Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the line of mid-size sedans and station wagons that was first introduced to the European market in 1993 for the 1994 model year as a replacement for popular 190 models. The second generation was introduced in 2000 for the 2001 model year and in the following year C-Class was also made available as a 2-door coupe-like hatchback version entitled Sport Coupe, which is characterized by sporty styling and particularly aimed at younger customers. Early in 2004 a slightly renewed model was introduced. It is characterized by significantly changed appearance of the interior on all three body styles, different tail lights on the Sport Coupe and some all-new engines for the European market.
The C-Class is arguably one of the most popular automobiles in its class on many of the European markets. The second generation was for a long time after its release the second best selled new car on German market, right after the Volkswagen Golf, and in 2002 it made a big success in the field of safety by scoring the maximum five stars on EuroNCAP crash test.
As of the 2005 model year, the C-Class automobiles are the cheapest in the Mercedes-Benz line of models available in the United States starting at $25,850. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been built at the factories in German towns Sindelfingen and Bremen. The very first 1994 C-Class was completed on June 1, 1993 and the very first 2001 C-Class rolled off the assembly line on July 18, 2000.
Renewed version for 2007
DaimlerChrysler is apparently planning to introduce a new version of the C-Class for the 2007 model year. The following is a possible list of features of the new design.
- Greater spacing between front and rear axles, as well as between left and right wheels
- A stiffer body shell
- Engines:
- V6: 2.5 L, 3.0 L, and 3.5 L M272 engine
- I4: 2.2 L common-rail Diesel
- V6: 3.0 L Diesel M271 engine
- Availability of a six speed manual transmission and a seven speed automatic transmission
- Availability of the Mercedes-Benz 4Matic system
US market
The 2005 C-Class for the US market is available with four gasoline powered engines and the lineup consists of the following models.
C 230 Kompressor Sport Coupe
- Price: $25,850
- Engine: 1.8 L supercharged 4 cylinder with 148 kW (189 hp)
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
- Price: $29,250
- Engine: 1.8 L supercharged 4 cylinder with 148 kW (189 hp)
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 240 Luxury Sedan
- Price: $32,650
- Engine: 2.6 L V6 with 125 kW (168 hp SAE net)
- Standard transmission: 5 speed automatic
C 240 Luxury Wagon
- Price: $34,150
- Engine: 2.6 L V6 with 125 kW (168 hp SAE net)
- Standard transmission: 5 speed automatic
C 320 Luxury Sedan
- Price: $37,950
- Engine: 3.2 L V6 with 160 kW (215 hp SAE net)
- Standard transmission: 5 speed automatic
C 320 Sport Coupe
- Price: $28,250
- Engine: 3.2 L V6 with 160 kW (215 hp SAE net)
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 320 Sport Sedan
- Price: $37,350
- Engine: 3.2 L V6 with 160 kW (215 hp SAE net)
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 55 AMG Sport Sedan
- Price: $53,900
- Engine: 5.5 L supercharged V8 with 270 kW (362 hp SAE net) modified by AMG
- Standard transmission: 5 speed automatic
European market
As opposed to the US, on the European market C-Class offers a wider choice of both gasoline and diesel powered engines. Some of them are all-new for the 2005 model year.
C 160 (Sport Coupe only)
- Engine: 1.8 L 4 cylinder with 90 kW (122 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 180 Kompressor
- Engine: 1.8 L supercharged 4 cylinder with 105 kW (143 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 200 Kompressor
- Engine: 1.8 L supercharged 4 cylinder with 120 kW (163 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 200 CDI
- Engine: 2.2 L 4 cylinder with 90 kW (122 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: diesel
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 220 CDI
- Engine: 2.2 L 4 cylinder with 110 kW (150 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: diesel
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 230
- Engine: 2.5 L V6 with 150 kW (204 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 280 (sedan and station wagon only, also available with 4matic four-wheel drive system)
- Engine: 3 L V6 with 170 kW (231 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual (two-wheel drive models), 5 speed automatic (4matic models)
C 320 CDI (sedan and station wagon only)
- Engine: 3 L V6 with 165 kW (224 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: diesel
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual
C 350 (available in all three body styles, in sedan and station wagon also with 4matic)
- Engine: 3.5 L V6 with 200 kW (272 hp DIN)
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Standard transmission: 6 speed manual (Sport Coupe and two-wheel drive sedan and station wagon models), 5 speed automatic (4matic models)
C 55 AMG (sedan and station wagon only)
- Engine: 5.5 L supercharged V8 with 270 kW (367 hp DIN) modified by AMG
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Standard transmission: 5 speed automatic
Competitors
- Acura TL (FWD)
- Audi A4 (AWD/FWD)
- BMW 3-Series (AWD/RWD)
- Cadillac CTS (RWD)
- Infiniti G35 (AWD/RWD)
- Lexus IS 300 (RWD)
- Volvo S60 (AWD/FWD)