|  The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been reinvented seven years after its predecessor was introduced to the North American market.
The new C-class resembles a scaled-down S-class, and a version of that car's dial-operated COMAND entertainment system will be available. European buyers will get 156- and 184-horsepower supercharged four-cylinders, named C180 Kompressor and C200 Kompressor, respectively. Three V-6 engines will be available: a 204-hp C230, a 231-hp C280, and a 272-hp C350. We expect only the two most powerful engines in the U.S. The latter is the same 3.5-liter found in the ML, E, SLK, and a number of other models. We also expect a detuned version of AMG's 6.2-liter V-8 to find its way beneath the hood of a C63 AMG model.
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.
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.
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.
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