The all-new Mercedes Benz C-Class: Transforming the compact/midsize luxury sedan

MANILA, Philippines - If I had to be a Transformers robot that turns into a car, I would choose to be the new C-Class Mercedes Benz. Sci-fi geeks would probably ask why I would choose to be a robot from a compact/midsize vehicle category when I can be a super sports car or a heavyweight SUV? 

The upsized new C-Class, which starts at just under P3.9 million, breaks the typecast of what compact or even medium-size sedans can deliver. It embodies appealing qualities of being sporty yet refined, solidly constructed yet with a lightweight body, fast yet fuel-efficient. It is designed to look, perform, and even smell good.

First, the look. The C-class is eye-catching and striking without being pretentious or flashy. The Philippine launch of the C-class showed it in three colors: white, silver and black. Personally, the white shade seemed young and appealing to me. The whole exterior is sculpted with curves and precise lines that draw inspiration from modern aesthetics. The look is not accidental—supposedly, the designers intentionally chose minimalist/purist forms to emphasize the intelligent technology and engineering behind the C-class. The sporty look is further enhanced by the elongated front end of the car.

The headlights and taillights both feature energy-saving LED technology.  I viewed the car with my editor Manny de los Reyes, who said that the taillights reminded him of those of a Bentley. I suppose it does look a bit similar to the rear of a Bentley Continental, which I consider to be a compliment for the C-class, which is categorized among the compact/midsize premium sedans.

While it may look sporty, the C-Class does not sacrifice space. Looks can be deceiving as the sleek appearance of the C-Class actually yields larger dimensions than the previous model. There is an 80mm increase in the wheelbase (to 2840mm), a 95mm increase in car length (to 4686mm) and 40mm increase in width (to 1810 mm). Front-seat elbow room increased by 14mm.

But with space doesn’t come weight. Compared with the previous model, the aluminum content of the new C-class was increased from less than 10 percent to almost 50 percent. This aluminum hybrid body is around 70 kg lighter than a conventional steel body, and reduces the car’s overall weight by up to 100 kg, making it a leader in the “lightweight rankings” of cars within its segment. Among the benefits of this lightweight design is reduced fuel consumption by up to 20 percent without decreasing performance. In spite of its lightweight shell, Mercedes-Benz promises that the C-class keeps with the company’s tradition of exemplary crash safety. 

Two models will be initially available: the C200 and the C250, both sporting 2.0-liter engines mated to 7-speed automatics. The C200 delivers 184hp and 300Nm of torque while the C250 pumps out 211hp and 350Nm.

Inside the C-class, I felt the spacious interior as soon as I sat down in the driver’s seat. Needless to say, the fine Artico leather seats are what can be expected from a premium luxury car. The exterior look is consistent with the interiors of the C-class, which I would describe as sporty and elegant inspired by minimalist, modern designs enhanced by metallic and wood details.

Two features inside the C-class caught my attention—the center console and the touchpad next to the driver’s seat. The free-standing display atop the center of the dashboard has a screen of around seven inches, where the different control features are displayed. What I found impressive was the touchpad on the center console which allows navigating through the car’s features similar to operating a touchscreen found in smartphones.

A head-up display is placed directly in the driver’s field of vision on the front windscreen which prevents distraction from driving while the system feeds information on speed, posted speed limits, and navigation instructions.

In terms of performance, the C-class promises low drag with a drag coefficient (Cd) value of 0.24. Simply, the low wind drag helps the C-class achieve efficiency through reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. 

To further improve the new C-class, two factors were reduced compared to its previous model—fuel consumption was lowered by up to 20 percent, while the wind noise level also went down. 

The suspension of the new C-class also ensures that it lives up to its sporty image without compromising on providing an elegant ride. While the C-class promises a smooth, comfortable ride, the new suspension is designed to provide agile handling through a new 4-link front axle that decouples wheel suspension from the spring strut. This new system allows the suspension to have more grip and to respond more sensitively to steering movements for a sporty, agile driving style. For city driving, nimble steering would allow navigation through the chaotic traffic of dense urban areas like Metro Manila.

The C-class boasts integration of technology to address driving needs, which brings the concept of “intelligent cars” to a new level. It is equipped with a feature called “Attention Assist,” which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and fatigue. This function can inform drivers about their level of drowsiness and how long they have been driving since their last break. 

Other functions that add to safety and driving comfort are a 360° camera option which can show the vehicle and its surroundings from various perspectives, including a virtual bird’s-eye view; and an Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus which allows the high-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling traffic by masking out other vehicles in the light cone of the high-beam headlamps.

If we are to believe that female drivers are less skilled at parking, then the Active Parking Assist is something female drivers can appreciate as this function enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention in both parallel and end-on parking spaces.

For those who are conscious about car smell and air-quality, the C-class offers an Air Balance package with active fragrancing, air ionization and more efficient filtration than is available on the base model.

Finally, in spite of being primarily a sports and luxury car, the C-class shows that it can moonlight as a family car. The front passenger seat can be fitted with automatic child seat recognition that enables any child seat to be used. The airbag is automatically deactivated when a child seat is fitted and reactivated once it has been removed.

With all the features and the performance that the new C-class promises to deliver, it truly raises the bar in the premium compact/midsize sedan category. I met the new C-Class only recently during its gala launch at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila last Thursday.  Am I sure that I want to be like it if I were to be a Transformers robot? For a car that looks elegant and sporty, runs efficiently, weighs less, and even smells good—I say, why not?