Preview: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Redefining the Premium Mid-range Class

2015 mercedes-benz c-class
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is all new and comes packed with technical advancements and a sleek exterior. The United States gets two 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class variants: the C300 4MATIC which has a 235 horsepower, four-cylinder engine that makes 273 lbs-feet of torque. The (current) top 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the C400 4MATIC that comes with a 329 hp V6 that makes 354 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are direct-injected and they are connected to an updated 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission.

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz is 3.7-inches longer than the outgoing model and the wheelbase is 3-inches longer. The total length of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is now 184 inches long with a 112-inch wheelbase. Width has increased 1.6-inches to a total of 71-inches. Total cargo room in the trunk has grown to 17 cubic-feet.

“Mercedes at its best – that’s the new C-Class, which sets new standards for the mid-range segment on many fronts,” says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “It is characterised by an emotional yet clear design which is continued in the high-quality and modern interior. Its efficient and high-performance engineering provides the basis for a high standard of driving enjoyment.”

Mercedes-Benz C250, AMG Line, Avantgarde, Diamantsilber metallic

Ola Källenius, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, adds: “The new C-Class embodies Mercedes-Benz’s claim ‘The best or nothing’ in uncompromising style. This is immediately apparent when encountering our new Saloon for the first time, as it creates the impression that one is sitting in a higher class of automobile. I am sure that our customers will be delighted by the high-class appeal and agility of the new C-Class.”

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is about 220-lbs lighter than its predecessor and its stell/aluminum structure is much stiffer over the older C-Class. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a nearly 50-percent aluminum body structure. This light weight contributes to a significant gain in fuel economy.

As Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG, notes: “The new C-Class showcases automotive passion by way of a contemporary design idiom. Progressive and emotional highlights underscore the ground-breaking design style of the new C-Class and demonstrate sensual clarity. The new C-Class interprets modern luxury on a new level.”

Further upgrades continue underneath the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with new suspension systems.

Mercedes-Benz C250, AMG Line, Avantgarde, Diamantsilber metallic

“The new C-Class Sedan is fitted as standard with a steel suspension. Two suspensions with selective damping systems are available:

a comfortable yet sporty base suspension
a sports suspension lowered by .6 inches as part of the optional Sport Package
First air suspension in this category

Alternatively, the new C-Class is the first vehicle in its segment that can be fitted with an air suspension (AIRMATIC) on the front and rear axles. Thanks to electronically controlled, continuous variable damping at the front and rear, it offers outstanding road roar and tire vibration characteristics even with the vehicle loaded. The driver can use the AGILITY SELECT switch to choose between the various characteristics: “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport” and “Sport+.” The additional “Individual” option enables drivers to configure their vehicle according to their own wishes. AIRMATIC also features all-round self-leveling for optimum ride comfort even when the vehicle is loaded.

Sensuous clarity and purist forms.” -Mercedes-Benz Media

Externally, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets a completely new, sleek skin. Looking like a cross between the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a hint of the CLA’s design character, it is a sophisticated look. Mercedes-Benz says, “Precise lines and sculptural surfaces create lively light and shade effects” and “aesthetically sensuous lines and surfaces, whose harmony and dynamism create an immediate effect.” It is indeed a very new look that gives the impression of modern, muscular sculpting.

Mercedes-Benz C250, AMG Line, Avantgarde, Diamantsilber metallic
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz is a modern, sophisticated vehicle that’s filled with the newest safety and infotainment equipment. Much of this equipment was sourced or inspired by the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. No other vehicle in this class offers this array of safety and entertainment/information equipment.

“DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist is a semi-automatic traffic jam assistant which at speeds under 37 mph is able to follow the vehicle ahead even where lane markings are unclear or completely lacking, thus providing a safe and convenient means of following the flow of traffic.

The BAS PLUS Brake Assist System can now also detect crossing traffic and boost the braking force if the driver fails to apply the brakes sufficiently; the PRE-SAFE® Brake can detect stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians, brake automatically if the driver fails to react, thus preventing accidents up to 31 mph and mitigating the severity of collisions at speeds of up to 45 mph. In flowing traffic the PRE-SAFE® Brake provides assistance according to the same mode of operation throughout the speed range from 4 to 124 mph.

Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist can now also prevent the vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of lane when broken lane markings apply and a risk of a collision arises, e.g. as a result of vehicles overtaking at high speed, parallel traffic or even oncoming traffic, by applying the brakes on one side.
The numerous assistance systems also include

Active Parking Assist, which enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention in both parallel and end-on parking spaces,
a 360° camera, which is able to show the vehicle and its surroundings from various perspectives, including a virtual bird’s eye view,
Traffic Sign Assist with Wrong-Way Alert, which warns of speed limits and alerts the driver to no-overtaking zones and no-entry signs,
Mercedes-Benz C250, AMG Line, Avantgarde, Diamantsilber metallic

Airbags for safety

In addition to 3-point seat belts with pyrotechnical belt tensioning and belt force limitation for the driver, the front passenger and those in the outer rear seats, numerous airbags serve to protect the vehicle’s occupants in an accident. These include:

  • Pelvis bags for driver and front passenger
  • a newly developed window bag
  • side bags for the outer rear seats
  • a knee bag for the driver

The front passenger seat is fitted as standard with automatic child seat recognition, which dispenses with the previous transponder in favor of a weight mat. This enables any child seat to be used. The airbag is automatically deactivated when a child seat is fitted and reactivated once it has been removed.

Air conditioning: signals from space

Mercedes-Benz has undertaken systematic further development and substantial improvement of the air conditioning system in the new C-Class. This applies in particular to the control quality, performance, efficiency and air quality. The new C-Class is also the only vehicle in the segment to offer tunnel detection via satellite navigation. It uses the map information from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel, subsequently re-opening it when the vehicle emerges from the tunnel.

Mercedes-Benz C250, AMG Line, Avantgarde, Diamantsilber metallic

Another highlight contributing to a feel-good atmosphere is the AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing, air ionization and more efficient filtration than is available on the standard model.

Vibrant infotainment

A completely new multimedia generation offers intuitive operation in the new C-Class, featuring elaborate animations and visual effects which present all the functions in a clear and highly attractive manner. The new C-Class is also equipped with the unique Frontbass system. This avant-garde acoustic systems uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the bass speakers to conjure up a listening experience almost on a par with a concert hall. A Burmester® surround sound system is optionally available.

The navigation system presents its contents in interactive mode. Its features include an animated compass, a “Drive Show” with information for passengers similar to the on-screen presentations on board airplanes and Google Maps displayed on the head unit.

In-car technology

Mercedes-Benz C250, AMG Line, Avantgarde, Diamantsilber metallic

COMAND not only offers a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and a special bonded glass cover such as is familiar from consumer devices like the iPhone or iPad.” – – Mercedes-Benz Media

The Fast Lane Car will be keeping an eye on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It represents a major leap forward in this class and spells trouble for the likes of BMW, Lexus and even Cadillac. Let’s hope we get one to sample soon!

Check out this exciting video debut of the sexy Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision GT Concept!

Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism - Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum.  His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.