BEFORE you place that order for a new Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, check out the updated Mercedes C-Class, which is due to be launched in spring this year.
The new Mercedes C-Class features updated front and rear styling, but more importantly a range of more efficient and lower company car tax engines.
The 170hp C220 CDI is now offering business car drivers the opportunity to slash company car tax with a 13% tax diesel engine in manual form (117g/km CO2); the auto also offers significant company car tax savings – at 125g/km the C220 CDI auto is in company car tax band 18% for the 2011-12 tax year.
As a comparison, the current C220 CDI provides 127g/km (manual) and 149g/km (auto) – respectively company car tax bands of 18% (manual) and 22% (auto).
Inefficient tax engines have been the bugbear of Mercedes; but it appears Mercedes has finally cracked the CO2 genie and can offer viable engines to match the Audi A4 (119g/km CO2) and BMW 320D EfficientDynamics (109g/km CO2).
The greater efficiency has been gained by new ECO start/stop for manual engines and revised 7G-TRONIC PLUS for automatic models. In addition, all bonnets are made of lightweight aluminium and the aerodynamics are now class-leading, says Mercedes.
It’s not all engines, of course. The front and rear styling has been sharpened while the interior dashboard has been redesigned, too, along with the addition of a high-resolution colour display.
Internet access via COMAND multimedia centre
There is also the promise of new generation telematics with internet access, too.
Major new features, says Mercedes, include greater operating convenience, larger displays, telephone directory transfer, display of SMS messages, wireless music reproduction via Bluetooth and a USB interface now accommodated in the centre armrest.
The multimedia system COMAND Online will be the internet access point for the first time (via data enabled mobile phone). When the car is stationary, drivers will be able to browse or use the rapid page loading Mercedes-Benz Online service.
The integrated services include weather information and a special destination search via Google, as well as the option of downloading a route that has been previously configured on a PC using Google Maps and sent to the car – a system familiar to BMW drivers already.
Ten new safety systems
Safety remains high level with Mercedes: there are 10 new driving assistance systems ranging from the standard ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system to the optional DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control system now available for the first time.
The full list of safety driving assistance systems in the new Mercedes C-Class are:
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist
- Active Lane Keeping Assist
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- ATTENTION ASSIST
- DISTRONIC PLUS
- Speed Limit Assist
- Parking guidance including PARKTRONIC
- PRE-SAFE Brake
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind Spot Assist
“In terms of drive and protection systems the new-generation C-Class offers the same comfort and safety as our luxury models,” commented Dr Joachim Schmidt, sales & marketing director at Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Mr Schmidt added: “The new C-Class sets completely new standards in its segment with respect to perceived value and quality.”
