THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS Superior Safety, Comfort And Agility
01/18/2007
Mercedes-Benz
Safety, comfort, agility: these are the outstanding attributes of the new C-Class. In late summer 2007, Mercedes-Benz will continue its successful strategy and offer two C-Class models in the U.S, a Luxury Sedan and a Sport Sedan. All model variants share the latest, state-of-the-art technology.
The new C-Class is larger in virtually every dimension over its predecessor. Interior space has increased in the areas of rear legroom, front and rear hip room as well as front and rear shoulder room.
The design of the new C-Class is based on the modern Mercedes idiom, which reflects the technical superiority of automobiles bearing the star with taut lines and large, tranquil surfaces. The pronounced wedge-shape of the front end serves to emphasise attributes such as agility and performance. For the first time in a Mercedes sedan, the radiator grille is used as a distinguishing feature to position the model variants more clearly. Three extended, horizontal louvres and a big centrally positioned Mercedes star characterize the Sport Sedan as a traditional design feature of sporty Mercedes models. Together with the sporty, high-quality appointments, this feature emphasizes the youthful, agile appearance of this C-Class.
In the Luxury Sedan, Mercedes-Benz employs a three-dimensional, louvred radiator grille with a high-gloss paint finish to accentuate other brand-typical attributes such as comfort and luxury.
The two choices for the C-Class allows Mercedes customers to accentuate individual choices, and configure a C-Class to suit their personal taste and lifestyle even more emphatically than before. All the models offer the same extraordinary driving experience that the sedan provides by virtue of further technical improvements. Both by its outstanding long-distance comfort and its dynamic handling, the C-Class sets new standards in this market segment.
Shock Absorbers Automatically Adapt to the Driving Situation
AGILITY CONTROL - this is the term used by Mercedes-Benz for all new and further developments that improve both comfort and agility in equal measure. This standard package includes the AGILITY CONTROL suspension, which controls the shock absorber forces according to the driving situation: when driving normally with low shock absorber impulses, the damping forces are automatically reduced for a noticeable improvement in ride comfort - but without any compromise in handling safety. When driving more dynamically, the maximum damping forces are set and the car is effectively stabilised. The AGILITY CONTROL steering of the new C-Class has a ratio of 14.5, and is therefore six percent more direct than the steering of the preceding model. The likewise included AGILITY CONTROL gearshift reflects the sporty character of the C-Class with a short travel and precise shifts.
ADAPTIVE BRAKE is another new development in the area of running gear technology. This is based on the technology of the S-Class and provides additional support functions for even more safety and comfort. Examples include Start-Off Assist for uphill gradients, priming the braking system in critical situations and light contact to dry the brake discs in wet conditions.
The Latest Mercedes Inventions Ensure Maximum Safety
During the course of its development, the new C-Class successfully passed more than 100 crash tests, including the particularly demanding, in-house impact tests of which some go well beyond the legal requirements. Passing these is a precondition for the highest accolade in automobile safety: the Mercedes star. Occupant protection is based on an intelligently designed bodyshell, 70 percent of which consists of high-strength and ultra high-strength steel. Compared to the previous series, Mercedes-Benz has enlarged the deformation zones even further and improved energy flows. The front-end structure of the new C-Class has four independently acting impact levels, which enable forces to be distributed over a wide area while bypassing the passenger cell.
The safety technology in the interior has been complemented with the very latest protection systems. Seven airbags are included as standard equipment: two adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, two sidebags in the front seat backrests and two large windowbags which extend from the A- to the C-pillar during a side impact. The driver, front passenger and the passengers on the outer rear seats also benefit from belt tensioners and belt force limiters as standard.
Interior Design "Cast from a Single Mould"
When developing the cockpit, Mercedes designers took their lead from the sporty sector and included clearly laid-out dial instruments such as may be found in roadsters or coupes. Silver-colored bezels, black dial faces, white markings and glowing orange needles perfectly combine form with function for a high value impression and easy legibility.
Equally clearly laid out and well-arranged, the two-tone dashboard and centre console of the new C-Class form a harmonious unit in line with the "design cast from a single mould" principle. The same applies to the integration of the colour display at the upper centre of the dashboard. This is perfectly positioned within the driver's line of vision, but can also be covered or folded away as required, without switching off the radio, navigation system or other units linked to the display. If the pivoting cover of the display aperture is closed, the infotainment units continue to operate.
New Control Concept for Clarity and Comfort
The central display is part of the new control and display concept which the new C-Class has adopted from the luxury-class Mercedes models. Its major advantage is rapid access to frequently used functions, which means that the driver does not need to relearn, is able to maintain familiar habits and feels at home immediately. All the control and display elements necessary and important during a journey are located in the cockpit, i.e. in immediate proximity to the driver.
In the same way, linking the standard multifunction steering wheel with the instrument cluster is an important precondition for rapid access to a wide range of information and functions in the driver's direct line of vision. Other functions such as infotainment are shown by the display at the center of the dashboard. The driver and front passenger are able to control the radio, navigation system or telephone by using a controller on the center console, or access the main menus using direct selection keys.
COMAND Provides Voice Operation, a Music Server and DVD Navigation
The Audio 20 and COMAND APS systems are a range of newly developed, optional infotainment units for C-Class passengers. They all feature a keypad for entering telephone numbers and radio frequencies, as well as a Bluetooth interface which wirelessly connects the mobile phone to the hands-free system. An integral 6-CD changer and the voice control system are available on request.
The multimedia system COMAND APS offers even more functions than before in the new C-Class. One new feature is a Europe-wide navigation system whose data are stored on a hard disc (30 gigabytes). The high-resolution maps are shown on a color display (7-inch) which pivots away and disappears beneath a cover at the touch of a button. Other functions of COMAND APS include a music server with a four-gigabyte memory, a DVD-player for video and audio, and the voice control system, which Mercedes-Benz has likewise improved further: the driver no longer needs to spell out the names of countries, towns or roads, but is able to speak them as whole words. The voice control system is just as convenient when selecting radio stations or entries in the telephone directory.
The C-Class Is the Bestseller in the Mercedes Lineup
The new C-Class replaces a model series of which more than 1.4 million units have been sold since spring 2000. All in all, Mercedes-Benz has delivered more than two million of the Sedan, Estate and Sports Coupe models in the previous C-Class to customers all over the world. This makes the C-Class the bestseller in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range. Germany is the largest market for the C-Class, accounting for around 30 percent of worldwide sales.
Appointments and Technical Highlights of the New C-Class*
Cornering lights: This function of bi-xenon headlamps provides more safety on junctions and when driving slowly on tight bends.
Optional in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps
ADAPTIVE BRAKE: This newly developed braking system has support functions for even more safety and comfort.
Standard
Adaptive front airbags: The front airbags deploy in two stages, depending on accident severity.
Standard
AGILITY CONTROL package: A selective damping system adapts the shock absorber responses to the driving situation. The AGILITY CONTROL package also includes more direct steering and gearshifts with a short travel.
Standard
Bi-xenon headlamps: Gas-discharge lamps for dipped and high beam improve safety at night.
Optional
Bluetooth interface: The mobile phone is wirelessly linked to the hands-free system.
Standard
COMAND APS: The data of the navigation system are stored on a hard disc for even faster route calculation and better representation of the route on the display. A music server for up to 1000 tracks is also integrated.
Optional
ESP(R): This safety system is able to reduce the risk of skidding on bends, and warns of pressure loss in the tyres.
Standard
Headlamp Assist: A sensor on the windscreen automatically switches the headlamps on when darkness falls.
Standard
Belt force limiters: This technology reduces the belt forces acting on the occupants during a crash.
Standard for the front and outer rear seats
Belt tensioners: Seat belt slack is instantly taken up during a crash to reduce the forward movement of the occupants.
Standard for the front and outer rear seats
THERMATIC automatic climate control: This improved system controls two temperature zones and features numerous adjustments for individual climatic comfort.
Standard
Luxury multifunction steering wheel: The radio, telephone, navigation system, display and other units can be operated from the steering wheel.
Standard
Paintwork: Nano-technology makes the paint finish more scratch-resistant and ensures a glossier sheen.
Standard
NECK-PRO head restraints: Crash-responsive head restraints support the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage during a rear-end collision, reducing the risk of a whiplash injury.
Standard
Panoramic sliding roof: A large glass surface extending from the front to the rear window. The front section slides to the rear at the touch of a button.
Optional
Sidebags: These side airbags reduce the risk of injury in a lateral collision.
Standard for driver and front passenger; optional for the rear
Seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC: The world's only automatic car transmission with seven ratios
Optional in Sport Sedan and standard in Luxury Sedan
Sound system: A multi-channel system with innovative digital technology provides surround-sound on every seat. A unique quality of Dolby 5.1 sound is experienced with the DVD-player.
Optional
Windowbags: This large airbag extends from the A to the C-pillar like a curtain during a side crash.
Standard