Sense Meets Sensuality
Revamping the popular C-Class was a risky move for Mercedes-Benz. After all, the compact luxury segment is loaded with highly competitive and fierce challengers. However, the new generation looks like another home run thanks to fresh, aggressive styling and enhanced comfort.
Out on the roads of Provence on a pleasantly warm yet not-so-sunny day of spring, the redesigned 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class feels right at home. Twists and turns come and go as elevation changes, and the car moves along effortlessly, never wavering or relenting.
It never aims for the extreme, either. Mercedes-Benz engineers preferred to create a cool, calm and collected sedan rather than working on a more spirited driving experience. Make no mistake: While the new C-Class can be pushed to the limit and tossed like a nimble, sporty compact, it's not the primary objective and never has been. Sometimes you do get the urge to crank things up a notch (especially on mountain passes), but it's best to just take in the scenery and savour every single minute spent in those beautifully supportive German seats.
Out on the roads of Provence on a pleasantly warm yet not-so-sunny day of spring, the redesigned 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class feels right at home. Twists and turns come and go as elevation changes, and the car moves along effortlessly, never wavering or relenting.
It never aims for the extreme, either. Mercedes-Benz engineers preferred to create a cool, calm and collected sedan rather than working on a more spirited driving experience. Make no mistake: While the new C-Class can be pushed to the limit and tossed like a nimble, sporty compact, it's not the primary objective and never has been. Sometimes you do get the urge to crank things up a notch (especially on mountain passes), but it's best to just take in the scenery and savour every single minute spent in those beautifully supportive German seats.
Hot new looks
In terms of styling, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is unquestionably the direct heir to the large S-Class (redesigned for 2014). The silhouette and front grille are similar, and overall the family ties couldn't be more obvious. By essentially miniaturizing its full-size sedan, the company somehow created a softer, rounder profile that I find slightly better sorted at first glance.
The C-Class has gained eight centimetres in total length, with most of that coming from the extended wheelbase. The result is a more solid, more planted feel on the road, not to mention extra passenger room, particularly in the back.
The interior of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is completely new, as well. The circular air vents derive from the S-Class, which I like, and the centre display sitting atop the dashboard (like in the CLA) is functional, although not exactly attractive.
Interestingly, the new centre controller that provides access to all the vehicle's functions and settings is now paired with an innovative touchpad your fingertips will love to play on. It makes browsing much simpler.
The C-Class cockpit is a very lovely place to be in, and the multi-way adjustable seats and steering column make it easy to find an ideal driving position, whether you're a tall driver or a stocky, short-legged guy like me.
The C-Class has gained eight centimetres in total length, with most of that coming from the extended wheelbase. The result is a more solid, more planted feel on the road, not to mention extra passenger room, particularly in the back.
The interior of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is completely new, as well. The circular air vents derive from the S-Class, which I like, and the centre display sitting atop the dashboard (like in the CLA) is functional, although not exactly attractive.
Interestingly, the new centre controller that provides access to all the vehicle's functions and settings is now paired with an innovative touchpad your fingertips will love to play on. It makes browsing much simpler.
The C-Class cockpit is a very lovely place to be in, and the multi-way adjustable seats and steering column make it easy to find an ideal driving position, whether you're a tall driver or a stocky, short-legged guy like me.
Lively and dynamic
Unfortunately, I did not get to try the 241-horsepower, turbocharged C 300 model that we'll be seeing in Canada. My first experience with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class mostly involved a European-spec C 250 with just 208 ponies under the hood.
While it proved lively and dynamic thanks to a 7G-Tronic autobox and 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, this particular model made quite a bit of noise. According to engineers, you can blame that on early production issues; they assured us it will all be fine when the car lands on our shores.
Meanwhile, the 329-horsepower, V6-equipped C 400 felt more explosive under acceleration, yet a tad less sharp and responsive in terms of handling and braking.
In both cases, the chassis is spectacularly stable, and the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tackles some of the most demanding roads with impressive ease. Kudos to the new Agility Control system, which allows the driver to select any of the various modes (from Eco to Sport+) to alter the handling characteristics of the car. My driving partner and I sampled each and every mode, but were happy to spend most of the drive in Comfort.
The new C-Class is exceptionally manoeuvrable. At one point, we ended up in a fairly tight area of Aix-en-Provence that's usually reserved for pedestrians, but the small sedan was up to the task and we managed to get out of there like it was no big deal.
Safety first
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with all the German automaker's technological advances. Active Parking Assist helps a lot, while Attention Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, and Distronic Plus (adaptive cruise control) are like a guardian angel for drowsy and/or distracted drivers.
When a risk of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out full autonomous braking. Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist are also part of the company's Intelligent Drive concept to enhance comfort and safety.
When it arrives in Canada this July, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available in two trim levels including C 300 and C 400. A diesel-powered C 300 BlueTEC will join the lineup next year, followed by a C-Class Plug-in Hybrid a few months later (likely for the 2016 model year).
In the end, the more refined and more comfortable 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reaches new heights not as a balls-out sports sedan, but rather as a sleek and smooth performer.
Unfortunately, I did not get to try the 241-horsepower, turbocharged C 300 model that we'll be seeing in Canada. My first experience with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class mostly involved a European-spec C 250 with just 208 ponies under the hood.
While it proved lively and dynamic thanks to a 7G-Tronic autobox and 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, this particular model made quite a bit of noise. According to engineers, you can blame that on early production issues; they assured us it will all be fine when the car lands on our shores.
Meanwhile, the 329-horsepower, V6-equipped C 400 felt more explosive under acceleration, yet a tad less sharp and responsive in terms of handling and braking.
In both cases, the chassis is spectacularly stable, and the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tackles some of the most demanding roads with impressive ease. Kudos to the new Agility Control system, which allows the driver to select any of the various modes (from Eco to Sport+) to alter the handling characteristics of the car. My driving partner and I sampled each and every mode, but were happy to spend most of the drive in Comfort.
The new C-Class is exceptionally manoeuvrable. At one point, we ended up in a fairly tight area of Aix-en-Provence that's usually reserved for pedestrians, but the small sedan was up to the task and we managed to get out of there like it was no big deal.
Safety first
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with all the German automaker's technological advances. Active Parking Assist helps a lot, while Attention Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, and Distronic Plus (adaptive cruise control) are like a guardian angel for drowsy and/or distracted drivers.
When a risk of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out full autonomous braking. Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist are also part of the company's Intelligent Drive concept to enhance comfort and safety.
When it arrives in Canada this July, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available in two trim levels including C 300 and C 400. A diesel-powered C 300 BlueTEC will join the lineup next year, followed by a C-Class Plug-in Hybrid a few months later (likely for the 2016 model year).
In the end, the more refined and more comfortable 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reaches new heights not as a balls-out sports sedan, but rather as a sleek and smooth performer.
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