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New C-Class W203 for Year 2000
Nine photos below optimized for 800 x 600
screen resolution.....343KB...............Updated
April 25th 1999
Dynamic, sporty and elegant: That's how the new C-Class
presents itself next year. The hood is deeply pulled down, the double
headlights look like merged.
Photo and photo text: Auto Bild Two-piece mounting and background retouching by MBEP webmaster Please note that the photos from "AutoBild" show the computer retouches of a still slightly disguised test car, for the undisguised car see the photos from "Auto Zeitung" below. |
Below you find the world's most complete publicly available
information about the new C-Class W203 with articles
from "Auto Motor und Sport","Auto
Bild","Auto Zeitung","Autoweek"
and "Auto Express".
Translation of an article from "Auto Motor und Sport" from April 1999 written by Gert Hack
Group C
After only seven years of life the new Mercedes C-Class will be presented in the next year. The sedan shows similarities with the S-Class. Under the shorthand CL a two-door hatchback variant is added
One more year: Then the new Mercedes C-Class with new
outfit and new technical contents will come onto market. The new development
running under the internal factory code W203 replaces a model (W202) from
which until today with all all derivatives inclusive the SLK 1.8 million
cars have been produced. Until the middle of the next year the two-million
mark will be topped clearly.
With that the actual model is even more successful than
its predecessor, the Baby-Benz 190 (W201) which in ten years made it up
to 1.9 million sales. However, above all the C-Class owes its success to
the additional model variants, which made sure that the
decline of registrations of the sedan was compensated (see
graphics below). Graphics:
Auto Motor und Sport Translation by MBEP webmaster
After three years of monoculture of the sedan the T-model
came carefully measured onto the market in June 1996, a little later the
two-seater SLK. In the middle of 1997 the four-seater CLK Coupe and in
the following year the CLK Cabrio. Such a model variety creates incentives
to buy and indeed the number of C-Classes sold increase world-wide continually.
1998 was the most successful year with 384.400 sales.
With that Mercedes follows those example which BMW successfully demonstrated with the 3-Series. Mercedes however still lacks the reasonably priced base model like BMW practises it in the form of the Compact. With the new series this last gap in the programme will be closed. The two-door Mercedes CL, so the internal naming, shall be presented roughly at the same time as the sedan. So at least the plan is. But most important and most sold model is and will be the sedan, for which until now roughly 70 per cent of |
Translation of an article from "AutoBild" from April 1999 written by Michael Specht
Second C-Youth
It`s time: The Mercedes C-Class stands shortly before its replacement. The substitute is more sporty and thus shall find more young fans
The countdown is running and is fully in plan as it seems.
In early summer 2000 Mercedes presents the C-Class number two (internally
called W203). With that the replacement of the current model is due after
less than eight years (The 190`s ((W201)) life was more than eleven years).
For the testing-engineeers und developers this means
turning into the home stretch: Last adjustment tests for engines, transmissions,
chassis, brakes and new, even more efficient electronics. The only thing
on which no more fold is changed anymore is the body.
It adapts to the new, dynamic philosophy of the house
of DaimlerChrysler. The W203 looks like the little brother of the S-Class:
Rising wedge shape, merged double-headlamps, triangled rear lights, turn
signals in the mirrors. Especially flashy: The arch-shaped run of the seam
from the rear lights to the wheel arch. Just like the S-Class.
With the sporty and young outfit Mercedes mainly aims
at younger, successful people earning a good salary. They finally shall
significantly lower the average of the customer's ages from ((the present))
54. (By the way: With the 190's it was 52 years). And not at last: Somewhen
the race successes of the Formula 1 finally have to be effective.
And the new C-Class grows only very little, circa three
to four centimetres in length (4.55 metres then). Also between front- and
rear-axle the distance is growing (plus six centimetres). More wheelbase
always is the measure which comes to the passenger`s benefit: More legroom
in the rear, more comfort in the spring-absorber adjustment.
Photo and photo text on top below right:Auto Zeitung Two-piece mounting, backgr. retouching plus add. prep. for the web by MBEP webmaster |
Front with four-eye face: Star, chromed grille and bumpers
painted in the body colour are still missing.
(End of photo text for above photo) This is how the car finally could look like when the slight disguises the test cars still do come with are retouched Photo left and photo text: AutoBild Horizontal mirroring, background retouching plus additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
Production and Sales Figures for W201 and W202 Graphics:AutoBild |
Produktion 190er weltweit = Production of 190`s world-wide
Produktion C-Klasse weltweit = Production C-Class world-wide
Absatz 190er in Deutschland = Sale of 190`s in Germany Absatz C-Klasse in Deutschland = Sale of C-Classes in Germany |
Furthermore they form the base for the direct gasoline
ignition (GDI), to further lower fuel consumption. Target: Six litres ((per
100km, 47.09mpg UK, 39.21mpg US)) and the exhaust emissions standard D4
((for a comparison of W203 and W202 engines see grey background table below)).
For that of course efficient gear changes mustn't be
missed. Designated are five- and six speed transmissions as well as a five-speed
automatic transmission with transversal oriented tiptronic lane like with
the S-Class. Also the automatic clutch system AKS is used.
With the trimming some polishing still goes on. EPS and
air-condition come as standard. The option list offers tasty tidbits which
now are still left to the S-Class: Keyless-go, the opening and starting
of the car by chipcard, as well as Comand with multi-function steering
wheel, telephone with speech control (Linguatronic).
Nevertheless shall be attempted to remain within an acceptable
range with the prices. The C180 sedan
will start at roughly DM 49.000 ((the price of the W202
C180 sedan starts at DM 47.444 in Germany
one year before the presentation of it`s successor)).
That is nearly as double as much as before roughly 18 years ago when the
baby-Benz was introduced (DM 25.538). Unfortunately our salaries haven't
fully doubled in this time.
Michael Specht
End of article from "AutoBild"
Translation by MBEP webmaster as well as remarks in ((blabla)),
but (blabla) belongs to the original text
The headline "Second C-Youth" is a wordplay as this in
Germany denotes a soccer team for youngsters, B-Youth for older youngsters
than in C-Youth.
Translation of an article from "Auto Zeitung" from March 1999 written by Hartwig Petersen
Photo and photo text on top below right: Auto Zeitung |
Beautiful End: The wide trunk lid and the trapezoid rear
lights form the rear.
(End of photo text for above photo) The mark wasn't overstepped: The upper curve of the rear doors is nearly like an arc of a circle Photo and photo text: AutoBild Backgr. retouching and add. preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
Novelty: Mercedes C-Class
Only 13 Months Left Caught: Bit by bit the wraps are off. Pleasingly undisguised the Mercedes classic presents its nearly final look The new edition of the C-Class starts with the classic sedans at the beginning of 2000. With that the development process of the most important Mercedes series is exactly in time. The plans for the star-bearer are ambitious: Already in modelyear 2001 the sale shall increase noticeably world-wide. And that although in 1998 more than 380.000 C-Classes were delivered. In the everlasting triathlon with Audi and BMW the new C-Class shall be armed with technical features which until now were reserved for the higher segments. Besides a noticeably upgraded equipment level - air condition, ESP and the security-packkage with six airbags - Xenon-headlamps, distance-cruise control (Distronic), the combined system consisting of telephone and radio (Comand) as well as a five-gear automatic transmission with tip-switch function should likely make their arrival into the middle class at extra charge. The design of the internally named 203 series shows styling elements of the S-Class. Belonging to that are a variant of the four-eye face and the transparently designed trapezoid rear lights. If the turn signals on the sides will also be integrated into the rearview mirrors still remains a secret yet. But known from the S-Class is the cockpit layout. Like the big brother the new C-Class is equipped with a multi-function steering-wheel. The big instrument cluster and the background lighting of the large speedometer scale are known from the top model, too. The interior space of the four-door sedan should only be enhanced slightly compared to the predecessor by working on details - the distance to the E-Class has to be keept. Seven engines at the start of sale The following engines could be available from May 2000 on: The two four-cylinder gasoline engines C200 (136hp) and C200 Kompressor (190hp) as well as the six-cylinder engines C260 (170hp) and C280 (197hp). Three modern common-rail diesel engines (C180CDI/90hp), C200CDI/116hp) and C220CDI/136hp) do extend the range. After the introduction of the sedan the first hatchback Mercedes will follow as competitor to the BMW 3-series. Behind the development code CL203 hides a two-door station wagon coupe ((Auto Zeitung uses an unclear term here, meant is that the car will have a large tailgate and the rear seats can be folded down)), which then will take over the role of the entry-level model. Whilst with this variant new, younger customers shall be won, with the sedan Mercedes can rely on loyal regular customers who want to drive a car with classic notchback. Hartwig Petersen End of article from Auto Zeitung Translation by MBEP webmaster as well as remarks in ((blabla)), but (blabla) belongs to original text. |
A quick comparison of the engines avail. at the start of W203 in May 2000 with their old counterparts: |
. | . | Auto | Auto | AMS | AMS | . |
. | W203 | Zeitung | Bild | (old) | (new) | W202 |
Gas | C180 | NM | 122hp. | 122hp | NM | 122hp |
. | C200 | 136hp | 136hp | 140hp | NM | 136hp |
. | C200Kompressor | 190hp | 190hp | 190hp | NM | 179hp (early) or 192hp (late) |
. | C260 | 170hp | 170hp | 170hp | NM | Not available (Best match is C240 with 170hp) |
. | C280 | 197hp | 197hp | 204hp | NM | 197hp, earlier 193hp |
Diesel | C180CDI | 90hp | NM | NM | NM | N/A (C220D with 95hp, earlier C200D with 75hp) |
. | C200CDI | 116hp | 115hp | NM | NM | 102hp (Earlier C250D with 113hp) |
. | C220CDI | 136hp | 136hp | 140hp | 143hp | 125hp |
. | C270CDI | NM | 160hp | 165hp | 170hp | N/A (Earlier C250 Turbodiesel with 150hp) |
Note: "NM" means "Not Mentioned by Magazine", "N/A" means
"Not Available", "Kompressor" is the German word for "supercharger".
Availability of W202 engines differs from country to country - expect the same with W203.......... For W202 more engines are available reaching up to 306hp in C43AMG. Comparison of engines by MBEP webmaster, W203 data by "Auto Zeitung", "AutoBild" and "Auto Motor und Sport" as stated. Comparison updated April 25th 1999 |
And here's what "Autoweek" has to say about the very same car pictured above:
Further expanding the luxury car market
From a truly underground spy photographer comes this
revealing photo of the next Mercedes-Benz C-Class, another new offering
designed to give the luxury automaker a more stylish, youthful image.
Profitable luxury cars - especially "entry level" luxury
cars like the C - are all the rage. Which is why Wolfgang Reitzle was given
the title of vice president of the Premium Automotive Group when Ford's
Jac Nasser the ousted BMW wunderkind.
Back at Mercedes, DaimlerChrysler has another route to
hyperexpensive mobility: socially responsible fuel-cell cars for 2004.
The headliner tells how.
See the C
We have caught the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class without
disguise. As expected, the car gets some E-Class styling cues, sleek new
headlamps and a more rakish C-pillar.
The engine range remains largely the same, except at
the top: The 302hp 4.3-litre V8 will be replaced with a supercharged 3.2-litre
V6 making 320hp, and using less gas, a source says.
The C-Class is expected to appear in Europe before fall
2000, but North America might not see the car in dealerships until early
2001.
End of article from "Autoweek"
Many thanks to Alex A. for sending the article from "Autoweek"!
Sleek Peek at C-Class from
"Auto Express" written by Tom Barnard
Photo: AutoExpress Note that the photo
is slightly retouched by the magazine
Owners of the Mercedes C-Class had better prepare for
a change, because if they want to order the next model, this is what they
will get.
As seen in the clearest shots yet of the replacement
for the company's top-seller, the stylic mimics the all-new
S-Class with smoother, more modern lines and rounded headlamps similar
to the E-Class. However it is not too radical to upset Mercedes' current
buyers.
New sleek look for C-Class mimics
|
Due to hit the UK in early 2000, the new C-Class will be the firm's answer to the all-new compact executive models from BMW, Audi and Alfa Romeo. But not content with its spiralling sales in other sectors, Mercedes is set to launch the C-Class in several bodystyles to fill as many niches as possible. An estate will join the saloon model soon after launch, but the real surprise will be a three-door hatchback to rival the BMW 3-Series Compact and Audi A3. Rather than follow Audi's route of developing an all-new model, Mercedes has opted to take the BMW path and use the same front end and basic mechanicals from the C-Class saloon to save costs. |
The rear-drive format will be retained and power will
come from the current 2.4 and 2.8-litre V6 petrol engines. But top sellers
will be the four-cylinder units. These will continue for the first year
of production, while a new generation of ultra-economical, direct-injection
petrol units undergoes final development. There is good news in the diesel
department, too. A 3.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel is being developed
to answer the challenge from BMW. This will offer the ultimate in performance
from an oil-burner, with around 170bhp and locomotive-like torque figures.
Economy and refinement will remain exceptional.
Mercedes is not about to let the new C-Class fall behind in terms of safety. It will be packed with equipment such as the ESP anti-skid system, and feature side-impact airbags in the front and rear doors for both head and waist protection. ((saloon = sedan, estate = station wagon, bhp = hp)) End of article Thanks to Colin from the UK for sending the article plus the photos from Auto Express! |
More articles on the C-Class W203:
Interior Photos New C-Class W203 |
New C-Class Compact W203 for Year 2000 |
New C-Class W203 Station Wagon for Year 2001 |
Old Spy-Photos New C-Class W203 for Year 2000 |
Last revised technically: Jan. 25th 2000...Visits since February 27th '98.. |