2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class launched in India, prices start from 55 lakh

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been one of the longest running nameplates in Mercedes-Benz India’s lineup and now the sixth-generation of the luxury sedan has been launched, with prices for the 2022 C-Class starting from Rs 55 lakh. The C-Class will be offered in three variants, and it promises to heat up the rivalry against its traditional rivals, the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4.

A smaller S-Class? That's what the C-Class looks like!

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class design

From Baby Benz to Baby S, the C-Class has come a long way since the W203 which was first sold in the country. Mercedes-Benz calls this the Baby S-Class and that’s not just marketing speak, with the sixth-gen C-Class actually looking like an S which has been shrunken-down by two sizes. The three-pointed star sits proud and centre in the front grille and the silhouette of the C-Class is quintessentially Mercedes, with flowing lines and a drag coefficient of 0.24 Cd. The C-Class has also grown in dimensions over the earlier generation, being 65mm longer and 10mm wider than the model it replaces. The ground clearance has also gone up by 7mm.

17-inch alloy wheels standard on the C-Class

The C-Class is offered in three variants and while the standard car sits in 17-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design, the C 300d gets the AMG Line styling package which comes with sportier styling and the 18-inch AMG alloy wheels. The AMG Line also endows the C-Class with digital headlights which use 1.3 million pixels to illuminate the road ahead of you in the dark.

Interiors of the C-Class reminiscent of larger S-Class

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class interiors

On the inside is where the C-Class really pushes the game forward with interiors that have clearly been inspired by the S-Class. The cabin is swathed in leather and you get a 11.9-inch infotainment screen that is powered by Mercedes-Benz’ latest MBUX system, which offers integrated navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and a host of other features while supporting OTA updates. The digital real estate also includes a 12.3-inch digital cockpit for the driver, and the C-Class also gets the Car-to-X system that debuted on the S-Class. Car-to-X can relay information on road conditions and accidents to other Mercedes cars in the vicinity via the cloud. You also get twin-sunroofs and the C-Class also gets an electrically adjustable steering wheel, something which was not standard earlier. In addition to this, the AMG Line on the C 300d also gets you the Burmester 3D sound system along with the 4-spoke flat bottom steering wheel finished in Nappa leather which also gets touch controls.

Two diesels and a sole petrol variant on the new C-Class. Mild-hybrid tech standard across the range

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class engines

The C-Class is offered with three engine options, with a single petrol variant and two diesels. The C 200 comes with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine which produces 201bhp of power and 300Nm of torque. On the other hand, the C 220d is offered with a 2-litre turbo-diesel that makes 197bhp of power and 440Nm of torque. The C 300d also makes use of the same engine but it is offered in a higher state of tune, producing 261bhp and 550Nm of torque. All of these engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox and they are also equipped with a 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG) for mild-hybrid tech. The ISG boosts the power and torque by up to 20bhp and 200Nm respectively, while the mild-hybrid tech also aids fuel efficiency. In fact the C 220d boasts a fuel efficiency figure of 23kmpl – the highest for a Mercedes-Benz sold in the country!

We’ve also spoken about the how C-Class drives in our first drive review and it is by no means a slouch, with a claimed 0-100kmph of 7.3 seconds for the C 200 and the C 200d. The C 300d on the other hand dispatches the same 0-100kmph run in a claimed 5.7 seconds.

The C-Class is more expensive than its rivals

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class pricing and rivals

Prices for the 2022 C-Class begin from Rs 55 lakh for the C 200 with the petrol engine and the C 220d is priced at Rs 56 lakh.The more powerful C 300d is priced at Rs 61 lakh. The C-Class’ traditional rivals have always been the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4, and in terms of pricing, the C Class is more expensive compared to its rivals. The C-Class will also rival the likes of the Volvo S60 and the Jaguar XE, both of which undercut the Mercedes-Benz, but the C-Class with its new and improved package is surely set to shake up the segment.