First Drive: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Take ‘30 seconds of quiet’ to observe your surroundings was the request from Mercedes-Benz sales manager Ciaran Allen before motoring journalists got a chance to sit into the new C-Class at its Irish launch on Wednesday.

He said options like Head Up Display and a 360 degree camera elevate the new ‘baby Benz’ to ‘almost’ the sumptuous, high tech S-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the German car maker’s biggest seller globally, however, in Ireland the E-Class sells better.

Mercedes-Benz has made no secret of its desire for younger drivers in recent years and that continues with the C-Class.

Three designs and trim levels are available, Avantgarde, Exclusive and an AMG line.

With a grille-inset star, the Avantgarde is aimed at younger buyers. The Exclusive, which has the traditional bonnet-mounted standing star is targeted at the ‘more conventional buyer’, while the AMG line has sporty buyers in its sights.

One thing I like about Mercedes-Benz is the ordered and calm interior, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is no different.

The cabin in our Avantgarde test model was just that – sophisticated and luxurious with brushed chrome panelling and buttons on the doors, and glossy surround on the centre console, as well as leather upholstery.

The new C-Class is bigger and wider than the outgoing model, giving more room to rear seat passengers. It’s also lighter, giving a 20 per cent improvement in fuel consumption.

Like the S-Class, the new C-Class is also an oasis of tech, with a touchpad added to the multimedia unit and apps to give the driver access to online driving aids.

The optional head up display projects driving data such as speed beyond the windscreen.

Other options include a Burmester ‘feel good’ surround sound system with 13 ‘high-performance speakers configured specifically for the vehicle’.

There’s also an ambient lighting pack with three colours and five dimming levels and an air balance package that perfumes the interior.

An automatic hands free system opens and closes the boot ‘with a gentle toe tap’.

Advanced safety features include Collision Prevention Assist, which averts a low speed fender-bender, and Attention Assist drowsiness detection. Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic sign and wrong way alert systems as well as active parking and adaptive head beam are also available.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class also features extra airbags, including pelvis bags, driver’s knee bag and a new window bag.

One diesel and two petrol engines are initially available, building up to a range of four petrol and five diesels.

Transmission is a choice of six-speed manual or 7G automatic and permanent all-wheel drive can also be specified.

The C220CDI diesel is powered by a 2.2-litre 170bhp engine which falls into the €190 annual car tax band. Prices for that model start from €43,300.

Meanwhile, petrol engines include a C180 1.6-litre 156bhp which has annual road tax of €200 and a starting price of €37,750 and a C200 2.0-litre 184bhp with annual road tax of €270 and a starting price of €39,500.

The rest of the range, including a C300 Hybrid, are due in September.

Our test car was a C220 2.0-litre 170bhp BlueTEC Avantgarde automatic. It has a top speed of 233kph and can accelerate from 0-100kph in 7.8 seconds. It attracts annual road tax of €190.

My quick route took me in a country and urban setting and I found it pleasant to drive and very smooth on the road.

Unfortunately, my time behind the wheel was all too short but I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to taking it for a proper run in the coming weeks.

Mercedes-Benz sales manager Ciaran Allen said: ‘With its new looks, keen pricing and well-appointed features, we expect the C-Class to be a very competitive model offering in the mid-range luxury segment.’

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is available now, with prices starting from €37,750 for petrol models and €37,950 for diesels.

Visit the Mercedes-Benz website or its Facebook page for further details.