The world’s oldest car maker is eager to set the tech pace in the compact executive category.

AN extra-honed technology edge delivered the latest version of Mercedes’ smallest sedan will ultimately sharpen a touch more – and those into electric urge will also be satisfied before year-end.

This suggestion comes as the national distributor announces specification and pricing detail for the new C-Class sedan, which lands in rear-drive four-cylinder levels, with other choices following as manufacturing challenges allow. 

The immediate presence is restricted to the entry $86,000 C200, expected to snare 80 percent of initial interest, running a 150kW/300Nm 1.5-litre engine providing optimal economy of 6.9 litres per 100km and 0-100kmh in 7.3 seconds, and a C300 with a 190kW/400Nm 2.0-litre (7.3L/100km, six seconds), coming in from $102,900.

The C350e, the new plug-in hybrid option which has doubled its predecessor’s real-world driving distance to 100km – before the petrol engine takes over and delivers up to 600km range - should come in the third quarter, release having been delayed by the coronavirus-triggered global shortage of microchips, an issue that also affected the first NZ landfall cars. On original schedule, they would have been here in late 2021. 

A wagon, the coupe and convertible models? The first is being produced in the new format, but won’t be sold here. The GLC is the load-all go-to these days.  

Benz will keep building the two-door models for some time yet and is avoiding talking about the prospect of these, the E- and S-Class two-doors all being replaced in 2023 by a single new model spotted in development, called the CLE. 

Also yet to reveal are AMG editions. Again, the brand’s local arm is loath to discuss what’s going on there – though it’s been made clear from head office that the age of the famous V8 is over. Four-cylinder with electric boost seems the new path; the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that features in the A45 AMG has been re-engineered for longitudinal application. The usual format of showing the C43 first – perhaps some time this year - with a C63 unveiling around six months afterward, seems sound.

Back to the C200 and C300, whose local availability occurs exactly a year on from the international reveal.  

Although the overall proportions look similar to the outgoing model, the first major redesign since 2014 is basically new from the ground up. Larger in crucial dimension and this ‘compact’ sedan plucks more than design cues and tech from the S-Class limousine. Hard as it might be to believe, the smallest choice sedan is on the same platform as the biggest.

I’ve had two days’ driving, from Auckland to far Northland – overnighting at swanky Kauri Cliffs - and return, mainly in the black C300 pictured today, but cannot yet relate that experience. Mercedes Benz NZ has embargoed publication of first drive reports until February 28, public launch day.

Yet it’s not breaching that restriction to say that, in addition to smartening up in look, luxuries and refinements, this new generation (W206) model might well also appeal for its standout new interior and for scoring higher than its well-regarded (W205) predecessor on the Mensa scale.

‘Executive’ sedans are always well turned out, but Mercedes’ intent to show up its immediate rivals – so Audi’s A4, the BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS - within the luxury niche is serious and emphatic.

Though one interesting WiFi-related operation cannot be played yet, and the distributor has discarded the option of air suspension due to a low take-up rate in the previous version and gets a bit vague in respect to any all-wheel-drive potentials, there is a LOT of smart electronic tech, some new to the category, to win attention.

Inevitably, the best stuff is contained to upgrade packages that lift buy-in by thousands; that goes for frills like massage seats and built-in fragrances, too.

 Yet even in base factory provision the highest-volume Mercedes-Benz model of the past decade (2.5 million-plus sold globally in its outgoing iteration, including more than 4000 here), has features that were either unavailable or optional on the outgoing car. An important consideration given prices are up by $8900 and $10k respectively.

C could stand for ‘connected’ now. Welcome to a car with extra-sized high-resolution screens and first-in-class fingerprint recognition technology. A 360-degree camera, Keyless-Go entry and start with automatic powered boot closing, front centre airbag and active safety systems are all new standard features. So too the beyond-the-norm radar cruise control and a particularly resolved blind-spot assistance. Driver drowsiness monitoring, speed limit assist and lane tracking including active lane keeping come with the base stickers. The C300 bumps up the accident-avoidance kit more, with an acronym-thick ‘driving assistance package plus’, with one highlight being a side accident anticipation and protection system.

The cars also attract attention by provisioning in an AMG Line exterior and interior trim package that’s previously been a extra-cost option. That decision smartens both the kerbside appeal and the cabin treatment well beyond it having sports trim elements, including huggy front seats, trimmed in Artico in the C200 and leather in the swankier-ambience C300. 

In Europe, customers have a choice between a 10.25-inch (26cm) or a 12.3-inch (31.2cm) digital instrument screen and the new big talking point item, a tablet-style central display, comes in a 9.5-inch (24.1cm) size as standard, with an 11.9-inch (30.2cm) screen being optional. That’s not the case here, with the distributor having decided to go big with both. A distinction to keep in mind if you are, in time, tempted by an import.

It’s not the first car – nor even the first Mercedes – to have a tablet screen, of course, but for C-Class customers, this Tesla-inspired, S-Class-shared item will be a significant ‘wow’ feature.

Set into the centre console and slightly tilted towards the driver, it demands attention, since so much functionality is hosted here, though it’s not like a Tesla in being a sole activation entry. The button count is much diminished, yet the ‘hey Mercedes’ voice recognition, a console-mount touchpad and track pads embedded in the multifunction sports-styled steering wheel also offer alternate pathways to infotainment, nav and phone-related operability. The lights and wipers still rely on a wand and it keeps those door-sited seat adjustment controllers.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which now connect wirelessly – a catch-up to BMW. The navigation can be upgraded to include augmented reality, which utilises a forward-facing camera to show real-time directional assistance.

A core change with MBUX being in the second-generation form here that C-Class achieves “over the air” software updates via WiFi. But this isn’t a one-way thing. In addition to receiving data it can also act as a command module. 

The best trick performed via the latter ‘control centre’ implementation is one currently denied Kiwis, though there’s a chance it could still come.

This is a car-to-home function, co-developed with Google and designed to run Bosch and Samsung smart home devices of all ilk. Basically, any functionality that operates by WiFi can be enabled from your car; you could turn on the living room lights, close the curtains and set a heat pump temp. The clever trick, which Benz talked up big a year ago, is that it can patch into a compliant home security system and check if you have any intruders.

Melbourne-based regional product communications manager Ryan Lewis there were no known regional challenges to implementing it, the brand had simply determined to restrict it to European markets at this stage.

A while back fingerprint scanning was used in some high-end cars as a way to unlock and fire up the engine; an idea that led, in some lawless places, to owners becoming pained when targeted by thieves. Benz thankfully steers clear of that, so digit retention is assured. It’s still a security feature, though, yet only in respect to WiFi interaction, protecting emails and validating any spending via Mercedes Me. The primary purpose of wiping a digit is so the car can recognise its driver and configure itself to their pre-established preferences.

Some cars have head-up displays as standard. A HUD being optional on the Mercedes might therefore seem a bit mean, yet the thing is it’s not a regular kind. This one creates the impression of a virtual image in colour, floating above the bonnet about 4.5 metres in front of the car, similar to a hologram. The S-Class got it first, but still…

LED headlamps with headlamp assist and adaptive high beam assist are standard. Spend more and these will smarten up to digital types that can detect if a driver is about to run a red light or a stop sign, has accidentally driven the wrong way onto a motorway, or has crossed to the wrong side of the road. These lamps also project lines in roadworks zones to help drivers estimate the width of their car and will also pinpoint and highlight pedestrians on dark street crossings.

 The ‘W206’ is larger but lower than the car it replaces, measuring in 65mm longer, 10mm wider and 9mm lower. Boot space remains pegged at 455 litres but cabin room has enhanced a touch, mainly for rear occupants, who achieve 35mm more knee-room and 13mm more head-room.

Being more substantial could leave impression it’s less manoeuvrable. I can’t go into that, but it now coming with the option of rear-wheel steering for a tighter turning circle potentially says something.

Back to the engine choices. Losing the sixes and eights was a big call, but those mills were all on the wrong side of Europe’s enacted emissions’ penalties. Mercedes promises the four-cylinders will match the output of their larger capacity predecessors and says the car is “future proofed” now.

The powertrains have an integrated starter generator (ISG), which uses a 48-volt electrical system to perform gliding, boosting or energy recovery to optimise efficiency. The ISG can produce an additional 15kW and 200Nm in the C200; that bumps to 20kW for the C300. 

Both the C200 and C300’s power units are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. A manual gearbox was not developed for the new line, for the first time in the nameplate's history.

The C350e makes outputs of 150kW/320 Nm from its engine, and 95kW/440Nm from its motor, with Mercedes claiming the electric’s torque “is available right from the start, resulting in high agility when moving off”.

Full electric power is available up to 140kmh, says Mercedes, “at which point it is softly capped”. The battery has a total capacity of 25.4kWh and can be fully charged in about 30 minutes with a 55kW DC charger. To account for the high energy density, is is equipped with an internal cooling system.

As for product availability? Benz admits it’s not immune to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage. Also influencing is the greater need to prioritise Europe with low-emission vehicles. There’s no absolute certainty to production planning and outputs.

 The official word is that a lot of customers have been waiting for the new model, expectation is that ongoing supply is going to be steady … but unlikely to keep up with demand.

The aim is to keep customers “as informed as possible.”