Since production began in spring 2000, worldwide over two million C-Class vehicles have been produced. Never before in the history of Mercedes-Benz have so many units of a particular model been produced in a comparable period of time.

Since the launch of the 190 E in 1984 in Australia, the C-Class range has proven its popularity with Australian customers with over 55,000 deliveries, making the model the most sought after Mercedes-Benz product of all time. The current generation, which was released in 2000 and significantly upgraded in 2004, has been the key driver of this success story, accounting for over 30,000 sales, combining a winning mix of modern technology, sporty agility and exceptional comfort.

The C-Class has grown to meet the requirements of Mercedes-Benz customers and includes six Sedan, two Estate and three Sport Coupé models. The engine variants available are the C 180 KOMPRESSOR, C 200 KOMPRESSOR, C 220 CDI, C 230, C 350 and the top of the range C 55 AMG. There is also a combination of eight different interior and exterior packages available for varying models, maximising the customisation available for the C-Class range.

“The C-Class has been the most successful Mercedes-Benz model in Australia,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director of the Mercedes Car Group in Australia.

“The engine variants and body styles available in the range ensure customers can choose a vehicle that best suits their lifestyle, whilst retaining excellent resale values,” he said.

Over 5,000 C-Class Sports Coupés have been delivered to customers since 2001, making it a healthy contributor to the overall sales of the C-Class. This vehicle carries all the typical Mercedes-Benz trademarks of safety, reliability and quality.

Dynamic engines

The engine line-up available in the C-Class range boasts performance, dynamism and driving excitement, while at the same time delivering impressive standards on fuel economy.

The C 55 AMG is a dynamic, yet practical sports sedan, with 270 kW of power and 510 Newton metres of maximum torque. From standstill the C 55 AMG accelerates to 100 km/h in only 5.2 seconds, and guarantees sporty driving pleasure at the highest level with its standard sports suspension and five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel gearshift paddles and AMG SPEEDSHIFT.

Externally the C 55 AMG is distinguishable from the other models in the C-Class line-up by its striking front-end design, with elliptical twin headlamps and an approximately 80 millimetre longer front-end structure, which makes it possible to install the potent V8 engine. The striking design of the side skirts, boot lid and rear bumper also emphasises the high-performance character of the eight-cylinder model. Eighteen inch light-alloy wheels, tyres in size 225/40 R 18 (front) and 245/35 R 18 (rear), AMG sports seats with Alcantara inserts and a decidedly sporty instrument cluster with silver-coloured dials are further special features of the C 55 AMG.

The entry level C 180 KOMPRESSOR is the most popular model with well over 50 per cent of customers opting for this engine. Along with the two newest engine variants to join the C-Class family, the V6 C 230 and V6 C 350 which arrived late last year, the C-Class currently has its strongest line-up ever.

The more powerful additions are part of the company’s V6 engine offensive, which has given C-Class buyers the chance to experience the popular generation of V6 engines first introduced to Australia in the SLK 350 in 2004.

Last year for the first time, a V6 engine joined the C-Class Estate line-up in the form of the 2.5-litre C 230, complementing the availability of the new engines in the Saloon (C 350 and C 230) and Sports Coupé (C 230).

The C 350 Saloon has an impressive 200 kW of power and maximum torque of 350 Newton metres, giving this Mercedes engine a clear edge over all comparable V6 models in its class.

The C 350 delivers approximately 13 per cent more rated torque and 25 per cent more rated power than the previous six-cylinder model in the C-Class. This gives the Saloon performance even more of a sports car flavour. With the standard 7G-TRONIC transmission, the 0-100 km/h time is just 6.4 seconds (previous model: 7.7s). Fuel consumption is 10 litres/100 km (ADR 81/01) with premium unleaded petrol, enabling the new six-cylinder C-Class model to outshine its predecessor model with regard to fuel economy.

The C 350 is available in either Elegance or Avantgarde with an array of standard features including NECK-PRO active front head restraints, THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control, COMAND, full leather upholstery, metallic paint and MP3 compatible CD changer for six CD’s.

An attractive introduction to six-cylinder performance: The C 230

With an output of 150 kW, the 2.5-litre V6 C 230 displays exemplary torque characteristics, delivering a peak of 245 Newton metres across a broad rpm range (2,900 – 5,500), thereby providing powerful acceleration and rapid sprints. From a standing start, the C 230 accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds (Saloon). Fuel consumption is 9.6 litres/100km (ADR 81/01) with premium unleaded petrol.

The C-Class range covers not only the sporty yet elegant Saloon, but also the highly versatile Estate and the youthful, dynamic Sports Coupé all of which are now available with the powerful new V6 C 230 engine variant.

Extensive range of standard equipment and packages

The C 230 comes standard with the seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. Further highlights in the extensive range of standard equipment include NECK-PRO, 17” light alloy wheels and parameter steering in addition to the long list of safety and comfort features.

The C-Class has particularly striking handling dynamics thanks to DIRECT CONTROL, introduced on the new generation in 2004, which involves further technical development of the axles, steering and six-speed manual transmission. These measures combine to produce even more agile handling without compromising the ride comfort typical of a Mercedes. DIRECT CONTROL is standard equipment in all the C-Class model variants, and can be supplemented with other systems for even more sporty performance on request.

The packages available on the C-Class include an ELEGANCE, AVANTGARDE, Sports, Sports Edition + and AMG Sports Package.

The Sports Package, which has proven very popular with Australian drivers, consists of 17 inch five spoke light alloy wheels, black ARTICO leather upholstery, larger perforated front discs and brake callipers, exhaust system with polished stainless steel tailpipe, leather trimmed gear shift lever, leather steering wheel in three spoke design, brushed stainless steel pedals, sports seats for the driver and front passenger, sports suspension and velour mats.

For those customers who want an even sportier edge, the Sports Edition + package is optionally available and comprises additional sporty enhancements over the Sports Package. These are 17 inch six spoke light alloy wheels, velour mats with Sports Edition logo, bi-xenon headlights, radiator grille in silver, AMG styling comprising of front and rear aprons and side skirts, silver instrument dials and a choice of five metallic paint colours as standard including iridium silver, cubanite silver, jasper blue, carneol red and diamond black.

The entry level C 180 KOMPRESSOR Sedan has a host of standard equipment including:

• 16 inch light alloy wheels
• Full size spare wheel
• DIRECT CONTROL suspension
• Engine immobiliser with electronic drive authorisation
• Heated electrically adjusted exterior mirrors
• Parktronic
• Tinted windows
• Adaptive accelerator pedal
• ASSYST service indicator
• Audio 20 Radio with telephone keypad and six speakers
• Central locking with automatic locking of vehicle (15 km/h)
• Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC variable speed limiter
• DIRECT CONTROL power steering with safety steering column
• Mobile phone pre installation featuring handy interface (UHI)
• Multi-function steering wheel and display
• powerwindows

In addition to the above, the C 200 K and C 220 CDI Sedan (Classic) receive:

• Leather steering wheel and leather gear shift lever

The C 230 Sedan receives the following equipment over the C 200 K and C 220 CDI:

• 17 inch light alloy wheels
• Elegance package
• Parameter steering

The C 350 Sedan is as per the C 230 including additional:

• MP3 compatible CD changer for 6 CD’s in glove compartment
• COMAND, incorporating DVD navigation, CD player, AM/FM radio and telephone functionalities
• Driver and passenger seats electronically adjustable with three memory positions
• Full leather upholstery
• Metallic paint
• THERMOTRONIC, luxury automatic climate control with digital display

The C 55 AMG Sedan is as per the C 350, and also receives the following standard equipment:

• 18 inch light alloy wheels, twin spoke design
• AMG brake callipers
• AMG door sill panels
• AMG high performance braking system with perforated front brakes
• AMG instrument cluster
• AMG single tone nappa leather upholstery with Alcantara inserts
• AMG SPEEDSHIFT
• AMG spoiler
• AMG sports exhaust with two chromed tailpipes
• AMG sports seats
• AMG sports steering wheel with gearshift buttons
• AMG sports suspension
• AMG styling
• Bi-xenon headlights with cleaning system
• Blue tinted windows
• Electrically foldable side mirrors
• Folding rear seat (1/3:2/3 split)
• Glass electric sunroof with lifter
• Heated fronts seats
• Anti-theft alarm system with tow away protection and IR interior motion sensor
• Harmon Kardon LOGIC7 Surround Sound System

All C-Class models come with an array of standard safety features including: ABS; Brake Assist (BAS); Electronic Stability Programme (ESP); Airbags, two stage front airbags for driver and front passenger, sidebags in front and rear, plus windowbags; NECKPRO active head restraints; seatbelts with emergency pre-tensioners and belt force limiters; and warning triangle and first aid kit.

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