The Mercedes-Benz's refreshed C-Class business class sedan, which is produced at the Stuttgart-based firm's East London plant, is now available in the local market. Herewith the prices and specifications of the updated range.

Although the updates incorporated in the C-Class may be perceived as relatively minor, the Stuttgart-based brand claims the changes are the most significant in the history of its business class sedan range!

The C-Class’ exterior has received only a mildtweakand features the eye-catching diamond grille as standard (in combination with AMG Line), redesigned LED headlamps (Multibeam LED units with UltraRangehigh beam-function are optional), with revised front bumpers (for all lines), as well asupdated taillight clusters. The rear bumper treatmentsvaryaccording to the selected equipment and engine variant.

The interior, however, incorporates a host of new technologies, including a freshelectronic architecture, which is said to be on par with that of the S-Class. An all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster isavailable as an option and the newly designed steering wheel now affords access to more onboard and infotainment systems (including Distronic active cruise control – if specified) and itscontrol buttons respond to sweeps of the thumb.

Predictably, the infotainment system has been upgraded too, with a new 10.25-inch screen offered on high-end models (smartphone integration is now standard) and there are a handful of new interior trims, such as open-pore brown walnut and anthracite oak trim inserts, to choose from.

Meanwhile, a number of Intelligent Drive electronic assistance features, whichoffer a higher degree of semi-autonomous driving functionality, have made their way to the options list, which also includes a new Multicontour Seat package that Benz claims "literally offers a massage– the side bolsters and lumbar support can be individually adjusted by an electrically-driven pneumatic pump (to create)a massage effect in the lumbar area".

Engine Choices

The facelifted C-Class range is headlined by this, a more powerful C43 4Matic with287 kW and 520 Nm.

As for engines, a new 4-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine,mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission, makes its way into the C200. This mild hybrid offering is supplemented with a 48-volt onboard network and the EQ Boost integrated starter-generator that produces an additional 10 kW and 160 Nm when the sedan's accelerating. The C300 is powered by anew-generation 2.0-litre turbopetrol that produces peak outputs of 190 kW and 370 Nm, while the range-topping Mercedes-AMG C43 4Maticboasts a more powerful twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine with outputs of 287 kW (17 kW more than before) and 520 Nm (unchanged). Benz claims the C43 4Matic will sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds.

On the turbodiesel front, the C220 d 4Maticis powered by a 1.6-litre engine that provides peak outputs of 143 kW and 400Nm.

Another new feature is anautomatic notification if the vehicle suffers an impact caused by another vehicle when parked, is towed away or there is a break-in attempt. The highly sensitive sensors of the standard Anti-theft alarm system (ATA)can detect such situations and immediately send a "push notification" message to the Mercedes me App. The optional feature includes the new sensors and the corresponding software, Benz says.

Local pricing (July 2018)

Prices includea 6-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

Sedan

C180 R586 500

C200 R613 500

C220d R651 000

C300 R716 000

Mercedes-AMG C43R948 500

Coupe

C180 R666 000

C200 R766 000

Mercedes-AMG C43R983 500

Cabriolet

C200 R793 500

C300 R884 000

Mercedes-AMG C43R1 100 000

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