Detroit, Michigan – On the eve of the North American International Auto Show media preview days in Detroit, Mercedes-Benz offered a sneak peak of its revised C-Class to a small crowd of press people. This presentation took place on the 9th of January at the Westin Book Cadillac hotel, a historic landmark located in the heart of downtown Detroit. And a historic presentation it was, as the 2012 C-Class will not be seen again before its public unveiling next March at the Geneva International Auto Show.
Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, shared this presentation with Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and Thomas Weber, Member of the Board for the Group Research & Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Schmidt referred to the change as being a facelift even though, he said “the new C-Class differs from its predecessor not only visually, but also through more than 2,000 new components. Other manufacturers would declare that an all-new car!”.
The front and rear receive new bolder styling. The vehicle also offers several new assistance systems like the ATTENTION ASSIST fatigue detection system and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.
In Europe, the baby Benz also gets new engines. The Canadian line-up, however, will retain its current powerplants. The 2012 C-Class also receives an enhanced 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. Customers will also benefit of the fuel-saving start-stop function, in Europe at least. Mercedes-Benz Canada did not confirm if and when Canada-bound C-Class vehicles would have start-stop.
This system helps reduce fuel consumption especially in city driving. In the case of the C350 sedan, for instance, fuel savings can reach as much as 31 percent, compared to the previous model’s average fuel consumption ratings.
The C-Class gets a redesigned instrument panel with premium look-an-feel, as well as a new generation of telematic systems, including a new instrument cluster with integrated displays for services such as Internet and three-dimensional city models.
The new baby Benz will enter Canadian dealerships at the end of Summer 2012. Canada will get the sedan, but not the wagon. “Demand does not justify it”, says JoAnne Caza, Mercedes-Benz Canada spokesperson. A diesel-engined C-Class is not expected either for the 2012 model year.
Mercedes introduced its first C-Class-size vehicle in 1982. At the time, it was known as the 190 Series. Since then, well over 8.5 million vehicles of that family of car have been sold worldwide.
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| Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com |
Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, shared this presentation with Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and Thomas Weber, Member of the Board for the Group Research & Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Schmidt referred to the change as being a facelift even though, he said “the new C-Class differs from its predecessor not only visually, but also through more than 2,000 new components. Other manufacturers would declare that an all-new car!”.
The front and rear receive new bolder styling. The vehicle also offers several new assistance systems like the ATTENTION ASSIST fatigue detection system and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.
In Europe, the baby Benz also gets new engines. The Canadian line-up, however, will retain its current powerplants. The 2012 C-Class also receives an enhanced 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. Customers will also benefit of the fuel-saving start-stop function, in Europe at least. Mercedes-Benz Canada did not confirm if and when Canada-bound C-Class vehicles would have start-stop.
This system helps reduce fuel consumption especially in city driving. In the case of the C350 sedan, for instance, fuel savings can reach as much as 31 percent, compared to the previous model’s average fuel consumption ratings.
The C-Class gets a redesigned instrument panel with premium look-an-feel, as well as a new generation of telematic systems, including a new instrument cluster with integrated displays for services such as Internet and three-dimensional city models.
The new baby Benz will enter Canadian dealerships at the end of Summer 2012. Canada will get the sedan, but not the wagon. “Demand does not justify it”, says JoAnne Caza, Mercedes-Benz Canada spokesperson. A diesel-engined C-Class is not expected either for the 2012 model year.
Mercedes introduced its first C-Class-size vehicle in 1982. At the time, it was known as the 190 Series. Since then, well over 8.5 million vehicles of that family of car have been sold worldwide.
 |
| Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com |
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