Mercedes-Benz Reveals Upgraded 2013 C-Class Range

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a series of upgrades to the 2013 C-Class range, designed to appeal to both the corporate and retail markets. The enhancements help to lower running costs and can reduce BIK for business drivers by up to four per cent, giving the C-Class an even greater competitive advantage over premium compact rivals. In addition, the revisions have immediately had a positive impact on the already-strong residual values of the C-Class, with CAP announcing a five per cent (£450) increase in values for the entry-level trim grade.

Executive SE is the new entry point to the revised range for the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, C 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon and Estate, which includes a sports grille, new 16-inch alloy wheels, Artico upholstery and LED daytime running lights at a price increase of only £35 over the previous SE grade.

A new Luxury Package is available for Executive SE models to replace the former Elegance trim option. Carrying a £2,000 premium, it includes the three louver grille with bonnet-mounted star, 17” alloy wheels with a seven twin-spoke design, automatically dimming rear view mirror and folding exterior door mirrors, chrome trim on the side, rear and shoulder line, a storage package and brown Ash wood trim with a matt finish.

The Sport trim makes way in the 2013 C-Class for two new variants –AMG Sport and AMG Sport Plus. The AMG Sport Saloon and Estate cost £960 less than the previous Sport models, and feature 17-inch AMG wheels and halogen headlights. In addition, there is a tax saving on the new AMG Sport, thanks to a reduction in CO2 over the previous model. For example, the previous C 220 CDI Sport Saloon with manual transmission offered 133g CO2/km and BIK 2012/13 of 20%, giving a total BIK over 36 months of £7,865, based on an income tax bracket of 40%. By comparison, the new C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY AMG Sport Saloon with manual transmission gives 123g CO2/km and BIK 2012/13 of 18%. Therefore the total BIK over 36 months is £6,897, giving a total saving of £968.

The AMG Sport Plus, priced £1,000 above AMG Sport and just £35 over the previous Sport line, includes 18-inch bi-colour AMG alloys, bi-Xenon front lights with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive High Beam Assist, AMG sports seats, Black Artico/Dinamica upholstery with contrast red stitching, red seat belts, AMG floor mats with red edging and silver gearshift paddles (automatic transmission only).

In the C-Class Coupe, the pricing and specification of the AMG Sport are unchanged, but an AMG Sport Plus version is now available for an additional £1,000. The comprehensive list of trim additions includes 18-inch bi-colour AMG alloys, an AMG boot lip spoiler in body colour, AMG sports seats, Black Artico/Dynamica upholstery with the contrast red stitching on the seats and door panels, red seat belts, AMG floor mats with red edging and silver gearshift paddles (automatic transmission only).

A £530 AMG Handling Package is offered on the C-Class Coupe to uprate the steering, engine, exhaust and transmission response, as well as introducing unique styling touches. The Dynamic Handling Package continues to be available on selected Saloon and Estate models.

New engine

The C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY is powered by a new ultra-efficient 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine and is accompanied by electric power steering to further bolster economy. With an output of 154 hp at 5,000 rpm, the new engine is almost as powerful as its predecessor while developing an identical 250 Nm of torque across a wider rev range – 1,250 to 4,000 rpm.

C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon returns 20.36kmph and 138 g CO2/km

C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Estate returns 20.36kmp and 139 g CO2/km

C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé returns 18.74kmph mpg and 149 g CO2/km

While the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is no longer offered in the C-Class Saloon and Estate, it is still available in the C-Class Coupé. In addition, the C 63 AMG performance models remain unaffected by the 2013 model year revisions.

Interior and exterior features

There are also new interior and exterior features, including revised colour options, repositioned cruise control and indicator stalks and easier-to-read silver graphics for the telematics screen. The telematics system in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz COMAND now includes eCall to report the car’s position to a call centre via GPS in the event of an emergency.