Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a series of compact executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 (W201) range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's line-up until the W168 A-Class arrived in 1997. The C-Class has been available with a "4MATIC" four-wheel drive option since 2002. The third generation (W204) was launched in 2007 while the current W206 generation was launched in 2021.
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|
W206 sedan | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Daimler-Benz (1994–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007) Daimler AG (2007–2022) Mercedes-Benz Group AG (2022–present) |
| Production | 1993–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact executive car (D) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive (4MATIC) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz 190 E (W201) |
Initially available in sedan and a station wagon configurations, a fastback coupé (SportCoupé) variant followed and was later renamed to Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class. It remained in production until 2011 when a new W204 C-Class coupé replaced it for the 2012 model year.
First generation (W202; 1993) edit
| W202 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | May 1993–2000 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door wagon |
In October 1986, three years into Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201)'s production run, work began on a successor. Design work began in 1987, with the final design by Murat Günak selected in 1989 and the production design by Olivier Boulay delayed in January 1990, finally being patented on 19 December 1990.[1][2][3][4] Rough prototypes went into testing in 1989, with first production design prototypes commencing trial in 1990. In May 1993, the first generation W202 C-Class was introduced as a replacement for the 190. The first C-Class (W202) sedan was manufactured on 1 June 1993. The C-Class sedan was the company's entry-level model up until 1997 when Mercedes launched the A-Class. Styling themes were carried over from the previous W201 series, but the new series had a smoother and rounder design than the last generation of compact Mercedes, with styling cues from the W124 E-Class (short, high trunk and taller tail lights), W140 S-Class (front end), and R129 SL-Class (headlights).
During the 1996 and 1997 Formula 1 season, the C36 AMG served as the sport's Safety Car.[5]
Second generation (W203; 2000) edit
| W203 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | July 2000 – 2007 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door liftback 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
In 1994, development began on the W203 C-Class. Design work commenced in mid-1994, with the final design being approved in December 1995 by the executive board.[6] Design patents were filed on 20 April 1998 and 4 March 1999.[7][8] Testing began in 1997, with development concluding in 2000. The second generation C-Class was introduced in March 2000 and production began on 18 July 2000. The sedan debuted with a range of inline-four and V6 petrol engines and inline-four and -five diesels, later W203's received the V6 diesel. Most of the engines were carried over from the W202, but the C320 was exclusive, offering 160 kW (215 hp; 218 PS). The diesels now featured common rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbochargers. A six-speed manual gearbox was optional on some of the range, With exception to the C320 and C32 AMG. Notably (post 2005), for the first time, the number designations were no longer equivalent to the engine displacement, more specifically in the Mercedes C200 (1.8-litre), C240 (2.6-litre) and C200 CDI (2.2-litre).
Third generation (W204; 2007) edit
| W204 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2007–2015 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door liftback 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupe |
DaimlerChrysler introduced the W204 C-Class on 18 January 2007[9] and displayed it in the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. Sales started on 31 March 2007 in almost all European countries. The new family had an extended wheelbase and tracks, a stiffer body/shell and a design inspired by the W221 S-Class with some influences from the C219 CLS-Class. The C-Class received a facelift in 2011 for the 2012 model year including new LED taillights, a revised dashboard and instrument cluster layout, and a revised front fascia and headlights. The W204 platform continued into 2015 with the C-Class coupe. The final farewell of the W204, and also the naturally aspirated V8, was in the Edition 507 model. This had increased power, lightweight wheels and the vented hood from the Black Series.
Fourth generation (W205; 2014) edit
| W205 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2014–2021 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door cabriolet 2-door coupe |
The W205 C-Class was launched at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. The new structure was significantly lighter using aluminium and high strength steel extensively throughout the body, resulting in a 100-kilogram (220 lb) weight decrease.[10] The Mercedes-Benz C-Class 205 chassis spawned four C-Class bodystyles; sedan (W205), wagon (S205), coupe (C205), and cabriolet (A205).
The car was officially unveiled on 16 December 2013.[11] W205 production commenced on 4 February 2014 at the Bremen plant.[12] Production was also undertaken at Mercedes-Benz plants in East London (South Africa), Iracemápolis (Brazil) and Tuscaloosa, Alabama (United States). European sales began in March 2014, while the vehicle went on sale in North America in September 2014.
A mid-life update made its debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, including exterior changes and new engines.[13]
Fifth generation (W206; 2021) edit
| W206 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2021–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
The W206 C-Class was unveiled on 23 February 2021.[14] In China, the C-Class was launched in a long-wheelbase version (V206). For the first time, all W206 C-Class models are equipped with four-cylinder engines coupled with an integrated starter generator (15 kW electric motor) and a 48-volt electrical system.
The C-Class All-Terrain (X206) was released as an off-road focused, crossover-inspired estate model.[15] The model received external body cladding, a 40 mm increase in ride height, 4Matic AWD and additional drive modes.
Production and sales edit
| Calendar year | Production (sedan/estate/coupe) | US sales | INDIA | China sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 51,210[16] | |||
| 2002 | 64,025 | |||
| 2003 | 65,982[17] | 521 | ||
| 2004 | 69,251 | 184 | ||
| 2005 | 60,658[18] | 1085 | ||
| 2006 | 50,187 | 201 | ||
| 2007 | 63,701[19] | 651 | ||
| 2008 | 72,471 | 83 | ||
| 2009 | 52,427[20] | 106 | 16,000[21] | |
| 2010 | 313,500 (250,600 / 62,900)[22] | 58,785 | 105 | 27,220[23] |
| 2011 | 69,314 | 41 | ||
| 2012 | 413,193 (-/-/48,145) | 81,697[24] | 56 | |
| 2013 | 88,251 | 84 | ||
| 2014 | 316,792 | 75,065[25] | 678 | |
| 2015 | 443,909 | 86,080[26] | 1005 | |
| 2016 | 490,200[27] | 77,167 | 2048 | |
| 2017 | 77,447 | 8997 | ||
| 2018 | 60,409 | 10456 |
References edit
Notes edit
- ^ "Patent USD346570 – Automobile".
- ^ "DPMAregister – Designs – Registerauskunft zum Design". dpma.de. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ Adrian-Liviu Dorofte. "Mercedes-Benz-Blog TRIVIA: Meeting point Mercedes – 25 years of the C-Class". mercedes-benz-blog.blogspot.com.
- ^ europe.autonews.com/article/19970303/ANE/703030836/a-class-sets-new-record-for-mercedes
- ^ "Mercedes-AMG GT S: Bernd Mayländers neues Safety-Car". 9 March 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ "W203 C-Class Design Studies". oocities.org.
- ^ "Patent USD433653 – Exterior surface configuration of a motor vehicle".
- ^ "DPMAregister – Designs – Registerauskunft zum Design". dpma.de. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ Wayne Cunningham (24 November 2014). "2015 Mercedes-Benz C-class review". CNET. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class: C-Class at its best" (Press release). Daimler AG. 13 January 2014.
- ^ "Four continents. One passion.' – Production of the New C-Class Starts at the Mercedes-Benz Bremen Plant". Daimler. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Gerard Lye (7 March 2018). "W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift – more details revealed; 1.5L turbo with mild hybrid for new C200!". paultan.org.
- ^ BALDWIN, ROBERTO (23 February 2021). "2022 Mercedes C-Class Overhauled with New Tech and a Fresh Design". Car And Driver. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class All-Terrain revealed – new X206 wagon gets SUV looks, rides 40 mm higher - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest Sales in Its History". Thefreelibrary.com. 3 January 2003. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ "2004 Highest Year on Record for Mercedes-Benz USA". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent in December 2008". eMercedesBenz.com. 5 January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ "Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an 18 Percent Increase for 2010" (Press release). PR Newswire. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ . Mercedes-benz.com.cn. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ . Daimler. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ . Mercedes-Benz China. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ Mercedes-Benz USA (3 January 2013). "Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales of 305,072" (Press release). PR Newswire.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz delivers record-breaking 2014 sales volume of 330,391, up 5.7%". Mercedes-Benz USA.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Highest Year Ever with 2015 Sales of 380,461" (Press release).
- ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
Bibliography edit
General edit
- Barrett, Frank (1998). Illustrated Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz. Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide series (2nd ed.). Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0-7603-0451-3.
- Bols, Udo (2007). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen: Eine Chronik [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars: A Chronicle] (in German). Brilon, Germany: Podszun Verlag. ISBN 9783861334125.
- Clarke, R.M., ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Gold Portfolio 1983-1999. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-745-5.
- ——————, ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Ultimate Portfolio 2000-2006. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-748-6.
- Engelen, Günter (2002). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars] (in German). Vol. Band 3: Seit 1986 [Volume 3: Since 1986]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021692.
- ——————— (2003). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars] (in German). Vol. Band 4: Seit 1996 [Volume 4: Since 1996]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613023482.
- ——————— (2020). Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse: Die Baureihen 201-205 [Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Series 201-2015] (in German). Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 9783958439429.
- Hofner, Heribert; Schrader, Halwart (2005). Mercedes-Benz Automobile [Mercedes-Benz Automobiles] (in German). Vol. Band 2: von 1964 bis heute [Volume 2: from 1964 to today]. Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 3898804194.
- Kittler, Eberhard (2001). Deutsche Autos [German Cars] (in German). Vol. Band [Volume] 6: seit [since] 1990 – Mercedes, Ford, Opel und Porsche. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613020521.
- ——————— (2002). Mercedes-Benz. Typenkompass series (in German). Vol. Band 2. Personenwagen seit 1976 [Volume 2. Passenger Cars since 1976]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02209-5.
- Krämer, Michael, ed. (2007). Die neue C-Klasse von Mercedes-Benz: Entwicklung und Technik [The New C-Class from Mercedes-Benz: Development and Technology]. ATZ/MTZ-Typenbuch series (in German). Wiesbaden, Germany: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag. ISBN 9783834803207.
- Niemann, Harry (2006). Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz: Automobillegenden und Geschichten seit 1886 [Passenger Cars from Mercedes-Benz: Automobile Legends and Stories since 1886] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613025965.
- Pitt, Colin, ed. (2008). Mercedes-Benz C-Class and C63 AMG W202 W203 W204 1993 2008. Hockley, Essex, UK: CP Press. ISBN 9781841556741.
- Schlegelmilch, Rainer W. [in German]; Lehbrink, Hartmut; von Osterroth, Jochen (2013). Mercedes (revised ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Ullmann Publishing. ISBN 978-3-8480-0267-2.
- Taylor, James (2009). Mercedes-Benz: Cars of the 1990s. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. pp. 8–27, 73–90. ISBN 978-1-84797-096-1.
- Vieweg, Christof (2000). Alles über die Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse: Modellreihe W 203 [Everything about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Model Series W 203]. Technik transparent series (in German). Stuttgart: DaimlerChrysler. ISBN 3932786114.
- —————— (2001). Alles über die Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse: Limousine, T-Modell und Sportcoupé [Everything about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Sedan, Wagon and Sport Coupé]. Technik transparent series (in German) (2nd ed.). Stuttgart: DaimlerChrysler. ISBN 3932786157.
- —————— (2007). C-Klasse: Vom Baby-Benz zum Bestseller – 25 Jahre Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse [C-Class: from Baby-Benz to Bestseller – 25 years of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class] (in German). Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 9783768819695.
- Mercedes C-Klasse: Technik, Fahrtberichte, Tests, Vergleichstests (Limousine, Kombi, Sportcoupé, Cabrio, Coupé: alle Modelle seit 2000) [Mercedes C-Class: Technology, Drive Reports, Tests, Comparison Tests (Sedan, Wagon, Sport Coupé, Cabriolet, Coupé: all models since 2000).]. Auto, Motor und Sport spezial series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. 2003. ISBN 3613023032.
Workshop manuals edit
- Ahlstrand, Alan (2008). Chilton Mercedes C-class 2001–07 Repair Manual. Chilton Total Car Care Series. Somerset, UK: Haynes. ISBN 9781563927379.
- Ahlstrand, Alan; Haynes, John H. (2008). Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2001 thru 2007. Haynes Service and Repair Manual Series. Newbury Park, CA: Haynes. ISBN 9781563927355.
- Etzold, Hans-Rüdiger (2010). Mercedes C-Klasse: Typ W 202 Diesel von 6/93 bis 5/00. So wird's gemacht, Band 89 (in German) (6th ed.). Bielefield, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 978-3768808194.
- —————————— (2018). Mercedes C-Klasse: Typ W 202 von 6/93 bis 5/00. So wird's gemacht, Band 88 (in German) (13th ed.). Bielefield, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 9783768808187.
- —————————— (2018). Mercedes C-Klasse: Typ W 203 von 6/00 bis 3/07. So wird's gemacht, Band 126 (in German) (10th ed.). Bielefield, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 9783768814225.
- —————————— (2018). Mercedes C-Klasse: Typ W 204 von 3/07 bis 11/13. So wird's gemacht, Band 146 (in German) (5th ed.). Bielefield, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 9783768825870.
- Korp, Dieter (1995). Mercedes-Benz: C 200/220/250 Diesel ab Juni 1993. Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst series, Band 173 (in German) (1st ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613016192.
- —————— (2003). Mercedes-Benz: C 180/200/220/280 Benziner ab Juni 1993. Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst series, Band 167 (in German) (4th ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613016125.
- —————— (2006). Mercedes-Benz: C-Klasse (W203). Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst series, Band 245 (in German) (4th ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613024659.
- —————— (2013). Mercedes-Benz: C-Klasse (W204). Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst series (in German) (1st ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3613035690.
- Gill, Peter T. (2009). Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4- & 5-cyl Sept 2000 to May 2007 Petrol & Diesel Owners Workshop Manual. Haynes Service and Repair Manual Series. Sparkford, UK: Haynes. ISBN 9781844257805.
- Legg, A.K.; Jex, R.M. (2003). Mercedes-Benz C180 C200 C220 C230 & C250 1993 to August 2000 Service and Repair Manual. Haynes Service and Repair Manual Series. Sparkford, UK: Haynes. ISBN 1859605117.
- Russek, Peter (2006). Mercedes-Benz C-Class Series 202 – 1993 to 1999 C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C280. Pocket Mechanic Vehicle Manual. Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, UK: Peter Russek Publications. ISBN 1898780927.
- ——————— (2006). Mercedes-Benz C-Class Series 202 – 1993 to 1999 C200D, C220D, C250D, C250TD, C200 CDI, C220 CDI. Pocket Mechanic Vehicle Manual. Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, UK: Peter Russek Publications. ISBN 1898780676.
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) Service Manual: C220, C230, C230 Kompressor, C280 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Bentley Publishers. 2011. ISBN 9780837616926.
- Mercedes C-Klasse ab April 1993. Reparaturanleitung series, Band 1189. (in German). Zug, Switzerland: Verlag Bucheli. 1995. ISBN 371681895X.
- Mercedes C-Klasse ab 2000. Reparaturanleitung series, Band 1283. (in German). Zug, Switzerland: Verlag Bucheli. 2006. ISBN 371682075X.
- Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion. Cambridge, MA, USA: Bentley Publishers. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8376-1033-7.
External links edit
None noted at this time.
Press Kit (2011–):
- Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé