Mercedes to build long-wheelbase C-Class for China

It seems that for any sedan – luxury or otherwise – to flourish in the Chinese auto market, it must offer a long-wheelbase model. Recent news of Chinese-exclusive stretch jobs includes the Infiniti M, BMW 3 Series and even the Hyundai Elantra, and now Reuters is reporting that Mercedes will offer its all-new 2015 C-Class with a long wheelbase for Chinese buyers.

By jeffreynrossab@gmail.com
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The aluminum roof panel of the 2015 C-Class, affixed to a cutaway portion of the bodyshell.
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The aluminum roof panel of the 2015 C-Class, affixed to a cutaway portion of the bodyshell.

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There's a gap between the roof panel and the steel body --
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There’s a gap between the roof panel and the steel body —

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because in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, the bodyshell is rotated 360 degrees during painting. The roof panel is attached to the body with screws and 10-millimeter spacers, so the steel and aluminum , which expand at different rates, can cure together after painting. Once dried, the roof is affixed to the body with adhesive. Other factories that don't rotate the body use tabs on the roof panel to secure it to the body.
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because in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, the bodyshell is rotated 360 degrees during painting. The roof panel is attached to the body with screws and 10-millimeter spacers, so the steel and aluminum , which expand at different rates, can cure together after painting. Once dried, the roof is affixed to the body with adhesive. Other factories that don’t rotate the body use tabs on the roof panel to secure it to the body.

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An overhead shot of the multi-part steel construction of the rear axle transverse beam in the current C-Class, upper left, and the single aluminum piece used in the 2015 C-Class. On the lower right is a section of bodywork with different colors highlighting the various metals used in construction.
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An overhead shot of the multi-part steel construction of the rear axle transverse beam in the current C-Class, upper left, and the single aluminum piece used in the 2015 C-Class. On the lower right is a section of bodywork with different colors highlighting the various metals used in construction.

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The pieces of the steel rear axle transverse beam.
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The pieces of the steel rear axle transverse beam.

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The single-piece aluminum rear axle transverse beam, six pounds lighter than its steel counterpart.
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The single-piece aluminum rear axle transverse beam, six pounds lighter than its steel counterpart.

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The steel construction of the front damper strut assembly in the current C-Class --
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The steel construction of the front damper strut assembly in the current C-Class —

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The single-piece aluminum strut tower assembly in the 2015 C-Class.
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The single-piece aluminum strut tower assembly in the 2015 C-Class.

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Impact fasteners are used to connect some aluminum components to the bodyshell were there is enough metal to do so.
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Impact fasteners are used to connect some aluminum components to the bodyshell were there is enough metal to do so.

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This is part of the rear wheel-well assembly. The impact fasteners are the row of red circles in the lower center of th photo.
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This is part of the rear wheel-well assembly. The impact fasteners are the row of red circles in the lower center of th photo.

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The other side of the impact fasteners.
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The other side of the impact fasteners.

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A panel showing the placement of cameras and sensors around the car that enable Intelligent Drive.
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A panel showing the placement of cameras and sensors around the car that enable Intelligent Drive.

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A panel showing the global crash tests the 2015 C-Class has been engineered to pass. Yes, the small-offset frontal impact test is pictured, but Mercedes engineers told us that the full-frontal test is actually the hardest to engineer the car around.
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A panel showing the global crash tests the 2015 C-Class has been engineered to pass. Yes, the small-offset frontal impact test is pictured, but Mercedes engineers told us that the full-frontal test is actually the hardest to engineer the car around.

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The Intelligent Drive simulator using an S-Class placed in front of six screens.
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The Intelligent Drive simulator using an S-Class placed in front of six screens.

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An A-Class finish being tested on a rolling road under different temperature conditions.
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An A-Class finish being tested on a rolling road under different temperature conditions.

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An S-Class also being temperature tested on another rolling road.
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An S-Class also being temperature tested on another rolling road.

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It seems that for any sedan – luxury or otherwise – to flourish in the Chinese auto market, it must offer a long-wheelbase model. Recent news of Chinese-exclusive stretch jobs includes the Infiniti M, BMW 3 Series and even the Hyundai Elantra, and now Reuters is reporting that Mercedes will offer its all-new 2015 C-Class with a long wheelbase for Chinese buyers.

There are no specifics about this lengthened C-Class, but Mercedes board member Thomas Weber told Reuters that the long-wheelbase model would be built and sold in China. With production of the 2015 C-Class occurring in four countries (US, China, Germany and South Africa), Mercedes will be able to match specific models to local markets. A station wagon, which we’ve already seen in spy photos, was also confirmed in the conversation with Weber, but there’s still no word regarding a next-gen C-Class Coupe.