Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz C-Class US pricing announced
Click the image above for a high res gallery of the US-spec C-Class.
For those of you that either want to upgrade your current Benz or finally make the leap into German luxury sedans, Mercedes released pricing for the US-bound C-Class, and the cost of entry is approximately $2,200 less than the outgoing model.
The new C-Class benefits from a freshly styled exterior that's one of the more handsome designs to come from the automaker in recent years, and its new pricing structure undercuts its competitors, including the BMW 3-series and Lexus ES350.
If you're stingy with the options list, you can get a manual transmission, but once you get into the higher-end versions, the automatic is standard and the price goes up accordingly. Two models are available: the 228 HP C300 and the 268 HP C350, with the former coming in at $31,200, while the latter bumps up the price another $5,300 (not including the $775 destination charge). Right out of the box, the C300 comes with 17-inch rollers, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, an LCD display, eight-way power seats up front and a power sunroof. Not bad for an entry-level Merc.
Look for the new C-Class to hit dealers on August 7, with AWD models coming the following month.
All the details are available in the press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class US-Spec
PRESS RELEASE
New Mercedes-Benz C-Class to Start at $31,975
New Models Showcase Aggressive Styling and Class-Leading Value
MONTVALE, N.J., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz announced today that the bold new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup will begin at $31,975 for the new C300 Sport Sedan (228 hp, 221 lb-ft. of torque). The all-new C300 Luxury Sedan (228 hp, 221 lb-ft. of torque) will be priced at $33,675, followed by the C350 Sport Sedan (268 hp, 258 lb-ft. of torque) at $37,275. All prices include a $775 destination fee.
Set to arrive in U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships on August 7, the next- generation 2008 C-Class sedan is larger than its highly successful predecessor, with a greater emphasis on driving dynamics, comfort and safety. The C300 Sport and Luxury models will be available with an all new 4MATIC all- wheel-drive system mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission starting in September. An impressive list of standard equipment includes a power sunroof, eight-way power front seats with lumbar support, two-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, a central controller, and an LCD display screen.
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2006, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Corey L 7:16PM (6/28/2007)
Saw one in Italy, wasn't too impressed with the styling. The proportions don't look right.
Reply
Viv 7:23PM (6/28/2007)
Looks much more classy and refined than the current generation C-class.
Reply
Skream 7:30PM (6/28/2007)
Wouldn't this be an IS competitor, not ES?
Reply
Edwin 8:55PM (6/28/2007)
Meh... Rather have the 3 series or the upcoming A4.
Reply
NeoteriX 9:05PM (6/28/2007)
I've never looked twice at a Merc C-Class before, but I have to say, the version used as the main inline pic really appeals to me.
Reply
foo 9:06PM (6/28/2007)
Cant wait for the C63 pricing! I want the wagon
Reply
goat 9:32PM (6/28/2007)
Give us the C220, already!
Reply
wally 9:41PM (6/28/2007)
Way better than my c280 of years gone by. Had to sell after 250k miles.
Nr9 10:32PM (6/28/2007)
They should have a C460 version with the 4.6L V8 to compete with the 335i
it wouldn't be that hard to put that engine in, as they are already working on a C63
Reply
macman 12:17AM (6/29/2007)
I don't know why autoblog insists on calling Mercedes "merc" when "merc" has been used for a long time to refer to Mercury. I doesn't make sense when you take into account that the logical way to pronounce "merc" is "merk" and not "mers." Merk brings to mind Mercury (Mer-kyu-ree) and not Mercedes (mer-say-dees). If you really want to I guess we could start calling mercedes "mer-kay-dees." I guess here in Los Angeles (car-capital of the world) we like to keep car identities straight.
Reply
mike 2:11PM (6/29/2007)
No, the original poster is right. Merc stands for Mercury. Whether it be their cars or their engines (boats and the likes). Mercedes should be abbreviated MB or Benz.
A SoCal Car Collector.
Mike.
Nr9 12:21AM (6/29/2007)
agreed. i dont see why mercury isn't more popular. their cars are some of the classiest looking cars on the market right now.
Reply
John 1:37AM (6/29/2007)
I'm not sure why anyone would buy this car. It's not that it appears to be fatally flawed in any particular respect, though of course I've never driven this new model, but just that the alternatives are so vastly superior. I mean seriously, how can you buy a C350 over a 335i?
If performance isn't a big deal, why buy a C300 over an A4? If a German car isn't necessary, what does the C-class have over the G37?
Reply
Pouya 4:56AM (6/29/2007)
Some people do not purchase a car on its merits, but instead, want a "Mercedes" . . .any Mercedes . . . as long as it has a three pointed star on its nose/hood.
Scott 9:46AM (6/29/2007)
John,
You're probably a "driver" and as such would rather have a BMW/Audi than a Benz or Lexus. The people buying this car aren't looking for something fun to drive...At least I hope not, or they're in for a surprise unless MB has DRASTICALLY changed this model from the last C-Class. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's meant to be a boulevard cruiser, not a track star as most BMWs.
MikeW 11:22AM (6/29/2007)
Red turn signals and run flat tires are working against the 335i sedan.
Where is MB direct injection V6?
MB 3.5 would have best in class bottom end.
288hp@6400 269ft-lbs 3000-5100
VQ35HR 306hp@6800 268ft-lbs@4800
2gr-fse 306hp@6400 277ft-lbs@4800
MikeW 12:15PM (6/29/2007)
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/May06/02MercedesCLSSpecificationsFor2007/99564606a573.jpg
http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/images/2006/12/chart10.gif
m 8:37PM (6/29/2007)
Ummm a crew of men with a combined total knowledge and skill level of 10 thousand years in the finer points of luxury automobile manufacturing? daaaaaa. Mercedes and a g37 have nothing in common. One is completely digital rendering of a luxury car and the other is a luxury car. Good or bad the mercedes is still one of the finest total luxury automobiles on planet Earth. It may not be completely ( modern ) by G37 standards but the overall package will always be of a higher quality and the true fit and finish will in the long run stand up better to the elements.
Nr9 1:52AM (6/29/2007)
the quick steering is good enough reason. it makes it easier to drive than all its competitors.
also it looks good and in many countries, people just to have benz
Reply
srivendel 9:59AM (6/29/2007)
From Britain's Car Magazine...
"Liberate the throttle and it’s clear the Mercedes has discovered its tail – ESP reins it in before opposite lock becomes necessary but such newfound dynamism remains (and the ESP is switchable, don't forget). There’s simply a greater feeling of balance, not to mention a clearer connection to the road, aided by light but immeasurably more direct steering that’s both quick and accurate. Gone is the Mercedes mush. Even the throttle response is more immediate. ... It’s surprisingly agile for a car that rides so well, while such alert response and reduced roll angles is proof the clever tech works."