The sixth-generation or W206 C-Class, has been launched in India with prices ranging between Rs 55 lakh and Rs 61 lakh, ex-showroom. 

In terms of its external appearance, the new C-Class resembles the A-Class, and S-Class sedans and includes shorter overhangs, a more angular front, as well as new head- and tail-lamp designs. It gets a prominent power bulge on the hood, a prominent shoulder line running across the doors, as well as revised glasshouse.

While the wheelbase has increased by 25mm, the overall length is also up by 65mm over the outgoing model.  The car features a portrait-oriented 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which gets the NTG7 MBUX operating system with connected car tech and voice assistance. A high-definition floating LCD instrument cluster as well as a new multi-spoke steering wheel also form the cabin highlights. It also gets a dual-pane sunroof and powered front seats.

According to Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, “The C-Class has always enjoyed a strong customer preference in India with more than 37,000 C-Class customers.’   He added that the new C-class has received over 1,000 confirmed bookings for the new C-Class, even before its launch.

The luxury carmaker clocked sales of 11,242 units in CY2021, registering a 42 percent year-on-year increase. The Q1 CY2022 sales breached the 4,000-unit mark to register a 25 percent growth on the back of new models and robust demand, despite global supply chain constraints.

New 1.5-litre petrol engine
The new C-Class comes with three engine options. The petrol mill in the C200 trim, gets the new 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit that produces 204hp and 300Nm of peak torque. The outgoing C-Class, for reference, was sold with a 2.0-litre unit.

The diesel engine, on the other hand, is the familiar 2.0-litre unit, but available in two states of tune. While it produces 200hp and 400Nm of peak torque in the C220d trim, the figures are a stronger 265hp and 550Nm in the C300d variant.

All three engines come mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox as standard, and also get a 48Volt mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter generator (ISG) that provides an additional 20hp and up to 200Nm of peak torque. Mercedes-Benz claims a fuel economy figure of 16.9kpl for the C200 and 23kpl for the C220d, making it the most fuel-efficient car in the company’s stable. The C-Class will rival the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo S60.

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