Welcome back to RBR, and to the C Class, aka the Baby Benz, #MercedesBenz most popular model with almost 11 million units shifted since the 201’s introduction in 1982. The new W206 model is a reborn #Luxury car with swathes of tech stolen from the recently released S Class.
By the way: Big thanks to Gokhan at “TheAMGLounge” KZfaq Channel for helping with Driving shots, and the car from Mercedes Benz Slough Vertu dealership!! :) His channel:
/ theamglounge
This car is the first classic model series by #Mercedes to be 100% electrified in some manner, with ever car featuring a basic hybrid set up in the minimum, and then the full plug in hybrid models. It’s also a completely 4 cylinder family, including the upcoming AMGs as we’ve all heard.
Today I get my first drive in a C300 petrol AMG Line, Premium UK spec. I’ll also take you through a trip in the past as we look at every C Class before this, then see what makes the new car tick, along with a drive!
The history of the Baby Benz is super important and the story begins with a car that wasn’t called a C Class, the W201. It was this baby Benz that was the first to bring the lauded Benz quality and luxury to the compact saloon segment. Much like our recent cars, it took cues from the then 2nd generation S Class down to a new compact segment. It brought innovations, the main being the first small saloon with a Multi link rear bringing cornering stability at a time when the E30 had a semi-trailing arm setup. It spawned the infamous DTM with the 2.5-16 4 valve engine set up, the performance version better known as the Cosworth, a car a young Ayrton Senna used to outgun seasoned champions on the ring and later forge his career.
The next was the first C Class of it’s name. Carrying forward the same ethos of the 201, it was barely larger but brought far more space for the passengers along with safety innovations like standard airbags. This gen gave us our first in house AMGs ever, with the 36, 43 and bonkers special order C55. It was also the first time we had the estate!
203 came and grew the line up to include estate and weird 2 door hatch: to better battle an equally weird BMW. Then 204 - peak C Class? I’d argue that’s a place shared by both this and the successor 205. It was also peak AMG, with the axe murderer 6.2 true C63 rearing it’s nasty looking head.
205 was a series I think we’ll look back at as one of the greats. Yes it had styling heavily borrowed from S Class, but the quality and shape of the interior looks modern even today, enough to knock spots off the current 3 Series if you ask me. 100kg lighter, 360 cams, driver assistance tech, ambient lighting, so much to make it a do everything car. It was a scary time for AMG fans as this was the turbo charging gen, but we got the greatest driving C63 ever in the S model coupe.
Our New W206 is based on much of the same MRA platform as the 205, called MRA2, just heavily modified for the future of electrification. The car has grown in length by 2.5 inches, but is shorter in height.
As every C is hybridised in some way, they run on a 48v system plus ISG throughout all the petrol and diesel models. This system gives immediate power of 20 BHP and 200nm and 27bhp of overboost. The 9 speed transmission has been revised to work with the hybrid system, and the 4MATIC has been advanced to allow higher torque levels. Finally we also have rear wheel steering of up to 2.5 degrees. Though, this c300 weighs in at 1675KG, a good 100kg heavier than the last gen, and you can take that across the board.
Our car today is a 2.0-litre C 300 which has 254bhp, and 6.0s 0-60. Popular will be the C 220d, a hybrid 2.0-litre diesel with 220bhp. Then the Proper Plugin Hybrid C300E with 68miles range.
Today we’ll also check out the design of the AMG line car, both inside and out! But will the C still be great value for money as a mini luxury car? And does it still do the luxury job properly? Let’s find out!
Up next on on RBR is the new C43 AMG review! And the AUDI RS3 review + MUCH MUCH More!! Subscribe to support us and see them first. :)
Official Mercedes Benz PODCAST mentioned in video:
#11 Making a new C-Class - Raziz Rehan and Christian Früh
media.mercedes-benz.com/artic...
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Driving disclaimer:
Please note all driving shots have been filmed on closed roads.