passenger safety cell forms the core of this concept. It is surrounded by specifically computed and field-tested deformation zones, which ensure maximum safety for the occupants by virtue of optimised force paths and a combination of die-cast aluminium components and ultra-high-strength materials. An outer skin consisting almost completely of aluminium provides a protective shell for the body structure.

Leading the field in aerodynamics and quiet runningA low drag is crucial to achieving outstanding efficiency. From a speed of just under 70 km/h, aerodynamic drag exceeds the sum total of all other driving resistance factors. As such, drag constitutes a major leverage in efforts to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂emissions. With a C_d value of 0.24, the new C-Class Saloon sets a new benchmark in the medium-size category. The wind noise level, already very low in the preceding generation of the C-Class, has been lowered still further.

The engineers have also devoted painstaking attention to optimising other potential sources of disturbance that may have an adverse effect on the driver’s and passengers’ well-being and concentration, even though they may not consciously notice their effects. NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) is the technical term for such nuisance factors. The specialists have optimised the noise characteristics of the interior blower, the power windows, the seat adjustment functions and many other actuating and operating noises, for example. As a result, the new C-Class occupies a benchmark position in its segment in terms of NVH.

Outstanding CO₂ values with new small diesel enginePowerful and efficient petrol engines, equipped with the ECO start/stop function and complying with Euro 6 emissions standards, provide for lively performance and great fun at the wheel. They also cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared with the preceding model.

BlueDIRECT petrol engines with third-generation direct injectionFour-cylinder petrol engines with power outputs ranging from 115 to 180 kW (156 to 245 hp) will also be available.

The BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines of the C-Class combine spontaneous response and exemplary power delivery with high efficiency and best-in-class emissions. To this end, Mercedes-Benz has transferred the BlueDIRECT technology from the V6 and V8 engines to the four-cylinder engine. The direct injection system with spray-guided combustion, first introduced into passenger-car series production by Mercedes-Benz, employs an electronically controlled precision multiple injection process. The third-generation direct injection technology is complemented by “fast multiple ignition”.

Optimised powertrainDepending on the installed output ratings, Mercedes-Benz smooth automatic gear shifting with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, which has undergone further development at Mercedes-Benz in the interests of enhanced environment-friendliness and driving pleasure.

Suspension – sporty yet comfortableThe suspension on the new C-Class is a totally new development. It provides for nimble and agile handling that makes driving a great pleasure on winding roads while also offering the highest standard of ride comfort in the segment.

A newly designed 4-link front axle plays a major part in the agile handling characteristics. Thanks to the 4-link principle, the wheel suspension is fully decoupled from the spring strut. The resultant favourable axle kinematics allow more grip and higher cornering forces. As a result, the suspension responds more sensitively to steering movements and allows a sporty, agile driving style. An optimised multi-link independent rear suspension with 5‑links ensures unsurpassed wheel location qualities and supreme straight-line stability.

The new C-Class Saloon is fitted as standard with a steel suspension. Three DIRECT CONTROL suspensions with selective damping system are available in conjunction with this suspension:

a comfort suspension

a comfortable Avantgarde suspension lowered by 15 millimetres

a sports suspension lowered by 15 millimetres

First air suspension in the category as optionThe new C-Class is the first vehicle in its segment that can be fitted with an optional air suspension (AIRMATIC) on the front and rear axle. Thanks to electronically controlled, continuously variable damping at the front and rear, it offers outstanding road roar and tyre vibration characteristics even with the vehicle loaded. The driver can use a switch to choose between the various characteristics: “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport” and “Sport+”. The additional “Individual” setting enables drivers to configure their vehicle according to their own preferences. AIRMATIC also features all-round self-levelling for optimum ride comfort even with the vehicle loaded.

The new C-Class also comes with an electric parking brake as standard. This brake is released automatically when the driver ends parking mode with the aim of moving off.

Steering with a sporty characterAll models of the C-Class family will feature an electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard from now on. This combines road-speed-dependent power assistance from the speed-sensitive power steering system with a steering ratio that varies with the given steering angle. The power steering assistance provided by the rack-and-pinion steering gear is controlled as needed, thereby contributing towards efficiency.

Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive: the intelligent carIt is the declared aim of Mercedes-Benz to make the highest standard of safety available to everyone. To this end, the new C-Class incorporates almost all of the new assistance systems with a host of enhanced functions which celebrated their world premiere in the S-Class and E-Class only a few months ago. The assistance systems enhance both comfort and safety. Mercedes-Benz calls this Intelligent Drive.

The new C-Class offers numerous innovative safety and assistance systems. It is equipped as standard with ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and fatigue. On motorways the COMAND Online navigation function offers nearby break options as stopovers, providing the system has been specified in the vehicle. The ATTENTION ASSIST function offers an adjustable level of sensitivity and can inform drivers in a separate view in the instrument cluster about their level of drowsiness and how long they have been driving since their last break.

The numerous assistance systems also include

Active Parking Assist, which enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention in both parallel and end-on parking spaces,

a 360° camera as option, which is able to show the vehicle and its surroundings from various perspectives, including a virtual bird’s-eye view,

Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, which allows the high-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling traffic by masking out other vehicles in the light cone of the high-beam headlamps.

Airbags for safetyIn addition to 3-point safety belts with pyrotechnical belt tensioning and belt-force limitation for driver, front passenger and those in the outer rear seats, numerous airbags serve to protect the vehicle’s occupants in an accident. These include:

combined thorax/pelvis sidebags for driver and front passenger

a newly developed windowbag

sidebags for the outer rear seats (optional)

a kneebag for the driver

The front passenger seat can additionally be fitted with automatic child seat recognition, which dispenses with the previous transponder in favour of a weight mat. This enables any child seat to be used. The airbag is automatically deactivated when a child seat is fitted and reactivated once it has been removed.

Air conditioning: signals from spaceMercedes-Benz has systematically advanced and substantially improved the air conditioning system in the new C-Class. This applies in particular to the control quality, performance, efficiency and air quality. The new C-Class is also the only vehicle in the segment to offer tunnel detection via satellite navigation. It uses map data from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air-recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel, subsequently re-opening it when the vehicle emerges from the tunnel.

Another highlight contributing to a feel-good atmosphere is the AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing, air ionisation and more efficient filtration than is available on the base model.

Vibrant infotainmentA completely new multimedia generation offers intuitive operation in the new C-Class, featuring elaborate animations and visual effects which present all the functions in a clear and highly attractive manner. Furthermore the new C-Class is equipped with the unique Frontbass system. This avant-garde acoustic system uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the woofers. The result is a listening experience almost on a par with a concert hall. A Burmester^®surround sound system is standard on C200 AMG Line and C250 AMG Line.

The navigation system presents its contents in interactive mode. Its features include an animated compass, a “Drive Show” with information for passengers similar to the on-screen presentations on board airliners and Google Maps displayed on the head unit. COMAND Online is now also able to provide more accurate real-time information about the situation on the roads when it receives its traffic data via the internet by means of the “Live Traffic Information” service.

Internet and diverse data sources already available in the basic versionA Bluetooth^®-capable mobile phone with data option is all it takes to make the Audio 20 system internet-capable. This enables surfing the internet without restrictions when the vehicle is stationary.

Audio and video playback is possible from various sources, for example, via Bluetooth^®, from an Apple iPod or iPhone^®, from an SD card, USB stick or CD/DVD (with Audio 20 CD or higher and with COMAND Online).

COMAND Online with hotspot functionalityCOMAND Online not only offers a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and a special bonded glass cover such as is familiar from consumer devices like the iPhone^® or iPad. It also enables digital TV / radio reception, for example, and offers a host of other features including fast hard-disc navigation, automatic tailback avoidance via up-to-date and accurate “Live Traffic Information” traffic data, integrated WLAN hotspot functionality and the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system.

Telephony via Bluetooth^® as standardThe basic system Audio 20, the Audio 20 CD and COMAND Online all come with a basic telephony feature as standard, which connects the mobile phone with the vehicle via a standardised Bluetooth^® interface.

The New C-ClassThe new C-Class has all the prerequisites to be a huge success with all its innovative and exemplary features, as it embodies modern automotive luxury and passion, the brand’s very essence. The C-Class is truly a product of passion; it uncompromisingly underlines the brand’s claim “the best or nothing.“