click above image to view entire high-res gallery of brochure
The official brochure for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has surfaced over on the German Car Zone forums, and it reveals in full production glory the car that we've seen countless times in spy shots over the past year. The first thing that jumps out at you is the ginormous three-pointed star emblem that dominates the front grille on the Avant Garde and AMG Sport Package models. A trim called Elegance will apparently make do with a standard Mercedes grille. We dig the big badge, which was also previewed on the Vision GL420 Concept at the Detroit Auto Show. This indicates we should expect more MB models to sport the large three-pointed star on various trim levels over the next few years. Otherwise, the sedan's exterior lines are a little meatier, a little chunkier and more filling, like Campbell's soup. M'm, m'm, good.
The interior of the 2008 C-Class impresses us less, however, with a wonky steering wheel and old-school nav setup that has the screen popping up vertically from a hidden slot on the dash. We didn't like that feature in the first Infinitis with nav systems and we don't like it here. There does, however, appear to be a large information screen centered in speedomater reminiscent of what Chrysler uses in the Pacifica. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Check out the rest of the brochure in our high-resolution gallery.
[Source: German Car Zone via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rick Z. @ Jan 15th 2007 4:09PM
Very attractive design, especially with the AMG Sport Package. I like the new rear end and muscular curves, but the front is an identical reproduction of the 2008 CL Class.
Peter @ Jan 15th 2007 4:14PM
I like the styling of this new mercedes- a sort of mix of CL-class and GL-class styling cues. I'm relieved that it's not just a shunken S-class. This new desing direction is one of MB's greatest qualities compared to BMW (not Audi though). The grill is my only quam. Two grill designs for two trims? That's just silly...
Mercedes videos @ Jan 15th 2007 4:22PM
Mercedes is defiantly going back to its previews generation designs with the solid headlight. I think they are all done with the circular headlights.
http://www.dpccars.com
DPCcars
srivendel @ Jan 15th 2007 4:23PM
Mercedes probably did the nav screen that way to keep it in the driver's line of sight, rather than burying it in the middle of the dash. It's not the most attractive solution, but it seems ergonomically sound.
David @ Jan 15th 2007 4:32PM
Bravo for burying that nav screen, like in the Audi A8. Having a big honking screen in the middle of the car distracts from the main driver cluster, and buries simple HVAC and Radio controls in countless menus.
Give me an on/off switch for the radio, and a dial for the climate control (BMW)! There is a happy medium between 100 buttons (Acura, Lexus, some Audis), and ONE joystick (BMW). iDrive needs to follow suit: bury the nav screen and give me back the radio and climate buttons (like in the X3).
Dennis @ Jan 15th 2007 4:40PM
I own a 2007 Mercedes C230 Sport Sedan Black/Black. Everything about it is great, from the sport steering wheel, to the AMG body kit/AMG exhausts, to the carbon-filter, and what not.
I am going to trade mine in for one of these 2008 C-Class models when they come out. I HATE that Mercedes steering wheel, as seen in the photos above. I think that should be hacked away at and redesigned. I hope that wheel is for the luxury models, and they have a different one for the sport models, like they currently do.
Great looking car though! Looks like they are taking a little bit of interior styling elements from Audi/Infiniti. Let's see how it plays out. I'm sold.
Jason @ Jan 15th 2007 5:22PM
The steering wheel was the first thing that stood out to me... and it's awful. The corporate GM pick ups and Tahoes of the later 90's used this "Space Invaders" designed. Was ugly back then, and is still ugly now. Looks like a knitting ball with needles sticking out. Can't believe it passed as acceptable. The rest of the car looks dumpy and frumpy, with a sagging, old person's ass. Maybe this will be the next Buick. I hope it looks better in person, not impressed at all.
Dude @ Jan 15th 2007 5:32PM
There's a screen in the "speedomater"?
I'm not even sure I want to know what that is.
LVD @ Jan 15th 2007 6:05PM
SNOOOoORE
Styling from the late 90s early 2000? Looks way too much the same as the other MB. Doesn't have its own "character" per se.
I'd have to be losing my vision and nearing AARP status to get one of these.
IS / 3 series > C Class
Tim @ Jan 15th 2007 6:22PM
LVD we on the behalf of the AARP will like to welcome you. Oh and are these your glasses
Tool @ Jan 15th 2007 6:28PM
Looks great. I used to own a C43 and wasn't that impressed with the current generation C-class.
This has all the Mercedes-Benz design cues and should do an excellent job bringing customers into the fold.
Paul Smith @ Jan 15th 2007 6:41PM
On the subject of the SatNav screen, I think this is the best ergonomic option - close to the eyeline when you need it, out of sight when it's off. Works like a charm on my Volvo V70 - much better than trying to look down into the middle of the dash.
pces @ Jan 15th 2007 6:50PM
I'm liking it. Are we going to see it at the Chicago Auto Show next month?
C @ Jan 15th 2007 7:08PM
They've moved the design up by 5 years, so they're only... 5 years behind now.
G @ Jan 15th 2007 9:25PM
Exactly right LVD and C
If you remove that logo from the front, its a very unimpressive car. Once that badge is there though, all the followers realize what an amazing design it is, and how much better it is than everything else.
Jason @ Jan 16th 2007 1:47AM
What's the big deal about this car? If it was a value it would be nice, but it's guaranteed to be $5-7k overpriced. The interior looks like crap too. Lots of black plastic up top and I think that pop-up nav system looks cheap. Makes me think of the Mazda 3. If you're going to be overpriced and your (mindless) customers are willing to pay it, the last thing you can afford to be is cheap-looking.
nagmashot @ Jan 16th 2007 1:52AM
reply to 9
Mercedes is so much way behind in design that the new Nissan Skyline sedan looks like a 1:1 copy from the Mercedes CSL ...
guys I can only laugh about your design knowlege...
If you wanna have yesterday design...buy a Lexus... every Lexus I know has design elements from old Mercedes, Audi or BMW..or a mix of all three at once...
Shane @ Jan 16th 2007 2:55AM
I hope it at least keeps up with the stiff competition on the track, because I'm not as impressed as I hoped to be. I saw some spy shots that looked very cool, but does anyone else think it looks like the Saturn Aura in some pictures and a shrunken CL + S-Class in the rest. And I agree - nothing to get excited over in the interior, just the steering wheel looks kinda neat. I think they kinda dropped the ball on this one.
dude @ Jan 16th 2007 11:18AM
interior doesnt look very upscale. CTS interior looks better to me. i like the front.
Phil @ Jan 16th 2007 11:41AM
FACT: Ever since the C-class was introduced, it has sucked the big one!
The current car has a worse chassis that today's GM FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE Epsilons! Go drive one right now, then get in the Aura XR, and tell me how M/B's been allowed to fool the public for soooooo long? Have a friend ride in the back seat, and then switch with him midway through. The awful booming, the banging of your backside over bumps, the horrible moaning of the engine, the vibration at idle, I'm sorry, but the E-class is HALF A BENZ.
All of the qualities of the 190E are long, long gone!