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Bruce Newton18 Aug 2014
NEWS

New Benz C-Class to drive record sales

Mercedes sales boom predicted to continue on the back of new C-Class

With “hundreds” of orders already placed and no issues with supply, Mercedes-Benz is certain its new W205 C-Class sedan will drive it to a new overall sales record in Australia this year.

In fact, it is hopeful the result will see it end the year with 30,000 sales and a place in the list of top 10 brands nationally in 2014.

“We are year-to-date number 11... we loved it when we got into the top 10 in May,” Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Senior Manager of Public Relations, Product and Corporate Communications David McCarthy told motoring.com.au.

“It’s not a goal -- it’s nice to have, but we don’t target top 10.

“But 30,000 units should be achievable this year, although it will be a stretch.”

Mercedes-Benz Australia’s current annual sales record of 23,106 was set last year, when the old W204 C-Class sedan – with help from the estate -- retained its mantle as the German brand's and the compact luxury segment's biggest seller, pipping the newer F30 BMW 3 series.

The two are neck-and-neck in 2014, although overall Benz is riding high on its range of small cars and AMG high-performance models, growing sales by more than 16 per cent and leading BMW by nearly 5000 units this year.

To the end of July Benz had sold 17,527 vehicles in Australia, according to VFACTS, compared to 15,076 for the same period in 2013. BMW’s tally is 12,778, while the third leg of the German luxury axis, Audi, has notched up 11,195 sales.

Now the W205, which is being presented to media in Victoria this week, arrives in an initial three-model sedan range, with a hybrid to follow late this year, followed by a four-model C-Class Estate line-up.

“We go on sale toward the end of August, so there won’t be many C-Class sales in August except demos,” explained McCarthy. “In September, October and December, that’s when the new C-Class will hit its straps.

“We don’t have supply issues... and knowing the level of enquiry on the car and that we already hold hundreds of orders, 30,000 sales (for Benz in 2014) is achievable.

“But stuff happens,” he cautioned. “A boat is late, you are held up at the wharf. There are so many facets. But it will be a record year for us, no doubt.”

McCarthy also revealed an increased promotional push would be given to the Estate when it arrives, as Benz aims to push upwards from the W204’s average around 600 sales per annum

“The new (estate) car is another step-up again and could well be worth 1000 sales per annum. In the scheme of things that is not huge, but it is certainly more than what other brands are doing.”

Essentially, the C-Class sedan launches as an all-four cylinder, direct-injection, Euro 6 emissions-compliant engine range, topped by a diesel-electric hybrid sedan dubbed the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid.

The turbo-petrol powered C 200 and C 250, and the C 250 BlueTEC diesel, arrive this month, followed in December by the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid in December and the C 200 BlueTEC next March.

Four Estate models will be offered starting in November, matching their non-hybrid sedan counterparts in terms of powertrains and specifications for a $2500 premium. All wagon models feature a powered tailgate as standard, but no C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Estate will be offered.

Pricing and equipment specifications for the new C-Class were announced in July, with the C 200 sedan opening the range at $60,900 plus on-road costs.

Prices are up $1000 on the 200s and 250s, but so is equipment levels – by $10,000 in the entry-level C 200, claims Mercedes. The 200s are raised to Avantgarde specification while the 250s and the 300 receive a suite of safety equipment that essentially flows straight from the S-Class.

Dubbed the Driver Assistance Package PLUS package, it includes steering assist and stop&go pilot, pre-safe brake with pedestrian recognition, pre-safe plus, BAS plus with cross-traffic assist, active blind spot assist and active lane keeping assist.

Standard equipment in the 200s up includes LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, collision prevention assist plus, electric seats and blind spot assist, Garmin map pilot sat-nav, ambient interior lighting throughout the cabin, DAB + digital radio, an electric park brake, keyless start, active parking assist and ‘agility select’, which offers five steering and transmission settings.

The majority of optional extras are divided into distinct packages; sat-nav and audio upgrades (Comand $2990), the addition of a sunroof and smart headlights (Vision $4490) and, of course, sports accoutrement (AMG Pack, from $3490).

The C 200 and 250 turbo-petrols are powered by different tunes of the M274 2.0-litre petrol engine, while the 200 BlueTEC uses the new OM626 1.6-litre and the 250 and 300 employ the twin-turbo OM651 2.1-litre diesel – the hybrid adding an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.

All sedan and wagon variants come standard with Benz’s seven-speed 7G-TRONIC Plus torque converter automatic, driving the rear wheels. A fuel-saving idle-stop function is standard.

The C 200 produces 135kW and 300Nm, and averages 6.0L/100km and 138g CO2/km. The C 250 increase performance to 155kW/350Nm while maintaining the C 200's efficiency.

The C 200 BlueTEC produces 100kW/300Nm, while the C250 BlueTEC delivers 150kW/500Nm while still consuming 4.5L/100km and emitting 116g/km.

The C 300 hybrid’s engine output is the same but the electric motor adds 20kW and 260Nm. Claimed fuel economy drops to an impressive 4.0L/100km.

The latest C-Class is the first car to ride on Benz’s new modular rear- and all-wheel drive MRA architecture, which is both stiffer and lighter than its predecessor. The ‘mini-me’ S-Class body is 95mm longer at 4686mm, 40mm wider at 1810mm and rolls on an 80mm-longer (2840mm) wheelbase.

The four-link front suspension is new, the five-link rear-end revised and a lowered sports tune optional. Airmatic air springs are a new option in this class. The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering is electrically assisted.

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