Exclusive Video: Mercedes-Benz C-Class prices announced

The new Mercedes C-Class will be priced from $60,900 with a line-up that includes the first C-Class hybrid in the battle against the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Prices represent an average $1000 increase over the previous C-Class for the sedan, which arrives in August, with the estate costing around $2500 more than the sedan for a starting price of $64,400 when it lands in November.

The C-Class range kicks off with the C200 sedan, which will make up the bulk of sales. It comes with LED headlamps, 18-inch alloys, keyless start and electric front seats and sat-nav as standard kit and is powered by a 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 0-100km/h time of 7.3sec and official combined fuel claim of 6.0L/100km.

Next in the line-up is the C200 BlueTec complete with a new 100kW direct-injection 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The new powerplant helps achieve an impressive 4.0L/100km claim, which should help justify its $64,400 starting price.

The C250 comes with a choice of two engines: a 155kW 2.0-litre petrol from $68,900 or the BlueTech model, which runs a twin-turbo 2.1-litre diesel and 7G-tronic automatic transmission from $70,400. The diesel has a claimed 4.5L/100km fuel figure, while either engine choice comes with 19-inch wheels, keyless start and keyless entry, as well as a Driver Assistance Package that includes Distronic Plus cruise control and Lane-Keeping Assist.

The C300 BlueTec Hybrid is the first C-Class hybrid offered, and uses the 150kW version of the twin-turbo 2.1-litre diesel, mates to a 20kW electric motor for a claimed combined fuel figure of 3.9L/100km to outperform the (admittedly more powerful) BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid’s 5.9L/100km claim. The hybrid Mercedes will start at $74,900 plus on-roads.

The new W205 C-Class, which is truly a concentrated version of the S-class flagship, is 95mm longer than its predecessor, thanks in part to an 80mm increase in wheelbase, and is also 40mm wider for more passenger and luggage space.

The estate, despite already being more cavernous than its German rivals, is now 10-litres bigger and has a powered tailgate as standard.

The body, which is more rigid and uses more aluminium, helps reduced model-for-model weight by around 40kg over the previous model’s, with weight also lopped off through clever suspension packaging and consolidation of components. Air suspension is also available on the C-Class for the first time.

There’s also a brilliant new interior design, which sees a standard 7.0-inch display that grows to 8.3-inches if you option COMAND, with a beautifully sculpted centrepiece that integrates the rotary dial with a handwriting recognition pad.

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