In India, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been around for ages, but the current-generation model has been selling in our market for five years now. Despite having been around for quite a bit, the C-Class seems to have aged well. Of course, there’s no denying that its contenders have taken things up a notch, offering better technology and infotainment, safety and so on, but there’s something to the C-Class’ design and the brand image that kept it going so far so good. For 2019, Mercedes has updated its C-Class with a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, along with the latest mild-hybrid system. It gets a 48V battery for energy storage and a generator to recuperate and offer electric assist. From the outside, the C-Class remains the same, but we dig in deeper.
Baby S-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class could be mistaken for being an S-Class by someone who isn’t familiar with cars, but the S-Class has enough of its own unique details to set it apart from its baby sibling. The W205 C-Class from Mercedes Benz Cars gets neat-looking full-LED headlights, a two-slat grille with the big logo in the middle and a restyled front bumper that’s easy on the eye. The bonnet gets nice, raised definitions on the sides. The side profile includes some lovely strong creases that taper off towards the rear doors. It’s actually a very compact-looking car, which is something we like. But it definitely looks tall on its raised suspension for the Indian market. The wheels give it a sporty look. Move to the rear, and this is where the S-Class is most prominent, but the stubby boot section is very unlike the S-Class; it’s just the details, like the tail lights and curve in the boot that are so similar. The design is a blend of elegance and sportiness.
Refreshing add-ons
The changes on the inside aren’t much. The new steering wheel looks nicer; so does the bigger infotainment screen. The steering sports the latest metallic switchgear used as the steering mounted buttons, with trackpads on either side to help navigate the infotainment screens. Like a lot of the new hybrids, the EQ function is displayed on the instrument cluster, showing battery usage and charge. The new centrally-mounted screen has a better resolution and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Even the COMAND system has been updated with a new interface. You also get a panoramic sunroof and a dual-tone dashboard that gets a combination of aluminium and wood. There’s even ambient lighting, making it feel that bit more expensive. At the back you will see AC vents, an automatic blind for the rear windshield and sunblinds for the windows. At the front, the seats are wide and comfortable, while the rear offers good headroom and legroom; the best bit being the reclined backrest. However, we did find under-thigh support a little insufficient. Also, the 48V battery takes the place of the spare tyre.
Small but swift
The Mercedes Benz C-Class is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, developing 181bhp and 280Nm of torque, plus there’s a 10kW boost from the hybrid system. Performance is strong and what really impressed us was the effortlessness in the shifting of the 9-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz Cars have offered drive modes to adjust performance. In Eco mode, the car feels unhurried, while Sport+ mode results in better engine response. The EQ boost system includes a 48V battery that aids the functioning of the electricals during long start/stop intervals when the engine is turned off for the moment; this system also helps the car move at a slow pace. The boost the system delivers cannot go unnoticed. Under hard acceleration, the alternator plays the role of an electric motor, giving you that extra boost we’d mentioned about earlier. This also helps mask turbo lag, while power delivery is good. Acceleration is prompt as you feel the turbo kick in, delivering great performance. The steering offers good weight and feedback and body control is excellent. Around corners, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers good grip and the car feels well balanced too. Ride quality is the same, so it continues to soak in the rough patches but these can be felt over the very big undulations. Mercedes has given its customers a compact and comfortable car that can do long journeys.
