Mercedes-Benz C-Class 3rd Generation W204

2007–present

Production	2007–present
Model years	2008–present
Body style	4-door saloon, 5-door estate
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W204
Engine	1.6 L-1.8 L M271 I4 Kompressor 2.5–3.5 L M272 V6 6.2 L M156 V8 AMG 2.1 L OM611 Diesel I4 2.1 L OM651 Diesel I4 3.0 L OM642 Diesel V6
Transmission	6-speed manual 5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,760 mm (108.7 in)
Length	4,582 mm (180.4 in) (sedan) 4,596 mm (180.9 in) (wagon) 4,726 mm (186.1 in) (C63 AMG sedan)
Width	1,770 mm (69.7 in) 1,795 mm (70.7 in) (C 63 AMG)
Height	1,447 mm (57.0 in)

DaimlerChrysler introduced a new generation of the C-Class on January 18, 2007 and displayed it in the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. Sales started on March 31, 2007 in almost all European countries. The new vehicle has an extended wheelbase and tracks, a stiffer bodyshell and a design inspired by the most recent S-Class and some hints from the CLS-Class.

In the summer of 2003, the development of the W204 C-Class involved the use of a final design "digital prototype", which put a 2.1 terabyte digital replica of the car through a 15 million mile road course. This is an industry first which allowed for crash testing and more, before a physical prototype was actually constructed. The design of W204 was frozen in 2003 and German design patents were first filed on September 9, 2004, showcasing a W204 prototype.

Unlike the previous generations, the Estate (station wagon) version is no longer sold in North America, likely due to poor sales of the W203 model.

The Mercedes E-class coupe (W207) shares its platform with the C-class.

The W204 C-Class is the second best-selling entry-level luxury car in Canada and the United States, after the E90 BMW 3 Series.and is the most popular mid-priced sedan in Mexico

Early models include C 200 KOMPRESSOR, C 230, C 280, C 350, C 220 CDI, C 320 CDI. C 180 KOMPRESSOR, C 230, C 200 CDI were available beginning August 2007.

In 2012, the W204 C-Class featured in the Top 10 Best Selling Cars in Britain with over 37,261 sales, a first for Mercedes-Benz, although just behind it's rival, the BMW 3 Series at 44,521 sales.

Trim levels

The W204 C-Class has 4 trim levels of equipment – Classic, Elegance, Avantgarde, and AMG. The Classic is the base trim found only on the smaller four-cylinder engine models and come with Brighton cloth seats (ARTICO leather optional), while the Elegance has ARTICO leather (vinyl) upholstery standard (leather optional), and the Avantgarde has Liverpool/ARTICO fabric seats (leather optional). The Classic and Elegance lines retain the traditional Mercedes-Benz radiator grille usually on sedan models, with a three-point star bonnet emblem, and is designed to appeal to regular luxury buyers. The Avantgarde and AMG have a grille similar to that on Mercedes' sport coupe models, with three horizontal bars and a large centre-mounted star, plus there is additional equipment such as a three-spoke steering wheel, AMG bodykit, lower sport suspension, upgraded brake piston calipers, and larger alloy wheels, and these configurations are designed to position the C-Class as a sports sedan. Unlike previous generations of the C-Class and other contemporary Mercedes sedans which stayed with the traditional grille and hood ornament, the W204's advertising predominantly features the sport grille and AMG bodykit, especially in Canada and the United States.

In the United Kingdom, the Classic line is known as the SE, while the Avantgarde line is known as the Sport which has an AMG bodykit and AMG alloy wheels as standard. Most of the lineup consists of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, there is also a 3.5L V6 petrol and 3.5L V6 diesel, and the V8 petrol for the C63 AMG.

In the United States, the Elegance trim is on the C300 Luxury (RWD with 4MATIC option), while the Avantgarde is on the C300 Sport (only US market C-Class with available manual, RWD with 4MATIC option) and C350 Sport (RWD only). There is no Classic/SE trim, no four-cylinder engines, and no wagon body style. Both lines have an additional amber light in front of the front wheel well.

In Canada, only the AMG trim line is used, while Elegance/Luxury and Avantgarde/Sport trim names are not used. There is no Classic/SE trim, no four-cylinder engines, and no wagon body style. The base C230 (renamed the C250 from 2010 model year onward) is exclusive to the Canadian market and is the only model that has anemities similar to the Elegance/Luxury trim with the traditional grille and three-point star hood ornament. The other C-Class models (C300, C350, C63) all have the AMG bodykit and sport grille standard like the Avantgarde/Sport, and these are optional on the C230 via an $800 Sport Package (which rises to $1200 for the 2011 model year due to the new LED fog lights). All models, except for C63 AMG, are available in both RWD and 4MATIC.

 Equipment

For the 2008-11 model year vehicles, the middle of the dashboard has a sliding panel that reveals the color LCD screen, which displays radio and other vehicle secondary functions when the car is in operation. C-Class cars that have the COMAND APS with navigation receive a larger TFT screen (7-inch), which retracts to allow the panel to cover it when the vehicle shuts down.The 2012 model year facelift chances the interior layout considerably, as it removes the retractable cover and replaces it with a fixed screen connecting into the instrument cluster, making it similar to the E-Class and GLK-Class.

The 2010 models of the C-Class received a new style of turn signals on the side mirrors. For 2011 model year onwards, the bumper fog lamps in the AMG bodykit have been replaced by LED lights, except for the C63 AMG which retains its unique bumper.

There is a special system exclusive to this class, named 'Agility control' package, which through its unique concept provides drivers with excellent agility and ride quality. It achieves this feat through a hydro-mechanical set up, which constantly analyzes road conditions and driving 'habits', then it adjusts damper & suspension settings accordingly to provide the driver the best possible balance between ride comfort and agility. Buyers can opt for 'Advanced agility control' package that offers the 'sport' mode button.

 Vision C 220 BLUETEC (2007)

It is a concept sedan demonstrating Mercedes-Benz's first 4-cylinder BLUETEC Diesel engine complying with the EURO 6 emission standard. It includes an inline-4 cylinder variable nozzle turbocharged engine with third-generation common-rail direct injection rated 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) and 400 N·m (295 lb·ft), 6-speed manual transmission, exhaust gas recirculation, particulate filter, oxidising and SCR catalytic converters. The car accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, with the top speed of 229 km/h (142 mph).

 C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID (2007)

It is a near-production study based on the C-Class Estate. It includes a 4-cylinder engine and hybrid combine rated 224 PS (165 kW; 221 hp) and 560 N·m (413 lb·ft).

The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

 4MATIC models (2007-)

4MATIC models include 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, permanently active all wheel drive with 45:55 torque split, transfer case with multi-disc clutch centre differential, 4ETS traction control, Electronic Stability Program.

 C-Class Estate (2007-)

C-Class Estate was unveiled in 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show, and later in 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007, followed by Auto China 2010.

 BlueEFFICIENCY models (2008-)

These variants featured additional fuel savings over regular models. Fuel efficiencies were increased via weight reduction using newly developed windscreen made of laminated glass from Maybach saloon, optimised noise-insulating firewall lining, using forged lightweight wheels with low rolling resistance tyres from Michelin, lightweight transmission; reducing drag coefficient to 0.25 via smooth underbody cladding, radiator grille shutter, sealing the joins between the bonnet and headlamps, as well as between the bumper and headlamps, streamlined exterior mirrors housing, lowering the suspension by 15 millimetres, aerodynamically tuned wheels; servo pump shut-off in power steering system; new 6-speed manual transmission with newly developed final drive featuring further-improved antifriction bearings and forged differential gears, longer final-drive ratios (C 180 KOMPRESSOR, C 200 CDI); ECO Training mode cockpit; reduced engine displacement, optimising the combustion chamber, mixture formation and engine friction (C 180 KOMPRESSOR); direct injection with max 200 bar piezoelectric fuel injectors (C 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY).

AMG model

The C63 AMG is reportedly the first AMG-Mercedes designed from the ground up for performance. Its AMG C-Class predecessors had essentially featured "bolt on" performance modifications, and according to Car and Driver these earlier AMG models suffered from "relentless understeer" and "heavy steering". The C63 AMG has a revised front end suspension that is taken from the CLK 63 AMG Black Series.The ESP can now be completely turned off, interfering only under heavy braking. The C63 AMG also has the quickest, most responsive steering of any Mercedes to date. AOL Autos described the new C63 as the best driver's car in the Mercedes lineup.

The AMG 6.208L V8 engine, despite being detuned compared to other AMG offerings using the same powerplant, still provides the C63 AMG with more horsepower and torque over direct rivals such as the Audi RS4 and BMW M3.The 7G-Tronic automatic transmission has AMG SpeedShift with three shift modes – Comfort, Sport and Manual – with the last one running with the converter locked allowing the driver to hold the engine at the rev limit. Car and Driver tested the car in their December 2007 issue and recorded a 0–60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.3 seconds at 116 mph (187 km/h).This made the C63 AMG the quickest 4-door production sedan in the world at its debut.

 Concept 358 (2010)

It is a version of C 63 AMG sedan with designo Pearl Orange body colour, AMG Performance Package Plus, 19-inch multi spoke alloy wheels in black, KEYLESS-GO, extended designo leather upholstery.

 C-Class DR 520 (2011-)

It is a limited (20 units) edition of C 63 AMG with AMG Performance Package Plus for the UK market. Introduced by Mercedes Specialist Products Division, it includes increased engine power to 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) and 650 N·m (479 lb·ft)) of torque.

The DR 520 costs £9,995 above the standard C 63 AMG price, making the DR 520 Saloon £62,430 and the Estate £63,680.

Motorsports

C 63 AMG was the official Safety Car for the second DTM race of the season in Oschersleben.

C 63 AMG Estate became the Official F1 Medical Car in 2009 Formula 1 season.

C 63 AMG Estate with AMG Performance Package was used as official F1 Medical Car in 2011 Formula 1 World Championship series.

In 2012, C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY was replaced by 1,595 cc (97 cu in) turbo engine.

C 250 Sport is sold as C 250 Coupe in Canada.

C 63 AMG Estate is used as Formula 1 World Championship as Official F1 Medical Car.