The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range, the C-Class was nicknamed the "Baby Benz" as it was the smallest model in the marque's lineup, until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class. The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany, in Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico by Mercedes-Benz-Xicotencatl as well as in Mercedes's factories in Brazil and DaimlerChrysler's South African factory in East London. The very first W202 C-Class sedan was produced on June 1, 1993, and the second generation W203 C-Class rolled off the assembly line on July 18, 2000. The third generation W204 C-Class was launched in 2007. The C-Class is the entry-level offering in Mercedes-Benz's United States lineup.The C-Class platform has been used for several coupes, including the CLC-Class (and its predecessor, the C-Class Sportcoupe) and the E-class Coupe (and its predecessor, the CLK-Class).
W202 (1993–2000)
The first generation W202 C-Class was introduced in 1993, as a replacement for the Mercedes-Benz W201 (190), and proved successful among high-end car buyers. The C-Class sedan was the company's entry-level model up until 1997, when Mercedes launched the A-Class. Styling themes were carried over from the previous W201 series, but the new series had a smoother and rounder design than the previous generation of compact Mercedes.
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W203 (2000–2007)
The second generation C-Class was introduced in 2000, with a sportier look than the previous generations, with a steeper front-end and shorter rear-end. The styling cues were similar to that of the W220 S-Class. The sedan debuted with a range of straight-four and V6 gasoline engines and straight-four and straight-five Diesels. Most of the engines were carried over from the W202, but the C 320 was exclusive, offering 218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp), also the C240 now had 2597 cc but output was unchanged at 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp). The diesels now featured common rail direct injection and variable geometry turbochargers. Six-speed manual gearboxes were now standard for nearly the entire range (except the C320). For the first time, the number designations were no longer equivalent to the engine displacement, more specifically in the C 200 (1.8 L), C 240 (2.6 L) and C 200 CDI (2.2 L).In 2001, Mercedes increased the range, with the introduction of the new T-Model station wagon and Sportcoupé. The Sportcoupé was a three-door liftback made to counter the BMW Compact, but like its competitor, it proved unpopular with the younger buyers it was targeted towards, due to high prices compared to the lower entry-level models it was competing against, and unfavorable exchange rates. Although removed from the North American lineup in 2005, replaced by the Mercedes-Benz B-Class in Canada, it continued on sale in other markets. From October 2000 until 2007, a total of 230,000 Sportcoupés were built in the Bremen factory and in Brazil.
In 2003, a new family of supercharged four cylinder engines debuted, dubbed M271. All of them used the same 1.8 L engine, with different designations according to horsepower levels, including a version powered by natural gas. The 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) C230K was initially available only in the Sportcoupé (replacing the 2.3 L engine in 2002 and older models). The newer 1.8 L was less powerful but smoother and more efficient than the older 2.3 L (192 PS (141 kW; 189 hp) compared to 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp). 4MATIC four wheel drive versions were also offered for the C240 and C320.
W204 (2007–present)
DaimlerChrysler introduced a new generation of the C-Class on January 18, 2007 and displayed it in the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. Sales started on March 31, 2007 in almost all European countries. The new vehicle has an extended wheelbase and tracks, a stiffer bodyshell and a design inspired by the most recent S-Class and some hints from the CLS-Class.The development of the W204 C-Class involved the use of a "digital prototype", which put a 2.1 terabyte digital replica of the car through a 15 million mile road course. This is an industry first which allowed for crash testing and more, before a physical prototype was actually constructed.
Unlike the previous generations, the Estate (station wagon) version is no longer sold in North America, likely due to poor sales of the W203 model.
The Mercedes E-class coupe (W207) shares its platform with the C-class.
The W204 C-Class is the second best-selling entry-level luxury car in Canada and the United States, after the E90 BMW 3 Series.
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (Coupe)
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a full-sized grand tourer automobile produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The name CL stands for the German Comfort Leicht (English: Comfort Light).
The CL-Class is based on the S-Class sedan. Known at first as the SEC and later S coupe, it was spun off into its own, current name in 1998. The CL continues to follow the same development cycle as the S, though riding on a slightly shorter wheelbase. The main competitors of the CL-Class are the Aston Martin DBS V12 and the Bentley Continental GT. The present generation of the CL-Class, C216, is currently available in four models: CL500 4Matic (CL550 4Matic in some countries), CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG. The 2010 price ranges from US$112,575 to US$211,045. The most powerful model of the CL, the CL65 AMG, is the most expensive Mercedes-branded vehicle, slightly edging out its equivalent in the S-Class and the SLS.
W140
The next generation was the sleek but hard-lined and redesigned W140-chassis coupe of 1992-1999. Though the coupe’s physical appearance changed little over these years, the class underwent a name change several times. The V8 and V12 coupes were called the 500 SEC and 600 SEC, respectively, in 1992 and 1993. The 600 SEC was the first V12 coupe ever offered by Mercedes-Benz. From 1994-1997, the model names were changed to the S 500 coupe and the S 600 coupe. The name "CL" was adopted in 1998, and the W140 coupes were called the CL 500 and CL 600 from 1998-1999.
W215
The second generation of the CL is the W215-chassis coupé of 2000-2006. It is based on the 1999-2004/6 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, though it rides on an 8-inch (203 mm) shorter wheelbase. It is offered as four models: the V8-powered CL500, the supercharged V8-powered CL55 AMG, the V12-powered CL600, a 2001 limited-edition V12-powered CL63 AMG, and the rare bi-turbo V12-powered CL65 AMG
W216
The new model was officially unveiled at the end of June 2006 and was presented at the 2006 Paris Salon. The W216 is offered in five models, the V8-powered CL500 and CL500 4MATIC, the high-performance V8-powered CL63 AMG and the high-end V12-powered CL600 and CL65AMG . The CL500 4MATIC is sold as the CL550 4MATIC in some markets. The class is based on the chassis of the W221 S-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (coupe,convertible)
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a mid-size rear-wheel drive coupé/convertible.
While it was based on the W202 and W203 platforms of the C-Class,its styling cues, engine, and price range are closer to that of the E-Class,
with Mercedes-Benz slotting the CLK as a coupé version of the W210
and W211 E-Class sedan/wagon. The CLK succeeded the W124 E-Class
Coupe and it was in turn replaced by the W212 E-class Coupe.
First generation (1996–2002; C208/A208)
The first-generation CLK was introduced in1996, 3 years after the 1st generation
(W202) C-Class model. The launch of the CLK
also marked Mercedes' first foray into the mid-sized
coupe market, as the W124 E-Class
Coupe was considered a two-door sedan rather
than a coupe.
Second generation (2002–2009; C209/A209)
The CLK coupé was redesigned for 2003, with the cabriolet following in 2004. The current generation of the CLK-Class is 61 mm (2.4 in) longer, 18 mm (0.7 in) wider and 28 mm (1.1 in) higher than its predecessor.
- The CLK 270 CDI features a 2.7 L, 5 Cylinder engine and a five-speed tiptronic transmission.
- The CLK 320 features a 3.2 L, 18-valve single overhead cam (SOHC) V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The CLK320 was replaced by the CLK350 for 2006.
- The CLK 350 features a 3.5 L, 24-valve dual overhead cam (DOHC) V6 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission.
- The CLK 500 features a 5.0 L, 24-valve SOHC V8 engine and, in 2005, a seven-speed automatic transmission was introduced. It received a new 5.5 L 32-valve DOHC V8 engine in 2007 (in America, it was called CLK 550 from 2007).
- The CLK 55 AMG features a 5.4 L, 24-valve SOHC V8 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The base price is US$69,900 for the coupé and US$87,000 for the cabriolet. The CLK55 AMG coupé was dropped in North America after the 2005 model year, though the cabriolet is still offered. The CLK55 was replaced by the CLK63 for 2007.
- The CLK63 AMG features a 6.2L V8 with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Available in both Coupé and Cabriolet, the CLK63 boasts 481 hp (354 kW) and 465 ft·lb (630 newton m) of torque. Compared to its predecessor the CLK63 has 31% more power and 23% more torque. The CLK63 was used as the safety car in Formula One. It accelerates from 0–60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
- The CLK63 AMG Black Series features a 6.2L V8 with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Only available in Coupé, the CLK 63 BS delivers 507 hp (373 kW) and 465 ft·lb (630 newton m) of torque. It accelerates from 0–60 mph in 4.1 seconds.
In Europe there was also the CLK 200 K (1.8 R4), CLK 220 CDI (2.1 I4 diesel), CLK 240 (2.6 V6), CLK 270 CDI (2.7 R5 diesel), CLK 280 (3.0 V6), CLK 320 CDI (3.0 V6 diesel); (all standard with 6-speed manual transmission, automatic transmission is optional)2010–present (C207/A207)
A two-door E-Class Coupe was introduced as part of the new eighth-generation E-Class, at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, as Mercedes-Benz intended to leverage the better-known E-Class nameplate. However, like the two generations of the CLK-Class, the new E-Class Coupe is based on the contemporary C-Class platform. It will be produced in Bremen.Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (4 door,coupe)
The Mercedes-Benz CLS is an executive-size sedanW211 E-Class platform. Marketed as a 'four door coupe,' the CLS recalls the fastback Robert Opron (born 1932) in the 1970s but is actually the work of the influential American automotive designer, Michael Fink (born 1967) who styled the first CLK, the C-Sportcoupe', and is known as the stylist who penned the Maybach 57 and 62. According to a Mercedes-Benz press release, the CLS-class was produced to combine the "strong, emotive charisma" of a coupe with the "comfort and practicality" of a saloon. Save for its four-door design, the CLS's design tends towards a coupe, as its sleek roofline reduces the rear passenger room to a 2+2 arrangement, and it offers a smaller selection of engines tending towards high powered of the range, compared to contemporary sedans such as the E-Class.
W219
The first generation of the CLS, the Mercedes-Benz C219, is based upon the W219 platform, a W211 E-Class spin-off that is six inches (152 mm) longer. IVM Automotive, a subsidiary of German roof system specialist Edscha, developed the entire vehicle from the Vision concept to the production version. More than 150 IVM engineers were involved, making the CLS the largest vehicle development project in the company's history.
The CLS-class was first displayed as the Vision CLS concept at the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The production version CLS 500 made its debut at the 2004 New York International Auto Show. A new AMG model was introduced at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the CLS 55 AMG. Only 3,000 CLS 55 AMG cars were to be built each year.The CLS was first offered for sale in the United States in January 2005 as the CLS 500 and CLS 55 AMG. In 2006, Mercedes phased out both the 5.0L in the CLS 500 and 5.5L Supercharged V8 in the CLS 55 AMG in favor of two new 5.5L and 6.2L V8s. This resulted in the 2007 model year name change to the CLS 63 AMG (6.2L V8) and CLS 550 (5.5L V8) in the United States. The CLS 500 badge continues to be used in various markets with the 5.5L V8 motor.
Mercedes-Benz has planned a yearly production of 30,000 units worldwide, of which about 10,000 will be shipped to the U.S. market. The CLS 550 has a base price of US$65,620, with the CLS 55 starting at US$87,320. CLS63 starts at $92,500 for a base model, and is offered with steering wheel mounted paddles (F1 style), and 19" wheels for the US market.
Brabus Rocket
It is a version created by Brabus. The original engine was replaced by a 6.3-litre V12 engine and the suspension, brakes and automatic transmission are optimized.