It’s facelift time for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and revoke our license if it doesn’t look like a 3 Series now. The revised headlamps make the car look strikingly similar to Munich’s finest, particularly the corners near the fender. On cars with bi-xenon headlamps, LED running lights in the bumper echo those of the E-Class. The hood is now made of aluminum for weight reduction. The taillights also get new LED elements and lenses.
On the engine side, Mercedes claims better fuel mileage by up to 31 percent, thanks to standard start/stop function that shuts the engine down when waiting at traffic lights. There’s more power, too, with 306 bhp / 370 Nm from the C 350’s 3.5-liter V6. The four-cylinder C 180 Blue Efficiency, featuring direct injection and turbocharging, generates 156 bhp, for a decent 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 225 km/h top speed. For the diesels, the C 220 CDI does 8.1 seconds, with 170 bhp and 400 Nm on tap.
The revised interior features a steering wheel pinched from the new CLS, and the instrument panel features a combination of high-gloss metal, polished and matt wood, and galvanized surfaces. The car also gets a gaggle of electronic upgrades, including radar cruise control and driver-drowsiness detection.
A new high-resolution display sits in the middle of the dash. The multimedia COMAND system incorporated internet access for the first time, providing weather and destination search via Google. The system has the ability to download Google Maps navigation previously configured on a PC. The navigation includes 3D city views. The driver can also access his phone’s directory, SMS messages, and music library.
Both the sedan and the handsome wagon will be available starting in January 2011, with deliveries coming in March in Europe. The Philippines should follow several months after.
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