The same front design, the same rear styling, the same window graphics, the same design language, often down to the last detail – even at second glance, the all-round C-Class looks like a clone of the new S-Class. When asked whether this confusion could have a negative effect, the responsible designer Robert Lesnik shakes his head. “In future, the differentiation will no longer take place between the increasingly complementary model series, but between the two different drive concepts. That is in the nature of things, because e-cars have to be even more streamlined, can afford bolder proportions due to the lack of a combustion engine and are stylistically new Paths – for example by focusing on the interior or varied lighting scenarios. “
But just such a pure high-voltage variant is missing in the new C-Class. “In terms of the scalability of the large electrical architecture, we have deliberately excluded the C-Class for weight and cost reasons,” explains Uwe Ernstberger, Head of the S and C-Class product group. “Instead, we will set a new record for the plug-in technology available as diesel and gasoline engines with an electric range of over 100 kilometers by around 2025.”
The drive range now only includes four-cylinder engines. It initially ranges from the C180 with the 170 hp 1.5 liter petrol engine (from 41 138 euros) to the 265 hp C300d (from 51 789 euros), which accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.7 seconds and Can be 250 km / h fast, but should only consume five liters on average. We drove the C300 4Matic, which with 258 HP and 400 Nm is already well in the forage, the C300d, which is even blessed with a 550 Nm torque punch, and the C300e PHEV with a system output of 320 HP. The hybrid, which has not yet been priced in and which will also be available as a diesel at the beginning of 2022, made a particularly confident impression. This is mainly due to the realistic electric range of just over 100 km, the relatively high charging power of up to 55 kW (surcharge), the balanced axle load distribution and the air-sprung rear axle. You can safely save yourself the optional all-wheel drive here.
Tesla sends its regards: The C-Class also has a high-resolution touch screen above the center console.
(Photo: Mercedes)
What the four-cylinder engines naturally lack is the ultimate smoothness, the emotional range of the soundscape, revving and a slightly more ambitious reduction of the standard nine-speed automatic. On the plus side, we note the short-term available overboost effect (plus 20 hp and 200 Nm). Partial electrification with a motor starter generator also reduces consumption in practice to six to eight liters – the predecessor was significantly thirsty. The powerful diesel looks relatively top-heavy without 4Matic and is not a traction artist in the wet, on inclines and through tight bends. With the 2.0 liter gasoline engine, the hybrid would inevitably have an even better motorized version than a combination of 95 kW e-motor and 204 hp combustion engine.
You have to be extremely careful with the specification, otherwise there is a high probability that it will go wrong. You can save yourself the DBC adjustable dampers, for example, which let the car roll through the mogul slope swell in comfort mode until you get seasick. Because the agility control standard setup is neither fish nor meat, the slightly lowered sports suspension is recommended as the best compromise, especially since a more direct steering system is installed here as a bonus, which ensures noticeably more agile handling. The all-wheel steering, available for the first time in the C-Class – an option but not a must – reduces the turning circle and increases stability at high speeds. As always, the choice of driving modes is a matter of taste. In Eco, the transmission would prefer to shift up while stationary, Comfort irons gear changes smoothly without registering further dynamic ambitions at the same time, Sport seeks and finds the balance between hasty and relaxed, Sport Plus is primarily aimed at hectic people with twitching light flasher fingers.
Even the perforated sports brake is not a revelation compared to the pre-series. This may be due to the choice of tires (Michelin instead of Conti), the higher pressures (plus 0.3 bar) and the algorithm that has been trimmed more towards recuperation. This results in a rather sluggish response behavior, a soft pedal feel, a long pedal travel and increased effort – all of this with subjectively only average delay. The specialist Christian Früh notes that “you have to be very quick to notice the virtual jump from recuperation to hydraulic brakes. Virtual because the absolute values do not confirm this subjective impression”. In line with the brand, the customer profile and the current range of models, the control systems that keep the car on track in conjunction with ABS are also designed to be defensive.
The voice assistant, on the other hand, is not at all reluctant: “Hey, Mercedes. My back hurts, it pulls, and I’m cold too.” Answer from the on-board loudspeakers: “I activate the seat massage, close the sunroof and raise the temperature from 20 to 21 degrees. Is there anything else I can do for you.” “Yes. I want to eat Asian food within 20 kilometers at 7 pm.” “Do you prefer Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese or Korean cuisine?” The voice from the off can also tell jokes, read stock prices or stream your favorite music on HiFi via Tidal. Only security-relevant commands are kindly but firmly ignored.
On request, the C-Class can also take over the so-called widescreen cockpit from its big brother with an extra-wide display, various additional comfort extras and a lucky bag full of different functions, the often complex operation of which unfortunately raises the frustration threshold again and again. In addition, there are various security features that meanwhile have to be laboriously deactivated one after the other with every restart. Nothing against distance warning or blind spot monitoring, but if the steering wheel repeatedly corrects its course on its own and reacts like an electric eel to restricted lines, the boundary between assistance and paternalism has been reached or even exceeded. True to the motto “almost everything is possible, but only a little is intuitive”, this haptic, acoustic and visual flood runs like a red thread through the demanding workplace.
No question about it – we have long been in the middle of the digital future. Only the hidden speed trap in the 30s zone has the silver disc deliberately overlooked. But that will also work out, because the next C-Class should be at least partially autonomous on the road at the latest. And of course fully electric.