Last August, Auto Nation Group (ANG), the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines unveiled the new 5th generation C-Class at its Bonifacio Global City showroom. ANG refers to it as the Baby “S-Class” as it has been thoroughly redesigned and carries with it the latest innovations and modernizations that give the styling elements, substance and technologies from the flagship S-Class.
“The C-Class has raised the bar of the luxury compact executive sedans. It’s where Modern Luxury meets driving dynamics, human-centered innovations, and all that in a good looking form that you would fall in love with, once again,’’ says Frankie Ang, Chief Operating Officer at Auto Nation Group, Inc.
The Mercedes-Benz badge continues to be one of the most desirable brands in the luxury automobile world and according to Statista, it is ranked first in terms of brand value, with an estimated value of over 60 billion US dollars for 2022. Statista further added that – “It is a truth universally acknowledged that Germany is a car country. With the sales of German-produced cars going steady both at home and abroad, the revenue development of the industry has only continued to impress with future predictions for higher delivery.” Mercedes- Benz also says it continues to press ahead with its sustainable strategy. Its winning strategy of continually improving the quality of its products and services, and keeps on adapting and diversifying is key to its brand success.
Currently, the C-Class is available in one variant (C 180 Avantgarde), with an introductory price of Php 3.890 million.
ANG says that the new C-Class carries the new design language that was first introduced back with the S-Class – from the exterior design characteristics, headlamp and tail-lamp design, all the way to the flowing, seamless, and extensively digitized interior. These were all carried over to the compact sedan segment, wherein the new C-Class can bring all these luxurious touches to a wider market. As such, the C-Class deserves to be dubbed as the “Baby S.”
This “baby” also has grown in size over the generations. Compared to its predecessor, size has lengthened at the wheelbase 25mm, and overall length by 65mm, while its width is longer by 45mm, and now has 7mm more ground clearance. What does this mean to the driver and passengers? It not only adds overall space inside the cabin, but further improves driving dynamics.
The Avantgarde trim’s exterior features also a newly redesigned front bumper with a beautiful single louvre radiator grille that accentuates the prominent Mercedes-Benz star. It is complemented by a set of LED High Performance headlamps with daytime running lights. It also features a very pronounced powerdome on the bonnet also give a sporty and masculine character of the new C-Class.
The C180 Avantgarde comes with a set of new 18-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels and runflat tires. And inside, a large 11.9” floating central display touchscreen monitor and a 10.25” free-standing full digital instrument display welcomes the driver and front passenger. The new C-Class is also equipped with the latest generation NTG7 MBUX multimedia system that promises more connectivity features and the “Hey Mercedes“ voice command system. Alternatively, the driver can also operate the MBUX in the multifunction steering wheel via touch control buttons.
The interior mood settings can be tuned with its 64-color ambient lighting that helps create the right ambience for you. The AC system is a equipped with Thermatic dual-zone automatic climate control and is equipped with an activated charcoal filter to filter dust and reduces harmful chemicals and substances.
Just like any other Mercedes-Benz vehicle, it also comes with advanced and class-leading safety features.
Aside from the standard seven airbags, which includes a two-stage deployment airbag for driver and passenger, side bags, window bags, and knee bag for the driver. Other safety features include Blind Spot assist and other driver assistance systems such as the Active Brake Assist, Active Parking Assist, 12 ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear, Reversing Camera, and ATTENTION ASSIST.
Powering the new C-Class is a 1.5 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine that is rated at 170 hp and 250 Nm of torque. In tune with the times, the C-Class comes with an electrified drivetrain with EQ boost mild-hybrid technology. This is the brand’s 2nd generation mild-hybrid system which first introduced in the S-Class. Its Integrated Starter Generator and 48-volt power supply supports the combustion engine by providing up to 15kW of additional power and up to 200 Nm more torque. This offers better acceleration behavior and fuel efficiency.
The new C-Class Avantgarde variant is now available for viewing in all Mercedes-Benz showrooms at Bonifacio Global City, Edsa Greenhills, Alabang, and Cebu City. For more information visit its online showroom www.mercedes-benz.ph to know more about the new C-Class.
This article came out in the Executive Essentials Special of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday, October 24, 2022
