WeeklySA_AdminALL NEW:Delivered from the R10-billion revamped East London plant
By Ali Mphaki
The bestselling Mercedes-Benz model series over the past decade is now available in South Africa but you will have to cough out more than a million rand to have one with all the optional extras.
Offered in two derivatives, the C200 and C220d, the petrol-powered C200 will set you back at R856 080 (minus the extras) while the oil burning C220d will see you part with R911 749.
Produced at the R10-billion revamped Mercedes-Benz plant in East London, you would have thought the pricing will not be that steep but that does not seem to be so.
You may want to ask what’s new? The new C is bigger and lends heavily on its current generation sibling the S-Class even though it retains some of the outgoing model’s DNA.
Underneath the bonnet of the C200 is a 1,5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which delivers a power output of 150kW and 300 Nm of torque.In the C220d is found a turbodiesel 2,0-litre four-cylinder engine churning out 147kW and 440N.m of torque.
What is of interest is that both cars see an additional 15kW and 200 N.m thanks to Mercedes electrical system called EQ Boost system.
Word is that plug-in versions of the C-Class will debut soon, As aforementioned the interior is ala S-Class, but even here the buyer is faced with some interesting, but no doubt, expensive options.
For example, for a choice of one of six different genuine leather shades seats available be prepared to splash R18 000. Should you prefer your seats to include the memory package, brace yourself for an extra R14 800.
As if it were not enough, wood trimming options for the dash cost R7 500 To make your new C-Class live up to your expectations, you will need to budget for an extra R14 400 for the lane tracking package while the night package with heat insulating dark tinted g;ass going for R7 200. There’s just too many optional extras, but all in all buyers should be prepared to part with R344 100 over the base price on both models. My Maths will show that the C200 will all the extras will rise like quick raising flour to R1 200 180 while the C220d will escalate to R1 255 840.
Reviews of the new C-Class by overseas journos say it compares well with the BMW 3-Series, one of its major rivals.
The Top Gear team for instance say the new C-Class handles astutely with rear-wheel steering and adaptive suspension, has a comfy cabin and the electrified 2.0-litre diesel engine especially is one of the best around.
‘That said the brakes are a bit odd, it’s not particularly spacious relative to its competitors and parts of the dashboard and interior trim feel disappointingly cheap,” is their verdict. .
Rivals include Audi A4 Volvo S60, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Volvo S60 and Jaguar XE.
