Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Production	1993–present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact premium car
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz 190 E (W201)

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a line of compact premium cars produced by Daimler AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 (W201) range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's lineup until the A-Class arrived in 1997. The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany as well as numerous satellite factories in other countries. The first C-Class (W202) sedan was produced on 1 June 1993, and the first of the second generation (W203) rolled off the assembly line on 18 July 2000. The C-Class has been available with a 4Matic (i.e. four-wheel drive) option since 2002. The third generation (W204) was launched in 2007. The latest generation C-Class (W205) came out in 2014.

Though originally available as a sedan and a station wagon, the W203 series in 2000 debuted a fastback coupé (SportCoupé) version that, when facelifted, became the Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class. The CLC-Class remained in production until 2011 when it was replaced by a new W204 C-Class coupé for the 2012 model year.

W202 (1993–2000)

W202
Overview
Production	May 1993–2000
Model years	1994–2000
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door wagon

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz C 220 sedan

In October 1986, three years into Mercedes-Benz W201 (190)'s production run, work began on a successor. Design work began in 1987, with the final design by Murat Günak being selected in 1989 and the production design by Olivier Boulay delayed in January 1990, finally being patented on 19 December 1990.^[1][2][3][4] Rough prototypes went into testing in 1989, with first production design prototypes commencing testing in 1990. In May 1993, the first generation W202 C-Class was introduced as a replacement for the 190. The C-Class sedan was the company's entry-level model up until 1997, when Mercedes launched the A-Class. Styling themes were carried over from the previous W201 series, but the new series had a smoother and rounder design than the previous generation of compact Mercedes, with styling cues from the W124 E-Class (short, high trunk and taller tail lights), W140 S-Class (front end), and R129 SL-Class (headlights).

During the 1996 and 1997 Formula 1 seasons, the C36 AMG served as the sport's Safety Car.^[5]

W203 (2000–2007)

W203
Overview
Production	July 2000 – December 2006
Model years	2001–2007
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz C 180 K sedan

In 1994, development began on the W203 C-Class. Design work commenced in mid-1994, with the final design being approved in December 1995 by the executive board.^[6] Design patents were filed on 20 April 1998 and 4 March 1999.^[7][8] Testing began in 1997, with development concluding in 2000. The second generation C-Class was introduced in March 2000. The sedan debuted with a range of inline-four and V6 petrol engines and inline-four and -five diesels, later W203's received the a V6 diesel. Most of the engines were carried over from the W202, but the C320 was exclusive, offering 160 kW (218 PS). The diesels now featured common rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbochargers. A six-speed manual gearbox was optional on some of the range, With exception to the C320 and C32 AMG. Notably (post 2005), for the first time, the number designations were no longer equivalent to the engine displacement, more specifically in the C 200 (1.8-litre), C240 (2.6-litre) and C200 CDI (2.2-litre).

W204 (2007–2014)

W204
Overview
Production	2007–2014
Model years	2008–2014
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupe

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz C 200 CGI sedan

DaimlerChrysler introduced the W204 C-Class on 18 January 2007^[9] and displayed it in the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. Sales started on 31 March 2007 in almost all European countries. The new family had an extended wheelbase and tracks, a stiffer bodyshell and a design inspired by the W221 S-Class with some influences from the C219 CLS-Class. The C-Class received a facelift in 2011 for the 2012 model year including new LED taillights, a revised dashboard and instrument cluster layout, and a revised front fascia and headlights.

W205 (2014–present)

W205
Overview
Production	4 February 2014–present
Model years	2015–present
Assembly	Bremen, Germany Iracemápolis, Brazil Pune, India East London, South Africa Beijing, China (Beijing Benz) Tuscaloosa Alabama USA (MBUSI) Pekan, Malaysia (DRB-HICOM)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door convertible 2-door coupe

Mercedes-Benz C 200 sedan

The current generation W205 C-class was launched at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. It is the first car to use the all-new Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform. The new structure is significantly lighter using aluminium and high strength steel extensively throughout the body, resulting in a 100-kilogram (220 lb) weight decrease.^[10]

The car was officially unveiled on 16 December 2013.^[11] W205 production commenced on 4 February 2014 at the Bremen plant.^[12] Production also occurs at Mercedes-Benz plants in East London, South Africa, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. European sales began in March 2014, while the vehicle went on sale in North America in September 2014.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class 205 chassis spawned four C-Class bodystyles; Sedan (W205), Wagon (S205), Coupe (C205), and Cabriolet (A205).

Production and sales

On 10 December 2009, Daimler announced the production of the C-Class will be concentrated at the Bremen plant with additional production in the United States for the domestic market.^[24]

References

Notes

Bibliography

General

Workshop manuals

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Press Kit:

• TecDay: testing of the new C-Class
• TecDay: Comfort development for the new C-Class

Press Kit (2011–):

• The new-generation C-Class: Dynamic appearance – inside and out
• Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé