It’s been a long time coming and as expected, following the unveiling of the all-new S-Class that rocked the automotive industry, it is now time for Mercedes-Benz to take the wraps off the all-new C-Class – a car so well equipped that it possesses everything it needs to send the competition back to the drawing board.
The all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class remains a vital product for the German brand as its W205 predecessor has remained competitive right until the end of its life cycle with some claiming over 2.5 million W205 sedans/wagons have been sold globally. The new one is a significant shift, however, in that it will be the first C-Class lineup to use only four-cylinder engines, whereas its chief rival, the BMW 3 Series, has retained six-cylinder engines at a higher performance and price point.
Dimensionally, the latest C-Class is 2.5 inches longer and half an inch wider than its predecessor. Both a sunroof and 18-inch alloy wheels are standard. Climb inside, and the new C-Class is bound to dazzle. Once again, Mercedes' flair for interior design makes the alternatives from BMW and Audi look rather dull. A new 11.9-inch central touch screen multi-media display with a portrait orientation dominates the dashboard. To the left of this, a freestanding 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is present.
"I'm certain our new C-Class will excite even more customers with a wide range of high-tech features derived from our flagship S-Class," said Kallenius. "With the latest generation, MBUX and comprehensive electrification, our most successful model range will once again raise the bar as the most sophisticated offering in its segment."
At launch, Mercedes is offering the rear-wheel-drive C300 and the C300 4Matic all-wheel-drive. Both make use of a 2.0-liter inline-four twin-turbo engine with an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG). The electric motor system provides up to 20 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque for a brief period when accelerating, enables "sailing" - driving with the gas motor turned off - and improves efficiency.
Peak outputs for the four-pot engine are 255 hp and 400 Nm; torque is up from 370 Nm in the outgoing C300. Paired with this engine - the first Mercedes four-cylinder to incorporate the ISG tech - is a refined and 30-percent lighter 9G-tronic nine-speed automatic transmission.
When it comes to driver assistance systems, they have received upgrades of their own. For instance, the Speed Limit Assist feature can now recognize red traffic lights and stop signs, while parking sensors have been improved. Both models come standard with a blind-spot assist, attention assist, and parking damage detection.
