What’s hot?
- Best-in-class drag coefficient of 0-24 Cd.
- Good looking car that has moved up-market from the old model.
- Choice of engines from 1.6 to 2.2 with varying power outputs. This 2.2 litre 172PS BlueTEC unit is expected to be the most popular.
- A relatively modest 113g/km from this mid-range diesel engine, for VED band C.
- Good fuel economy, with a combined figure of 62.7mpg in this likely best-seller
The move up-market is most apparent inside the C-Class. Cabin quality is much improved. There’s a reasonable level of kit as standard – including leather - Strong performance for the C220 BlueTEC, with a 145 mph top speed and 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds.
- Same trim levels as before: SE, Sport and top-sped AMG Line.
- Much improved cabin both in quality and design, looks and feels like a smaller S-Class inside.
- Good level of standard kit across the range. A base SE model comes with 16-inch alloys, leather seats, seven-inch colour display, multi-touch control touchpad, adjustable suspension, reversing camera, speed-sensitive cruise control, collision prevention assistance.
- Sport trim adds more kit at an extra £1995, then another £1495 gives you the full works of AMG Line with sat nav, LED lights, heated sports seats and automated parking.
- More techy features than before, have percolated down from Mercedes’ flagship S-Class.
- Reasonable boot size at 480 litres.
- Automated parking available on top versions.
- Comfortable five-seater with good headroom and rear legroom.
- C220 and C250 BlueTEC diesels available from launch in June.
What’s not?
- Catches up with 3-Series handling but doesn’t overtake it for ultimate poise.
- Bit of a wait for the smallest diesel engine, the 1.6 litre C200 BlueTEC, not here until the autumn.
- Full-length panoramic sunroof steals some headroom, best avoided for tall drivers.
- LED lights not included for base SE versions.
