2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class rolls in at PHP 3.890M

All-new C-Class completes Mercedes-Benz PH's core lineup

Last year, Mercedes-Benz distributor Auto Nation Group Inc (ANG) launched the all-new 2022 S-Class flagship luxury sedan. It was then followed by the refreshed E-Class which was revealed last February 2022.

With the S-Class and E-Class now in the country, it was now time for the C-Class to make its debut. Ladies and gentlemen say hello to the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. First revealed last year, the fifth-generation four-door follows in the footsteps of the S-Class, and then some.

Dubbed as the “Baby S-Class”, the all-new C-Class carries the design language first introduced with the flagship sedan. From its distinct exterior design and unique headlight/taillight design, the fifth-generation sedan does look like a miniature S-Class. It even comes with a long hood and short deck design that gives it a sleek appearance.

Equipped with the Avantgarde exterior, the C-Class comes with a newly redesigned front bumper with a single louver grille that highlights the signature three-pointed star. It also has high-performance LED headlights, stylish LED daytime running lights, 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, and beltline trim strips finished in polished aluminum.

Size-wise, the all-new C-Class measures 4751mm long, 2033mm wide, 1440mm tall, and has a 2865mm wheelbase. This makes the next-gen C-Class longer by 65mm, wider by 45mm, and an extra 25mm on the wheelbase.

Open the doors and the C-Class greets you with a fully leather-lined interior complete with high-tech multimedia displays. At the center of the dashboard is a massive 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen infotainment system. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, as well as the brand's own intelligent voice control that can be activated by saying “Hey, Mercedes”.

Complementing the large touchscreen is a 10.25-inch free-standing digital instrument cluster. Apart from showing the tachometer and speedometer, it can also display navigational points of interest, media notifications, as well the multi-info display. Drivers can even choose the type of display they want through several modes.

Other available in-car amenities inside the S-Class include; 64-color LED ambient lighting, power-adjustable front seats with memory function and 4-way lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, folding rear seat backrests, auto-dimming rearview mirror, steering wheel paddle shifters, and an Eco start/stop function.

Don't expect to find a six-cylinder under the hood of the all-new C-Class. Powering the sedan is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine. Despite its small size, it makes a surprising 170 PS between 5500 to 6100 rpm along with 250 Nm of torque at 1800 to 4000 rpm. Power is then sent to a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Giving the C-Class some extra get-up and go comes courtesy of the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This nifty feature works via an integrated starter generator (ISG) and a 48V power supply that gathers energy and provides an extra boost under acceleration. Mercedes-Benz claims that this can deliver an extra 20 PS and 200 Nm of torque during heavy acceleration. In addition, the C-Class can go from 0 – 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 231 km/h.

When it comes to safety, the C-Class comes loaded. Aside from the usual anti-lock brakes, electronic stability program, and active brake assist, the sedan also has the following; acceleration slip regulation, blind-spot assist, cruise control with variable speed limiter, adaptive brake lights, attention assist that can detect driver drowsiness, pedestrian collision assist with active bonnet assist, active parking assist, 12 ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear, a reverse camera, a tire pressure loss warning system, and a host of airbags.

“The C-Class has raised the bar of the luxury compact executive sedans. It’s where Modern Luxury meets driving dynamics, human-centered innovations, and all that in a good-looking form that you would fall in love with, once again,” said Frankie Ang, Chief Operating Officer of ANG.

The all-new C-Class in Avantgarde trim is now available in all Mercedes-Benz dealerships at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), EDSA Greenhills, Alabang, and Cebu City. It currently has a special introductory price and retails for PHP 3,890,000. The 2023 C-Class will be sourced from the brand's South Africa factory.