From Mercedes-Benz this week a new C-Class sedan – an important car for the German luxury car maker yet sales this year have slid 37 percent in a vehicle market where sedans have lost favour to SUV’s.

In fact Mercedes mid-size GLC SUV has taken the top selling mantle here although the C-Class still dominates the prestige mid-size sedan segment holding a 30 per cent share of the $60,000 plus segment well ahead of BMW’s 3-series and Audi’s A4. The latest update to the C-Class Mercedes encompasses sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible body styles – the revised series introducing much improved electronic architecture including fully digital instrumentation and media infotainment units across the range. The body revisions are minor, there’s a revised colour palette, new alloy wheel designs and re-designed LED headlamps. Mechanically, there’s new mild-hybrid drive train called EQ boost for C200 variants, a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 22Od while the 3.0-litre twin turbo in the C43 AMG gets a power boost. Inside, the latest C-Class Mercedes features a 12.3 –inch digital instrument display, a larger 10.2-inch media display and a new multi-function steering wheel with touch sensitive controls. Mercedes now also offer the option of dynamic body control suspension with three-stage adjustable damping while in a first for this segment buyers also get the option of an air-suspension system. From the C300 model upwards buyers also have the option of Mercedes latest driving assistance safety package.
Its sales may have softened this year however the C-Class Mercedes-Benz remains a very polished mid-sized premium car and the new model should boost its popularity. I’m David Berthon

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