Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz C 200 Avantgarde (W205)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Production	1993–present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201)

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-Classarrived 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 is available with4Matic (i.e. four-wheel drive) since 2002. The third generation (W204) was launched in 2007. The latest generation C-Class (W205) came out in 2014.

Although originally sold as sedan and station wagon, the W203 series in 2000 debuted a fastback/hatchback coupe 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-based C-Class coupe for the 2012 model year.

W202 (1993–2000)

W202
1997–2000 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

In October 1986, 3 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 Gunak being selected in 1989 and the production design byOlivier Boulay frozen in January 1990, being later 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.

W203 (2000–2007) 

W203
Mercedes Benz C 180 Kompressor (W203) Elegance sedan
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

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
Overview
Production	2007–2014
Model years	2008–2014
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate 2-door coupe

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–)

W205
Overview
Production	February 4, 2014–present
Model years	2015–present
Assembly	Bremen, Germany 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

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 extensively throughout the body, resulting in a 220-pound weight decrease.^[10] According to Mercedes-Benz, the structure will be much more rigid than other vehicles in its class.^[11]

The car was officially unveiled on 16 December 2013.^[12] W205 production commenced on 4 February 2014 at the Bremen plant.^[13] European sales began in March 2014, while the vehicle went on sale in North America in September 2014.

Production and sales

[]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.