Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a line of compact executive cars produced by Daimler AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 (W201) range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's lineup until the A-Class arrived in 1997. The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany as well as numerous satellite factories in other countries. The first C-Class (W202) sedan was produced on 1 June 1993, and the first of the second generation (W203) rolled off the assembly line on 18 July 2000. The C-Class is available with 4Matic (i.e. four-wheel drive) since 2002. The third generation (W204) was launched in 2007. The latest generation C-Class (W205) came out in 2014. Although originally sold as sedan and station wagon, the W203 series in 2000 debuted a fastback/hatchback coupe version that, when facelifted, became the Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class. The CLC-Class remained in production until 2011 when it was replaced by a new W204-based C-Class coupe for the 2012 model year. Contents [hide] 1 W202 (1993–2000) 2 W203 (2000–2007) 3 W204 (2007–2014) 4 W205 (2014–) 5 Production and sales 6 Concepts 7 References 7.1 Notes 7.2 Bibliography 7.2.1 General 7.2.2 Workshop manuals 8 External links W202 (1993–2000)[edit] W202 1997-2000 Mercedes-Benz C 200 (W202) Classic sedan 01.jpg Overview Production May 1993–2000 Model years 1994–2000 Body and chassis Body style 4-door sedan 5-door wagon Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) In October 1986, 3 years into Mercedes-Benz W201 (190)'s production run, work began on a successor. Design work began in 1987, with the final design by Murat Gunak being selected in 1989 and the production design by Olivier Boulay frozen in January 1990, being later patented on 19 December 1990.[1][2][3][4] Rough prototypes went into testing in 1989, with first production design prototypes commencing testing in 1990. In May 1993, the first generation W202 C-Class was introduced as a replacement for the 190. 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 previous generation of compact Mercedes, with styling queues 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 seasons, the C36 AMG served as the sport's Safety Car.[5] W203 (2000–2007) [edit] W203 2004 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Kompressor (W203) Elegance sedan (2011-12-06).jpg Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz C 200 K sedan (Australia) Overview Production July 2000 – December 2006 Model years 2001–2007 Body and chassis Body style 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203) 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. The sedan debuted with a range of inline-four and V6 petrol engines and inline-four and -five diesels. Most of the engines were carried over from the W202, but the C 320 was exclusive, offering 160 kW (218 PS). The diesels now featured common rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbochargers. Six-speed manual gearboxes were now standard for the entire range, except the C 320. Notably, for the first time, the number designations were no longer equivalent to the engine displacement, more specifically in the C 200 (1.8-litre), C 240 (2.6-litre) and C 200 CDI (2.2-litre). W204 (2007–2014)[edit] W204 2010 Mercedes-Benz C 200 CGI (W204) Classic sedan 03.jpg Overview Production 2007–2014 Model years 2008–2014 Body and chassis Body style 4-door saloon 5-door estate 2-door coupe Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) 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 bodyshell and a design inspired by the W221 S-Class with some influences from the C219 CLS-Class. In 2011 a facelift model was introduced with subtle changes made to the exterior and enhancing the interior to give it a more luxury feel and engine improvements to make these cars more efficient. The interior changes include a chrome-trimmed steering wheel, fixed in-car-entertainment screen and an overall sportier look. W205 (2014–)[edit] W205 Mercedes-Benz C 220 BlueTEC Avantgarde (W 205) – Frontansicht, 20. Juni 2014, Düsseldorf.jpg Overview Production February 4, 2014-present Model years 2015- Assembly Bremen, Germany East London, South Africa Pune, India Beijing, China (Beijing Benz) Tuscaloosa Alabama USA (MBUSI) Pekan, Malaysia (DRB-HICOM) Body and chassis Body style 4-door saloon 5-door estate Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) The current generation W205 C-class was released at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. It is the first car to use the all-new Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform. The new structure is significantly lighter using aluminum extensively throughout the body, resulting in a 220-pound weight decrease.[10] According to Mercedes-Benz, the structure will be much more rigid than other vehicles in its class.[11] The car was officially unveiled on 16 December 2013.[12] W205 production commenced on 4 February 2014 at the Bremen plant.[13] European sales began in March 2014, while the vehicle went on sale in North America in September 2014. Production and sales[edit] [show]Calendar year Production (sedan/estate/coupe) US sales China sales On 10 December 2009, Daimler announced the production of the C-Class will be concentrated at the Bremen plant with additional production in the United States for the local market.[23] Concepts[edit] Siemens, employing prototype hybrid technology, showed off a modified Mercedes C-Class Sport Coupe that boasts faster acceleration, more torque—and better fuel economy—than its gasoline-powered equivalent. However, the company admitted that the car was "far from ready for production", and too expensive to manufacture or sell. Karmann also showed a concept of the W203 Sportcoupe (prefacelift), which was turned into a convertible car with softtop. This prototype never reached production status. References[edit] Notes[edit] 1.Jump up ^ Patent USD346570 - Automobile - Google Patents 2.Jump up ^ "DPMAregister - Designs - Registerauskunft zum Design". dpma.de. Retrieved 24 January 2015. 3.Jump up ^ Mercedes-Benz-Blog: Mercedes-Benz-Blog TRIVIA: Meeting point Mercedes - 25 years of the C-Class 4.Jump up ^ europe.autonews.com/article/19970303/ANE/703030836/a-class-sets-new-record-for-mercedes 5.Jump up ^ "Mercedes-AMG GT S: Bernd Mayländers neues Safety-Car". 9 March 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015. 6.Jump up ^ W203 C-Class Design Studies 7.Jump up ^ Patent USD433653 – Exterior surface configuration of a motor vehicle – Google Patents 8.Jump up ^ "DPMAregister - Designs - Registerauskunft zum Design". dpma.de. Retrieved 24 January 2015. 9.Jump up ^ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0-5-693758-1-693744-1-0-0-0-0-0-13-7163-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html 10.Jump up ^ Wayne Cunningham (24 November 2014). "2015 Mercedes-Benz C-class review - CNET". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 24 January 2015. 11.Jump up ^ "Mercedes-Benz shows 2014 C-Class interior cabin". Worldcarfans.com. Retrieved 17 January 2014. 12.Jump up ^ http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1642522-1-1658166-1-0-0-0-0-1-0-1549054-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1419958031572 The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class: C-Class at its best 13.Jump up ^ "'Four continents. One passion.' - Production of the New C-Class Starts at the Mercedes-Benz Bremen Plant - Daimler > Company > News". daimler.com. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2015. 14.Jump up ^ "Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest Sales in Its History". Thefreelibrary.com. 3 January 2003. Retrieved 7 February 2011. 15.Jump up ^ "2004 Highest Year on Record for Mercedes-Benz USA". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 26 February 2011. 16.Jump up ^ "Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 26 February 2011. 17.Jump up ^ "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent In December 2008". Emercedesbenz.com. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2011. 18.Jump up ^ "Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an 18 Percent Increase for 2010". Prnewswire.com. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011. 19.Jump up ^ "Mercedes-Benz China Homepage - 2010 News - A Record-Breaking Year: Mercedes-Benz Concludes 2009 with Unprecedented Sales". Mercedes-benz.com.cn. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2011. 20.Jump up ^ "Successful Year for Mercedes-Benz: Sales Up 15 Percent Worldwide in 2010". Daimler. Retrieved 7 February 2011. 21.Jump up ^ "Mercedes-Benz China Homepage - 2011 News - 115% Growth - Mercedes-Benz Remains China's Fastest Growing Premium brand in 2010". Mercedes-benz.com.cn. Retrieved 7 February 2011. 22.Jump up ^ Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales Of 305,072 - MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ 23.Jump up ^ Decision on production of next-generation C-Class will improve competitiveness 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 0760304513. Clarke, R.M., ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Gold Portfolio 1983-1999. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 9781855207455. Clarke, R.M., ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Ultimate Portfolio 2000-2006. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 9781855207486. Engelen, Günter (2002). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen Band 3 Seit 1986 [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Volume 3 Since 1986]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021692. (German) Engelen, Günter (2003). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen Band 4 Seit 1996 [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Volume 4 Since 1996]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613023482. (German) Hofner, Heribert; Schrader, Halwart (2005). Mercedes-Benz Automobile Band 2: von 1964 bis heute [Mercedes-Benz Automobiles Volume 2: from 1964 to today]. Königswinter, Germany: Heel. ISBN 3898804194. (German) Kittler, Eberhard (2002). Typenkompass Mercedes-Benz Band 2. Personenwagen seit 1976 [Typenkompass Mercedes-Benz Volume 2. Passenger Cars since 1976]. Typenkompass series. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613022095. (German) Krämer, Michael (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]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613025965. (German) 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.; Lehbrink, Hartmut; von Osterroth, Jochen (2013). Mercedes (revised ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Ullmann Publishing. ISBN 9783848002672. Taylor, James (2009). Mercedes-Benz: Cars of the 1990s. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. pp. 8–27, 73–90. ISBN 9781847970961. Vieweg, Christof; Weyer, Peter (1997). Alles über die Mercedes-Benz-C-Klasse: eine Publikation der DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service [Everything about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: a publication of DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service] (in German). Stuttgart: DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service. ISBN 3980445771. Vieweg, Christof (2000). Alles über die Mercedes-Benz-C-Klasse: Modellreihe W 203: eine Publikation der DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service [Everything about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Model Series W 203: a publication of DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service] (in German). Stuttgart: DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service. ISBN 3932786114. Vieweg, Christof (2001). Alles über die Mercedes-Benz-C-Klasse: Limousine, T-Modell und Sportcoupé: eine Publikation der DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service [Everything about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Sedan, Wagon and Sport Coupé: a publication of DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service] (in German). Stuttgart: DaimlerChrysler-AG, Global Service. ISBN 3932786157. Vieweg, Christof (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.