Kuala Lumpur. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today introduced the most anticipated, all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, setting groundbreaking standards in comfort with an array of new features.
Sagree Sardien, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said, “The C-Class has been our bestselling model to date. Since its introduction as the 190, over 10.5 million Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been delivered globally. Likewise in Malaysia, our customers love this vehicle as we continue to define the standards of comfort and innovation in the premium midsize sedan segment. With the new C-Class, our designers have been tasked to develop a car that combines human-centered innovations with sporty and modern design. Today, we are convinced that we have succeeded in delivering a car where design meets luxury and technology. We are very excited to introduce the new C-Class in Malaysia and with the latest edition, we are taking the next logical step on our road to a digital and sustainable future with a host of innovations that sets the benchmark in this segment.”
Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said, "The new C-Class redefines its segment in several respects at once: the comfortable spaciousness in the rear, the interior ambience and the high-quality workmanship. Following the pinnacle of luxury in the S-Class, the second generation of MBUX already débuts in the new C-Class. All the possibilities for intuitive operation and personalisation have been adopted, plus driver-orientation as a new feature specific to the model series: the dashboard and central display are slightly tilted towards the driver, underlining the sportiness of the C-Class as a first in a Mercedes-Benz passenger car".
Design: Sensual purity with a sporty and elegant touch
The C-Class has never been in a better shape: modernized all round and enhanced with sporty design elements, thanks to the combination of short front overhang, long wheelbase and rear overhang. The sporty bonnet with power domes accentuates this urge of forward motion. The windscreen and passenger cell have been moved to the rear for these classic proportions known in the industry as "cab-backward design". The preceding model was already a great step forward in terms of a high-value appeal in the interior, and the new C-Class goes even further with respect to modern luxury. The interior adopts highlights from the new S-Class, adding a sporty touch.
Exterior highlights: Profile with attractive light effects
When viewed from the side, elaborately sculptured surfaces create unique light effects. Conversely, the designers have reduced lines to a minimum, which accentuates the so-called catwalk line or shoulder line even more.
The brand's hallmark radiator grille characterizes the front. All models feature a central star, with the design and character of the radiator grille differing in the details.
The C 200 is equipped with Avantgarde line exterior. The highlights include in particular the radiator grille design with central Mercedes star as well as elegant trim strips in high-sheen aluminium and chrome with lowered comfort suspension and 18” 5-spoke wheels.
The distinguishing feature of the C 300 with AMG Line exterior is the Mercedes-Benz pattern grille with the star design in chrome. The expressive bodystyling of the AMG Line lends the exterior of the C-Class a sporty, exclusive touch along with 19-inch AMG multi spoke wheels. Other key exterior highlights of including panoramic sunroof, LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive High Beam Assist.
The rear-end design is typical of a Mercedes-Benz sedan. The high-quality design of the tail lamps fascinates with an unmistakable day and night appearance. The lamps for the first time have a two-piece design in the C-Class, with the light functions divided between the side wall and boot lid lamps. Their precisely configured interiors also showcase the standard of particularly high quality in detail with the silver grey diamond-pattern trim.
Interior design: sporty touches thanks to the driver-centered design
The dashboard is divided into an upper and a lower section: into a wing-like section with new, flattened round vents reminiscent of aircraft engine nacelles, and into an opulent expanse of trim. The latter flows from the center console to the dashboard without interruption.
Driver-focus adds to the sportiness: the dashboard and central display are slightly tilted towards the driver by six degrees. It features a high-resolution 12.3” free-standing driver display, setting it apart from traditional cockpits with classic round dials.
The paradigm change to digitization is also obvious in the revolutionary central display: the vehicle functions can be controlled using the high-quality touchscreen. Its portrait orientation is particularly advantageous for navigation and features a fingerprint scanner which can identify you quickly and conveniently. This is because your personal data, such as profiles or even office functions, are protected. When you touch the scanner, the system then grants the user access. This is secure and additionally more straightforward than entering a PIN.
The fingerprint scanner is located in an ergonomically convenient location below the central display. As part of a one-time process it records the distinctive biometric features of up to two random fingers per user. Therefore no one is able to observe a number combination, which could happen with PIN entry.
The touchscreen appears to float above the expanse of trim. Like the dashboard, the screen is slightly tilted towards the driver. A high-quality chrome insert divides the center console into a rear, padded section for the armrest and a front section in lustrous jet black. The seemingly free-floating central display rises smoothly and seamlessly from this three-dimensional surface.
The modern, highly reduced design of door panels frames both ends of the dashboard. The door center panel with integrated armrest evolves from a vertical surface into a horizontal orientation. Reflecting the design of the center console, the front section takes the form of a metallic high-tech element. It can be used as a grab or closing handle, and houses the power window controls. Another highlight is the floating control cluster, into which the door opener and seat adjustment controls are integrated.
The special design of the comfort or sport seats of the new C-Class uses layers and enveloping surfaces to create a visual impression of lightness. The head restraints are a completely new design and are attached to the backrest with a sealed piece of trim under which the adjustment mechanism is located.
A dashboard covered with man-made leather and featuring nappa-look beltlines is available for the C-Class. The available trim showcases innovative surfaces. These include new interpretations of open-pored veneers in stylish tones and a black, open-pored wood veneer featuring fine inlays of genuine aluminum that follow the dashboard's contours.
The driver display and media display offer a holistic, aesthetic experience. The look of the screens can be individualized with three display styles (Discreet, Sporty, and Classic) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service). In "Sporty", for example, the color red is predominant and the central rev counter has a dynamic design. The new C-Class is equipped with ambient lighting featuring optical fibers as standard.
Latest generation of MBUX: intuitively operated and learning
Like the new S-Class, the new C-Class is equipped with the second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The vehicle interior becomes even more digital and intelligent, as both the hardware and software have made great strides: Brilliant images on the LCD screens make it easy to control vehicle and comfort functions.
The driver display and media display offer a holistic, aesthetic experience. The information is presented in a clearly structured way. Mercedes-Benz developed a new display aesthetic for the S-Class, which now is systematically used as the basis for other models.
The look of the screens can be individualized with three display styles (Discreet, Sporty, and Classic) and also features three modes (Navigation, Assistance, and Service).
- In "Classic" style, the driver is welcomed with a familiar display environment. The proven display with two tubes and changing content between them provides all the information relevant to the driver.
- "Sporty" is dominated by the color red, with dynamic design of the central rev counter.
- In "Discreet" style, the content is reduced to what is essential. In addition, both screens can be shown in seven color schemes with the ambient lighting. This makes for an impressive color experience in the interior.
- In the new "Assistance Mode", the traffic situation is shown in real time and supplemented with important displayed information.
The full-screen navigation was adopted from the S-Class, and gives the driver the best possible guidance on a journey.
Hey Mercedes: the increasingly sharp voice assistant
The voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" becomes more interactive and has learning capabilities by activating online services in the Mercedes me App. Moreover, certain actions can be performed even without the activation keyword "Hey Mercedes". These include taking a telephone call. "Hey Mercedes" also explains vehicle functions, and, for example, can help when asked how to connect a smartphone by Bluetooth or where the first-aid kit can be found.
Music streaming: millions of songs to choose from
With the "Spotify and Apple Music" service, Mercedes-Benz has now fully integrated the major music streaming services into the MBUX infotainment system. MBUX enables seamless access to the personal user profile at the linked music provider. This not only gives customers convenient access to their favourite songs and personal playlists, but also the opportunity to discover millions of songs and curated playlists. Operation is intuitive, using the MBUX voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" or touch controls on the steering wheel, or directly on the central display.
Other highlights
Augmented Video is available as standard equipment in the Malaysian configurations of the C-Class. A camera registers the surroundings in front of the vehicle. The moving images are shown on the central display. In addition, virtual objects, information and markers are superimposed on the video image. These include directional arrows, lane-change recommendations and more. This can make navigation much easier, especially in urban areas.
As soon as a new update from Mercedes-Benz becomes available, a message appears in MBUX. The update is downloaded and installed in the background. The user then has to agree explicitly to its activation again. In this way the vehicle is always up-to-date. Features which have not even been invented yet can also be installed by means of OTA updates in vehicles already sold. To transfer the data, Mercedes-Benz relies on mobile communications technology and the communication module installed in the vehicle due to the high security standard.
Powertrain: systematic electrification of the modern four-cylinder engines
Thanks to systematic electrification and intelligent downsizing, the new C-Class sets new standards in efficiency. The engine range has only four-cylinder units from the current modular FAME (Family of Modular Engines) Mercedes-Benz engine family. Accordingly, the engine range plays a major role in the flexibility of the international production network, with needs-based electrification.
The new C-Class engines now have an integrated starter-generator (ISG) for intelligent assistance at low engine speeds as a mild hybrid of the second generation. This ensures outstanding power delivery. The ISG uses a 48 volt on-board electrical system that ensures functions such as gliding, boosting or energy recovery, and makes significant fuel savings possible. The engines also start very rapidly and comfortably as a result, so that the start/stop function is almost as imperceptible to the driver as the transition from gliding with the engine switched off to strong acceleration under engine power. When idling, the intelligent interaction between the ISG and the combustion engine ensures outstandingly smooth running.
Four-cylinder petrol engine also with a second-generation ISG
The four-cylinder petrol engine with a second-generation starter-generator with an additional output of up to 15 kW and 200 Nm more torque is also celebrating its première in the C-Class. Thanks to energy recovery and the ability to "glide" with the engine switched off, the petrol engine is highly efficient. Mercedes-Benz has for the first time combined all the innovations of the modular engine family of four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units in a single engine.
A completely new feature is the segment charger with flow connection, an advancement of the twin-scroll technology for even more instantaneous response of the forced induction system. The completely newly developed segment turbocharger is a result of cooperation between Mercedes-Benz turbocharger developers and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team. The technology transfer to series production sets new standards with respect to power combined with maximum efficiency. For short periods, the output of the C 300 can additionally be increased by up to 20 kW overboost.
Transmission: 9G-TRONIC enhanced for the latest engines
The 9G-TRONIC transmission was developed further for adapting the ISG, and is installed in all C-Class models. In addition, the efficiency of the transmission has been increased. Amongst other things, the optimized interplay with the electric auxiliary oil pump reduces the delivery rate of the mechanical pump by 30 percent compared with the predecessor which is good for efficiency.
Furthermore, it uses a new generation of the fully integrated transmission control with multi-core processor and new design and connectivity technology. In addition to the increased computing power, the number of electric interfaces has been drastically reduced, and the weight of the transmission controls have been cut by 30 percent compared with the predecessor.
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The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class models at a glance:
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