Mercedes-Benz is now taking orders for its refreshed Mercedes-Benz C-Class range, with prices for the launch range starting from £33,180 and first deliveries due in July.
The opening price is for the C200 petrol in entry-level SE spec. It gains a new EQ Boost mild hybrid system that uses 48-volt electrical architecture with a belt-driven starter/generator to provide additional torque (read more on powertrains below).
There is also a C220d diesel that starts at £35,690, while the hot six-cylinder-powered AMG C43 tops the three-engine launch range and starts from £49,675.
Both saloon and estate versions are offered, while above SE, Sport and AMG Line trims are offered.
The engine range will be bolstered later this year with a lower-priced entry model and further electrified EQ models. These will be full plug-in hybrids, in the form of the C300e petrol, as well as a four-cylinder diesel hybrid called the C300de.
The new EQ Power system increases the output of the electric motor by 40bhp over that used by the existing four-year-old 300h to 120bhp.
The two new plug-in hybrids’ electric range will extend to more than 31 miles, thanks to the lithium ion battery’s capacity rising from 6.4kWh to 13.8kWh.
Mercedes is remaining tight-lipped about the combined system outputs for the C300e and C300de, which aren't due out for several more months. However, the C300e’s turbo 2.0-litre petrol engine is claimed to deliver 208bhp and the C300de’s 2.0-litre diesel makes 191bhp.
The revisions include a number of subtle styling upgrades, including reprofiled bumpers with added chrome highlights, new headlights and a new diamond-pattern grille insert for AMG Line models.
Inside, the facelifted C-Class retains the basic dashboard design of the outgoing model, together with updated analogue instruments and a 7.0in infotainment display.
Optional equipment includes a new 12.3in high-definition digital instrument display offering three themes (Classic, Sport and Progressive), a revised multi-function steering wheel with touchpad controls, a 10.25in free-standing infotainment display and a touchpad controller within a reworked centre console.
The C-Class’s Comand infotainment system has been upgraded to the same standard as that used by the facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class. However, it forgoes the touchscreen control and connectivity functions of the more advanced system in the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
The C-Class also gets optional smartphone integration supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, as well as a wireless charging pad. It will also be offered with new Remote Parking Pilot and Driving Assistance Package Plus systems.
The facelifted C-Class will eventually have three diesel models: the 148bhp C200d, 192bhp C220d (which arrives first) and 241bhp C300d. Each runs Mercedes’ latest 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine.
Three petrol models feature in the line-up: the C180, C200 (the first to go on sale) and C300. The C180 uses a 1.6-litre turbo engine that produces 154bhp in the SLC180. The C200 and C300 both have Mercedes’ new four-cylinder petrol engine.
In the C200, the mild hybrid with EQ Boost badging, the engine delivers a nominal 188bhp, with an added 17bhp available on kickdown when the alternator acts as an electric motor to boost performance.
In the C300, the engine is in a higher state of tune, at 241bhp, but doesn't have electric assistance.
Read more
Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
Mercedes-Benz S-Class review
Mercedes-Benz A-Class review
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From £33k?
That seems a tad pricey, even for a car with the 3 pointed star on the grill!
Inflation
It's scary how car prices have been going up lately; it seems that manufacturers are factoring in the weak pound. The starting price on release 4 years ago was under 27k s so its gone up by more than 20%.
However all is not lost, I just checked Motorpoint's web site and a 5,000 miler is under £20k.
Interior Facelift??
What are Mercedes playing at? A, E and the S Class all now have the widescreen dash, but apparently not the ‘facelifted C Class’
Really hoping that the ‘reveal’ in March at Geneva has the C Class without the Halfords-esq floating infotainment display.
Holding off ordering a C43 Coupe till after Geneva in the hope it’s gets a widescreen dash too.
It will get the widescreen
It will get the widescreen dash when it receives it's complete overhaul in 3-4 years, This is just a mild mid-life refresh and wouldnt cover costs of a full dashboard redesign which have to last the 8 year life of the car. The centre floating screen is actually wider than the pre-facelift model so you are getting widescreen there but it won't get the full digital twin -widescreen replacement for the conventional dials like you see on A and E models as they only got that at full model replacement time, not mid-life refresh.
Good to see the return of a
Good to see the return of a diesel hybrid - they make far more sense than petrol hybrids. At least the C isnt as cheap and tacky inside as the A, E and S.