Mercedes-Benz presented the C-Class models in a comprehensively upgraded form at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit at the beginning of January 2011. The modernisation affected all vehicle areas: the design of the exterior and interior was revised, engines and power transmission were in some cases modified, new safety and assistance systems as well as updated infotainment technology were also available.
Without fundamentally changing the lines of the C-Class, the Mercedes-Benz stylists revamped numerous details to further sharpen the appearance of the new models and bring them closer to the brand's current design idiom. At the front of the vehicle, the more dynamically designed bumper, reshaped and lower-set air intakes and redesigned clear-glass headlamps caught the eye. The bonnet, now made of aluminium, benefited the vehicle weight.
A modified bumper was also used at the rear, making the C-Class models appear wider and lower. The tail lamps were fitted with a continuous glass cover and were more harmoniously integrated into the overall design of the rear end of the vehicle.
One focus of the facelift was the design of the vehicle interior. The instrument panel was completely new, in terms both of its design and of the surface materials used. In addition, a modified trim concept was realised, which further accentuated the sportier and overall higher-quality feel of the interior. Modernised telematics devices and a new instrument cluster with integrated display rounded off the comprehensive revision of the cockpit area.
In general, the two equipment lines ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE were more strongly differentiated from each other, above all by new trim parts.
As a synonym for high output coupled with low fuel consumption and CO₂ emission values, all available engine versions were given the suffix BlueEFFICIENCY in the C-Class model designations. The rear-wheel drive versions were now equipped with the environmentally friendly ECO start/stop function as standard. In addition, the further advanced 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-speed automatic transmission, available as an option, was available for the entire model range – with the exception of the C 300 CDI 4MATIC. New final drive ratios also delivered additional fuel economy benefits for all powertrains.
In total, the buyer of a facelifted C-Class Estate initially had a choice of four petrol and seven diesel models in a finely structured performance range. The petrol-engined models started with the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY with 115 kW/156 hp and ranged from the C 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with 135 kW/184 hp and the C 250 BlueEFFICIENCY with 150 kW/204 hp to the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY with 225 kW/306 hp. The V6 petrol engine from the M 276 engine series used in the latter model was further revised in terms of increased efficiency. The engine, configured according to the innovative BlueDIRECT concept and equipped with direct injection, now provided 10 kW/14 hp more power than the predecessor unit; the maximum torque also increased from 365 Nm to 370 Nm. In contrast, the combined consumption values decreased: according to the NEDC standard, they were now only 7.1 to 7.3 l/100 km instead of the previous 9.9 to 10.4 l/100 km.
The range of diesel models started with the C 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 88 kW/120 hp and extended to the C 200 CDI Blue EFFICIENCY with 100 kW/136 hp, the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 125 kW/170 hp, the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 150 kW/204 hp, which was also available as an all-wheel drive 4MATIC version, to the C 300 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY with 170 kW/231 hp and the C 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 195 kW/265 hp. The most economical C-Class model was still the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, which achieved a combined standard consumption of 4.7 to 5.2 l/100 and CO₂ emissions of 124 to 135 g/km with a 6-speed manual transmission and ECO start/stop function.
With a host of new driver assistance systems tailored to particularly common causes of accidents, the updated C-Class models continued to represent the top of their segment in terms of occupant protection and accident prevention. In the event of hazardous situations arising, these systems based on radar, camera and sensor technology issued visual and/or acoustic warnings or actively carried out targeted interventions in the driving process. Available features included Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection, DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control, Headlamp Assist, Speed Limit Assist, Intelligent Light System, PARKTRONIC including parking guidance and PRE-SAFE® brake. Essentially, these systems were combined in two optional equipment packages – the Driver Assistance Package PLUS and the Lane Keeping Package.
A new generation of telematics devices with a larger display and improved ease of use also celebrated its premiere in the updated C-Class and was subsequently introduced in all Mercedes-Benz passenger car model series. Characteristic features included wireless music playback via Bluetooth® and a USB interface housed in the front centre armrest. The optionally available COMAND Online multimedia system now also included internet access. As a particularly economical solution, a Becker® MAP PILOT navigation solution was also offered for the basic Audio 20 infotainment system, which could be controlled via the central controller and could alternatively be retrofitted.
Shortly after the market launch of the modernised C-Class in spring 2011, the C 63 AMG high-performance saloon, which had also been revamped, rolled into the showrooms of Mercedes-Benz sales partners from July of the same year. The development focused on more a striking look for the bodyshell, the use of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission already familiar from, among others, the SLS AMG super sports car, optimisations to the AMG sports suspension and the launch of new assistance systems to support the driver.
The front of the vehicle was characterised by a redesigned radiator grille, a new AMG front apron with side air outlets and LED daytime running lights reserved for AMG models only, new clear-glass headlamps and an aluminium bonnet fitted with modified powerdomes. Significantly widened wings, now bearing the "6.3 AMG" logo behind the wheel arches, housed new high-sheen, AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey, with 235/40 R18 (front) and 255/35 R18 (rear) tyres. At the rear, the redesigned AMG rear apron with three diffuser fins caught the eye, as did the AMG sports exhaust system with its two chrome-plated twin tailpipes.
A technical highlight was the installation as standard of the direct-shifting AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, which operated without a torque converter and was instead equipped with a wet clutch. It combined the agile feedback of a manual transmission with the comfort of an automatic. The four available drive programs "S", "S+", "M" and "C" covered all requirements from relaxed to distinctly sporty driving styles and deployed extremely fast gearshifts to help the C 63 AMG achieve pronounced spontaneity and efficiency. The latter was represented in particular by drive program "C" – "Controlled Efficiency" – which upshifted emphatically early and smoothly, thus reducing fuel consumption. In combination with a new, also efficiency-optimised power steering pump, this resulted in a reduction of the average fuel consumption of the saloon to 12.2 to 12.3 l/100 km according to the NEDC standard, which corresponds to a drop of around 10%. Correspondingly, CO₂ emissions were reduced to 285 g/km.
The naturally aspirated V8 engine of the C 63 AMG with a displacement of 6208 cc remained essentially unchanged. This also applied to its key data with an output of 336 kW/457 hp at 6800 rpm and a peak torque of 600 Nm at 5000 rpm. As before, the sporty top model of the C-Class thus held the lead in the competitive environment. The C 63 AMG Estate accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The AMG Performance Package Plus, which was still available as an option, further enhanced these figures to 358 kW/487 hp and 4.5 seconds. In addition, the top speed increase from the standard, electronically controlled 250 km/h to – likewise electronically controlled – 280 km/h was available as a feature of the AMG Driver's Package, which could be specified on request, unchanged.
The chassis of the Performance Estate, on the other hand, benefited from a radical overhaul. Generally redesigned axle kinematics with more pronounced negative camber, a new, more sensitive spring/damper set-up as well as a reinforced multi-link rear axle and larger stabilisers delivered greater driving agility and increased ride comfort at the same time.
The interior design was also significantly upgraded. Visually, the updated instrument panel with integrated screen, the three-spoke AMG Performance leather steering wheel with a motorsport-style flat rim at the top and bottom and aluminium gearshift paddles, as well as new upholstery fabric combinations for the AMG sports seats, stood out. Newly designed trim elements rounded off the sporty, exclusive look of the interior. For further visual and technical individualisation, special equipment from the designo range and the AMG Performance Studio range was available.
The same electronic assistance systems that had previously been introduced for the other revised C-Class models were now available for the C 63 AMG. This also applied to the modernised generation of telematics devices with a larger screen, improved ease of use and expanded functionalities. The optionally available COMAND Online top version for the first time also offered internet access when the vehicle was stationary.
At the Geneva Motor Show held in March 2012, Mercedes-Benz presented a new base engine version of the C-Class available for all body styles. The 1595 cc petrol engine of the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY belonged to the newly developed M 274 engine series. Turbocharged, it was the first four-cylinder to be equipped with the BlueDIRECT technology already used in the existing V6 and V8 engines. Despite the lower displacement compared to its predecessor, the power output of the new engine, which was almost 20% lighter, was unchanged. As before, it delivered 115 kW/156 hp, now at 5300 rpm. However, the pulling power of the nominally smaller new four-cylinder proved superior: its identical peak torque of 250 Nm was already available at 1250 rpm instead of 1600 rpm.
In addition to the reduced internal friction in the 1.6-litre engine, additional technical measures ensured a further increase in efficiency. These included the well-known ECO start/stop function and the use of a number of demand-controlled ancillaries, such as a two-stage oil pump. As a result, the fuel consumption of a C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY model according to the NEDC standard was reduced to between 5.9 and 6.4 l/100 km and corresponding CO₂ emissions to 139 g/km – a reduction of around 1 l/100 or at least 21 g/km compared to the previous model.
Also at the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented the AMG Plus Sports Package, which was optionally available for all body variants of the C-Class. In addition to the equipment features of the familiar AMG Sports Package, it included AMG light-alloy wheels painted in high-gloss black with a 7-twin-spoke design, the AMG spoiler at the rear (only for Saloon and Coupé) and black sports seats with special upholstery material. In addition, red contrasting topstitching, for example on the seats, interior trim and armrest, seat belts in the same colour and other special details, such as AMG floor mats edged in red, visually enhanced the interior.
In April 2012, further improvements were made to the entire C-Class model range. In addition to a new update of the multimedia functions, this included a range of new paint colours and an ECO display in the instrument cluster, which showed a percentage value for the respective fuel savings achieved, depending on the driving style.
There was reason to celebrate at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen when the one millionth vehicle of the current C-Class family, consisting of Saloon, Estate, Coupé and the GLK based on the C-Class platform, rolled off the production line in mid-November 2012. The vehicle was a C 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Estate in polar white paintwork.
Among other things, a further power injection of 37 kW/50 hp distinguished the C 63 AMG models of the "Edition 507" presented to the world public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of March 2013. The resulting 373 kW/507 hp raised the performance potential of all C 63 AMG versions even further: the "Edition 507" models completed the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h two tenths of a second faster than the respective standard versions. For the Estate, the corresponding value dropped to 4.3 seconds. All C 63 AMG "Edition 507" models were equipped as standard with the AMG Driver's Package, which, in addition to increasing the electronically limited top speed to 280 km/h, also included a voucher for participation in a driver training course at the AMG Driving Academy, during which fundamental driving knowledge and optimal use of the available driver assistance systems were taught.
The new increase in power from the AMG 6.3-litre V8 was based on the transfer of performance components from the engine of the SLS AMG super sports car. Forged pistons, new connecting rods, a lightened crankshaft and a revised engine management system helped the large-volume eight-cylinder to achieve even higher revs and greater spontaneity. The external distinguishing feature of the high-performance engine was a variable-length intake manifold painted titanium grey.
Externally, the C 63 AMG "Edition 507" models were distinguished by subtle modifications. The most eye-catching features were the aluminium bonnet with two air vents taken from the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series, the new forged AMG cross-spoke light-alloy wheels with 235/35 R19 tyres at the front and 255/30 R19 tyres at the rear, and AMG racing stripes above the longitudinal member panels.
On the technical side, the Edition models benefited from the use of a further improved AMG high-performance brake system, among other things. Composite brake discs with red-painted 6-piston aluminium fixed callipers at the front and steel brake discs, also internally ventilated and perforated, with red 4-piston fixed callipers at the rear did the deceleration work.
The interior design of the "Edition 507" models was characterised by further enhanced individuality. Three different versions of the leather interior were available, two of them two-tone with contrasting decorative topstitching and one in solid black. Numerous details made the special status of the Edition models clear, for example the AMG Performance steering wheel with Alcantara® covering including the typical motorsport top centre marking, the red applications in the AMG instrument cluster or the high-gloss black piano lacquer trim elements.
The equipment of the "Edition 507" was available at a surcharge of 11,602.50 euros.
From April 2013, a specially designed special model was also available for all conventional variants of the C-Class. Under the designation Edition C, it came with an exclusively tailored range of equipment. External distinguishing features were the radiator grille with black high-gloss louvres and chrome application, darkened headlamps and the chrome tailpipe trim of the exhaust system. In addition, black-painted, high-sheen 17-inch alloy wheels in a 5-spoke design were used, on which 225/45 R17 tyres were fitted all round. In the AVANTGARDE equipment line, 245/40 R17 tyres were specified on the rear axle; in this case, the equipment package also included front and rear aprons and longitudinal member panels in AMG bodystyling.
In the interior, the Edition C models displayed special touches including black sports seats with two-tone contrast stitching, trim elements in dark aluminium and a three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel with nappa leather upholstery. The interior design of the special models was rounded off by a black roof liner, door centre panels with contrasting topstitching and velour floor mats. The Edition C equipment also included a 4.5-inch multifunction colour display in the instrument cluster, the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system and folding rear seat backrests that offered a large through-loading feature to the luggage compartment. The Edition C equipment was available for all models at a gross list price of 1785.00 euros. If the Saloon and Estate were ordered in the AVANTGARDE equipment line, the premium was reduced to 1011.50 euros
In parallel with the Edition C, Mercedes-Benz presented a new all-wheel-drive entry-level model that expanded the range of C-Class Estate models: the C 220 CDI 4MATIC with a 125 kW/170 hp common-rail diesel engine – the additional designation BlueEFFICIENCY had meanwhile been dropped from this model as from all others. In addition, all C-Class vehicles benefited from a new functional expansion of the optionally available COMAND Online multimedia system as well as a technical upgrade of the Audio 20 CD radio, which was part of the standard equipment.
In August 2013, Mercedes-Benz was able to report that more than 10 million C-Class vehicles had been delivered since market launch in 1982, including more than 2.3 million Saloon, Estate and Coupé models of the current 204 series alone, which had been in production since 2007. Around 36,000 units were added to the estates by the end of series production of the last models in March 2014.
In the last year of supply, the gross list prices for petrol models ranged from 35,134.75 euros for the C 180 to 49,206.50 euros for the C 350. The high-performance C 63 AMG model was last priced at 75,029.50 euros. The diesel-engined Estate models started at 35,253.75 euros for the C 180 CDI and ended at 50,218.00 euros for the rear-wheel-drive C 350 CDI – the exact same sum for which the all-wheel-drive C 300 CDI 4MATIC was offered.
In terms of production figures up to the end of the S 204 model series, there were hardly any structural changes for the vehicles built after the facelift compared to the vehicles from the first production cycle. Both the significantly lower unit sales level compared to the C-Class Saloon and the clear dominance of diesel models remained. Demand for more powerful models, especially those with six-cylinder petrol or diesel engines, also remained relatively limited.
As before, the first two places in the Estate production ranking were occupied by the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY or C 220 CDI and the C 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY or C 200 CDI. By the end of the model series in March 2014, around 68,000 and 42,000 units of these two models had left the production lines respectively. The two petrol engines most in demand were – still far behind – the direct-injection C 200 BlueEFFICIENCY or C 200 and the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY or C 180, which accounted for just under 23,000 and 20,000 vehicles respectively. In the six-cylinder segment, the diesel models C 300 CDI 4MATIC and C 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY or C 350 CDI led the statistics with an almost identical production figure of a good 3300 units each. This was followed by the AMG versions of the five-door model with around 2100 vehicles.
