2008 Mercedes-Benz C-CLASS
The new-generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class made its Canadian debut during the Fall 2007. The new C-Class is slightly larger than its highly successful predecessor, with a greater emphasis on agility, comfort and safety. With a nod to the recently introduced S-Class sedan, the look of the new mid-size C-Class reveals the latest Mercedes design idiom that's characterized by an edgy interplay of taut lines and wide, rounded surfaces. A revised suspension and steering help make the new C-Class noticeably more agile, along with a new slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission for the C300 rear-wheel-drive model.
The new C-Class is available in four V6-powered models – the C300, the C300 4MATIC™, the C350 and the C350 4MATIC™. New standard equipment includes a power sunroof, eight-way power front seats with lumbar support (10-way power front seats with memory and power steering column on C350 models), two-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity and a central controller with a display screen.
The new C300 and C300 4MATIC™ with the no charge sport package can be identified by AMG body-styling – deeper front and rear aprons as well as under-door rocker panels – grille-mounted star – and twin-spoke 17-inch wheels of staggered width. In addition, the car features sport shocks and springs that provide a crisper ride as well as a 15 mm (0.6 inches) lower ride height. IThe interior is highlighted by a three-spoke steering wheel and aluminium trim or no-charge black birdseye maple trim (instead of the four-spoke steering wheel and burl walnut trim). An instrument cluster with a titanium-coloured background and rubber-studded aluminium pedals further differentiate the models. The C350 and C350 4MATIC™ come standard with the above mentioned options in addition to the 17-inch 6-twin spoke AMG wheels and a rear lip spoiler.
4MATIC™ Four-Wheel Drive
As modern all-wheel-drive systems become even more refined, they are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the luxury car market. With negligible weight and fuel-efficiency tradeoffs, full-time four-wheel-drive systems provide year-round traction and stability benefits on both wet and dry roads.
After making its debut last year on the new S-Class sedan, the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC™ all-wheel-drive system is also available on the new-generation C300 and C350 4MATIC™. The new 4MATIC™ system features a totally redesigned full-time all-wheel-drive system that's cleanly integrated into the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. The new system fits right into the standard body and utilizes the existing front suspension – gone are the special suspension parts and wider transmission tunnel that were necessary on earlier 4MATIC™ systems.
The extra gears and shafts that drive the front wheels now weigh only 66 kgs (145 pounds) more than the rear-wheel-drive model. Fuel efficiency has been improved, due to a number of innovative measures that minimize the energy needed to turn the extra hardware.
More Space, More Comfort, More Cargo
More space means more comfort. With a body that's 99 mm (3.9 inches) longer and 43 mm (1.7 inches) wider than the previous model, the new C-Class boasts a noticeably roomier cabin in both the front and rear seating areas, and an increased wheelbase of 46 mm (1.8 inches). The new car has more luggage room too, with a trunk capacity of 475 litres (16.8 cubic feet) – four percent more than the outgoing model.
A High-Performance Instrument Cluster
A new instrument cluster features three analog gauges that show engine speed, road speed, fuel level and coolant temperature. In addition, a display in the centre of the speedometre is linked to a 12-button multi-function steering wheel that can call up a variety of helpful information. The display can show range, oil level, phone and audio system information such as radio station or CD track or iPod playlist (if equipped with the optional iPod integration kit). If the car is equipped with the optional navigation system, this display will also show next-turn directions.
A standard-equipment Bluetooth feature allows a phone that's still in a pocket or purse to be operated through the audio system.
Electronic Controller Replaces Scores of Buttons
Similar to the popular system launched on the S-Class sedan, an electronic controller on the console works like a computer mouse to provide easy, quick operation of many functions that used to require scores of separate buttons and switches.
By turning and pressing the aluminium controller, menus and sub-menus are displayed; selections for the audio system, the optional navigation system and integrated phone appear on the centre console display as well. The controller is also linked to the rocker switches on the multifunction steering wheel.
A Choice of Audio Systems
Standard equipment in the new C-Class is an eight-speaker, 100-watt Audio 20 system that includes a single-slot dash CD/MP3 player, telephone keypad, an MP3 plug in the glove box and a Bluetooth interface. Optionally available is a 450-watt harman/kardon LOGIC7 audio system featuring Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 surround sound (Standard on the C350 Models). The LOGIC7 system comes with 12 speakers, including two surround-sound speakers and a sub-woofer.
The new C-Class includes a MusicRegister feature as part of the Multimedia package, which enables CD "ripping" (saving) to a four-gigabyte hard drive that can store up to 1,000 tracks from an audio CD. A Gracenote database automatically identifies each track with its title, artist, album name and other information. The audio system can also play tracks stored on a data CD, DVD or memory card.
No Need to Ask for Directions with COMAND Navigation
A 12.7 cm (five-inch) colour display nestled under a flip-up cover at the top of the centre console is standard equipment on the new C-Class. When the car is equipped with the optional COMAND navigation system, a power-operated 17.8 cm (seven-inch) display screen slides out and up when the flip-up cover is raised.
The navigation system uses a hard drive with map data covering all of North America. In addition to the high-resolution map display at the top of the centre console, next-turn navigation instructions can also be shown in the instrument cluster central display.
Renowned Mercedes-Benz Safety
The 2008 C-Class comes with all the safety features that customers have come to expect from Mercedes-Benz – from four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes to six air bags, ABS anti-lock brakes, traction control and ESP (Electronic Stability Program). In addition, active front head restraints move forward nearly 51 mm (two inches) and upward by about 25 mm (one inch) in the event of a severe rear collision, helping to support the head and reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries.
About Mercedes-BenzCanada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes Car Group in Canada; Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada employs approximately 990 people in 19 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 18 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 39 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 17,567 vehicles in 2006, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Contact:
JoAnne Caza 416-847-7550 caza@mercedes-benz.ca
Arden Nerling 416-847-7556 nerling@mercedes-benz.ca
Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca
