Test-driving the new Benz C-Class in Marseilles

Driving the new C-Class on the twisty roads of Route des Cretes was effortless and very comfortable

MANILA, Philippines–CATS Motors Inc. the distributors of Mercedes-Benz in the country, will unveil the all-new C-Class sedan on Thursday, one of the brand’s best-selling models. The new striking and dynamic design ushers in a more sensuous styling cue to attract the young, upwardly mobile and successful professional market.

With a longer wheelbase, the overall length and width was also increased in this new generation of C-Class, giving it more cabin room. The new model also represents a quantum leap in intelligent body design thanks to its much higher aluminum content, which makes it 100 kilograms lighter. Mercedes-Benz claims that the new C-Class is the new “lightweight leader” in its segment.

A few months back, this writer was invited to the media launch of the new C-Class in Marseilles, France, and to test-drive different variants on the open roads of the picturesque back roads of Marseilles, including the famous winding roads of “Route des Cretes.”

Finding our way to our route was quite easy, with the unit’s intuitive onboard GPS system. All we had to do was to punch in the location, and the car’s navigation system would just inform the driver when to turn and give traffic updates from time to time. What was also interesting was whenever we reached a historical landmark or a point of interest, there was a GPS-activated voice recording that spoke through the car’s audio system, talking about some trivia or factoids about the area we were in.

The head-up display allows the driver to focus the view on the road rather than on the instrument panel. PHOTOS BY ALVIN UY

Driving the new C-Class on the twisty roads of Route des Cretes was effortless and very comfortable, thanks to its new four-link front axle air suspension called the Airmatic with continuous damper adjustment, which Mercedes-Benz says is a first-in-class in this market segment. Road noise, vibration and harshness are quite comparable to its bigger sibling, the E-Class.  Since we drove one coming from Barcelona, Spain, to our destination in Marseilles, we had a chance to compare both models.

On long destination driving, its best-in-class aerodynamics has a rating and coefficient of drag value of 0.24, which means it cuts through the wind with ease and offers more fuel economy as well. Adding to this is a motorized louver which blocks the air going through its sports grill (only in classic saloon models) to allow more fuel economy and better aerodynamics at high speeds.

Aside from a bigger but lighter body, it is also greener. The carbon dioxide emissions for the C 180 BlueTEC is only at 99 grams and the the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, 94 grams. All engines can be equipped with the ECO start/stop function and complies with Euro 6 emissions standards, allowing fuel consumption savings up to 20 percent compared with the preceding model.

While inside the cockpit, the new C-Class has all the bells and whistles such as the updated rotary/push controller, touchpad, head-up display, and Internet-capable navigation and entertainment system with large color display above the center console. The head-up display allows the driver to focus the view on the road rather than on the instrument panel, making navigation very easy, particularly in unfamiliar territory.

The assistance systems promise to enhance both comfort and safety, and some of its features are considered first-in-class in the premium sedan category of its size. Mercedes-Benz calls this the Intelligent Drive, with numerous innovative safety and assistance systems.

One of the features we got to test was the Collision Prevention Assist Plus feature, in which the car takes over and activates the brakes system in case the driver fails to respond, enabling the system to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour.

Another of the new interesting features is the Active Parking Assist, which enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention in both parallel and end-on parking spaces. It features a 360-degree camera, which is able to show the vehicle and its surroundings from various perspectives, including a virtual bird’s eye view.

For more information, visit CATS Motors Mercedes-Benz showrooms located at Edsa Greenhills, Bonifacio Global City and Alabang, or log on to www.cats.com.ph.