2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class pricing announced

Mercedes-Benz has announced local pricing for its all-new C-Class range. And it's a story of less equals more — no six-cylinder models are in the offing and prices are up, but so too is standard equipment across the range.

Two turbocharged petrol engine variants will be offered, alongside three turbo-diesels — one coupled to a hybrid drive system to create the range topper. Significant active safety upgrades have meantime been added to the standard equipment list, with a range of technologies filtering down to the new C-Class from the latest E and S-Class ranges.

Prices have risen on base and mid-spec C-Class models by $1000 but this is more than offset by the extra kit and the move to offering Avantgarde spec level as standard across the line up. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz Australia (MBAu) insiders won't say officially how much extra value has been injected into the cars but privately admit that the latest mid-spec C 250 models (for example) are effectively around $10,000 cheaper spec for spec than the outgoing generation.

The all-new W205 C-Class was launched in Europe in March. Larger but lighter than the car it replaces, it features an all-new cabin inspired by the latest S-Class, more space and improved handling and ride. It's roll out Down Under will be staged over the next few months.

Pointedly, MBAu execs say no six-cylinder C-Class models will be launched "in the near future". Thus news that the high-performance twin-turbo V6 petrol C 450was destined to come Down Under may have been premature.

For the time being then, the local W205 lineup kicks off with paired turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel (Bluetec in Benz speak) C 200 models priced at $60,900 and $62,400 respectively.

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine rated at 135kW and 300Nm, the C 200 returns 6.0L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle and accelerates 0-100km/h in a spirited 7.3sec.  

Key standard equipment items include digital (DAB+) radio, nine airbags, rear camera, Artico seat surfaces, electric driver and front passenger seat adjustment, Garmin MapPilot satnav, keyless start, LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels. Also standard are blind spot assistance and, for the first time in a C-Class, autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

The C 200 Bluetec features identical standard equipment but is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel rated at 100kW/300Nm. Official ADR fuel figures are yet to be confirmed for the model, but Benz expects it will tip the scales below 4.1L/100km. It will go on sale later than its petrol counterpart — most likely around February next year.

Priced at $68,900 and $70,400 respectively, the C 250 and C 250 Bluetec offer a step up both in terms of performance and equipment.

The C 250's turbo-petrol 2.0-litre is boosted to 155kW and 350Nm and thus is good for a 6.6sec sprint 0-100km/h without any change to ADR combined fuel consumption (compared to C 200).

Standard equipment over the entry-level models include leather interior upgrade, keyless entry and start, 19-inch alloys and the inclusion of Mercedes' full Driver Assistance Package Plus. This includes a bevy of active driver aids and amenities including full adaptive cruise with stop and go (and AEB), steering assistance, active blind spot and lane-keeping assistance, cross traffic alerts and so on. It is effectively the same active safety suite that is offered on $300,000 S-Class models.

As is the case with the C 200 pairing, the 150kW/500Nm C 250 Bluetec matches its turbo petrol counterpart in terms of spec. It will be in dealer showrooms for the August debut.

Now confirmed for Australia and set to be the non-AMG C-Class flagship for the foreseeable future, the C 300 Bluetec Hybrid will also match the 250 in specification but promises better performance and better fuel consumption.

Set to arrive in September with the C 200 Bluetec, the 300 hybrid combines Benz's excellent 150kW and 500Nm four-cylinder turbo-diesel with a 20kW and 260Nm electric motor to achieve a combined consumption figure of around 3.8L/100km in Euro testing. MBAu expects the local figure to be the same or better. The hybrid will knock off the 0-100km/h run in around 6.4 seconds. 

While the fuel figure is not surprising, the price premium for the 300 Bluetec Hybrid certainly is... When it arrives in September, the C 300 will be offered for just $4500 more ($74,900) than the C 250 Bluetec it matches for spec.

Little wonder that MBAu expects the vehicle to be its best-selling hybrid. While the C200 and C250 models are in the ball park of their BMW 3 Series counterparts, the C 300 Bluetec Hybrid is around $25,000 cheaper than BMW's (admittedly six-cylinder) petrol-electric Active Hybrid 3.

MBAu will offer a range of option packs across the new C-Class range although generally the offering has been simplified. The three key packs it will offer comprise satnav and audio upgrades (Comand $2990), the addition of sunroof and smart headlamps (Vision $4490) and, of course, sports accoutrement (AMG Pack from $3490).

Four estate (wagon) models will join the local line-up in November 2014 and match their non-hybrid sedan counterparts in terms of powertrain and specification at a $2500 premium.

All estates models feature a power tailgate as standard. No 300 Bluetec Hybrid version of the estate will be offered.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan pricing:
C 200 $60,900
C 200 Bluetec $62,400
C 250 $68,900
C 250 Bluetec $70,400
C 300 Bluetec Hybrid $74,900