C-Class (W203) U.S. spec '08 C-class info released

[Deutsch]

From the bold and athletic stance to the revolutionary safety features, the all-new C-Class hasn't so much been redesigned as it's been reconceived.

Recently debuting in Germany and currently scheduled to arrive here in the U.S. this summer, the 2008 C-Class reveals a technical superiority beneath taut lines and tranquil surfaces.

Available in two unique models — sport sedan and luxury sedan — the all-new C-Class offers an impressive list of exciting features, including:

* A choice of two V-6 engines (3.0 or 3.5 liter sport sedan and 3.0 liter luxury sedan)
* Standard 7-speed automatic transmission (optional on C300 Sport Sedan)
* Standard 8-way power driver and passenger seats
* Adaptive brakes
* Standard dual-zone automatic climate control
* Burl Walnut trim (luxury sedan) or Aluminum trim (sport sedan)
* DIRECT CONTROL adaptive suspension system with selective damping for comfort and handling
* Standard Bluetooth® connectivity
* Aggressive AMG bodystyling on sport sedan models
* Standard power sunroof
* Seven standard air bags
* Standard PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system
* Adaptive suspension system
* 17-inch twin-spoke aluminum wheels (Optional 18-inch twin-spoke aluminum wheels on C300 and C350 Sport Sedans)
* Optional standard 4MATIC™ all-wheel drive (availability scheduled for fall 2007)

With enhanced performance, safety, and style — and more standard features than ever before — the all-new 2008 C-Class promises to elevate the drive to all-new levels of excitement.

http://www.mbusa.com/models/future/cclass/index.do

 

[PHYBENZ]

Those are quite a few standard features!

PreSafe, sunroof and power front seats are great! That will make the C very competitve.

 

[Deutsch]

Hope the increased std. feature content doesn't translate into sticker shock. I can say right now without a doubt, the W204 will be a far more convincing value proposition than the E90, which has ridiculous optional features(many of which should be std.). The C-class'$ exterior design is looking better and better.

 

[mrkc77]

Those are quite a few standard features!

PreSafe, sunroof and power front seats are great! That will make the C very competitve.

I just hope that those features are similar to the Australian spec

 

[Merc1]

Hope the increased std. feature content doesn't translate into sticker shock. I can say right now without a doubt, the W204 will be a far more convincing value proposition than the E90, which has ridiculous optional features(many of which should be std.). The C-class'$ exterior design is looking better and better.

Yes, this is exactly what I was thinking. The new 335i starts at 39K and the C350 shouldn't be a dime over that and with more standard equipment the C will be a hit in sales at least.

The big problem I see is the lack of a manual on the C350. There is going to be some harping about that in the mags for sure. What is really wierd or just plain dumb is that they're going to offer the C350 as a sports model only, but with no manual!!!! Doesn't make sense.

No C230/250 this time around, I wonder why? Unless they're going to price the C300 like the C230 and the C350 like the outgoing C280. That would be unbelievable!

M

 

[Osnabrueck]

"From the bold and athletic stance..."

Ha! I must have read 20 press releases this month that included the phrase "With a bold and athletic stance" or some variant thereof. Knock it off! You all have Bold and Athletic stances!

 

[Mr. M]

* Standard 7-speed automatic transmission (optional on C300 Sport Sedan)

Does this mean the C300 Sport will come with a manual? I agree with Merc1, the C350 should have a manual considering they already plonked one in the C300 (unintentionally or not).

 

[Matt]

The BMW's automatic is a $1200 dollar option..which is rediculous.

 

[Merc1]

* Standard 7-speed automatic transmission (optional on C300 Sport Sedan)

Does this mean the C300 Sport will come with a manual? I agree with Merc1, the C350 should have a manual considering they already plonked one in the C300 (unintentionally or not).

Yes the C300 will have a manual as standard.

M

 

[bmer]

The BMW's automatic is a $1200 dollar option..which is rediculous.

Quite different here in Europe... In Germany it's $2734 (2100 €) and here $4375 (3360 €).

 

[cawimmer430]

The big problem I see is the lack of a manual on the C350. There is going to be some harping about that in the mags for sure. What is really wierd or just plain dumb is that they're going to offer the C350 as a sports model only, but with no manual!!!! Doesn't make sense.

Completely agree. It sold very poorly on the C350 anyway, but it was a trump card the W203 C350 had over the Lexus IS350. I know a few people on other car forums who although admitted that the I350 was the better car, they'd still take a C350 because of the 6-speed manual option. Now, no manual?

If I was Mercedes, I'd just offer the manual for competitiveness sake and forget about the poor sales. Sooner or later you'll attract some enthusiastic drivers because of this and perhaps later, if they remain loyal, they'll settle for an automatic.

No C230/250 this time around, I wonder why? Unless they're going to price the C300 like the C230 and the C350 like the outgoing C280. That would be unbelievable!

M

A lot of people still confused the facelifted W203 C230 V6 with the 1.8-l supercharged 4-cylinder C230, I think that's one reason why MB is dropping this model.

Didn't BMW recently dump the 325i name and is now selling a 328i? C280/C300 sounds better than C230 anyway.

 

[PanterroR]

Didn't BMW recently dump the 325i name and is now selling a 328i?

Nope!

 

[cawimmer430]

Nope!

Still 325i?

 

[PanterroR]

Yep! Saw a black 325Ci at my dealer few days ago...

 

[bmer]

Nope!

Actually Tyc, I think Chris is (at least partly) right. The 325i in the North American market was a 3.0 liter engine with the exact same power figure (160 kW) as the 2.5 liter engine available in the rest of the world. Then 328i & 335i replaced 325i & 330i in the NA market. The 328i has a 3.0 liter engine with 170 kW.

 

[PanterroR]

Actually Tyc, I think Chris is (at least partly) right. The 325i in the North American market was a 3.0 liter engine with the exact same power figure (160 kW) as the 2.5 liter engine available in the rest of the world. Then 328i & 335i replaced 325i & 330i in the NA market. The 328i has a 3.0 liter engine with 170 kW.

That explains, but here the 325i badge exists...

 

[PC Valkyrie]

In Canada, there is no 325i anymore. There is the entry level 323i, 328i, and 335i.

But back to this thread. I guess it's official that the cars will be named according to their engine displacements this time in the US (which means likely Canada as well).

I wonder if Canada will get the lower W204 C-class model with the 2.5L V6 which was called the C230 in the W203. It makes sense to import over the 2.5L V6 to compete with the entry level 323i. In Canada, we always seem to get the "cheaper" entry level models (like the Classic trim, which was never available in the USA). Just like we get the B-class as well.....

 

[MBness]

Yes the C300 will have a manual as standard.

M

 

[NarutoRamen]

Those are some nice list of standard features now only if this doesn't jump like 10k in price then MB really means business.