A combination of sporty elegance and technological advancement, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is elegantly-appointed, versatile and efficient.
With a range of models available from C 180 to the powerful Mercedes-AMG C 63, the current C-Class boasts credentials that include the segment-first use of optional air suspension — usually reserved for full-size luxury cars.
Taking design cues from the premium S-Class luxury flagship, the C-Class features elegant curves, sporty proportions and toned body, utilising discrete concave and convex surfacing.
Distinctly sporty, with a long wheel-arch to A-pillar distance to highlight its rear drive platform, the model’s smoothly arcing roofline and strong shoulders fluently taper towards a descending boot line.
Elegant yet subtly athletic, it is lighter than its predecessor by 100kg owing to increased aluminium body content of 50 per cent.
Energy-saving features like electric-assisted steering also means the current C-Class is also now up to 20 per cent more efficient.
Riding on four-link front and five-link rear suspension with optimised road surface vibration paths, lowered centre of gravity and near ideal weight balance, the C-Class is smooth, poised, stable and refined at speed.
In the AVANTGARDE design and equipment line, the C-Class features a two-slat grille with the large tri-star emblem embedded within, rather than the traditional three-slat grille with bonnet-mounted emblem.
The C 200 AVANTGARDE (which features in our photo series here) is powered by a 1,991cc direct injection engine, turbocharged rather than supercharged as in previous generation, for a greater enhancement in the efficiency department.
Producing 184BHP at 5500rpm, delivering a torque of 300Nm throughout 1200-4000rpm and driving its rear wheels through an automatic 9-speed gearbox (9G-TRONIC), the 1,465kg C 200 accelerates through the 0-100km/h benchmark in 7.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 235km/h.
With a small light engine at the front and improved weighting, the C 200 turns neatly and eagerly into corners, with balanced handling and good body control. This, in addition to an efficient fuel consumption of 17.2 km/L.
Additionally, it is agile and tidy through switchbacks — with responsive, precise and well-damped steering — making it manoeuvrable on the narrow neighbourhood roads and congested city streets of Singapore.
Nimble and settled, its mechanical suspension provides buttoned-down vertical rebound control.
The current C-Class gains 40 mm width, while its wheelbase is increased by 80 mm for improved rear legroom, while boot volume is an impressive 480 litres.
Quiet, comfortable and refined inside, the cabin features comfortable, supportive and highly adjustable and versatile front seats, ergonomically accommodating a broad and diverse range of driver sizes.
Featuring black leather seats and dashboard, steering and glossy console the C-Class features stylish design including three metal-ringed round centre vents, cone-like instrumentation, tablet-style infotainment screen and touchpad and rotary menus access.
Extensively well-equipped with convenience, comfort, safety and Internet-enabled infotainment system, the C-Class is available with optional cross-traffic sensing brake assistance, stop/start cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and a collision prevention system able to prevent or mitigate collision severity up to 30km/h collision and 250km/h respectively.
Sporty and elegant, the C-Class is the embodiment of a compact luxury car.
Designed with power and refinement, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the perfect ride to navigate the urban metropolis of Singapore.
