Interior design, quality and cabin features
The interior of the new Mercedes C-Class is a clear departure from its traditional design theme. Bristling with freshness, and boasting the use of high quality materials, the interior of the new C-Class is really exciting. In terms of novelty value, it has to be the most exciting of all the new three pointed stars which have emerged on the horizon of late. The interior embodies a new design idiom, which according to Mercedes “is akin to the uplifting feeling of being upgraded from economy to business class on an aeroplane.”
The interior design of the new C-Class exhibits a bold new approach by Mercedes-Benz. It’s more on the lines of sports cars, with an all new centre console featuring flowing lines. In automatic vehicles, a large one-piece centre console panel performs an elegant sweep from the centre air vents to the armrest. These uncluttered lines really create a sense of openness and a clean, modern design.
On vehicles with manual transmission, the centre console is slightly steeper and features two separate trim elements in order to create ample space for ergonomic operation of the shift lever.
A centrally positioned 7 inch free-standing central display is the main eye-catching feature across the centre console. The screen grows in size to 8.4 inches if you order the COMAND online system with the car.
Talking of the COMAND Online system – it enables digital TV / radio reception, for example, and offers a host of other features including fast hard-disc navigation, Live Traffic Information integrated WLAN hotspot functionality and the LINGUATRONIC voice control system.
In addition, the Audio 20 system on the car is internet-capable. You can surf the internet without restrictions when the car is stationary. On the move, Mercedes-Benz Apps such as Weather, Google Local Search with StreetView and Panoramio, Destination/Route Download and Facebook can be used.
Audio and video playback is possible from various sources, e.g. via Bluetooth, from the Apple iPod and iPhone, from SD card, USB stick or CD/DVD (with Audio 20 CD or higher and with COMAND Online. A Burmester® surround sound system is optionally available.
There are five round A/C vents – three in the center and two on the ends. With their metallic effect, they create contrast to the warm look of the other materials such as the wood in the centre console or the leather on the dashboard. When it comes to air-conditioning, the new C-Class amazes with its GPS controlled recirculation control. It uses the map information from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel, subsequently re-opening it when the vehicle emerges from the tunnel. Further, the AIR-BALANCE package has active fragrancing, air ionisation and more efficient filtration as advantages over the standard package.
All switches feature a high-quality, three-dimensional design and have been designed keeping in mind ease of use and luxury feel.
The Sci-Fi feature within the cabin is the innovative touchpad in the handrest over the Controller knob on the centre tunnel. Like smartphones, this touch unit provides for very an intuitive operation of all the head-unit functions using finger gestures. You can draw letters, numbers and special characters with your fingers on the pad in any language. The user also receives clear haptic feedback when operating the touchpad’s control surface.
You also get a HUD (Head-up display) for the first time in the C-Class. Emulating jet fighters, the system can display important information like vehicle speed, speed limits and navigation instructions and displays messages from DISTRONIC PLUS to prevent distractions.
The new C-Class in available in three different design and equipment lines for the exterior and interior respectively for better customization and addition of optional equipment.
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