Mercedes gives C-Class a facelift 02 | 03 | 2011

    THE FACELIFTED Mercedes-Benz C-Class goes on sale in Scottish dealerships this month; and the good news is prices are expected to remain pretty well unchanged compared to the outgoing model.

    With a replacement C-Class not due until 2013, this facelifted model feautures a series of detailed changes; the new saloon and estate (pictured) has received more than 2000 individual updates, including the addition of an automatic stop-start system, among other driveline changes that are claimed to provide fuel consumption savings of up to 31% in some models. Despite that, prices are expected to remain largely unchanged over the previous model.

    Subtle external styling tweaks differentiate the newcomer from the outgoing model. Amongst the changes, there's reprofiled bumpers (the front one carrying a more integrated grille), curvy new headlamps, a reworked aluminium bonnet, revised tail-lamps with LED graphics and a new selection of alloy wheels.

    Many of the styling changes have been aimed at optimising the car's aerodynamics. In addition, new sealing at the front end and alterations to the cladding used underneath the engine bay help boost the new car’s drag coefficient to 0.26 in narrow-tyre base trim.

    Inside the cabin there's a newly designed steering wheel, updated switchgear, a higher-quality trim materials and a new, angular instrument binnacle mirroring that used in the larger E-class.

    The new C-class also gets Mercedes' latest generation of its Comand navigation and entertainment system to bring it into line with other recent new models in its line-up.

    With automatic stop-start introduced across the range, the new C-Class also gets Mercedes' seven-speed automatic gearbox. The standard gearbox, in all but the range-topping C350 CGI and C350 CDI models, remains a six-speed manual.

    There are no changes to the C-Class four-cylinder petrol and diesel engine line-up with all previous powerplants retained unchanged.

    Mercedes though has replaced the old M272 six-cylinder engine in the C350 CGI with its latest M276 unit. With 302bhp and 273lb ft, the 3.5-litre V6 direct injection petrol engine produces 14bhp and 4lb ft more than before. It’s also claimed to be significantly more economical, with a combined cycle average of 41.5mpg.

    Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars

    Jim McGill

User Comments

Login or register to post comments.