Given that one in every five cars Mercedes sells is a C-Class, there will be further derivatives, not least a fully plug-in hybrid in the form of the petrol-engined C300e and its diesel equivalent, the C300de. Both will get an on-paper electric range of 31 miles, owing to a 13.8kWh battery pack, and an output of around 200bhp, although we have yet to receive any specifics.
As for what you can see, the bumpers have been tweaked and there’s a more interesting colour palette, but overall Mercedes’ junior saloon is as pretty as it ever was. In the UK, we’ll get SE, Sport and AMG Line trims that variously allow the C-Class to come across as everything from a particularly posh taxi to a shrunken S-Class — something that’s largely down to the different grilles fitted. The headlights are also new and you can option adaptive Multibeam LED headlights made up of 84 rotating LEDs.
The adoption of the electrical architecture from the S-Class allows the C-Class to benefit from its sibling's safety systems, too. It means the camera and radar systems responsible for detecting other vehicles have been upgraded; the camera, Mercedes says, can ‘see’ up to half a kilometre up the road and in 3D for the first 90 metres.
Elsewhere, the Distronic cruise control is now linked to the navigation system, so it’ll rein in speed as you approach bends, roundabouts and the like. Naturally, you’ll need to pay more for all this: £1695 for the Driving Assistance package.

What's it like?
Exceedingly pleasant inside, although conspicuous in its absence is the smart dual-screen digital slab found in the E-Class, S-Class and now even the A-Class hatch.
To compensate, the instrument binnacle dead ahead of the driver is now fully digital (optional, alas, requiring you to part with £2795 for the Premium Package) and the screen for the Comand infotainment system has grown to 10.25in.
There’s also ambience lighting and new finishes including walnut and oak, although the basic architecture remains. As such, anybody coming from a 3 Series will find this a characterful, opulent environment, while those accustomed to a reasonably well equipped A4 might call it fussy and a little disappointing to the touch.
Driven here is the C200. While it won’t constitute the bulk of C-Class sales (that’ll be the 220d), it is arguably the most interesting car in the line-up, not least because under the bonnet is a downsized 1.5-litre in-line four internally known as ‘M264’.
This engine features twin-scroll turbocharging for greater torque at modest crank speeds, while the cylinder bores have been pared back at their bases to reduce friction while preserving a tight seal. It’s an old-school efficiency gain — and a clever one at that. Meanwhile, the belt-driven starter-generator running off a 48V electrical system is the latest application of Mercedes' EQ Boost mild hybrid technology and supposedly yields the performance of the old 2.0 engine but with much less of a real-world thirst.
Join the debate
max1e6
£36,325?!
£36,325? For that?!
What a rip off!
abkq
The traditional grille looks
The traditional grille looks so much more classy than the sports grille. With all the other numerous options available, why not offer the saloon grille for the UK market?
eseaton
'Lump' is such a ridiculous
How can you describe an engine that you say is strained, noisy and gutless as decent?
What is dispassionate ride?
Read the Andrew English review in The Telegraph today for a far superior review.
TS7
eseaton wrote:
It's a colloquialism that's been in use for decades.
xxxx
internal combustion engine it is then
Anyway would rather have Audi's COD system than a mild hybrid in regards of cost. Does the Merc have a separte expensive heavy battery only I don't see the details?
tuga
xxxx wrote:
Nope. This one is a mild hybrid, ie it has a glorified super stop-star system ( 48V belt driven starter alternator ).
The author did mention it, but the author also seems to like his big words ( while not, you know, actually saying much about the car ), so you probably just missed it.
xxxx
Mild Hybrids should have their own battery IMHO
Nope? Well in that case if there's no separte battery for the "mild hybrid " system then god knows how strain it must but on the car's starter battery, imagine running down to Halfords getting a new battery when the car doesn't start for on a cold winters day (price will be interesting to). Are you sure?
Even Suzuki's cheap system has it's own battery.
tuga
xxxx wrote:
Nope, it doesn't have a " separte ( sic ) heavy battery ".
xxxx
For tax not technical reasons then
Maybe that's why the Audi A4 2.0TFSI Auto is faster, lighter, cheaper, simplier, and more economic despite not having all this ‘Mild Hybrid’ tech. And that's the old model!
baal
I'd hold on a minute
Audi have not released their post WLTP CO2/fuel figures for the A4 yet but the Merc is tested on the new harder requirements so you are comparing two different sets of economy figures.
Pages
Add your comment