Next year, Mercedes-Benz will start rolling out its second generation of compact vehicles, signaled by the introduction of the all new A-Class, the fourth generation since the birth of the model in 1997 and the second iteration in the hatchback form. As a preview, Mercedes-Benz has recently organized a TecDay event in Stuttgart, where select journalists and clients were able to discover the revolutionary interior concept of the forthcoming W 177 model series. Futuristic materials, trims and colour combinations are all new and designed to appeal to a below-30 target group of clients.

The next Mercedes-Benz A-Class will go all digital with its newly designed interior. The dashboard will be a complete departure from today's model and a true revolution in the premium compact class. For the first time in history, the A-Class will be offered with an all-digital instrument cluster and a wide display for the COMAND Online infotainment system, which is to be upgraded to the NTG 6.0 version. Both LED screens benefit from a diagonal of 10.25 inches. The minimalist and clean cues of the organic dashboard are also translated into the absence of a cowl above the widescreen cockpit.

Further exclusive elements are the options that are transferred from the high-end S-Class model: the new generation of steering wheels with improved operation and Touch Control buttons, the massage function for the seats and the ambient lighting in up to 64 colours and tones. The turbine-looking, illuminated air vents are also another feature that comes from another range-topping model - the new CLS (C 257). Last, but not least, the control and operation concept is rounded with the introduction of the large, controller-less touchpad, which promises an intuitive and sharp experience through natural swipe movements.

To find out more technical details about the interior of the new A-Class, set for official premiere at the Geneva Motor Show 2018, you can read the following press release from Mercedes-Benz. Enjoy!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

The interior design of the new A-Class

The interior of the A-Class is a completely new departure, and revolutionises the compact class from the inside with a new feeling of spaciousness. The unique architecture is particularly marked by the avantgarde design of the dashboard. There is much a more generous amount of interior space.

In the coming year, the new A-Class as a harbinger of the new compact car generation will replace a bestseller that has decisively contributed to a more youthful brand image for Mercedes-Benz: the average age of European drivers of this most progressive compact class model is now 13 years lower than for the preceding series. And now the revolution is set to continue: the coming A‑Class completely redefines Modern Luxury in the interior. At the same time it has considerably more utility value, making it as youthful as ever but as grown-up as never before.

"The new A-Class embodies the next stage in our design philosophy of sensual purity, and has the potential to usher in a new design era," says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG. "The interior presents modern luxury at a level previously unattainable in this class, and transports the user interface into the digital age."

The interior architecture and the control & display systems of the new A-Class are a USP in this segment. The dashboard is divided into two three-dimensional, horizontal sections: the lower section is visually separated from the main body of the dashboard by a "trench", and it appears to float in front of the dashboard. The optional ambience lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating impression of the substructure.

The standard widescreen cockpit is completely free-standing, and for the first time there are absolutely no cowls above the instruments. The sporty air vents in a turbine-look are another highlight.

The A-Class also takes its lead from the luxury Mercedes-Benz models where many other details are concerned. The multifunctional steering wheel comes from the S-Class, for example. The front seats likewise have comfort features available from higher segments, including seat climate control, massage function and multicontour seat. The trim elements are in a "wrap-around" design, and the choice of materials (e.g. open-pore wood) underscores the progressive, high-quality positioning.

The interior has a greatly enhanced feeling of spaciousness, better all-round visibility and more space. Utility value is increased by more shoulder-room (front +9 mm, rear +22 mm), elbow-room (front +35 mm, rear +36 mm) and headroom (front +7 mm, rear +8 mm). Easier access to the rear seats is another plus point of the new A-Class. The luggage compartment behind the rear seats is more suitable for family and recreational use, and has a capacity of 370 litres – 29 litres more than the preceding model. Thanks to two-section rear lights, the loading aperture is 20 cm wider than before, and the luggage compartment floor is 11.5 cm longer. If required the rear seat backrest can be positioned more upright, e.g. to accommodate bulky boxes. All-round visibility has also been considerably improved: by around ten percent.

Interior and seats: Interior revolution

The interior of the A-Class is a completely new departure, and revolutionises the compact class from the inside with a new feeling of spaciousness. The unique architecture is particularly marked by the avantgarde design of the dashboard. For the first time a cowl above the cockpit has been completely dispensed with. As a result, the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extends from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity. The standard widescreen cockpit is completely free-standing. The sporty air vents in a turbine-look are another highlight. The front seats have comfort features available from higher segments, including seat climate control, massage function and multicontour seat.

The interior architecture and the control & display systems of the new A-Class are a USP in this segment. The dashboard is divided into two three-dimensional, horizontal sections: the lower section is visually separated from the main body of the dashboard by a "trench", and it appears to float in front of the dashboard. The optional ambience lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating impression of the substructure.

The lower section of the dashboard provides the basis for the turbine-look air vents and the completely free-standing widescreen display. This is available in three versions: with two 7-inch (17.78 cm), one 7 and one 10.25-inch (26 cm) or with two 10.25-inch displays. For the latter two variants Mercedes-Benz uses bonded glass technology. Integration of the air conditioning display into the central screen also considerably helps to maintain the clear line of the cockpit. The air conditioning is controlled by the horizontal rocker switches of the A/C operating unit or via the corresponding on-screen menu.

Thanks to the omission of a cockpit cowl, the main body of the dashboard with its trim extends from one front door to the other behind the seemingly free-floating widescreen. The trim elements are in a "wrap-around" design, and the choice of materials (e.g. open-pore wood) underlines the progressive, modern positioning as the top interior in this class.

The five round air vents have a new turbine look inspired by the world of aviation. Finely designed air vanes in a concentric arrangement create the impression of a jet aircraft turbine. In one equipment line the vent surround is colour-accentuated at the depth of the vent geometry, giving the impression of an afterburner. The air vents in the middle are driver-oriented, accentuating the sportiness of the interior.

The door centre panel transitions seamlessly into the armrest, underlining the sensual, flowing design principle. The newly designed 3‑spoke steering wheel, door handles, centre console and seats follow a modern design idiom. The ring-shaped, completely closed grab/door-pull handle is of unusual design and particularly ergonomic.

Ambience lighting: avantgarde light pattern

From 12 to 64 – with the generation change, five times as many colours are available for the ambience lighting of the new A‑Class. And it is not just the variety that has increased, as the emotive presentation also sets standards in this segment: the different colours are composed into ten colour worlds allow an avantgarde lighting display with spectacular colour changes.

The colour worlds can be matched to the different styles of the widescreen display if required, creating a harmonious overall impression. There are also lighting effects that customers can activate individually.

The avantgarde ambience lighting was already taken into consideration in an early development phase, and systematically integrated into the interior design. This is apparent e.g. in the area where the upper and lower sections of the dashboard come together. Thanks to a combination of indirect and direct lighting, a very special ambience is created here which might be compared to the night-time illumination of a historic building. The interior of the turbine-like air vents with galvanised surfaces is likewise emotively presented by the ambience lighting.
The interior lighting uses only long-lasting, energy-saving LED technology.

Seats: comfort features from higher vehicle classes

When developing the seats for the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz used computer-based comfort simulation for the first time in the compact segment. Before the first real seat is actually available, this allows reliable prognoses to be made about the future comfort impression of the seating system solely on the basis of CAD data.

At the same time, comfort features from higher vehicle segments made an appearance: on request, and for the first time in this model series, not only seat heating but also seat climate control and a Multicontour Seat package are available for the front seats. With the seat climate control, there is a radial fan in each seat cushion. The air taken in through the perforated seat cover flows through the seat structure and is vented downwards and to the rear. This surrounds the occupants with a pleasant flow of air. Even when the interior has been strongly heated up in hot weather, the seat climate control rapidly cools the seat surfaces by taking in cooler ambient air. The ventilation level is adjustable in three stages.

With the Multicontour Seat package, the side bolsters and lumbar support can be individually adjusted by an electrically driven pneumatic pump. A massage effect in the lumbar area is provided by air chambers which are inflated and deflated in a pulsing or wave-like motion when the function is activated.

A total of three different front seats are available for the new A-Class: in addition to the basic model there is the comfort seat with up to 20 adjustments and the sporty integral seat available in combination with equipment lines.

The rear seats have a 60/40 split as standard, and the backrests can be folded down accordingly. A rear seat backrest with a 40/20/40 split is also available for even more variability in conjunction with the lines. In combination with the Load Compartment package (optional), the rear seat backrest can be positioned more upright, e.g. to accommodate bulky boxes.

Short interview: "Major step towards the avantgarde"

Three questions for Hartmut Sinkwitz, Head of Interior Design. The 51 year-old studied industrial design and joined Mercedes-Benz in 1995.

Mr Sinkwitz, with its very progressive exterior design, the previous generation of the A-Class decisively contributed to making the Mercedes-Benz brand more youthful. Is the radically new interior design of the new A-Class now intended to create a corresponding "wow" effect amongst the young target group?
Sinkwitz: Well, you haven't seen the exterior design yet (laughs), and here too, we are immediately conveying sportiness and modernity with a puristic, surface-accentuated design with reduced lines and joints. But you are right: The interior of the new A-Class is a major step towards the avantgarde, and unique especially with respect to the open space architecture and the ultra-modern display and control concept. It lends a new quality to the term "modern luxury" in the compact segment, and is an inner revolution.

The dashboard layout is a special feature of the cockpit…
Sinkwitz: …yes, that's correct. Thanks to the visual separation of the lower section from the main body of the dashboard, the former appears to float in front of the dashboard. At the same time, the A-Class is the first series-production model to dispense completely with a classic cockpit shroud. This literally places the large widescreen cockpit with its bonded glass technology in the forefront. Moreover, there is no longer a display in the A/C control panel, as the visual representation is exclusively via the central display. This helped us to realise our clean, puristic and reduced design approach.

What is your personal highlight in the interior?
Sinkwitz: In view of the wealth of inspired design solutions, that is not so easy to say. But I am proud of the ambience lighting, a unique feature in this segment, which creates a very special lighting mood with its variety of colours, colour worlds and a combination of direct and indirect lighting. This only became possible to this extent because we considered the interior lighting before even putting pen to paper.

Luggage compartment and all-round visibility: Fully grown-up

Even though Mercedes-Benz has retained a sporty look for the new A-Class, the utility value has increased: more shoulder, elbow and headroom plus easier access to the rear are clear benefits, as is the larger and more family and recreation-friendly luggage compartment. All-round visibility has also been considerably improved. This enhances both safety and the impression of spaciousness.

The capacity of the luggage compartment behind the rear seats is 370 litres – 29 litres more than in the preceding model. Thanks to two-section rear lights, the loading aperture is 20 cm wider than before, and the luggage compartment floor is 11.5 cm longer. But the progress is not only obvious on paper: the developers of the new A-Class attached particular importance to utility and loading convenience, and virtually tested the luggage compartment with an extensive shopping basket during an early conceptual phase.

The list of shopping basket contents covered over 70 different items. Loading was simulated using the CAD data of the vehicle and items, and where necessary the design of the luggage compartment was fine-tuned. The result is that not only can a pushchair be accommodated in the boot of the A-Class, but also a bicycle if its wheels are separately stowed. Two additional crates of drinks can be stowed compared with the preceding model. A golf bag can also be carried, or two if the luggage cover is removed. If required, the rear seat backrest can be positioned more upright, e.g. to accommodate bulky boxes.

The stowage concept is equally practical: the oddments tray in the centre console ahead of the shift or DCT lever has been significantly enlarged to accommodate items such as a smartphone, wallet, keys or a garage door opener. A cup holder on the centre tunnel for mugs, cans and bottles up to 0.5 litres is a new standard feature. The cup holder insert is removable, making a further stowage space available. The owner's manual is smaller in size, and is accommodated in a separate flap in the glove compartment.

The stowage facilities in the door panels have significantly increased in size, however. 1.5-litre PET bottles or A4-sized magazines can now be stowed in the front door pockets. The rear door panels have bottle holders for 1-litre PET bottles. A new feature in all four door panels is the integrated accommodation of safety vests, which are therefore quickly to hand when needed.

Better all-round visibility for added safety and comfort

Much detailed effort has also gone into the improved all-round visibility. The risk of overlooking vehicles or pedestrians when turning off, changing lane or parking has been significantly reduced. All in all, the obscured area has been reduced by 10 percent compared to the preceding model. This was principally achieved by specifically slimming down the A, B and C-pillars and their claddings. Improved visibility is also assured by positioning the exterior mirrors on the door outer panel rather than in the mirror triangle.

A good view to the rear is ensured by the new rear window wiper. For a larger wiped area, the housing of the roof spoiler has an inner recess to create space for the longer wiper blade.

More space: increased comfort-related dimensions

Not only has the sense of spaciousness been improved, but the occupants also have significantly more width available, as the table shows:

Interesting aspects of the A-Class: Did you know that...

…the success story of the compact cars from Mercedes-Benz already began 20 years ago, with the launch of the first A-Class? More than 5,555,555 Mercedes-Benz compact cars have been delivered worldwide since March 1997 - of which three million alone were A-Class models.

…the introduction of the new A-Class in 2012 significantly contributed to a more youthful Mercedes-Benz brand image? In Europe the average age of drivers owning a new A-Class is more than 13 years less than for drivers of the preceding model series. In China one in three customers were under the age of 30 in 2016.

…the A-Class has a particularly high capture rate? In western Europe in 2016, 70 percent of A-Class drivers did not previously drive a Mercedes‑Benz.

…the compact car segment around the A-Class is being expanded further? At present the compact car family consists of 5 models: A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA. There will be 8 models in the future. The Concept A Sedan show car provides an outlook on the next compact car generation, and the Concept EQA shows how the EQ family can be extended to the compact segment.

…in early 2012, disguised prototypes of the A-Class drove through Germany with a full covering of QR code decals rather than with the usual camouflage? During this "QR Trophy", car enthusiasts were able to scan the codes and win a trip to the world premiere of the A-Class at the Geneva Motor Show.

…the last A-Class generation has won numerous design awards? These include the "red dot Design Award 2013", the "Design Trophy 2013" (Auto Zeitung) and the "AUTO BILD Design Award 2012".

 …since summer 2016, car2go customers can also drive the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as well as smart models? car2go first expanded its fleet in Berlin with the compact model, followed by the Rhineland, Munich and Hamburg.

…the A-Class was voted the vehicle with the highest value retention in its class by "Focus Online" and "Bähr & Fess Forecast" in 2012? With the highest percentage value retention (55.5 percent) in its segment as a four-year old used car, the A-Class was a "2016 value retention champion".

...the last A-Class generation was the first Mercedes-Benz model to be available with comprehensive smartphone integration? From the beginning of 2016 the infotainment systems Apple® CarPlay® (for iPhone® owners) and MirrorLink® became available.








Credits: Daimler AG / Mercedes-Benz

Copyright © 2017, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

The future generation of Mercedes-Benz's executive model, the E-Class, will be a all-rounding technological tour de force. The level of advancement will be unparalleled in the automotive industry, so the W 213 is set to become the milestone to achieve by other luxury constructor. While other carmaker are attempting to convert laser into a reliable light source for automobiles (although, with not much success and efficiency), Mercedes-Benz takes the logical path and further explores the endless possibilities LED technology is offering.

The new E-Class, lauching on-line in December 2015 and celebrating its official world premiere at NAIAS Detroit 2016, will offer an all new generation of the MULTIBEAM LED system that debuted last year on the CLS Facelift (C 218/X 218). The lighting unit is composed of up to 84 individually controlled LED lamps, compared to the current 24. Moreover, the quality goes beyond the standard Full HD 1080p and climb up to 4K precision, which is four times better, equalling a total lighting resolution of 3840x2160 pixels.

If this is not impressive enough, the 84 diods are controlled by a stereo camera which does 100 calculations per second to determine the amount of light the system has to deliver on the road. This helps insure enhanced visibility and prevents the blinding effect even in full range mode.

Hoping that we have risen your attention towards the eyes of the future generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W 213), we invite you to read a complete press release which contains technical information regarding the MULTIBEAM LED system to be premiered along with the premiere of the executive class limousine. Enjoy!

High-resolution LED headlamps: Let there be light!

The future E-Class with enhanced MULTIBEAM LED headlamps opens up new dimensions in headlamp technology. Each headlamp is now equipped with 84 individually activated high-performance LEDs rather than 24, meaning that they are exceptionally bright and precise, and automatically illuminate the road surface with a previously unsurpassed, precision-controlled distribution of light – without dazzling other road users.

Advances in lighting technology are a tradition at Mercedes-Benz: around 500 LEDs attended to all the lighting functions on a car for the first time on the S-Class in 2013. In 2014 Mercedes-Benz unveiled new MULTIBEAM LED headlamps with precision LED grid modules in the CLS, to make night-time traffic safer for all road users. The statistics show just how important such precision lights are: at night-time, the risk of accidents increases drastically. At night on rural roads there are basically around five times as many accidents with serious consequences as during the day. Although night-time driving on this category of road only accounts for 20 percent of total mileage, this is when and where 40 percent all of all fatal accidents occur (source: BASt, German Federal Office for Roads and Traffic).

Unlike the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps on the CLS, which each feature 24 individual high-performance LEDs, the next generation on the new E-Class uses a newly developed, high-resolution precision LED module as a grid light source, fitted with 84 high-performance LED chips. This is able to react even more dynamically, and the light illuminating the road is high-resolution and even more precise.

Each one of these LEDs can be individually electronically controlled. "Gridding" the light in this way allows the light distribution from the right and left headlamps to be controlled entirely separately and adapted to the traffic conditions with a high level of dynamism. This enables the individual areas of the road surface to be illuminated in a very specific manner.

When it comes to the number of pixels, the same is true of LED headlamps as of a monitor: the higher the number of individually controllable pixels, the higher the resolution and the finer the displayed image. A high number of pixels also allows greater dynamism in the display. In terms of perception, this leads to a clear increase in precision and brilliance.

With 84 LEDs per precision module, the headlamps on the new E-Class allow the resolution of the light pattern to be increased by a factor of around 3.5. As a result, other road users can be protected more precisely against dazzling, and back-glare can be more effectively avoided. This new dimension of precision when it comes to light distribution allows longer use to be made of the partial main-beam lights, increasing safety.

The driver also benefits from improved illumination of the road. Compared with the systems prevalent on the market today, the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps have up to 2.5 times the partial high-beam light output.

Blue fascination

The 2nd generation MULTIBEAM headlamps are instantly recognisable.They provide new and surprising visual highlights with passively illuminated, blue light surfaces. These outline the hallmark E-Class "torch effect" daytime running lamps and side lights and, even when low beam or high beam is switched on, create a pleasant blue setting for a fascinating look. This design does not irritate other road users in the slightest thanks to the clever arrangement of the lighting elements. It gives the light design of the E-Class an unmistakable character.

New safety-enhancing functions

As a result of the completely freely configurable high-resolution light distribution, it is possible for the first time to implement all high and low-beam functions of the Intelligent Light System in entirely digital mode and without any mechanical actuators in the new E-Class. As a world first, the dynamic cornering light function is purely electronic. In addition a wealth of new, adaptive light functions are possible which will render night-time driving even safer for both the driver and other road users.

The newly developed adverse weather light function reduces reflections on the oncoming lane when it is raining by specifically dimming individual LEDs and actively helps prevent indirect dazzling of oncoming traffic.

The city light function provides the driver with particularly wide light distribution when driving at low speeds and on lit roads in built-up areas, brightly illuminating difficult-to-see pavements and danger zones.

Data from the navigation system is not only used for the roundabout light function, familiar from the CLS, but can also now be used to detect junctions and motorways and to adapt the light distribution automatically to suit these.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus has also been further optimised: thanks to a larger number of pixels, the dark areas in the light distribution are more precise and dynamic than ever before in partial main-beam mode, and the main beam can be used for longer than before.

A camera on the windscreen supplies the system with the information it needs about the constantly changing traffic situation and is also used by other assistance functions. Four control units per vehicle calculate the ideal light pattern 100 times per second and activate all 84 high-performance LEDs in each precision grid module individually.

The added safety provided by the MULTIBEAM LED technology becomes apparent above all in real traffic situations: in contrast to static high-beam systems, some of which have long ranges, MULTIBEAM LED also supports the driver when there are other vehicles in the field illuminated by the headlamps. Because it masks these out of its light distribution specifically within a fraction of a second, it is possible to drive with main beam switched on at all times. This assures the driver of the best possible light performance at all times, without dazzling other road users.

Advantage: LED

The LED technology used for the MULTIBEAM headlamps offers further advantages: by way of example, the light from the bright LED headlamps is almost the same colour as daylight and therefore in line with normal human perception patterns. Studies have shown that the closer the colour of artificial light is to daylight, the less the strain on the eyes. With a colour temperature of 5500 kelvin, LED light is closer to daylight (6500 K) than xenon headlamps (4200 K). The 84 high-performance LEDs in the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps also help to increase efficiency thanks to their high lumen output/wattage and are designed to last for the entire vehicle lifetime.

Safety benefits of LEDs in tail lights too: brightness rather than glare

The new E-Class will again feature tail lights with the familiar Mercedes-Benz multi-level functionality - functionality that remains unique in the car industry. The brake lights and indicators are operated with varying light intensity, depending on the driving situation and ambient lighting (day/night).

If the Mercedes driver presses the brake pedal while stopped at traffic lights at night, for instance, the brightness of the brake lights will be automatically dimmed to avoid dazzling anyone behind. It goes without saying that the lights still comply with all statutory requirements.

During the development phase, light experts at Mercedes-Benz carried out experiments at a testing ground, simulating real traffic situations. The tail lights of the test vehicle were operated with varying intensity at different times of the day and under different light conditions, and the brightness and density of the light were measured. With the aid of these values, glare at a specified minimum light intensity was reduced to the desired level.




















Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2015, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz is writing the next chapter of success with the all-new C‑Class. An interior with an exciting, high-class ambience, touchpad and head-up display, the lightest bodyshell in the segment, extensive safety features, a new agile and comfortable suspension as well as GPS-sensitive air conditioning underscore the inner values of the new C-Class. Overall, its innovations and refined equipment and appointments feel like an upgrade to a higher class.

The interior design of the future C-Class comes across as clear, sensual and with a host of new unusual styling features. At the same time it exudes sportiness – but with sensual shapes and high-grade materials, thus epitomising contemporary luxury. It also meets the kind of high design expectations that now tend to be synonymous with technology such as high-end smartphones.

The most prominent new styling features include a completely reinterpreted centre console, whose progressive lines create an inviting, open sense of space, as well as a free-standing central display. High-grade materials, as well as an enthralling interplay of organic surfaces and precisely sculpted lines underscore these new aesthetics and its stylish character.

The innovative touchpad developed by Mercedes-Benz in the new C-Class also marks an important evolutionary step. As on a smartphone, all the head-unit functions can easily be operated using finger gestures. The user also receives clear, haptic feedback when operating the touchpad control surface.

Additional to the information in the central display a head-up display is also new in the C-Class. Like in a jet fighter it projects important information as a virtual image directly into the driver's field of vision. It appears to float over the bonnet, around two metres in front of the driver, thus ensuring the driver is distracted less from the road ahead. The system provides information on speed, speed limits, navigation instructions and messages from DISTRONIC PLUS. It features a high-resolution virtual image which the driver can adjust to their preferred settings.

Intelligent lightweight construction

Less weight, excellent rigidity for superb driving handling coupled with optimum noise and vibration characteristics as well as high crash safety – those are the outstanding characteristics of the new C-Class with its aluminium hybrid body, which makes it the "lightweight construction trailblazer" in its segment. Thanks to intelligent and innovative lightweight construction, the body and bodyshell are around 70 kg lighter than conventional production using steel. The entire vehicle is around 100 kilograms lighter compared with the predecessor. This weight saving significantly reduces fuel consumption to set the new standard in this segment.

Mercedes-Benz has pulled off this technological leap primarily through an entirely new design and the extensive usage of aluminium, hot-formed steel parts and ultra-high-strength steels – an unusual combination in volume-production vehicles. The engineers have redesigned every detail and not simply replaced steel with aluminium, but implemented a concept that is ready for series production by using the right material in the right place – the essence of intelligent lightweight construction.

At the same time the body and bodyshell have been designed to deliver exemplary crash safety. The Saloon not only meets all current national safety ratings, but also the more stringent Mercedes-Benz requirements according to “Best Real Life Safety”. A high-strength safety passenger compartment made predominantly out of high- and ultra-high-strength sheet steel and specifically developed deformation zones with optimised force dissipation paths in the front end and rear made out of an aluminium hybrid structure and an exterior skin that is made virtually entirely of aluminium allow these requirements to be met.

Suspension – agile and yet comfortable

The new C-Class comes across as light-footed and agile, delivering a high level of driving pleasure on winding roads coupled with superb ride comfort in its segment. A newly designed 4-link front axle, which provides excellent axle kinematics, makes a major contribution in this respect.

The new C-Class Saloon is fitted as standard with a steel suspension. Alternatively, it is the first vehicle in this segment that can be fitted with an air suspension (AIRMATIC) on the front and rear axles. Thanks to electronically controlled, continuous variable damping, it offers outstanding road roar and tyre vibration characteristics and the choice of different damper characteristics.

New safety features and assistance systems

The sensor for the new front passenger airbag in the future C-Class can detect every child seat installed. Then the airbag is automatically deactivated. After removing the child seat the airbag is activated again.

The new C-Class also incorporates many of the new assistance systems or existing assistance systems with a range of enhanced functions, which celebrated their world premiere in the S-Class only a few months ago: Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive.

Feel-good atmosphere

The new C-Class is the only vehicle in the segment to offer an air condition system including automatic air recirculation with tunnel detection using satellite navigation. The AIR‑BALANCE package with active fragrancing and ionisation, which celebrated its world premiere in the S-Class, also adds to the feel-good atmosphere.

II. Interior design: Increase in perceived value comes from inside

The cockpit and passenger compartment come across as clear, sensual and with a host of new unusual styling details. Clarity stands for visible high-tech attributes and straight-line sportiness – purism in the best sense of the word. Sensuality stands for design ideas with exciting flowing shapes and high-grade materials – a reinterpretation of contemporary luxury.

The Mercedes-Benz designers have styled the interior on a level which one rarely finds even in higher vehicle categories. This applies to the painstaking choice of select, high-class materials and their pleasant touch and feel as well as the precision of the finely crafted details. But it also applies to a new design idiom which combines elegance and harmony congenially with sensuality and dynamic sportiness, thus adding to the interior's extraordinarily high perceived value.

Courage to embrace the new

The designers pick up key traits of the exterior inside the vehicle in order to achieve this overall aim. This applies above all to the scintillating play of contrasts between the clearly sculpted lines and surfaces which grow organically out of these contrasts. The hallmark contemporary Mercedes-Benz design idiom of the dropping line sloping to the rear is, for instance, picked up in the doors. At the same time, the style-defining new interior of the new C‑Class meets the most discerning design expectations which are today characterised by devices such as high-end smartphones and tablets. Thus the driver and passengers in the new C-Class enjoy a generous sense of space and understated luxury, whose clear-cut style fits in with contemporary tastes. The upshot is a new feel-good character in this category – take a seat in the new C-Class and the sensation is something akin to an upgrade from economy to business class on an airline.

Mercedes-Benz not only raises the character and perceived value of the interior to a new level for this category with the new C-Class. At the same time, the premium brand also consciously demonstrates through the interior styling the courage to embrace the new in many respects, to adopt a forward-looking vision, thus making an almost radical break with the previous norms in the hitherto somewhat rational class.

The most striking new styling feature is an entirely reinterpreted centre console: on vehicles with automatic transmissions, its large, one-piece dashboard console sweeps elegantly from the centre air outlets to the equally new touchpad in the handrest over the controller on the central tunnel. These continuous clear-cut lines with their perfect harmony create an open sense of space, conveying an unrivalled sense of simple and puristic modernity. The large unique component is available in numerous material finishes – such as fine wood, precisely bordered by a chrome surround, or in an exclusive piano-lacquer look – and underscores the interior's high-quality ambience and its avant-garde yet stylish character in a pleasant, clear way.

The progressively styled centre console provides an extremely fluid transition to the dashboard and beyond into the doors. The sportily designed, horizontal dashboard separates a wing-like trim element in the upper and lower section. This visual structure enables various combinations of materials and colours to be selected to create an individual feel-good atmosphere.

High quality all-round

A centrally positioned free-standing central display is the main eye-catching feature across the centre console – with a screen diagonal of 17.78 centimetres (7 inches) or 21.33 centimetres (8.4 inches) if COMAND Online is specified. The larger version is made of bonded glass and galvanised with a frame in silver shadow. Thanks to its ergonomic positioning, the eye easily adapts to the central display.

Five air outlets with a central adjusting knob and horizontal louvre insert give the dashboard a sporty touch. The five ventilation outlets in silver shadow with their metallic cool-touch effect contrast with the warm look of the other materials – such as the wood in the centre console or the leather on the dashboard.

Three-dimensional, fine, contemporary trim elements emphasise the high perceived value – as does the hand-finished, intricate stitching, such as on the upper section of the dashboard, in the centre panel and on the beltlines. The door panelling has also been redesigned and is characterised by high-grade materials as well as striking surface grain and eye-catching curves.

While various steering wheel variants are specified depending on the selected equipment line, each one comes in a 3-spoke leather steering wheel design with twelve buttons. The differences relate to the colours and material. This provides the interior with wide-ranging differentiation options, running the whole gamut from "tangible luxurious sensuality" to "progressive sportiness".

The discerning aspirations are also continued systematically in the controls. Surfaces with uniform styling and a minimal number of switches provide a serene, reassured sense of space. Some of the switches such as for the power windows or the rotary switch for the lights were taken from the S-Class, thus setting the highest standards. Black high-sheen, genuine metal and galvanised surfaces, as well as effect paintwork matching the interior appointments colours form a key element of the high-quality feel.

III. Touchpad: Command with finger-tip control

The touchpad in the new C-Class developed by Mercedes-Benz marks an evolutionary step. As on a smartphone, all the head-unit functions can be operated using finger gestures.

The 65 x 45 millimetre control surface of the new touchpad made out of scratch-resistant material is built into the handrest on the central control panel and bordered by a high-quality metal support – a design feature with high-tech aspirations which exudes luxury at the same time.

While other solutions with a touch-sensitive surface only support selected operating steps, the driver and front passenger can use the touchpad in the new C-Class to control all the functions in the central infotainment control panel using the kind of single and multitouch gestures familiar from smartphones and tablet PCs. Slow and fast gestures are possible. The touchpad, which will be premiered in the future C-Class, also allows letters, numbers and special characters to be entered using the handwriting recognition function, in the respective language supported by the head unit. The user receives clear haptic feedback when operating the touchpad control surface. Characters entered using the handwriting function can also be read aloud by the system, thus supporting blind operation. The acoustic output also ensures that the driver does not need to take their eyes off the road, keeping distraction to an absolute minimum.

The user can input commands reliably with their hand sitting firmly on the ergonomic handrest without any need for free-floating fingers. A new handrest detection feature also increases operating safety and helps prevent incorrect inputs. As part of this process, the system analyses a sensor signal in three dimensions, thus detecting whether the hand is simply being placed on the handrest or is actually inputting data. The icons on the control surface are illuminated in the dark to help the user locate the various functions.

Three touch-sensitive buttons are arranged behind the touchpad which can be used to operate key functions quickly and directly (back function, switch to favourites menu, audio quick menu).

The touchpad in the C-Class thus offers an additional, fully fledged and innovative input option to complement the existing Controller and LINGUATRONIC voice control system. The user can choose at any time which input method they prefer.

IV. Head-up Display: Infos in Focus

Additional to the information in the central display a head-up display is a new feature in the C-Class. Like in a jet fighter, it displays important information directly in the driver's field of view on the front windscreen, thus ensuring the driver is distracted less from the road ahead. The system provides information on speed, speed limits, navigation instructions and messages from driver assistance systems.

The technology is based on mirror optics and a full-colour display module with a resolution of 480 x 240 pixels which is driven by high-power LEDs. They project the virtual image, which measures around 21 x 7 centimetres, into the driver's field of vision where it appears to float around two metres away above the bonnet. The resolution of more than 60 pixels per degree of viewing angle ensures a pin-sharp image.

A light sensor located near the top edge of the roof automatically adjusts the brightness of the head-up display to the exterior lighting conditions. Brightness levels of 10,000 cd/m² plus can be achieved on sunny days. Since the contrast figure is better than 1000:1, the system produces a high-quality display even in the dark.

The driver can adjust the height of the virtual image so it can be easily viewed. On vehicles with a seat memory function this feature stores the individual setting. A range of display content can also be enabled or disabled and the brightness of the display adjusted individually.

The special head-up windscreen with its wedge-shaped laminated foil eliminates double images produced by reflections on the outer and inner boundary surfaces of the windscreen. It superimposes the secondary image, which is produced on the outer surface, onto the primary image. This offset depends on the particular angle and has been optimised for a driver in a normal seated position.

V. Bodyshell: Sturdy bodyshell – made easy

Less weight, excellent rigidity for superb driving handling coupled with optimum noise and vibration characteristics as well as high crash safety – the bodyshell of the new C-Class provides an innovative base which also facilitates new fuel consumption benchmark figures.

Lighter cars are more efficient. That is why Mercedes-Benz has substantially reduced the weight of the future C-Class. Thanks to intelligent and innovative lightweight construction, the aluminium hybrid body is around 70 kg lighter than conventional production using steel. The gross vehicle weight has been cut by around 100 kilograms compared with the predecessor, which translates into up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption without any loss in power. This has turned the new C-Class into the "lightweight construction leader" in its segment.

Mercedes-Benz has pulled off this technological leap primarily through an entirely new design and the extensive usage of aluminium, hot-formed steel parts and ultra-high-strength steels - an unusual combination in volume-production vehicles. The proportion of these materials has therefore increased noticeably compared with the successful predecessor.

Material Comparison: Previous model series / New C-Class

Aluminium (sheet metal and cast) - 9% / 48%
Hot-formed steel parts - 3% / 8%
Ultra-high-strength sheet steel - 3% / 4%

Simply by using these materials, the weight of the bodyshell structure has been reduced by some 40 kilograms compared with the outgoing saloon. Virtually the entire outer skin, consisting of front wings, bonnet, boot lid, doors and the roof panelling, has been made from sheet aluminium, thus helping reduce weight further.

The bodyshell engineers delivered further benefits – both in terms of weight and as regards other important body characteristics – by means of intelligent conceptual lightweight construction. As part of this process, they have redesigned each detail optimally and not simply replaced steel with aluminium. After all, the specification not only required a reduction in weight, but also called for a bodyshell which in many respects sets new, challenging standards, with hitherto unprecedented performance in this segment – for instance the high rigidity at the force transition points from the suspension to the body or in relation to the NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) characteristics. This essentially helps optimise the tyre noise.

New bodyshell concepts proved the most direct way of meeting these requirements. The designers exploited the greater design leeway offered by die-cast aluminium, for instance, compared with steel. The body thus consists of nine large cast components. The same designers also managed to integrate and merge various components in a single die-cast component, which would otherwise have to be made up of several steel components with conventional steel designs. In this way a host of functions can be mapped in a single component and installation space put to optimum use. All shock absorbers are mounted in the front and rear of the vehicle on rigid aluminium die-cast components.

Other design details include larger cross-sections as well as precisely calculated stabilising beading in the floor and bulkhead. High-strength adhesives are used extensively to firmly bond the parts, which in turn helps increase the rigidity of the body.

Body and bodyshell clearly exceed the values for overall vehicle rigidity, which are traditionally outstanding for Mercedes-Benz, and set a new benchmark in this segment. As a result, the ambitious goals regarding driving dynamics and noise level have even been exceeded.

Safety takes precedence

The body has been designed for exemplary crash safety. The Saloon not only meets all current national laws, but also all rating requirements as well as the more stringent internal Mercedes-Benz safety requirements which are based on what actually happens during accidents.

A high-strength safety passenger compartment lies at the heart of this concept. It consists essentially of high and ultra-high-strength sheet steel and panels with graduated wall thicknesses designed to withstand specific local stresses.

It is surrounded by specifically calculated deformation zones which have been extensively field-tested. Thanks to optimised dissipation paths and a combination of aluminium cast parts and ultra-high-strength materials, this set-up achieves outstanding crash test results (e.g. Euro NCAP and U.S. NCAP) and guarantees maximum safety for occupants.

The crash structure of the front end is essentially made up of three components:

- The front side members are bolted to the axle and engine mounts made of high-strength steel and extended towards the front and rear to direct forces specifically into the floor structure. In the case of a serious frontal collision, the subframe deforms in a defined manner in order to prevent intrusions into the passenger compartment.

- As a medium impact level, the geometry of the front-end main side members has been fine-tuned to improve crash kinematics. The innovative "laser welding" joining technique enabled, among other things, reinforcement parts to be incorporated. They also reduce the weight and contribute substantially to improving rigidity. Impact-absorbing elements in the side member extensions projecting forwards towards the front wheels help cushion the frontal impact early on.

- Additional wheel arch reinforcements form a third structure located above the front side members to further increase resistance to shape deformation in the event of a frontal collision.

A curved high-pressure hydroformed tube and aluminium cast consoles with additional struts, which have hitherto only been used in cabriolets, enclose the front module. An additional strut made out of high-strength steel between the damper dome and windscreen cross-member on the driver's side distributes the load from forces in the upper side member level and reduces steering and pedal intrusion in the footwell.

The rear area uses an aluminium hybrid design with longitudinal and cross-member components made out of die-cast aluminium and high-strength steels. Graduated sheet metal thicknesses of the rear floor side members provide specific deformation characteristics in the event of a rear impact.

Reinforcement sections in the beltline area and at bumper level increase the rigidity and strength of the aluminium doors. The handle areas are also protected by ring-shaped reinforcement measures. The sidewall structure is primarily reinforced with hot-formed ultra-high-strength materials. This provides optimum occupant protection in the case of a side impact; the B-pillar design in particular makes an outstanding contribution in this respect. The front and rear end can be completely removed, making the vehicle easy to repair.

VI. Chassis and suspension: Comfort meets dynamism

The suspension is all-new and offers exemplary suspension and ride comfort combined with outstanding driving dynamics. The new C-Class comes across as light-footed and agile, delivering a high level of driving pleasure on winding roads coupled with superb ride comfort in its segment.

A newly designed 4-link front axle plays a major part in the agile handling characteristics. Thanks to the 4-link principle, the front independent suspension is fully decoupled from the spring strut - resulting in favourable axle kinematics: for instance the camber increases as the suspension is compressed. This gives rise to more grip and greater cornering forces, making the suspension respond more sensitively to steering movements and allowing a sporty, agile driving style. Since the kingpin inclination is also close to the wheel centre, this provides for large longitudinal force leverage and keeps the scrub radius small, thus minimising sensitivity to vibrations caused by tyre imbalances and fluctuations in braking force.

The components in the new front axle are also made of aluminium. This saves weight (two kilograms less than steel) and thus provides a precise response. This reduction in weight also contributes to the high efficiency of the new C‑Class.

An optimised multi-link independent rear suspension with 5-link concept ensures unsurpassed wheel location qualities and supreme straight-line stability. A large rear axle bearing augments the outstanding NVH characteristics.

The new C-Class Saloon is fitted as standard with a steel suspension. As an option, three DIRECT CONTROL suspensions are available in conjunction with this suspension:

- A comfort suspension with selective damping system which adjusts automatically to the state of the road surface,
- A DIRECT CONTROL suspension with selective damping system which combines high levels of comfort with sporty looks and
- A sports suspension which is lowered by 15 millimetres, also with selective damping system and sports tuning.

First air suspension in this category

Alternatively, the new C-Class is the first vehicle in its segment that can be fitted with an air suspension (AIRMATIC) on the front and rear axles. Thanks to electronically controlled, continuous variable damping at the front and rear, it offers outstanding road roar and tyre vibration characteristics even with the vehicle loaded. The driver can use a switch to select between the various damper characteristics: "Comfort", "ECO", "Sport" and "Sport Plus". The additional "Individual" setting allows the driver to configure the vehicle to suit their personal preferences.

AIRMATIC also features all-round self-levelling for optimum ride comfort even with the vehicle loaded. It automatically regulates the ride height as a function of speed and can, for instance, reduce fuel consumption and improve active safety by lowering the vehicle at motorway speeds. The ground clearance can also be increased at the push of a button using the ride height adjustment switch on rough roads or poor access roads.

Since neither the air struts at the front nor the free-standing air springs at the rear are responsible for wheel location and need to absorb transverse forces, AIRMATIC offers outstandingly comfortable driving characteristics which are otherwise the reserve of the luxury segment. It smooths out for passengers expansion joints, patches of asphalt and undulating asphalt caused by trucks braking at traffic lights.

Without impairing comfort, the adjustable damping can deliver a high level of driving dynamics. During evasive manoeuvres, the system adjusts, for instance, the damping forces to the vehicle's driving dynamics in fractions of a second.

VII. Front passenger airbag: Intelligent passenger in the front seat

Safety ranks among the core values of the Mercedes-Benz brand, which once again takes the lead by pioneering a host of innovative developments. One such development is the adaptive front-passenger airbag in the new C-Class.

The front passenger seat can be fitted with automatic child seat recognition, which dispenses with the existing transponder and instead works with a weight mat. This enables any child seat to be used. The airbag is automatically deactivated in this case and reactivated once the child seat has been removed. Mercedes-Benz is setting new standards with this system. Unlike systems offered by competitors, which often use a key switch to deactivate the airbag, this system prevents the user from operating the airbag incorrectly. Users often forget to manually activate the front passenger airbag when removing the child seat. In the event of an accident this can place adult occupants in considerable danger since the front passenger airbag and the seat belts work in tandem and can only achieve the necessary protective effect for adults by operating together. The system presented here prevents this by automatically activating the front passenger airbag when the child seat is removed.

VIII. Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive: The intelligent car

Making top-class safety available to everyone is the declared aim of Mercedes-Benz. That is why the new C-Class also incorporates many of the new assistance systems and assistance systems with a host of enhanced functions, which celebrated their world premiere in the S-Class and E-Class only a few months ago. These systems enhance comfort and safety at the same time. Mercedes-Benz calls this Intelligent Drive.

The basis for the numerous functions of the assistance systems is an extensive sensor system, which provides the vehicle with a 360-degree all-round view. This includes a new Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera (SMPC) behind the front windscreen in the area of the rear-view mirror and hence at the level of the driver's eyes. Two camera eyes provide it with a three-dimensional view of the area up to around 50 metres in front of the vehicle, and it is able to monitor the overall situation ahead for a range of up to 500 metres and thus detect the position and movement of objects, especially of vehicles and pedestrians.

Two short-range radar sensors in the front bumper and at the side of the rear bumper respectively (range up to 30 metres), a long-range radar (up to 200 metres) including mid-range scan (up to 60 metres) behind the radiator grille and a multi-mode radar (up to 80 metres) in the middle of the rear bumper complete the sensor system.

The data from the camera and radar is amalgamated in a control unit in order to provide the system-specific data for the various functions for a host of assistance systems – a process dubbed "sensor fusion" by the safety experts. Intelligent algorithms perform a visual evaluation of this three-dimensional information in order to detect and carry out spatial classification of vehicles that are driving ahead, crossing, approaching from the rear and even oncoming, as well as pedestrians, within a large field of vision. In addition, the camera also detects road markings and a variety of traffic signs. The aim is all-round protection not just for occupants of the vehicle itself, but for other road users too.

The new C-Class is fitted as standard with ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness. The COMAND system navigation function on motorways flags up nearby break options as stopovers, providing the system has been specified in the vehicle. The ATTENTION ASSIST function offers an adjustable level of sensitivity and can inform the driver in a separate view in the instrument cluster about their level of drowsiness and how long they have been driving since their last break.

As an option, new assistance systems and existing assistance systems with a host of enhanced functions from the new S-Class and E-Class are available, which fuse data from various sensor technologies as part of the Intelligent Drive concept, thus substantially enhancing comfort and safety. For instance the Stop&Go Pilot integrated in DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist is a semi-automatic traffic jam assistant, which at speeds below 60 km/h can follow the vehicle ahead even where there are no or unclear lane markings, thus enabling the driver to follow the flow of traffic. The BAS PLUS Brake Assist System can now also detect crossing traffic and boost the braking force if the driver fails to apply the brakes sufficiently; the PRE-SAFE® Brake can detect stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians, brake automatically if the driver fails to react and thus prevent accidents up to 50 km/h and mitigate the severity up to 72 km/h. In flowing traffic, the PRE-SAFE® Brake provides similar assistance throughout the entire speed range from 7 to 200 km/h. The enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist can now also prevent the vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of the lane by applying the brakes on one side in the case of broken lane markings and the risk of a collision, e.g. through fast overtaking vehicles, parallel traffic or even oncoming traffic.

The host of assistance systems also includes Active Parking Assist, which facilitates automatic parking with active steering and braking intervention in parallel and perpendicular spaces, a 360° camera which can show the vehicle and vehicle environment from various perspectives incl. virtual bird's-eye view, a Traffic Sign Assist with wrong-way warning function, which can also provide a warning of speed limits and no-overtaking and no-entry zones, as well as the Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, which provides an anti-dazzle permanent main beam within the main beam cone by specifically dipping the lights for other vehicles.

IX. Climate control: Signals from space

Mercedes-Benz has systematically further developed and substantially improved the air conditioning system in the new C-Class. This applies in particular to the precise regulation, performance and the air quality.

The new C-Class is the only vehicle in the segment to offer tunnel detection via satellite navigation. On the basis of map information from the navigation system and the GPS location data, the system detects when the vehicle enters a tunnel. It then automatically closes the air recirculation flap in order to prevent the exterior fume-filled air from entering the vehicle via the air vents. Once the vehicle has left the tunnel, the flap opens and fresh air can once again flow into the interior.

Individual fragrance, ionised air

Another highlight for creating the feel-good atmosphere is the AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing, ionisation and even more efficient filtration compared with the standard model. It was adopted from the S-Class in which the AIR-BALANCE package only recently celebrated its world premiere.

The interior fragrances extend the sensual perception of the Mercedes-Benz interior and help individualise the smell of the interior. Four different fragrances are available: FREESIDE MOOD, NIGHTLIFE MOOD, DOWNTOWN MOOD, SPORTS MOOD. The fragrancing system comprises a glass flask with a dispenser and a fragrance generator in the glove compartment.

The fragrancing changes the interior smell neither permanently, nor are the fragrance molecules deposited on the vehicle's fabric surfaces nor on clothing. The impression left by the fragrance is subtle, comes across as unobtrusive and fades away quickly. The vehicle occupants can switch the active fragrancing on and off, and adjust its intensity to their own preferences.

Ionisation is another component of the AIR-BALANCE package, with which the air from the air conditioning is conducted into the interior via the ioniser. The ioniser uses a high voltage to generate oxygen ions (oxygen molecules where the high voltage has "snatched" an electron in its shell and which have become electrically charged as a result). The air ionised in this way can eliminate certain viruses, bacteria and spores. At the same time the air can be freshened by an increased concentration of negatively charged oxygen ions. Both help to increase the well-being of passengers.





















Credits: Daimler AG

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