Five years on, the W206 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been given a facelift, keeping pace with the electrical version that was revealed in April. This refresh brings with it a love-it-or-hate-it redesign (no prizes for guessing which camp this author is in), but it surely largely carries over the identical interior and features mildly warmed-over engines.
Identical to on the W223 S-Class, the outside revamp is lower than elegant, with a hodgepodge of design elements and a deluge of three-pointed stars. The brand new six-point grille is huge and takes up almost the total height of the front end; it’s also illuminated for the primary time (as is the dinner plate-sized star badge), and as before you get a hot-stamped chrome star pattern.
As is customary for a Mercedes today, the headlights feature one other large illuminated star; the optional Digital Light units get expanded high-resolution illumination and swivelling Ultra Range high beams. Shoehorned between the lamps and grille is a black surround that, while still appearing contrived, does a rather higher job at tying the 2 together than a few of Stuttgart’s other recent models (I’m taking a look at you, GLE and GLS facelifts).
The rear end is usually unchanged, save for yet more stars within the taillights. Interestingly, this doesn’t extend to the wagon (did they run out of cash halfway through?), although that isn’t of much relevance to our market. The AMG Line package adds the same old sportier bumpers, including some unnecessarily overwrought “nacelles” within the front bumper corners. For the primary time, a lightweight curtain projects a pattern on the bottom when the doors are opened.
Surprisingly, the inside hasn’t been changed into a screen fest, retaining a sober dashboard layout. You continue to get a 12.3-inch instrument display and an 11.9-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, although the latter now runs on a more moderen MB.OS with an AI-enhanced MBUX Virtual Assistant, using ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini as models. Google Maps-based navigation with an optional augmented reality function has been added.
Elsewhere, the much-maligned capacitive touch controls on the steering wheel have been ameliorated somewhat by physical rocker and roller switches, while the optional 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system has been enhanced with Dolby Atmos support and now offer “greater spaciousness and depth.” There are also latest beech brown and cherry red color schemes, moccasin stitching and latest wood and metal decor options.
Under the bonnet lies a revised range of two.0 litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engines, rechristened the M254 Evo. This ditches the 1.5 litre option and gains a brand new electric auxiliary compressor to cut back turbo lag. A second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG 2.0) provides a marginal bump in accelerative boost to 23 PS and 205 Nm of torque.
The C200 and C300 are joined by a brand new C250, but really, the C200 and C250 are only the old C180 and C200 renamed. Each get an uptick in outputs, with the C200 producing 177 PS and 270 Nm (up 7 PS and 20 Nm over the C180) and the C250 churning out 218 PS and 320 Nm (up 14 PS and 20 Nm over the C200). The C300, alternatively, makes the identical 258 PS and 400 Nm as before, they usually are all mated to the familiar nine-speed 9G-Tronic auto.
Meanwhile, the OM654 Evo turbodiesel with the identical ISG 2.0 is obtainable in an unchanged 163 PS and 200 PS variants. As for plug-in hybrids, only the C400e will probably be available from launch, with increased electrical assistance bringing outputs to 395 PS and 650 Nm, a 14 PS bump. A 19.54 kWh (usable) battery continues to offer as much as 100 km of WLTP-rated EV range.
While the powertrains are mostly untouched, the C-Class does profit from several detail improvements. The chassis has been retuned for greater agility without sacrificing comfort with stiffer mounts and revised adjustable damping to cut back body movements. The automotive can also be quieter than before, because of redesigned door mirror bases, an exhaust “cage” to cut back vibrations and increased insulation.
As for safety, the C-Class gets the most recent MB.Drive suite of driver assists, with features including the MB.Drive Assist’s auto lane changes, a brand new reversing assistant (only available through a subscription, I’m afraid), an upgraded MB.Drive Assist Plus that may brake for stop signs and red lights, and MB.Drive Assist Pro with highly-automated highway and city driving functionality. The latter will probably be offered in China first.
The facelifted W206 C-Class will probably be available to order in Germany starting later today, priced at €48,844 (RM229,600). What do you think that of the brand new looks and specs, and are you excited for this to come back to Malaysia? Tell us within the comments.
This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
