MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS DIESEL SALOON C300d AMG Line Premium Plus 4dr 9G-Tronic

Mercedes' fifth generation C-Class has taken a big step forward. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Despite the rise and rise of the SUV, the C-Class continues to be Mercedes' best selling international model. No pressure then for this redesigned fifth generation 'W206'-series version. Which fully embraces various forms of engine electrification. And brings more than a dash of S-Class luxury to this important segment.

Background

Thinking of a German mid-sized premium badged saloon or estate? If so, then your options have always been pretty straightforward; the dynamic drive of a BMW 3 Series, the uber-cool technology of an Audi A4 or the aspirational image of a Mercedes C-Class. With this fifth generation 'C' though, Mercedes wants to offer more; a sharper drive to temp BMW folk; and a big enough step forward in technology and efficiency to make a potential Audi customer think again. We've heard this before down the decades of course, since the first generation 'W202'-series C-Class was first introduced back in 1993. Particularly with this MK5 model's 'W205'-series predecessor, launched in 2014 which went on to sell 2.5 million units. But there are strong grounds for Mercedes' claims for conquest business this time round. Under the skin, many aspects of its updated 'MRA' ('Mercedes Rear Architecture') platform are shared with the latest S-Class - as is much else. The aim is to redefine what 'luxury' means in this segment. Sounds promising. Let's take a look.

Driving Experience

There's quite a change here. This latest C-Class is powered only by electrified four cylinder powerplants - yes, right up to the top C 63 AMG variant. The mainstream engines have mild hybrid tech, with pricier plug-in options if you want them. The entry petrol model is the C200, which has a 1.5-litre unit offering 204hp. Next up is the 2.0-litre C300 with 258hp. Mercedes hasn't abandoned diesel either. There are two options, both of which use a revised 2.0-litre unit, which now gets an extra 42cc of capacity. The C220d has 197hp and the top C300d has 265hp. All C-Class models have to be had with 9-speed automatic transmission. We mentioned plug-in options, said by Mercedes to be 'significantly more electric' - and so it proves. Courtesy of a much larger 25kWh battery pack beneath the boot floor, the C300e petrol PHEV manages between 34 and 62 miles of all-electric driving range. It's also pretty quick, courtesy of a combined 304hp output and can drive in all-electric mode at up to 87mph. Mercedes has decided that overall, this fifth generation C-Class should be a little more engaging and, in its own words, 'significantly more electric'. And that's pretty much what you get. Push on a little around secondary road twists and turns and you'll discover that the car feels a little lighter and more agile than before; the steering's that bit more accurate, the grip that bit more tenacious. Is it BMW 3 Series-like? Not quite, but in terms of handling feedback, this 'C' has been lifted well clear of what used to be its most dynamically comparable rival, Audi's A4. The firm lowered sports suspension that most models have to have delivers excellent body control, but the downside of that is an unsettled ride over bumpy surfaces - which you can't do anything about because adaptive damping isn't an option for our market. At the top of the range, Mercedes has engineered the usual flagship high performance AMG 4MATIC models to complete the range. These both now have four cylinders, starting with the 402hp C 43, which is a mild hybrid. The top Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance variant is a four cylinder PHEV with a huge 680hp combined output.

Design and Build

From the front end, the design cues are familiar, particularly the grille and the full-LED headlight arrangement. This 'C' has moved closer in size to an 'E' too, being 65mm longer and 10mm wider, though the roof line has fallen by 7mm. Key aesthetic features include the smart bonnet with its twin power bulges and the stronger shoulder line which flows into a neat boot lid that's flanked by angular LED tail lights and which features a subtle integrated spoiler. The previous generation C-Class was heavily influenced by the larger S-Class model, as is this 'W206'-series model - and you notice that most of all inside. A huge portrait-style touchscreen now dominates the centre stack, with three 'jet engine'-style circular vents just above and single vents at either end of the dash. That screen is a real cabin talking point, as is the fact that for the first time in a C-Class, the instrumentation is all fully digital. A 'floating' 10.25-inch digital instrument panel takes the place of the previous more conventional binnacle, with a larger 12.3-inch screen available as an option. Either way, you can customise the display via three 'themes' - 'Discreet', 'Sport' and 'Classic'. Media connectivity takes a big step forward via a second generation version of the MBUX infotainment system. This features over-the-air updates - and live streaming services have been added so that owners can link accounts to services like Spotify and access them in the car. Space in the rear is slightly improved by the 25mm wheelbase length increase, but it's still comfortable for two but a squash for three. Out back, the 455-litre boot capacity is competitive in the saloon (though falls to 315 in the C 300 e) but if you prioritise luggage space, you'll want the Estate variant. Its automatic tailgate rises to reveal 490-litres of luggage room, 30-litres more than before. With the seats folded, that rises to 1,510-litres. (it's 360/1,375-litres in the C 300 e)

Market and Model

Prices are a little above those of the previous generation model, which means a starting point of around £45,000 for the entry-level C 200 'AMG Line' saloon. Whatever model you're looking at, allow a premium of around £1,600 if you want the estate version. The mainstream range-topping variant, the C 300 d 'AMG Line Premium' variant, costs from just over £54,000 in saloon form - or from just under £56,000 as an estate. The mild hybrid Mercedes-AMG C 43 model costs from around £69,000. And the top Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance model costs from around £98,000. All C-Class models get the latest generation MBUX media system, including a high-resolution 11.9-inch central media display with its 'Hey Mercedes' virtual assistant. Plus there's a 12.3-inch digital driver display, 18-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels, LED high performance headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, a Parking package with reversing camera, heated front seats and wireless smartphone charging. You can also expect to find privacy glass, AMG bodystyling, a multifunction sports steering wheel finished in nappa leather and visible twin exhaust pipes. If you want to go further, the 'Premium' equipment line features 19-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, KEYLESS GO comfort access, MBUX augmented reality for navigation and a 360-degree surround view camera. Finally, 'Premium Plus' trim adds 19-inch AMG five-double-spoke alloy wheels, a panoramic sliding sunroof, a head-up display and Thermotronic four-zone automatic climate control.

Cost of Ownership

Apparently, the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team worked with the C-Class development engineers to create a new turbocharger that gives these latest mild hybrid engines better efficiency - and the official readings seem to bear that out. Let's get to the WLTP-rated figures, starting with the petrol mild hybrid models. The 1.5-litre C200 saloon variants return up to 44.1mpg on the combined cycle and up to 146g/km of CO2 (estate up to 42.2mpg and up to 161g/km). For the C300 saloon, the figures are up to 42.2mpg and 152g/km. As for the mild hybrid diesels, well the likely best selling variant, the C220d, manages up to 61.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 120g/km of CO2 in saloon form (estate up to 60.1mpg and up to 124g/km). The C300d saloon manages up to 55.4mpg and up to 133g/km of CO2 (estate up to 54.3mpg and up to 136g/km). Increasingly though, diesel drivers will be moving towards the various Plug-in options available. The C300e petrol PHEV manages al all-electric driving range of between 34 and 62 miles and can be charged in 30 minutes with a 55kW fast charger (an 11kW device is fitted as standard). The latest plug-in 'C' models also benefit from an adjustable energy recuperation system that can top up the battery at up to 100kW when cruising or decelerating. Mercedes has also added in a hybrid-specific route-planning function that uses the navigation, route topography and traffic data to work out the most efficient route, enabling, for instance, automatic prioritisation of the electric motor in town driving.

Summary

There's the potential for quite a shift here in the segment hierarchy for mid-sized premium badged saloons and estates. To be frank, in its previous guises, the C-Class was a car you usually chose more because it was a Mercedes than because it was intrinsically better than its Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series arch-rivals. But this fifth generation 'C' could potentially tempt you on grounds other than mere badge equity. It now has the segment's classiest and most sophisticated cabin. We also think it has the best interior media set-up. And when it comes to issues of ride and refinement - the things that really matter to potential business customers - there's the potential for class-leading drive dynamics too. The other thing that really matters to those customers is running cost efficiency; well, this Mercedes is class-leading there too. If you're in the market for a car of this kind, that all makes this 'C' a compelling proposition. It'll be interesting to see how BMW and Audi fight back.

Body Glass

Electric windows with one touch opening/closing and obstruction sensors

Rain sensor with automatic windscreen wiper activation

Heat insulating dark tinted glass

Noise acoustic glass

Brakes

Adaptive brake system with HOLD function and brake drying in the wet

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electric parking brake

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Brake calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering + perforated front brake discs

Carpets/Rugs

AMG floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Sport suspension

Communication

E-call

Wireless charging system for mobile devices

Driver Aids

Attention assist

Sports direct steer speed sensitive steering

Mercedes me remote services

Active parking assist with PARKTRONIC

DYNAMIC SELECT with a choice of driving modes (Comfort, ECO, Sport, Sport+, Individual)

Driver Convenience

Extended MBUX functions

Fluorescent jacket for driver

Driver Information

Outside temperature gauge

Head up Display

Service indicator (Active Service System)

Smartphone integration

12.3" digital instrument cluster display

Status display for rear seat belts in instrument cluster

Traffic sign assist

MBUX augmented reality for navigation

Hard disc navigation

MBUX navigation premium

11.9" high resolution multimedia colour display

Finger print sensor

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

Body coloured door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Dashboard, instrument panel and beltlines in ARTICO man made leather in nappa look

Black open pore aluminium lines wood trim with centre console in black fine structure look

Engine

Diesel particulate filter

66 litre fuel tank

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Burmester 3D surround sound system

MBUX multimedia system

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured bumpers

Panoramic glass sunroof

AMG body styling front apron, rear apron and side skirts

Two visible exhaust pipes integrated into rear bumper

Rear side wing doors

Rear boot

AMG Line exterior

Radiator diamond grille with integrated Mercedes Benz star with chrome pins

Exterior Lights

Adaptive brake lights

LED daytime running lights

LED tail lights

Adaptive high beam assist plus

LED Indicators

LED third brake light

Digital light LED headlamps

Ambient lighting with projection of brand logo

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

THERMATIC 2 zone automatic climate control

Interior Features

Artico man-made leather upholstery

Gearshift paddles on steering wheel

Black roof liner

Multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather

Illuminated glove compartment stowage

Electrically height/reach adjustable steering column

Illuminated door sills with Mercedes Benz lettering

Double cupholder in centre console

AMG line interior

Boot lid convenience closing feature

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting premium

Packs

Stowage space pack - C Class

Keyless go comfort package - C Class

Mirror package - C Class

Parking package with 360 degree camera - C Class

Memory package - C Class

USB package plus - C Class

Interior light package - C Class

Safety

Front side airbags

Child proof door locks

Black seat belts

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Dual stage driver/passenger airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

3 rear 3 point seatbelts

Drivers knee airbag

Drivers pelvis airbag

Active bonnet pedestrian safety measure which detects an impact and raises bonnet

Front centre airbag between driver and front passenger seats

Window airbags for driver, front passenger and rear passenger

Seats

Comfort seats

Heated front seats

Front and rear head restraints

Auto Mercedes-Benz child seat recognition sensor

40:20:40 split folding rear bench seat

Rear top tether child seat ISOFIX attachment

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Folding rear seat backrest

Single front passenger seat

Multicontour and climatised front seats

Security

Chrome surround electric key

Central locking with interior switch, automatic locking and crash sensor with emergency opening function

Urban guard vehicle protection plus

Antitheft alarm system, Interior monitoring system and Increased antitheft protection

Transmission

9G TRONIC 9 speed automatic transmission

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

19" AMG multi spoke light alloy wheels painted black with high sheen finish

Wheels - Spare

TIREFIT with tyre inflation compressor

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 67

CO: 0.068

HC: N

NOx: 0.013

HC+NOx: 0.019

Particles: 0.0002

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 136

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 137

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 136

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 94.3

CC: 1993

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 15.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 9 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 37.7

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - High: 64.2

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 58.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 54.3

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 37.7

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 64.2

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 64.2

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 58.9

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 58.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 54.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 54.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 7.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 4.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 7.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 5.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 5.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 4.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 4.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 4.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 4.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.2

General

Coin Series: AMG Line Prem Plus

Coin Description: d

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 30

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 41E

Service Interval Mileage: 15500

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 93

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 89

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 80

NCAP Safety Assist %: 82

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 265

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: No

Generation Mark: 5

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.7

Top Speed: 155

Engine Power - BHP: 265

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 195

Engine Power - RPM: 4200

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 406

Engine Torque - NM: 550

Engine Torque - RPM: 1800

Engine Torque - MKG: 56.1

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 225/40 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 255/35 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: AMG MULTI SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4751

Width: 1820

Wheelbase: 2865

Width (including mirrors): 2033

Height: 1438

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1815

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2380

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 66

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1800

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 565

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 455

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 100

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.07

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Manufaktur metallic paint

Manufaktur solid paint

Packs

Driving assistance package plus - C Class

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Graphite grey

Metallic - Obsidian black

Metallic - Selenite Grey

Metallic - High tech silver

Metallic - Spectral blue

Metallic - Sodalite blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Polar white

Paint - Special

Manufaktur metallic - Patagonia red

Manufaktur metallic - Opalite white bright

Manufaktur solid - Alpine grey

Trim - Leather

Artico man-made leather - Black