2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: C63 Debut

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Mercedes-Benz today unveiled the 2008 C-Class — a totally redesigned version of its bread-and-butter sedan. Designed to compete with the BMW 3-Series, models will range from the basic C180 Kompressor to the 450 horsepower C 63 AMG. The new C-Class reflects Mercedes' updated design language, with design cues from the new S-Class sedan and R-Class crossover.

Among the new features is an Agility Control system, which offers shock absorber that adjust to the driving situation, plus a steering ratio of 14.5 and a short travel gear shift. Compared to the previous series, Mercedes-Benz has enlarged the deformation zones to improve safety. The front-end structure of the new C-Class has four independently acting impact levels, which enable forces to be distributed over a wide area while bypassing the passenger cell.

The new C 230 offers a 204 horsepower V6, while the more powerful C 280 now delivers 231 hp, and the range-topping C 350 has 272 horses under its hood. All three models are offered with the choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission. Details are expected on the AMG-spec C 63 in the coming months.
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(I like the white one best...)

The last of the outgoing C-Class models were pretty damn-good cars, so to put it lightly, I expect great things from this one. However, the interior comes off a bit "cheap," particularly by comparison to the BMW, Infiniti, Audi, and Cadillac competition. I'm surprised that they are offering manual transmissions on everything short of the C63, so I guess they took a page out of BMW's book there.

...We'll see what we get a bit further down the road, but in an increasingly crowding segment, it will become ever more tough to become and remain top-dog these days...
 
The frontn the brown one reminds me of the 190E, and is the better looking of the two in my opinion. I dunno what they were thinking about the back, though. Pretty good overall, though. The gauge cluster looks quite cool as well, but the steering wheel in both the automatic and the stick look atrocious, with the automatic's 3-spoker being worse.
 
Looks so much more substantial than the current C, looks more expensive.
 
I'll agree that the interior is not its strong point, but oh well. The old car has looked outdated for quite some time, this looks really fresh. Don't like the way the door handles are pitched downward. The lights look like I've seen them before. Maybe Opel? Let's hope this C packs some performance to match its looks and to compete well with the 3 and A4.
 
...I guess it does look like the rear-bumper is sticking out about three inches too far. I'm sure there will be body-work to fix that in the aftermarket, however I would care to note that the rear overall looks quite nice, a bit CLS-esque.

(I still think the CLS is the best looking car Mercedes has made in many, many years...)

It will be interesting to check out a low-level C-Class. The local Benz dealer had a 180 Kompressor available not too long ago and I gave it the once-over. But they checked too many option boxes (strangely enough, it was a manual...) to fit my tastes, and thats too bad. I love "stripper" luxury models, all the looks and none of the glitz to go with it...
 
Hmm. Two of the pics didn't load the first time. That bit beneath the vents on the inside look a bit cheap. Why does the rear lights look so similar to the old A4's?
 
I like the look, even if the nose has more than a hint of Mazda 3 and Acura RL. I don't think it will respond too well to the Sport Coupe treatment, though with the B-Class now in North America, I question that car's purpose. I won't miss it, anyways. The wagon will look pretty nice...

But my main issue, at least from all the news tidbits I've seen so far, is that it's still on the old car's platform. That platform wasn't able to hang with the E46 Bimmer performance-wise, what makes them think a spruced-up version of it could knock down the E90?
 
Ab

so

lute

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Gorgeous.

This is the best-looking Mercedes I've ever seen, barring the 03+ CLK.

By the way, I don't know why you're surprised they're offering manuals - it's been a long-standing policy of Mercedes to offer manual C-classes; the present ones have available manuals in both C230 and C350 form. In fact, the AMG model doesn't have a manual (along with the C280) because AMG doesn't do manual.
 
Why is the steering wheel so hideous? My inexpensive Mazda has a wheel that looks infinitely better than that thing.

Otherwise I think it’s okay. Not a total fan, but it’s pretty good as far as evolutions go.
 
The previous C-class was always going to be hard to beat, and I expect this one to have a hard-time.

The front is slightly baffling me, I don't know what to think of it at this point in time. The rear looks like the designers tried to hard to create something that would stand-out. Stand-out it certainly does, but not in a good way; the upper-section looks fine by itself, but once you make your way down to the lower bumper, the whole rear is out of porportion.

The C-class always had that certain 'it' factor that made it sell, and made itself stand out, but I'm unsure about this one; the original was sleek and simple, managing to make a bold statement and hold it's own. However, this new example just doesn't seem to work for me, none of the new vehicles do (Save for the SL-series). Maybe it's just the newly-designed grille combined with the headlights, I don't know.

*Awaits photos of new E-class in the ever-classy onyx black.*
 
Actually, that front three-quarters shot looks way too much like an Altezza... and, yeah, what's up with the staggered door handles?

The interior is a bit old fashioned, but I like it... all the materials have a soft classy glow that points to good materials matching and selection.

It's way past time Mercedes introduced a new C-Class... but I wonder if it's too little, too late? And how new is it? Is it still a development of the old car, or an all-new platform? Because that rear end and profile look awfully familiar.
 
mercedes should have made a class leading interior for this car. Whats the point of it being class leading in comfort if the interior isnt there to make you truley feel lucky?

Is this still the old platform? I though it was all-new, with e-class suspension and a all new innovative damping system.
 
Rear looks like the current Audi A6, front looks like the old Lexus IS200, interior is good= A gorgeous car! I love it!
 
Sage
Why is the steering wheel so hideous? My inexpensive Mazda has a wheel that looks infinitely better than that thing.
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That was something that I noticed too. I'm not sure why companies seem to give the steering-wheel the afterthought these days, as it is arguably the part of the car you use the most besides the gas and brake pedals. I noticed a fairly similar issue on the Sigma II Cadillac CTS, but I've noticed that the wheel looks a bit different in early photos compared to later ones.

I really don't see why manufacturers don't spend more money there. The General seems to have done a pretty good job bringing back the nice-looking and feeling wheel, as well as Volkswagen and their subsidiaries. But a Mercedes lacking there? Thats a problem...
 
For a second, I thought the silver one had a carbon-fiber roof. Wishful thinking, of course. I agree with most here: the car is rather nice, save for the rear bumper you can set a drink on. The front headlights don't exactly gel with the rest of the curves on the front end, but so long as you don't stare directly at them it looks okay.

Realistically, though, all that matters is that the C63 has a 6-speed manual transmission. Anything else is just asking for ridicule in the first M3/RS4/C63 roundup.
 
It's side view is actually pretty good, aside from the nitro-esque lights and wierd crack at the A-pillar base. I'm beginning to like it more each time I see it.

It's on the old platform? :( They should put in the 4-turbo V-12.:)
 

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philly cheese
It's side view is actually pretty good, aside from the nitro-esque lights and wierd crack at the A-pillar base. I'm beginning to like it more each time I see it.

It's on the old platform? :( They should put in the 4-turbo V-12.:)
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:crazy: It's horrible!
 
Does anyone find the passenger's door handles kinda misplaced?
I didn't noticed that until niky bought that up
btw I love the new C-class, it looks much refined and classy comparing the previous gens
for me I would care less on comparing performance between 3 series or cts
ride quality and reliability are what I am looking for c-class
actually my uncle ever drove 2 190E and previous gen c-class
they are great luxury family sedans that you can enjoy and relax for daily use
sports sedan like C63, M3, CTS-V are awesome but not for everyone in my opinion
 
Well, atleast when this arrives in Aus, the Cadillac CTS-V has a strong competitor to go up against.

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Mix n' match anyone?
 
I'm liking the new C-Class less and less every time I see it. The same for the redesign of so many mercedes models. I'll take the old ones.
 
I think there's too much going on. It has a Lexus level of fussyness. To me, Mercs have always had clean styling - this is just too much.
 
Danoff
I'm liking the new C-Class less and less every time I see it. The same for the redesign of so many mercedes models. I'll take the old ones.
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Fully agreed – I’ve always maintained that the previous-gen CLK 55 AMG was one of the best-looking cars ever:

 

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