Saturday, August 30, 2014

2015 C-class

Latest and the greatest from Mercedes-Benz; 2015 C-300 4matic. Promises were big, and so is delivery. Bigger, smarter, smoother, more powerful, less apetite for gasoline, refinement and upscale options are just some of the attributes associated with all-new C-class.
Yes, it is bigger than it's predecesor for almost 4 inches (that's big in this car segment)
2014 C-250 180.8 inches
2015 C-300 184.5 inches
and it is also taller (1/2 inch), but lighter (about 200 lb), trunk went from 12.4 cu. ft to 17 cu. ft. Quite an achievement. To add icing on a cake, car has better fuel economy (3 mpg in the city) with stronger engine;
2014 C-250 201 hp-229 lb-ft torque
2015 C-300 241 hp-273 lb-ft torque
So, less weight, more muscle.....it looks like the C-class spend some time at the gym :-)
Yes, the vehicle is leaner as well. 2015 C-300 4matic now offers few setting of the suspension; Comfort, Sport, Sport plus, Individual.....and if this is not enough, fancy and famous Airmatic is available. This is the first time that C-class is offered with such upscale option. This fact alone should be a proof that new C is the son of S-class. Heritage of S-class doesn't stop there. Air balance package, new and improved Drivers Assistance Package; Pre-Safe break with pedestian recognition , Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist, Distronic plus with steering assist, and that would be it. This is all the fun with packaged options. Other upscale options are; 8.4" tablet style screen, touchpad, In-car WiFi hotspot, Burmester premium sound system, Multi-color ambient lightning, ventilated seats, cabin fragrance system, heads up display, electronic trunk closer, cross wind assist, ....(I think I got everything)
All of these upgrades were not available on C-class on previous models. With this said, it is safe to ask a question; Is C-class competitor to E-class ? And my answer is; Yes, to the extent. Never before C-class offered so much as it does for 2015 model year. I don't mean just in terms of technology, but in terms of style, refinement, and materials used for the vehicle. Feeling of quality dominates when you enter the C-class. All butons are soft and quiet, sharpness of 8.4" infotainment screen is sharp as your ultra-high definition TV, and stitching on leather really gives you the feeling of "the best or nothing.
First part of the model year, C-class comes in 4matic version only (4matic = all-wheel-drive), both C-300 and C-400 biturbo 6 cylinder with 329 hp - 354 lb-ft torque. Rear wheel drives will come in early part of 2015
C-400 4matic has higher starting price of $48,590 + $925 destination, vs. $40,400 + $925 destination on C-300 4matic. Higher price reflect standard Premium package ($2,700) and sport package ($2,175)
By no means you should take 2015 C-class as a new kid on a block, becuase it is not, but rather as a person that you used to know and after a few years you met them again. This time you are pleasently surprised how much better they look, how much smarter they are, stronger, faster......