Mercedes-Benz made its first steps in the compact sedan market when it introduced the 190 in November of 1982. Although it was the fruit of many years of research, the 190 was a daring shot in the dark and no one at Mercedes could predict whether or not buyers would accept what later became known as the Baby Benz.
Over three decades later the concern seems downright silly. Mercedes has built over 8.5 million compact sedans to date and the C is consistently one of the company's best-selling models all around the world. The C's popularity means that redesigning it is no small task because engineers need to cater to the existing clientele while luring new buyers from an ever-crowded field of competitors.
Introduced earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show, the fourth-generation C is not scheduled to reach the United States until this fall as a 2015 model. At launch, the lineup will consist of the C300 equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 235 horsepower and the up-level C400 powered by a 329-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 mill. All members of the new C-Class lineup regardless of engine weigh noticeably less than the outgoing model thanks to a new platform built with 50 percent aluminum.
When viewed from the outside, the European C-Class is only slightly different from the model that will go on sale in the United States. The story is different under the hood, where our European-spec test car is equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain that Mercedes is currently not planning on offering Stateside. Called C300 BlueTEC Hybrid, it warrants attention because it is the first-ever C hybrid and currently the cleanest member of the new C-Class lineup.
Diesel-ElectricAt its core, the C300 BlueTEC Hybrid is powered by a 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The engine is widely used across the Mercedes-Benz lineup, and variations of it are found in the E250 BlueTEC, the GLK250 BlueTEC and even certain versions of the Sprinter commercial van. For use in the C300, the oil-burner has been tuned to put out 204 horsepower and a healthy 368 lb-ft. of torque at just 1,600 rpms.
The engine works in conjunction with an electric motor rated at 27 horsepower and 191 lb-ft. of instant torque and a small lithium-ion battery pack mounted next to the gas tank. With a full charge, the C300 can drive on electricity alone for short distances at speeds of up to 21 mph, a function that comes in handy in stop-and-go traffic. Alternatively, the energy stored in the battery pack can be channeled to the drive wheels if extra oomph is needed such as when passing on the freeway.
With both power sources up and running, Mercedes says the C300 BlueTEC Hybrid returns 65 mpg in a mixed European cycle and emits just 94 grams of CO2 per kilometer, impressive figures that put the C-Class on par with some of the smallest, most frugal economy cars sold on the Old Continent. If fuel economy is not a priority, the C300 is capable of scooting from zero to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds before going on to a top speed of 152 mph.
High-Tech Tour de ForceDesign-wise, the 2015 C-Class' interior looks like a well-stirred cocktail of CLA-Class and S-Class styling cues. The typically Germanic design of the last-gen C has been tossed out in favor of a curvaceous dashboard and a simpler, more straight-forward one-piece center console with round air vents. All models come standard with a seven-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) screen that protrudes from the top of the center stack, a layout chosen because it makes it possible to update the screen without having to fully redesign the dashboard. Cars equipped with the optional COMAND Online infotainment system boast a larger 8.4-inch TFT screen.
The S-Class influence doesn't stop at what meets the eye. The C-Class is available with a long list of technology gleaned from Mercedes' flagship sedan such as a heads-up display, a rather tacky perfume dispenser and an air suspension on both axles. The C also inherits numerous safety features from its larger sibling including Attention Assist (a system that monitors driver drowsiness) and a comprehensive selection of radar-based technology designed to avoid accidents including Pre-Safe Brake and Collision Prevention Assist. Finally, the C can be ordered with Distronic Plus with Steer Assist, a semi-autonomous system that takes control of the car in a traffic jam.
A smartphone-like touch pad located between the front seats enables the driver to control the navigation system and Mercedes' COMAND Online infotainment system with simple finger gestures. The driver can also use the touchpad to enter an address in the navigation system or to add a contact to the phone book. Alternatively, the infotainment system can be controlled via a knob located under the touch pad, voice commands or buttons on the center stack.
The C300 BlueTEC is equipped with a hybrid-specific instrument cluster that tells the driver how much energy is being sent back to the battery pack, how much juice is left in the battery at any given time and when the car is operating on electricity alone. The TFT screen between the two analog gauges can be configured to provide a wide array of information about the car and its surroundings.
On The RoadThe C300 comes to life in utter silence because the diesel engine doesn't kick in until its power is actually needed. When the oil-burner does start up it emits a deep rumble that is clearly audible at idle and at low revs, though few vibrations are actually transferred into the cabin. The seven-speed transmission goes through all seven gears smoothly but downshifts can be a little rough depending on how fast the car is moving.
The electromechanical power steering setup is precise and well-weighted, and our test car's Airmatic air suspension effectively filtered out imperfections in the pavement. Four driving profiles can be selected by using a switch labeled "Agility" located next to the aforementioned touch pad. In addition to adjusting the air suspension's firmness, each profile alters the steering feedback and the pedal mapping to transform the C from a soft-edged cruiser to a nimble, lively sedan with plenty of grip in the corners. A fifth profile called Individual lets the driver configure the car to his or her liking.
The C300 really shines at high speeds, where the smooth, quiet ride that is typically associated with Mercedes sedans has been improved by way of numerous NVH reductions to make the passing miles imperceptible. All told, the hybrid C is more fuel-efficient than a Toyota Prius and nearly as quiet as an E-Class.
Leftlane's bottom lineMercedes has raised the bar by giving the C a more emotional exterior design and a stunning interior built with high-quality materials. The icing on the cake is a full arsenal of state-of-the-art convenience and safety features that have trickled down from the S-Class flagship.
It goes without saying that many of the C's high-tech features add a premium to its price, but the fact that they are available in the first place marks a notable improvement over the outgoing model and, in many ways, the competition.
