MERCEDES-BENZ
Meaty update
C-class gets a new face, interior fascia and automatic transmission.
- It's about time that auto 'box was replaced...
You bet. As mentioned in our 2010 GBU report on page M5, that five-speed automatic transmission used on Mercs with four-cylinder engines has haunted us for too long.
It will be replaced by a seven-speeder when the updated C-class goes on sale in Europe next March. If the Thai market isn't being treated as dumping ground for old tech, expect Mercedes' revised junior executive car to reach showrooms no later than April.
- Have the engines been updated, too?
No, they haven't. The 184hp/204hp 1.8-litre petrol-turbo has been carried over in the C200/250 CGI; the same goes for the 204hp 2.1-litre diesel-turbo for the C250 CDI.
In fact, we find these engines very competitive in the Thai market at the moment. If you look at the BMW 3-series range, for instance, the 320i and 320d still come with less powerful 156hp and 184hp motors. Plus, their gearbox is six-speed auto.
Headlights now have a rounder appearance like in the SL; inset is the old look.
- But hasn't that helped BMW with more attractive prices?
You could say so in some cases. But let's not forget that Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) is apparently keeping some cards up its sleeves.
They have yet to tap the 156hp C180 CGI uniform, while there are still three CDI diesel variants to play with: 170hp C220, 136hp C200 and 120hp C180.
Whether these Cs would come to Thai showrooms would depend on the state of the competition.
- Okay. It looks better than before...
We agree. As you can see in these official pictures, the headlights now have a rounder appearance aping those in the SL. In addition, the front bumper has a more elegant design with LED strips integrated into it.
The new steering wheel inside also looks cool, while the dashboard has a new binnacle like in the E-class. However, the pop-up info display of the pre-facelift C-class isn't exactly conspicuous.
Mercedes says over 2,000 parts have been changed in the C-class. And there are now 10 more safety features brought down from the E-class, one of them being driver drowsiness detection system that Mercedes has been promoting in the E-class in Thailand.
Dash has new binnacle, left, like in the E-class; steering is new, too.
- BTW, when will the E-class get that seven-speeder?
Judging from the current strategy Mercedes is using, it should come when the E-class is facelifted in about a year or so. That should also include the E-class Coupe.
But before that could happen, the seven-speeder could appear first in the next-generation SLK and CLS due on Thai forecourts after it is introduced at the Bangkok motor show next March.
There could even be a wild card entry into the Thai market in 2011 with the S250 CDI which - launched in Europe recently - runs that familiar 204hp 2.1-litre unit and 7G-TRONIC PLUS (seven-speed automatic in Mercedes speak).
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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