Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a line of compact executive 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.

Contents 1 W202 (1993–2000) 2 W203 (2000–2007) 3 W204 (2007–2014) 4 W205 (2014–present) 5 Production and sales 6 Concepts 7 References 7.1 Notes 7.2 Bibliography 7.2.1 General 7.2.2 Workshop manuals 8 External links

W202 (1993–2000)
W202

1997-2000 Mercedes-Benz C 200 (W202) Classic sedan 01.jpg Facelift Mercedes-Benz C 200 (W202) Classic sedan

Overview

Production May 1993–2000

Model years 1994–2000

Body and chassis

Body style 4-door sedan 5-door wagon

Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202)

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz C 220 Elegance (Australia) 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

2002 Mercedes-Benz C 180 Kompressor (W203) Elegance sedan (2015-07-09) 01.jpg

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

Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203)

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz C 180 Kompressor (Australia) 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. Most of the engines were carried over from the W202, but the C 320 was exclusive, offering 160 kW (218 PS). The diesels now featured common rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbochargers. Six-speed manual gearboxes were now standard for the entire range, except the C 320. Notably, for the first time, the number designations were no longer equivalent to the engine displacement, more specifically in the C 200 (1.8-litre), C 240 (2.6-litre) and C 200 CDI (2.2-litre).

W204 (2007–2014)
W204

Mercedes Benz C 180 CGi 2013 (11410856014).jpg

Overview

Production 2007–2014

Model years 2008–2014

Body and chassis

Body style 4-door saloon 5-door estate 2-door coupe

Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz C 200 CGI (Australia) 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

Mercedes-Benz C 220 BlueTEC Exclusive (W 205) – Frontansicht, 12. Juli 2014, Düsseldorf.jpg

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 saloon 5-door estate

Main article: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205)

Mercedes-Benz C 200 sedan (Australia) 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] European sales began in March 2014, while the vehicle went on sale in North America in September 2014.

Production and sales
[show]Calendar year

Production (sedan/estate/coupe)

US sales

China 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 local market.[24]

Concepts
Siemens, employing prototype hybrid technology, showed off a modified Mercedes C-Class Sport Coupe that boasts faster acceleration, more torque—and better fuel economy—than its gasoline-powered equivalent. However, the company admitted that the car was "far from ready for production", and too expensive to manufacture or sell.

Karmann also showed a concept of the W203 Sportcoupe (prefacelift), which was turned into a convertible car with softtop. This prototype never reached production status.