The 2022 W206 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with the fifth-gen executive sedan making its official Malaysian debut.
The car goes on sale here in two variant forms, as a C 200 Avantgarde and a C 300 AMG Line, similar to the route taken with the W205 C-Class facelift. Both the C-Class models are CBU fully-imported units, but will make the transition to local assembly in the second half of the year.
The fully-imported W206 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Avantgarde is priced at RM288,334 while the C 300 AMG Line goes for RM330,681, both on-the-road without insurance.
Dimensions for Length, Width,and height in (mm) are 4,751 x 1,820 x 1,438. Wheelbase is 2,865 mm.
The car is styled with slim headlamps and rakish tail lights mimicking that found on the flagship. Identification of the model line is a simple proposition with the new car, given the structured approach to the front ends available for it.
grille and front apron surrounds dressed in chrome. As for the AMG Line, it gets a new diamond grille, with its pin design featuring a three-pointed star pattern finished in chrome.
The back view of the Picanto is as stylish and sporty as the front. Everything seems to be perfectly placed where they should be with the unique design of the tail lights.
Both the C 200 and C 300 are fitted with the same headlights, which are the LED High Performance units that ship as standard with the car, as well as adaptive highbeam assist. On the W205, the higher range model had Multibeam LED units
Tail lamps are full-LED units and the shape is also very attractive.
The side mirror has automatic lowering of the front passenger mirror glass to the parking position when reverse gear is selected. It also has an automatic dimming exterior mirror on the driver’s side and the rear-view window. Furthermore, it has ambient lighting of the exterior mirror to illuminate the access area.
Its ABS brakes automatically sense when a tire has stopped rotating under extreme braking, and will modulate the brake pressure to allow the tire to rotate. This increases the vehicles ability to turn while braking.
The C 200 Avantgarde rides on 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, which are specified with run-flat tyres.
As for the C 300 AMG Line, it gets 19-inch AMG multi-spoke units.
All variants get a dashboard that is divided into an upper and a lower section and newly-designed air-conditioning vents, reminiscent of aircraft engine nacelles, as well as digital displays
Aside from a 12.3-inch free-standing instrumentation panel screen, both C 200 Avantgarde and C 300 AMG Line feature a visually dominating 11.9-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen display.
The stylish infotainment system keeps you effortlessly on track with navigation, real-time updates and more.
The C 200 gets comfort front seats, while the C 300 is equipped with sports seats
Storage space for both variants are decently available at the front and the back. You can find storage space underneath the front doors and a small armrest storage compartment to keep your stuff organized.
The leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel features a variety of intuitive controls. Select and control your music,take phone calls, change information displays and adjust the cruise control, all while keeping your hands on the steering wheel.
Cup Holders front and Cup holder 1 is located in the rear seat armrest.
Convenient, cable-free charging for compatible smartphones, with the wireless phone charger – It is located on the rear flank, behind the near-side front wheel and in front of the passenger door. – Mr Thean, I am not too sure about this info.
Both variants offer a sharp new look, heavily inspired by its bigger E-Class sibling, outstanding levels of comfort and strong on-board technology and equipment. As for the inside, the car is finished with premium materials from dashboard to the seats.
As for the volume capacity of the boot, it’s the same as the old car, at 455 litres.
The Picanto Gt Line comes with the Anti-Lock Braking System, brake assist, Ebd, vehicle stability control system, crash sensor, engine check warning, door ajar warning and traction control.
Seven airbags, active lane keeping assist, cruise contriol, active blind spot assist, active brake assist, a lane tracking package, a tyre pressure monitoring system and active parking assist with Parktronic. The only variation is with the camera – while the C 300 has a 360-degree camera, the C 200 makes do with just a reverse function for its unit
The C-Class is also specified with a Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support) as well as MBUX Navigation Premium and an LTE communications module for Mercedes me connect services.
Keyless-Go and start, Thermatic automatic climate control, wireless charging in the front section of the cabin, rain sensing wipers, illuminated side sill panels, rear window roll-up sunblinds and remote boot closing. Also common to both models is the suspension configuration, which is an Agility Control system with selective damping and Dynamic Select.
The C 200, the new 1.5 litre engine offers 201 hp (or 204 PS) at 5,800 to 6,100 rpm and 300 Nm from 1,800 to 4,000 rpm.
The C 300 now features the M254 mill in its 2.0 litre guise. Power output remains the same, with 255 hp (or 258 PS) on tap, but torque has been bumped up to 400 Nm (2,000 to 3,200 rpm) from the 370 Nm available previously.
Both engines are paired with the familiar 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, which made its way on to the C-Class with the W205 facelift.
The C class utilises a nine-speed automatic transmission
Both the C200 and C300 models are rear-wheel drive.
It’s the interior where the real improvements are clear to see. Plush materials and a first-class fit and finish to the cabin feel suitably premium, while the view forward from the driver’s seat is like sitting in a junior S-Class limo
The C class soundproofing system allows for a cabin that is more pleasant to be in.
The new C class looks upmarket and has a sophisticated, comfortable cabin packed with S-Class-grade tech. The engines aren’t the most satisfying to use, but they are efficient, and the new plug-in hybrids set new standards for the class. If you can stretch to them, those are the ones to have.