THE NEW-GENERATION 2012 MERCEDES C CLASS
26.12.2010г
New chapter in a success story from March 2011
Energetic: new, dynamic appearance inside and out
Efficient: new engines with up to 31 per cent improvement in fuel
consumption
Experience: new generation of telematics with internet access
Successful: more than one million units of the current series sold since
March 2007
The 2012
Mercedes C Class will be launched in spring 2011 and is a
comprehensive modernisation. The front and rear sections of this best
selling model have a more striking design. There is now a high-resolution
colour display screen in the instrument cluster, an elegant new dashboard
with grained surface and prominent decorative trim emphasising the premium
character of the interior.
Fuel consumption has been improved by up to 31 per cent.
Efficiency-enhancing measures including new engines, the improved 7G-TRONIC
PLUS automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function also feature.
Ten new driving assistance systems ranging from the standard ATTENTION
ASSIST drowsiness detection system to the optional DISTRONIC PLUS proximity
control system are also now available for this model series for the first
time.
"In terms of drive and protection systems the new-generation 2012
Mercedes
C Class offers the same comfort and safety as our luxury models. High-grade
interior features remind one of the new CLS, the 2012
Mercedes C Class sets
completely new standards in its segment with respect to perceived value and
quality," says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Sales & Marketing Director at
Mercedes-Benz Cars. This interior modernisation is supplemented with a new
telematics generation that not only includes completely redesigned
displays, but also makes onboard internet access available.
A total of more than 2,000 new components distinguish the latest
generation of the
Mercedes-Benz 2012
Mercedes C Class from its predecessor.
The UK market launch of the Saloon and Estate versions will take place in
March 2011.
The 2012
Mercedes C Class is the highest-selling model series for
Mercedes-Benz. The current series has found well over one million buyers
worldwide since its launch in March 2007 (98,000 UK sales). Since the
introduction of the first 2012
Mercedes C Class in 1982 (then known as the
model 190),
Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 8.5 million vehicles in total
in this segment. In 2010 too, the 2012
Mercedes C Class has repeatedly won
top places in the registration statistics.
Dynamic, resolute, self-assured: the exterior
The front bumper has more expressive and dynamic contours, with the front
section being brought in line with the brand's new design idiom. The
radiator grille surround is now more prominent. The central air intake
opens out upwards in a V-shape, forming a visual base unit for the radiator
grille. Pronounced side sections extend from the sporty V-shape at the
centre of the bumper. Continuing beneath the headlamps, these sections
blend into the feature lines along the vehicle flanks, linking the front
section with the sides. The side air inlets in the bumper are positioned
low down, giving the car a more road-hugging appearance.
The Saloon and Estate now have a new aluminium bonnet, which contributes
to weight reduction and therefore enhances fuel efficiency. Its contour in
the area of the headlamps and radiator grille emphasises the V-shape of the
front section more heavily than before. In conjunction with the newly
designed headlamps, this gives the front section a more resolute
impression.
The shape of the clear-lens headlamps has been modified to create a more
dynamic and resolute impression, and to act together with the bonnet,
radiator grille and bumper to emphasise the V-shape of the front section.
This impression is reinforced by both the exterior form of the headlamps
and the interior of the housings. The headlamps show their modernity by
precision and an interplay between matt and high-sheen areas. The halogen
headlamps are arranged in the classic way, with low beam on the outside,
high beam on the inside and the indicators neatly arranged in the outer
corner formed with the front wing.
If the optional bi-xenon headlamps with the Intelligent Light System (ILS)
are specified, the impression of depth is reinforced by a row of lighting
modules. A position light with a distinctive C-shape emphasises the night
design. Behind it is a cornering light extending to the main headlamp
module on the outside. All three levels are connected by a transverse strip
extending through the complete headlamp interior with dark contrasts, shiny
areas and matt areas. A visual base in the lower section of the headlamp is
formed by a horizontal broadband LED indicator unit. The horizontal LED
daytime running lamps in the bumper also make the 2012
Mercedes C Class
unmistakable from a distance.
In the case of the rear bumper, the light-catching contours and dividing
lines have been modified to emphasise the width of the Saloon and Estate
even more strongly. This change is particularly obvious in the more steeply
rising course of the side light-catching contours towards the tail lights.
A continuous light-catching contour at the upper end of the rear bumper
extends into the flanks to connect the rear end with the sides to emphasise
the sporty character of the rear aspect. In the latest model, the tail
lights are even more neatly integrated into the rear section by a
continuous covering lens. The characteristic surface meander is now on the
inside of the light, and reminiscent of preceding model series. The
particular impression of depth is achieved by a centrally located LED
indicator, which appears to float in front of the red upper and lower light
bands with their more deeply set LEDs. The tail lights have a particularly
high recognition factor in the dark.
The aerodynamics of the 2012
Mercedes C Class are a mark of the
bodyshell's efficiency. With a Cd figure of 0.26 it not only sets the
benchmark in its class, but also glides through the wind better than most
compact cars with its drag area of Cd x A = 0.57 sq. m.
Sporty, high-quality interior
The main focus of the design work in the interior was on restyling the
dashboard with its integrated screen and new surface grain. The touch
surfaces of the controls are now also more finely detailed and galvanised.
A stepped extension to the instrument cluster now also accommodates the
central display. The instrument cluster and a discreet light-catching
contour continue into the front passenger side while the central,
trapezoidal air vents and the round vents on the outside are highlighted in
detail by galvanised trim.
The large section of trim is an important part of the newly designed
dashboard. This extends from the centre air vents across the front
passenger side to the outer air vent, while the lower edge of the upper
dashboard section continues into the beltlines of the door panels with a
new surface grain.
The control panel of the new-generation communication and information unit
has keys with high-gloss surface inserts. The combination of keys,
high-gloss areas and a new knurled wheel design accentuates the enhanced
interior. In conjunction with the new generation telematics generation, the
2012
Mercedes C Class is now available with a high-resolution colour
display in the instrument cluster.
More power, lower consumption: the engines
An improvement of up to 31 per cent has been achieved in fuel consumption
and all 2012
Mercedes C Class launch models will feature the ECO start/stop
function as standard. All the engine variants are now classed as
BlueEFFICIENCY units, showing that they are particularly efficient and
environmentally compatible in their use of fuel. In future all automatic
versions will feature the further-developed 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed
automatic transmission. In addition, the overall ratio of all new
powertrain variants has been optimised for better fuel economy.
All the petrol engines in the model series have direct injection. One of
the highlights is the introduction of the new V6 petrol engine with its
innovative and highly efficient BlueDIRECT process in the C 350
BlueEFFICIENCY. The quantum leap in efficiency is particularly well
illustrated by the six-cylinder unit: Power has increased considerably, the
C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY delivering 306 hp and 370 Nm (previously 292 hp and
365 Nm).
The four-cylinder petrol engines, which made a great evolutionary leap
forward in 2009 and all feature direct injection and turbocharging and
excel with high performance and exemplary economy.
The most economical model in the
Mercedes 2012
Mercedes C Class range has
also become even more frugal: the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with the manual
six-speed transmission and the standard ECO start/stop function. This
corresponds to 117 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In conjunction with the
improved 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop
function included as standard, the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C 250 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY both deliver top-class figures with a combined diesel
consumption of 58.8 mpg. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 125 grams per
kilometre.
Warning and intervening: the new driving assistance systems
With a total of ten new driving assistance systems ranging from ATTENTION
ASSIST drowsiness detection to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, the 2012
Mercedes C Class reaches a new level in safety. The assistance systems are
based on the latest radar, camera and sensor technology, and cover frequent
accident causes such as driving too closely, fatigue and darkness. The new
assistance systems, some of which only warn and some which actively
intervene in hazardous situations, at a glance:
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Active Blind Spot Assist
ATTENTION ASSIST
DISTRONIC PLUS
Speed Limit Assist
Parking guidance including PARKTRONIC
PRE-SAFE®Brake
Lane Keeping Assist
Blind Spot Assist
More operating comfort, better connectivity: new-generation telematics
The 2012
Mercedes C Class also sees the debut of a new telematics
generation which will also be gradually introduced in other model series.
Major new features include greater operating convenience, larger displays,
telephone directory transfer, display of SMS messages, wireless music
reproduction via Bluetooth and a USB interface now accommodated in the
centre armrest.
The multimedia system COMAND Online now provides internet access for the
first time (via the customers data enabled mobile phone). When the car is
stationary, customers are able to browse freely or surf to a
Mercedes-Benz
Online service whose pages load particularly rapidly and are also easy to
use while on the move. The integrated services include weather information
and a special destination search via Google, as well as the option of
downloading a route that has been previously configured on a PC using
Google Maps and sent to the car. The navigation system of COMAND Online
also has added functions.
Also new: routes covered can be recorded and repeated later, specific
personal destinations can be imported via an SD card and four alternative
routes can be displayed on the navigation map, one of them a particularly
economical variation.
As a first in the 2012
Mercedes C Class, the Becker® MAP PILOT makes a
low-cost navigation function, which can also be retrofitted, available for
the entry-level
Audio 20 CD radio. Its advantages over aftermarket
solutions include integrated operation via the central controls and the
Audio 20 display, a concealed location in the glove compartment and
updating via an internet por
Източник: Автопрес