INSIGHT
5 INSIGHT
BY: Mike Fourie
INSIGHTS INTO THE C-CLASS
1
The C-Class remains the most important product in MercedesBenz’s line-up And since the W205-generation sedan replaced its W204 predecessor, the buyers have become much younger, especially in markets such as in China, where the C-Class long wheelbase is our top seller. We’ve also done very well with the “Lines” concept, which offers a multitude of interior and exterior trim combinations to suit a variety of tastes. Now, with the C-Class Coupé, we’re hoping to appeal to buyers who are, on average, 10 years younger than sedan customers and looking for a product that makes a definitive style statement.
2
C-Class sedans built in MercedesBenz’s award-winning East London plant are driven in numerous markets And not just South Africa and North America. Right-hand-drive models are not made just for local consumption, but exported to the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia. Meanwhile, only 20% of C-Classes in the American market are made in South Africa; many East London-built cars are destined for left-hand-drive European markets, such as France, Italy and even Germany … that’s the beauty of Mercedes’ flexible global production network.
3
The Coupé derivative means the C-Class family has grown to five, but there will soon be two more The W205-generation sedan was the first car to use the modular rear-wheel-drive architecture platform (as will the upcoming all-new E-Class executive sedan). Since the launch of the W205 in 2014, a long22 CAR JANUARY 2016
5InsightsJAN2016.indd 22
MikeFourieZA
Mercedes-Benz product manager for the C-Class, Michael Christof,, talks about the significance of the C-Class, its upcoming derivatives and future-proofing wheelbase version, Estate, Coupé and GLC SUV derivatives have been introduced. As was the case with the GLE in the largeSUV segment, the GLC will soon be joined by a coupé-flavoured spin-off and after that a two-door C-Class derivative that will especially enjoyable in brilliant sunshine.
4
Downsizing cannot come at the cost of the luxury-car experience The quest for fuel efficiency, let alone emissions legislation, has seen manufacturers trim the number of engine cylinders. Our customers embrace it – provided smaller engines produce good outputs while remaining refined. The compromised boot capacity of petrol-electric sedans, by comparison, is a harder sell. Fortunately, the technology is improving, because in the future, the premium market will reach a point where every range will need to offer a plug-in hybrid – or risk losing sales.
5
The only way to keep up with smart-device tech is to split a range’s update schedule Digital personal devices and their operating systems evolve at such a rapid rate that it is not sufficient to upgrade a vehicle’s electronic network only when introducing cosmetic and mechanical upgrades (with a conventional mid-cycle update, for example). Scheduling more frequent updates to a vehicle’s digital module and network during its model life affords a level of flexibility to provide customers with up-to-date and user-friendly interfaces that will be fully compatible with the latest personal smart devices.
“The C-Class Coupé was designed to appear in the same league as its bigger brothers, as if it was crafted from one piece.” According to Robert Lesnik, Mercedes-Benz director of exterior design, the Coupé appears distinct from its sedan sibling, especially from the rear, where it features S-Class Coupé-aping two-part taillamp clusters (the sedan has single-piece units).
CARmag.co.za
11/26/15 2:42 PM
BY: Mike Fourie
INSIGHTS INTO THE C-CLASS
1
The C-Class remains the most important product in MercedesBenz’s line-up And since the W205-generation sedan replaced its W204 predecessor, the buyers have become much younger, especially in markets such as in China, where the C-Class long wheelbase is our top seller. We’ve also done very well with the “Lines” concept, which offers a multitude of interior and exterior trim combinations to suit a variety of tastes. Now, with the C-Class Coupé, we’re hoping to appeal to buyers who are, on average, 10 years younger than sedan customers and looking for a product that makes a definitive style statement.
2
C-Class sedans built in MercedesBenz’s award-winning East London plant are driven in numerous markets And not just South Africa and North America. Right-hand-drive models are not made just for local consumption, but exported to the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia. Meanwhile, only 20% of C-Classes in the American market are made in South Africa; many East London-built cars are destined for left-hand-drive European markets, such as France, Italy and even Germany … that’s the beauty of Mercedes’ flexible global production network.
3
The Coupé derivative means the C-Class family has grown to five, but there will soon be two more The W205-generation sedan was the first car to use the modular rear-wheel-drive architecture platform (as will the upcoming all-new E-Class executive sedan). Since the launch of the W205 in 2014, a long22 CAR JANUARY 2016
5InsightsJAN2016.indd 22
MikeFourieZA
Mercedes-Benz product manager for the C-Class, Michael Christof,, talks about the significance of the C-Class, its upcoming derivatives and future-proofing wheelbase version, Estate, Coupé and GLC SUV derivatives have been introduced. As was the case with the GLE in the largeSUV segment, the GLC will soon be joined by a coupé-flavoured spin-off and after that a two-door C-Class derivative that will especially enjoyable in brilliant sunshine.
4
Downsizing cannot come at the cost of the luxury-car experience The quest for fuel efficiency, let alone emissions legislation, has seen manufacturers trim the number of engine cylinders. Our customers embrace it – provided smaller engines produce good outputs while remaining refined. The compromised boot capacity of petrol-electric sedans, by comparison, is a harder sell. Fortunately, the technology is improving, because in the future, the premium market will reach a point where every range will need to offer a plug-in hybrid – or risk losing sales.
5
The only way to keep up with smart-device tech is to split a range’s update schedule Digital personal devices and their operating systems evolve at such a rapid rate that it is not sufficient to upgrade a vehicle’s electronic network only when introducing cosmetic and mechanical upgrades (with a conventional mid-cycle update, for example). Scheduling more frequent updates to a vehicle’s digital module and network during its model life affords a level of flexibility to provide customers with up-to-date and user-friendly interfaces that will be fully compatible with the latest personal smart devices.
“The C-Class Coupé was designed to appear in the same league as its bigger brothers, as if it was crafted from one piece.” According to Robert Lesnik, Mercedes-Benz director of exterior design, the Coupé appears distinct from its sedan sibling, especially from the rear, where it features S-Class Coupé-aping two-part taillamp clusters (the sedan has single-piece units).
CARmag.co.za
11/26/15 2:42 PM
