New C-Class gives elegant, sportier choices

Premium German carmaker PT DaimlerChrysler Indonesia (DCI) launched on Tuesday two new Mercedes-Benz C-Class models at the Sentul Circuit in Sentul, Bogor, West Java.

The new C-Class comes in two models: the C240 Elegance and C240 Sport offering plenty of new features both outside and in.

The most noticeable are the new clear lens headlights and fog lamps, improvements to the tail lights and a new three-slide radiator grille.

The headlights use a Bi-Xenon bulb with a cornering light function incorporated, which gives a better view of the direction being taken with reference to a direction indicator, steering angle and speed. It dims at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour.

The new models also come with clear lens indicators in the mirrors.

A sportier look is achieved with the use of new, more powerful front aprons with large air intakes. They are not only sportier; they allow an optimal air supply to reach the engine.

In the interior, the instrument cluster has four-dial design with chrome trim rings with a white illumination.

C240 Sport seats are covered by alpace gray fabric upholstery while the C240 Elegance seats are covered by pebble beige leather giving a more luxurious feeling.

Both models are powered by a V6, 2,600 cc engine, marking a new transition in the C-Class; from now on all C-Class models will be powered by V6 engines to further strengthen their performance.

The engine develops a maximum power of 175 horsepower (hp) at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 240 Newton-meters (Nm) at 4,500 rpm.

The models come with brake assist (BA) and electronic stability programs (ESP). For passive safety, three-point seat belts and head restraints are available for all seats while two- stage airbags are provided for driver and front seat passengers.

They are available in five-speed automatic transmission with cruise control and Speedtronic variable speed limiter.

The C240 Elegance is available in black and silver, and is priced at Rp 577 million while the C240 Sport has a black and fire-opal red color scheme tagged at Rp 489 million. Both prices are off-the-road. -- Novan Iman Santosa