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| Mercedes C200 W204 |
Conservative view in the approach to the creation of Mercedes cars remained in the distant past. The updated C-Class is not so much has changed in appearance much changed inside. Followed by other representatives of the German trio, "Mercedes" came into the race of electronic weapons.
The latest generation of the C-Class came back in 2007 and immediately took a fairly strong position. "Treshka" BMW at the time sold for two years, and the new Audi A4 was released almost a year. I think it will not be wrong if I say that at the time, Mercedes-Benz is a pioneer, introducing new and more expensive technology to the mass class of compact sedans. And the donor to "tree" was not the E-class, which at the time was already "a hundred years in the afternoon," and has just debuted the flagship S-Class.
C-Class received an unusual contoured body shape, LED lights, new interior and a whole bunch of gadgets that are not available earlier. Since the start of sales in March 2007, "Mercedes" was able to realize more than 1 million cars, which confirms the well chosen course. In December 2007, the baton "Audi", releasing a very strong competitor in the face of the new A4. Interestingly, her body was very similar to the "Mercedes". Those raised lines, the unusual shape of the rear profile and turned up the trunk lid. But the main difference inside wings - unlike the C-class, A4 was equipped with proprietary multimedia system MMI, which opened for car owners broad prospects. The same thing happened two years later, when she made her debut updated BMW 3 Series. Even now, after 4 years, dorestaylingovy C-class still can easily compete with rivals in appearance, but the first glance at the instrument panel and the central display will cause the buyer spoiled boredom.
Not luxury sports
However, electronic eye is not obvious, so the first thing touch exterior of the car. Here, obviously, there were major battles between designers and ideologues of the brand. On the one hand the "Mercedes" long and consistently trying to add their cars youthfulness and thus refresh the average age of the buyer, on the other hand very much do not want to part with the company's marketing image of a luxury car with a three-beam star on the hood.
The updated C-face class was closer in style to the new SL and CL. Visually, the changes fit in the new headlights and bumper. Although in reality was the aluminum hood and the windshield add additional sensors and a camera.
Major improvements to the front of the car - new lights, similar to those of the new Mercedes-Benz SL and CL, added C-class identity. Reflectors housed inside diode marker lights unusual shape. It is possible that designers will try to grab for it, making a such a recognizable symbol. But the lower part of the bumper word copied from the older E-class - the same curves and chrome strip of daytime running lights.
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| Mercedes-Benz C200 W204 |
In any case, depending on the configuration and the car looks both luxurious and sporty. Wagon with a classic three-beam placement mascot continues restrained aristocratic style, sedan AMG-skirts with a huge logo on defiantly false radiator lattice hints at a troubled character and fresh blood in their veins.
The main change in the bi-xenon headlights - optional Adaptive Highbeam Assist. Thanks to the camera and sensor lighting in Auto Electronics switches / dipped beam and changes the form of light beam lenses.
Electronic paradise
Given the claims to a close and the archaic interior dorestaylingovogo C-class engineers "Mercedes" completely revamped it. Now, the interior design is consistent with recent models of the company. Most similarities with the older E-and S-class, although some elements borrowed from other cars. For example, the steering wheel chetyrehspitsevy moved into a small straight out of the latest CLS. And his expensive leather nappa finish is already a standard feature. Engineers even changed the texture of the plastic on the center console - now it also looks impressive.
But the major acquisitions in the interior steel electronic gadgets. Hidden under a meaningless names like "Distronic Plus", "Attention Assist", they will be the main reason for buying the updated C-Class.
The first is to mention onboard displays, the resolution of which corresponds to the modern household appliances. Although they are only available for a surcharge. Plus the screen resolution, located inside the speedometer, still fell short of a little - the numbers and letters are visible eye "ladder."
For the first time in this class of car driver and passengers can access the Internet. However, while only using the main display car. Distribute access to the network for everyone until you learn the car. A pity. Multimedia interface systems "Mercedes" - not the strength of his party.
The windshield updated class settled camcorder. It will equip the C-Class by several innovative safety systems. First - Active Lane Keeping Assist - monitors the position of the car on the road, guided by the road markings. In the case of crossing, the screen displays messages, and served on the steering wheel vibration. If the driver does not take action, the system takes control: activates the brakes on one of the axes to gradually return the car in its lane. On the roads of Tenerife, where he was a test drive, the system worked perfectly. But only if the deflection angles were very small and smooth, ie corresponding behavior of the car when the driver was distracted by management dostavaniem something from the glove box, talking with someone, etc. In the Russian context option, unfortunately, will not do anything - irregular and rare in domestic road markings would rather confusing electronics.
Tracking system for marking Active Lane Keeping Assist is tightly integrated with the ESP. If necessary, it can slow down the right wheel to return the car in its lane. Before the intervention of the driver electronics will see a warning message on the screen and feel the vibration in the steering wheel.
The second system, which also uses a video camera - Speed Limit Assist. It detects signs, limiting the maximum speed, and provides this information to the instrument panel and screen navigation system. Thing is very useful especially in unknown terrain. And the camera sees equally well as speed limit signs, and cancel such. How will it work in Russia, where would-repairers often forget to put a sign "the abolition of all restrictions," good question. But on the roads of Europe lick Speed Limit Assist function as a clock.
Camcorder recognizes speed limit signs and displays them on-board screen inside the speedometer and navigation display.
Immediately there is a system of active cruise control system that can maintain a set distance to the vehicle ahead at any speed limits, including a stop to 0 km / h (for automatic transmission), the system of preventive inhibition that can urgently stop the machine in case of a high probability of an accident and the system of keeping track of the driver. If the machine is understood that the driver is tired - on the dashboard icon will be a cup of coffee. It is a pity only the coffee machine has not yet learned to cook. And sunroof may dim at the touch of a button, the driver is able to access the Internet via the built-in 3G-modem dashboard.
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| Mercedes-Benz C200 2011 |
More power - less fuel
In the range of engines available for the updated C-Class, four petrol engines and five diesel. Most of them are already known by the previous generation of machines, although mersedesovtsy say about the great work done on them. Basically it came down to improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. According to official figures, some power packs have become less greedy to third.
The most popular probably will be three versions of the petrol 1.8 turbo (156, 184 and 204 hp) and a new 3.5-liter V6 (306 hp). By "Diesel" in our country continue otnocitsya cautiously. As luck would have in the first wagon I just got the engine running on diesel fuel. Fellow journalists laughed: "Mercedes station wagon and even a diesel? In Russia, this will not be exact." It is likely that in this way. Although silver C 220 CDI I fell in love.
Calm, confident, very quiet - it adjusts to a measured ride for long distances. On the track he simply has no equal, but on a mountain streamer, which led me navigation, "shed" clearly pass. Sharp turns were given to him to work. Affects even long body and increased weight, namely setting the car. Reaction to steering were quite amorphous with a noticeable delay. Saved only high-torque diesel engine, which seems to not know in what was a body. All 400 Nm of torque, the car picked up speed since 1400 and with enviable dynamics carried to the next turn.
Handling sedan - the opposite of a generalist. The machine will gladly attack turns, clearly following the trajectory.
Prospects
And without any updates to the current generation C-Class snapping as pies - last in 2010 managed to sell most cars - worldwide 1.25 million units. Now that most running "Mercedes" equipped with the latest electronic equipment and much finalized the interior, looking to purchase it should be added. Moreover, that such a bunch of high technology is not offered by competitors - A4 will update at best next year, and update "treshki" BMW and generally planned for 2012.
In Russia, the restyled C-Class is already available, and at very competitive prices. The simple version of C 180 (156 hp) will cost 1.37 million rubles, while the BMW 320 (with the same power) is available at 1,332,000 rubles. Is the most affordable Audi A4 c engine 1.8 liter, 160 hp - Asking for her 1,214,600 rubles. But, it is the most "old" business of compact sedans German troika. Japanese Infiniti G25 and Lexus IS250 can not even take into account. Their prices start at half a million.
A similar layout and a more powerful version of the C 200, C 250 and C 220, even TDI. It turns out that the "Mercedes" for at least 1 year knocked yourself a good head start, almost depriving consumers reasonable choices. Incidentally, this story has already occurred with the E-class. Its new generation emerged exactly one and a half years before the main competitors - the new "five" and "a six".
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