New Merc shows its pedigree

By Alastair Sloane

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, the traditional baby of the executive fleet until the A-Class came along, will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

It will look very much like a smaller version of the S-Class, the flagship model launched in New Zealand last month.

The C-Class sedan will be followed by the coupe and station wagon. The sedan is expected to appear here late next year.

The wagon, incidentally, is likely to be even more rounded around the rear gate than the E-Class variant. This is to to suit the expected "sports wagon" styling.

The three C-Class models will be rear-drive and powered by a choice of four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, carried over from the present range.

New direct-injection engines will find their way into the range at the first update.

Mercedes-Benz is giving little away about the range but it is widely accepted that it will price it aggressively to lure buyers new to the marque.

The hatchback particularly will be seen as a conquest model, aimed to compete with German rivals, the Audi A3 and BMW 3-Series.

It will be about 200mm shorter than the C-Class sedan and will use, initially at least, a four-cylinder engine only.

The hatchback's headlight assembly and grille will differ from the sedan and wagon and the three-door model will have an optional, full-length glass roof, similar in style to the latest Porsche Targa.

But it is understood that Mercedes-Benz has not yet decided whether the hatchback will go into right-hand-drive production.

The C-Class sedan and wagon will be lighter, stronger and have more interior room than the present model. Mercedes-Benz has made more use of lightweight alloys and variable thickness steel.

The range is expected to come with traction control and an electronic stability system similar to that on the A-Class. Each car will be equipped with eight airbags, including two side curtains.

There is talk that a manual-automatic transmission, like that in the S-Class, will compliment a six-speed manual offering. - AUTOMOTIVE NEWS