The all-new C-Class heralds a new chapter in the Mercedes-Benz success story and sets new standards in the premium mid- range class. Thanks to an intelligent lightweight design concept boasting weight savings of up to 200 lbs, excellent aerodynamics and new, economical engines, the C-Class establishes new benchmarks in its class. A host of new assistance systems offer safety of the highest standard, while a new suspension, optionally air-sprung, 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 interior touches underscore the sedan’s luxurious comfort and refined sportiness. In all, the perceived quality of the new C-Class feels like an “upgrade to a higher class of travel.”
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The C-Class is the top-selling model series from Mercedes-Benz. Sales of the preceding model, which was launched in 2007, total over 2.4 million worldwide. 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 emission and fuel consumption values. The U.S. market launches with two C-Class models: C300 4MATIC with a 2.0L turbocharged direct-injection in-line four-cylinder engine delivering 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and a C400 4MATIC with a 3.0L bi-turbo direct-injection V6 producing
329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. A rear-wheel drive version of the C300 will be launched in the first quarter of 2015.
“Mercedes at its best – that’s the new C-Class, which sets new standards for the mid-range segment on many fronts,” says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “It is characterised by an emotional yet clear design which is continued in the high-quality and modern interior. Its efficient and high-performance engineering provides the basis for a high standard of driving enjoyment.”
Ola Källenius, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, adds: “The new C-Class embodies Mercedes-Benz’s claim ‘The best or nothing’ in uncompromising style. This is immediately apparent when encountering our new Saloon for the first time, as it creates the impression that one is sitting in a higher class of automobile. I am sure that our customers will be delighted by the high-class appeal and agility of the new C-Class.”
The C-Class has grown to take account of people’s increasing average height. With a 3 inch increase in the wheelbase (112 inches) compared with the previous model, the vehicle is 3.7 inches longer (184 inches) and 1.6 inches wider (71 inches). The additional space benefits first and foremost the rear passengers, who now travel in even greater comfort. The new C-Class also increases its trunk capacity to 17 cubic feet.
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Sensuous clarity and purist forms
On a visual level, the new C-Class represents a bold departure from its predecessor. Its striking, dynamic design exudes sensuous clarity and arouses emotions. Nature was a source of inspiration for the new sedan’s aesthetically sensuous lines and surfaces, whose harmony and dynamism create
an immediate effect. The designers have created minimalist, purist forms for the C-Class which emphasize its intelligent technology and engineering. The clearly defined surfaces deliberately display a degree of tension, lending them a muscular and sensuous character. Precise lines and sculptural surfaces create lively light and shade effects.
As Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG, notes: “The new C- Class showcases automotive passion by way of a contemporary design idiom. Progressive and emotional highlights underscore the ground-breaking design style of the new C-Class and demonstrate sensual clarity. The new C-Class interprets modern luxury on a new level.”
In the side view a long hood, a passenger compartment set well back and short overhangs define the C-Class’s classic, well-balanced Mercedes-Benz sedan proportions. Large wheels emphasize the rear and communicate a stylishly sporty character.
There is a choice of two different faces: sporty with centrally positioned star or the classic sedan radiator grille featuring the Mercedes star on the hood (part of the optional Luxury Package in the US). The fins of the radiator grille can be closed completely to optimize the vehicle’s Cd value, highlighting the status of this cultivated sedan in duly self-assured style.
The new C-Class comes with H7 halogen headlamps as standard. 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 lights feature LED technology in all headlamp versions. LED Headlights are part of the Premium Package, also featuring full-LED taillights.
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
High-class interior with fine details
The 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-class materials and their pleasant touch and feel as well as the precision of the finely crafted details. The interior also embodies a new design idiom which combines sensuousness and clarity perfectly with dynamic sportiness and contributes to the quality feel of the interior.
The driver and front passenger enjoy plenty of space and luxury in a discreet, modern guise on board the new C-Class. This gives rise to a feel-good atmosphere which is new to this class of vehicle – settling into your seat in the C-Class is akin to the uplifting feeling of being upgraded from economy to business class on an airplane.
The interior design demonstrates a bold new approach by Mercedes-Benz. Here the designers combine in accomplished style the architecture of Mercedes-Benz sports cars with a totally new center console featuring flowing lines. A large one-piece center console panel performs an elegant sweep from the center 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 center console – with a screen diagonal of 7 inches or 8.4 inches if Multimedia Package with the COMAND Infotainment System is selected.
Five round air vents lend the dashboard a sporty touch. With their metallic
cool-touch effect they create a fascinating, tangible contrast to the warm look of the other materials – such as the wood in the center console or the MB-TEX on the dashboard. The “upgrade” feel duly continues with the controls. All
switches feature a high-quality, three-dimensional design befitting a luxury vehicle and benefit from a clear layout.
The innovative touchpad in the handrest over the Controller on the center tunnel marks a further evolutionary step developed in-house at Mercedes-Benz. 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. The user receives clear haptic 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. Like in a jet fighter, it displays important information directly in the driver’s field of vision on the front windscreen, thus providing for clear legibility and ensuring that the driver is distracted less from the road ahead. The system provides information on vehicle speed, speed limits and navigation instructions and displays messages from DISTRONIC PLUS.
