Mercedes-Benz C-Class: The domestically produced new C-Class is about to be launched, starting at 308,000 RMB.

When it comes to luxury cars and high-end vehicles, most people would immediately think of Mercedes-Benz. As a well-known German luxury brand in the domestic market, Benz has long been famous, but its market performance is far from as good as imagined.

Minor changes in appearance and interior, no change in body size: Unlike the vertical replacement of the old Audi A4 upgraded to the new A4L, the upcoming new C-Class by Mercedes-Benz is only a minor facelift model. Analyzing according to the traditional 7-year generational change of German cars, the current C-Class, which was introduced to the market in 2007, will not see its next-generation model until at least 2014.

Since it is only a minor facelift model, the changes in the domestically produced new C-Class are limited to minor modifications in appearance and interior. Changes in details such as the newly designed headlights and LED turn signals, LED daytime running lights, and tail lights integrated with LED sources make the new C-Class look more dynamic and more contemporary. The interior design, which is close in style and shape to the new E-Class, breaks away from the ordinariness of the old model and showcases the consistent noble elegance of Mercedes-Benz models.

In terms of body size, the length, width, and height of the new domestically produced C-Class are 4581mm, 1770mm, and 1448mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2760mm, completely identical to the old model. Of course, the unchanged body size will not significantly affect the interior space. From consumer feedback, the space of the C-Class is merely sufficient, still some distance from being spacious.

The introduction of automatic parking is commendable; the estimated price is 308,000 RMB

As a mid-size car from Mercedes-Benz, consumers naturally do not need to worry too much about its configuration. According to relevant materials obtained by Pacific Auto, the entry-level C180K Classic can provide configurations including ESP system, front row front/side airbags, front/rear side curtain airbags, collision-responsive neck protection headrests for the front row, preventive safety system (PRE-SAFE), attention alert system (ATTENTION ASSIST), hill start assist function, automatic headlights, tire pressure monitoring, electrically adjustable/heated rearview mirrors, electric sunroof, 12-button luxury multi-function steering wheel, electric adjustment of front seats, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control system, COMAND central controller, 205/55 R16 tires, etc. For ordinary consumers, this entry-level C-Class can basically meet daily needs, with its only drawback being the lack of a reversing radar.

The C200 Elegance, one level higher than the C180K, adds configurations such as speed-sensitive power steering system, automatic parking assistance system, four-way electric adjustment of the steering wheel, remote control opening of the trunk inside the car, driver seat/driver's steering wheel/external rearview mirror combination memory function, and driver convenience entry function. In addition to the low-end Elegance model, there is also a high-end Fashion model available for the C200, which adds configurations such as electric folding rearview mirrors, front seat heating, xenon headlights with automatic cleaning device, adaptive high beam assist function, intelligent lighting system, automatic anti-glare internal and driver-side external rearview mirrors, black privacy glass for the rear windows and rear windshield, and 225/45 R17 tires.

The C260 Fashion model adds configurations such as rain sensors and infinitely adjustable intermittent wipers, automatic closing of the sunroof in the rain, multimedia Chinese voice control system, and Chinese highway hard disk navigation system based on the C200 Fashion model. The top-of-the-line C300 Fashion model has almost the same configuration level as the C260 Fashion model.

In terms of pricing, considering the large cash discounts on the old C-Class at dealerships, the price of the new model should be roughly the same as the old model, with 308,000 RMB likely becoming the official starting price for the new C180K Classic model. As for the top-of-the-line C300 Fashion model, its price may be set around 478,000 RMB.