Mercedes-Benz C-Class, New Model Using The Old Name

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is both sporty and full of
Luxury touches in a whole new car. 

The old advertising line, “This is not your Father’s (insert defunct American automotive brand name here) sums up my thoughts on the new 20015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This is not the old C-Class! This new model makes you question why it is being designated a Mercedes-Benz C-Class at all. This vehicle is very different from what has gone before by the same name. It is as different as the 1980’s 190e to last model year's C-250, if not more so!

This vehicle really does usher in a whole new line for Mercedes-Benz, more compact than the E-Class and larger than the CLA, which has taken the spot as the marque’s entry model. The C-Class mixes sporty handling, comfortable ride, classic M-B styling with upper end technology of the S-Class, all in one vehicle, made in America!

On the side pillar of the driver 's door you will see a sticker
telling information about the vehicle's manufacture.

The Tuscaloosa Alabama Plant has become a leader in production for all Mercedes-Benz plants around the world. Production processes developed and perfected here in the USA have been emulated at the other plants worldwide. C-Classes destined for the American and Canadian markets will be made in new facilities in Alabama.





Weight has been reduced by the replacement of steel with aluminum. This does not affect the car’s structural integrity, although aluminum body repair does require more highly-trained technicians. Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz has factory-approved body shops that provide craftsman who understand how to work aluminum, both independant shops as well as those connected to Mercedes-Benz dealerships. No doubt, insurance rates will reflect the added expense of working on aluminum frames due to the technology and skills needed.

The driver and front seat passenger will enjoy a bit more interior room, although the rear seat has a tad more legroom, headroom is at a premium, especially with the Panoroof. Getting in and out of the back seat takes some contortions similar to what a rear seat passenger in a CLA or CLS might experience. Slipping into the front seats, you are comfortably cradled in sport seats that grip your back and sides for support. Those with long legs will find support from the electrically adjustable leg bolsters on the front seats. The new steering wheel is extremely comfortable in both the feel of the material and the flat bottom design. Push button start does leave you with a question of where to put the key once inside the car. With the right option package, you should never have to remove the key from your pocket.

Touch pad with wheel controller
underneath.

Center console of the C-Class features
plenty of wood and technology.

 Turning the car on is the easy part. Getting the feel of just the right pressure of the center console’s touch pad that controls navigation, radio and other setting which you set up on the center tablet-like screen, is a different story. Underneath the touch pad you will find the familiar wheel controller. M-B has yet to embrace a touch screen display. The 7-speed electronic transmission is controlled by a high-mounted steering column-stalk and paddle shifters, much like other M-B models. The turn signal and cruise control stalk have switched places, so it takes some getting used to for those of us familiar with the previous generation cars. I found myself setting the cruise control when trying to signal a turn more than once.

LED Headlight technology in the C-Class similar to the S-Class.

Options include a number of S-Class items; adaptive high beam and LED head lamps, Airmatic Plus, a Driver Assistance Package with distronic plus that senses the car in front of you and keeps a safe distance, and lane keep assist, not to mention the air balance package that will provide fragrance, ionization, and extra filtration of the air you breath, just to mention a few.

Pricing based as of 7 '14 with a $925 destination charge.

Pricing on the C300 and C400 reflects the fact that this completely new vehicle comes with a lot more technology than the previous model. Though base price is not so different than the previous generation model sold in 2014.  Fuel economy for the C300 direct injected 4-cylinder returned 28 mpg, while the heavier bi-turbo 6-cylinder C400 returned 23 mpg, during a day of spirited driving of each model.

Our advice is to take the opportunity to test drive both models, as each one has some slight differences from each other. You will experience what we will be seeing more of coming from Mercedes-Benz in the very near future: Cars with lots of technology, comfort and prestige, which in reality is what we have known of the marque for years. Once again, Mercedes-Benz has stepped up its game!
 

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class for 2015 is on the road now, visit a local Mercedes-Benz dealer to test drive both models, the C300 and the C400, to get a feel of this new vehicle.