KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has launched its latest facelifted C Class (W205) sedans and it’s being offered in three locally-assembled turbocharged flavours.
The range starts with the entry-level C 200 Avantgarde, priced at RM259,888 (on-the-road without insurance), while the C 300 AMG has been tagged at RM304,888 and the performance oriented Mercedes AMG C 43 4MATIC comes in at RM421,888.
Externally, the C 200 has been slapped with an Avantgarde exterior – meaning there are newly designed bumpers for the front and rear, while sporting a new twin-louvre front grille, LED headlights, newly designed rear LED light cluster and 18-inch wheels.
Under the hood lies the newly developed powerplant in the form of a turbocharged 1.5-litre (1,497cc) M264 engine producing 184hp from 5,800 to 6,100rpm and 280Nm of torque from 3,000 to 4,000rpm. An EQ Boost 48-volt system has been fitted to support the engine’s output with an added 13hp when demanded.
Mated to the engine is its 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear and allows it to sprint from standstill to 100kph in 7.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 239kph, while having a combined fuel consumption of 6.0 to 6.3 litres per 100km.
The body is suspended by an Agility Control suspension system with 18-inch multi-spoke alloys fitted with 225/45 (front) and 245/40 (rear) profile run-flat tyres with tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Inside, the cabin has been accented by open-pore grey oak wood trim that is complemented by leather on the steering wheel and seats (Artico in black or grey) for a natural touch.
Also found in the cabin is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch centre display with Classic, Sport and Progressive designs, LED cabin lights and Audio 20 GPS infotainment system with reverse camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Additionally, the C 200 has been equipped with the usual bevy of safety equipment that includes seven airbags, active brake assist, autonomous emergency braking, PRE-SAFE positioning for front seats, active parking assist, cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC speed limiter, adaptive brake lights, and a newly added Blind Spot Assist that functions from 10 to 200kph.
As for the mid-range C 300 AMG, it gets powered by a 2.0-litre (1,99acc) turbocharged engine instead that provides 258hp from 5,800 to 6,100rpm and 370Nm of torque from 1,800 to 4,000rpm.
This drops the C Class’ 0-100kph sprint time down to 5.9 seconds and gets its top speed electronically limited to 250kph.
Externally, the front end is differentiated with a diamond pin grille and changes out the headlights to a more capable Multibeam LED type and adding a faux rear diffuser.
The wheels here have been up-sized to larger 19-inch five twin-spoke AMG wheels with 225/40 (front) and 253/35 run-flat tyres with TPMS.
Inside, the cabin accented instead by black open pore ash wood trim to go together with the AMG sports steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, while the same infotainment system adds on a Burmester sound system and a 360-degree view. Other added equipment includes a tinted sunroof, active lane keeping assist which operates from 60 and 200kph.
Moving into performance territory is the very potent Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC, which takes on the C200’s front grille and gets a slight boost in power for its 3.0-litre (2,996cc) M276 twin-turbo V6 engine. From the engine’s initial provisions of 367hp, it now produces 390hp (+23hp) at 6,100rpm.
Torque figures, however, remains the same but has been shifted higher into the rev range and was initially available from 2,000 to 4,000rpm. The ‘twist’ now predominantly resides between 2,500 and 5,000rpm.
With the engine being managed by a nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission, power is sent to the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.
Now, 0 to 100kph sprints takes 4.7 seconds to achieve and getas its top speed electronically limited to 250kph as with the C 300 AMG.
Other than those previously mentioned, the C 43 is pretty much status quo, until an additional Slippery driving mode got added to the AMG Dynamic Select system’s Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual modes.
Externally, the C 43 adds on an adaptive high beam assist plus to its Multibeam LED headlights, while featuring some AMG parts that include a front lip, sport exhaust system and 19-inch twin-spoke alloys with 225/40 (front) and 255/35 (rear) run-flats.
Other changes include a more sportier black leather interior, matt silver fiberglass accent and Artico leather combination for the cabin, AMG-specific themes for the displays, COMAND Online system paired to the Burmester sound system, Dinamica microfibre for the flat-bottom sports steering wheel and bright red seat belts
MBM currently has its Flex-C financing options for the C Class trio and based on a three-year tenure and downpayment of 22% for the C 200 Avantgarde, monthly installments start from RM2,688. From now until Dec 31, a complimentary first year tyre and wheels insurance package will be included. For more details call 1-800-88-1133.
Keyword: Refreshed Mercedes-Benz C Class (W205) arrives, prices start from RM260K