The new 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has officially been revealed and will carry over all the same derivatives from the previous generation. This marks the first Mercedes-Benz model series to feature a fully electrified lineup. Yes, every new C-Class model will feature an electrified system, more on that later.
While official launch dates for South Africa have not been revealed, Mercedes-Benz South Africa will be producing the new C-Class. So, we can likely expect to see this model early or mid-2022.
Minor updates to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class style.
The C-Class is an incredibly successful and well-known series for Mercedes-Benz, so it comes as no surprise when the exterior was not changed much. The most notable change has been the grill and headlight shapes. Where the grill used to be wider at the top and curve downward, it is now reversed. The headlights are more flat bus still shapely to flow with the different grill shape.
To describe this with an acronym, the older Mercedes-Benz C-Class was smiling and the new one is gritting its teeth.
While the exterior keeps to the same successful design, the interior gets a bigger change. Gone are the small screen and in are massive screens that dominate the interior. The infotainment system is controlled by a portrait screen measuring in at 10.25-inches or an optional 11.9-inches.
The second screen in a high-definition LCD digital instrument display that floats above the dashboard. It can either be 10.25-inches or 12.3-inches. These two screens come equipped with the second-generation MBUX system and get three display styles with different colours and motifs. For an even more high tech look, ambient lighting with optical fibre technology can be specified.
All the derivatives we knew are now electrified.
Every derivative is electrified by an integrated starter-generator and 48 V technology. Manual gearboxes have also been left behind in most markets with the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. Buyer will also get the voice of rear-wheel drive or the 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The C180 (entry-level model) and the C200 will both receive the same 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder motor. The C180 will produce 125 kW and 250 Nm while the tuned C200 gets 150 kW and 300 Nm. In the 4Matic all-wheel-drive guise, they will sprint to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and 7,1 seconds respectively.
The current range-topping model, C300, will get a turbocharged 2,0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. With a new twin-scroll turbo setup, the model boasts 190 kW and 400 Nm. This gets it to 100 km/h in just 5,9 seconds.
Diesel models will also be available with a 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine. They will each gain an extra 15 kW of extra electric boost. As for the hybrids, they are expected to become available soon after the launch.
As an optional feature that buyers can specify, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class can come with rear-wheel steering. This will help create a tighter turning circle at low speed and enhance the manoeuvrability at higher speeds. It does that by turning the rear wheels in the same direction as the front.
Soource: Mercedes-Benz