New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel Brought to India; Launching Soon

Mercedes-Benz India launched the petrol model of the C-Class here in November, 2014, and is now planning to launch the diesel model - C220 CDI - of the car too. In fact, the company has imported several units of the car from Germany in India, which further assures of its launch being round the corner. The company had earlier proclaimed its plan to launch 15 cars in India this year, out of which the CLA-Class was launched yesterday. The next product to join the Mercedes-Benz India line-up will be the 2015 C-Class diesel.

Unlike the C-Class petrol, the diesel version of the saloon has come to India as CKD (completely knocked-down unit), indicating that it will be locally assembled at the company's facility at Chakan, Pune.

Powering the vehicle will be a 2143cc diesel engine that is good for 135bhp and 300Nm of peak torque. The similar engine also powers diesel versions of the CLA-Class and GLA-Class. Transmitting power to the rear-wheels of the car will be a 7-speed automatic transmission (7G-TRONIC Plus). Mercedes-Benz will also launch the performance-oriented AMG model of the car later.

Based on Mercedes-Benz's new lightweight 'Mercedes Rear-Drive Architecture' platform, the new-generation C-Class features a long bonnet, twin-slat grille with the company's three-point star logo, low stance and short front overhangs. However, the soft shoulder line emerging from LED head-lamps and flowing towards the door handles, daytime running light design, tail lamps, rear bumper, boot-lid are quite similar to the previous model of the car.

Dimensionally, the new-Class has grown 95mm longer and 40mm wider, whereas its height has been reduced by 5mm. The sedan now measures 4686mm in length, 1810mm in width and 1442mm in height. With a wheelbase of 2840mm, the car offers quite a spacious cabin. The vehicle's boot too has been increased by 5mm to 480-litres.