The luxury car market is evolving so rapidly that manufacturers are increasingly under pressure to better the equipment levels in models lower down the price range. Expectations of younger buyers, and the lower cost of technology from higher volumes has helped luxury car-makers introduce newer features and technologies in their smaller models.

Mercedes-Benz has been under pressure to upgrade its C-Class model range for this kind of customer, not to mention the competitive pressure from its closest rival, the BMW 3 Series, the next generation of which is due out next year. Merc has just unveiled the mid-life upgrade to the C-Class, which with its extensive list of changes and improvements, is a testament to how fast luxury car buyers are evolving.

The facelift

A couple of weeks ago, I test drove the new 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class in Luxembourg, where the German brand had organised an international media test drive. Merc engineers were highlighting the fact that more than half the 11,500 components that make up the C-Class have been replaced with new, improved parts. But, if you were to walk up to the new C, there is a good chance that you may not be able to point out too many of the new bits, and the basic exterior design of the C does seem to have been retained. That is certainly not a problem when you consider that the design of the current generation C-Class introduced in 2014 is still fresh. It was called the ‘Baby S-Class’ when introduced and that moniker is worth retaining.

Some of the styling updates to the new C include individually redesigned front aprons for each of the equipment lines, which give them unique character, with the C43 AMG’s being the most aggressive. Customers can also now choose from three different headlamp and tail-lamp designs depending on the trim and body style. LED Daytime running lights have been made standard for the headlamps. And in addition to the design being new, LED high performance headlamps and multiple-beam ultra range lamps are available for the first time as an option in the C-Class. The rear bumper also gets a new lower section with new design inserts for the diffuser. The famous diamond bonnet grille is now standard for the AMG line. A whole new range of alloy wheels, including new lightweight ones with better aero performance are also part of the changes introduced. The new C is now offered in four body styles globally — sedan, coupe, cabriolet and station wagon. We are likely to get the sedan, coupe and cabriolet. It will also be available in four equipment lines — standard, avantgarde, exclusive and AMG. A long wheelbase version is especially produced for the Chinese market.

Plusher cabin

Merc designers and engineers have focussed on boosting the premium feel of the cabin, with new upmarket materials like open pore wood and features like the full digital instrument display, which we were more likely to encounter in their larger sedans like the E-Class and S-Class. The seats also get a multi-contour package allowing more adjustments such as to the side bolsters and it even gets a lumbar area massage function. The new C-Class’ electricals and safety equipment also get a big boost. One of the most striking changes in the cabin is the optional 12.3-inch full digital instrument screen with three different display styles. Crisp, and filled with colour-coordinated information, the HD screen makes a big impact when one is behind the wheel. Speaking of which, the steering wheel itself gets an upgrade with more controls now moving on to the left and right spokes. Thanks to the intuitive, Blackberry-style touchpad at the centre of each spoke, Merc has managed to even move the cruise control function to the wheel, eliminating the need for a steering-column mounted stalk.

There are more features that have trickled down to the C-Class — discreet ambient lighting, linguatronic voice control, haptic feedback for the touchpad paired with the circular infotainment control knob on the centre console, and a whole range of new safety tech.

Performance

One of the traits of Merc’s cars in the lower price range, which often used to be a gripe amongst buyers, was that they weren’t quick enough, unless they were AMGs. Faced with a need to change that by pushing up performance and at the same time delivering more efficiencies, Merc engineers have struck a balance using improved engine tech. For example, the four-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine in the C200 is now offered with a belt-driven starter alternator and an additional 48V EQ boost system. During acceleration, the EQ boost supports the engine with an additional 14 hp of power to compensate for the delay in boost pressure from the turbocharger when the latter is still spooling up. In reverse, during deceleration, the starter alternator recovers energy to charge the battery and also helps reduce brake wear.

The petrol engines also get other tech like a gliding mode when the engine is switched off while coasting for further fuel savings. There is also the addition of twin scroll exhaust gas turbochargers. The Diesel engine in the C300 d features higher injection pressures and delivers higher power of 245 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Merc engineers have also used a new stepped-bowl combustion system and piston design for improved speed and efficiency of combustion. Also, more emission reduction parts have been installed directly onto or close to the engine, including the AdBlue injection (ammonia for NOx) managing to lower emission levels.

On the road, the C200 feels much quicker than the average four-cylinder in the luxury compact segment. It is only when I see the EQ boost progress bar on the digital instrument cluster that I realise this is not entirely the petrol engine’s output. The C300 d feels quieter and quicker than the predecessor. The transmission on offer is the 9G-TRONIC, except in the C43 AMG, which carries over its own AMG-tuned nine-speed automatic. The C43’s engine has also been reworked and the three-litre V6 now delivers 23 hp more for a peak of 390 hp and a max torque of 520 Nm. The C43 is capable of a top speed of 250 kmph, though my test mule managed 254 kmph on some of the unrestricted sections of the autobahn in Germany. You can read more about the C43 in a later review in this column.

The new C-Class’ chassis is well-balanced, its steering feels more precise and offers more feedback. There is loads of grip and stability even when I was barreling down the highway at near top speeds. Merc’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive is offered with some of the powertrains and with the C43, but there is a range of other safety systems including driver assistance systems like active lane change, active steering assist, active cruise control and even active emergency stop assist.

An extended version of the active brake assist is now part of standard equipment.

Though the well-paved roads around the Moselle region are not ideal for understanding the suspension, especially given how different it will be back home, the 2019 C-Class’ suspension feels quite a bit stiff on average. Of course, there are likely to be changes to the India-spec that will account for the bad roads and the fact that many owners are likely to be seated at the rear.

One interesting new protection in the C is the impact alarm, which automatically sends an alert to the owner’s connected phone through the Mercedes Me app when it detects potential damage caused by another car or vehicle.

Bottomline

The C-Class is one of Merc’s largest-selling cars. The fourth generation of the model, introduced for the year 2014, did bring in a lot of change in design and tech including some driver assistance systems. But, the latest refresh is equally likely to boost buyer perception with its wide swathe of new standard features, and the improvements in performance and efficiencies. In fact, I’d venture out to say that the mid-cycle refresh for the C-Class makes it the benchmark to beat for others in the segment.

The new C is expected to make it to Indian shores before the festive season this year.

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