28th February 1997

Mercedes-Benz Australia has introduced a new, price-competitive C-class saloon to boost its volume sales ambition of reaching 5,000 units in 1997

The value-inspired and upgraded C180 Classic is priced under the so called luxury tax threshold bringing it within reach of a much larger prospect market

Most C180 customers are expected to be new to the Mercedes-Benz marque

At $52,700 for the manual version and $55,300 for the 5-speed automatic, the new C180 saloon joins an already impressive C-class range which also includes diesel, six-cylinder and estate versions

The C180 represents a new entry level to the Mercedes-Benz product range

Under the C-class 'Lifestyle' Lease program, operated by Mercedes-Benz Finance Australia, a C180 can be leased from only $159 per week

Mercedes-Benz Australia Managing Director, Bernt Schlickum said the C180 represented a major marketing breakthrough for the C-class and would persuade even more customers to the three-pointed-star
"Already, about 68 percent of C-class buyers are first time Mercedes customers
With the C180 we have a further chance to grow that figure, add to our volume sales (4,722 in 1996) and continue reducing the average age of our customer base
Our existing C-class range has been very popular
We sold nearly 2200 C-class models in 1996 and the C200 represented around half that number
We expect the C200 to continue to appeal to established markets
The C180 will help us reach further into the volume sectors and gives us a strong representation in the business fleet market where many operators are limited by the tax threshold ceiling
With the arrival of sporty models like the SLK roadster, the CLK coupe later this year and now the value-packaged C180, Mercedes-Benz continues its move towards a more dynamic and energetic personality with the products to match," he said

Traditional Appointments

The C180 Classic features Mercedes' traditional comprehensive appointments including driver and passenger airbags with seatbelt pretensioners, antilock brakes, power windows, airconditioning, remote central locking and immobiliser, front passenger seat airbag sensor and cruise control

The new C180 C-class offers some compelling value advantages over its market segment rivals

A similarly equipped and priced C180; with wood trim, rear headrests, cruise control etc. still offers major additional comfort features over competitors - at no extra cost

These features include a high-torque multivalve engine, 5-speed automatic gearbox and Mercedes' exclusive three-year/unlimited kilometre Owner Protection and four-year Roadcare packages

And Mercedes' C-class still offers more interior room and passenger comfort than its German counterparts

Numerous modifications made to the Mercedes 1.8 litre engine have also enhanced driveability compared with the previous C180 C-class

Torque Boost for C180

The 4-cylinder, multi-valve powerplant retains the same power and torque figures (90 kW and 170 Nm), but now offers a flatter torque pattern producing better acceleration in the lower engine speed range

Drivers will notice smoother acceleration from standstill and even more refined idling characteristics
The 1.8-litre engine now features an anti-knock control, sequential fuel injection and variable intake
timing

It is also equipped with a newly developed electronic management system

These measures improve accelerating power, idling refinement and noise levels

New 'smarter' 5-speed automatic transmission

The new C180 also features Mercedes' newly developed, electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission which contributes to lower fuel consumption and reduced noise levels

The electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission (a version of which is also now featured in the E-class) features sophisticated computer management which allows it to rapidly adapt to different driving styles

It is considerably lighter and smaller than previous versions
At just 600mm length, it is about 150mm shorter than comparable transmissions and, weighing only 80 kgs, about a third lighter than other transmission of its type

Transmission servicing costs are eliminated as there is no need to change transmission fluid and the new 5-speed uses only around half the number of parts (630 versus 1,160) as previous versions creating less wear and tear

At the heart of the transmission electronics is a powerful microprocessor which is networked via the vehicle's integrated CAN data bus
It works in conjunction with main engine and driving dynamics management system, which control the antilock brakes for example, and results in a faster data interchange

Immobiliser Improved

Mercedes-Benz has improved anti-theft protection for the C180 with a newly developed drive-authorisation-system which is even more convenient and reliable
The new immobiliser system is no longer activated and deactivated via the remote locking control but by direct data transmission from the vehicle key to the steering wheel lock

The new security system is virtually thief-proof as it continually changes codes on each vehicle entry/exit

Also the new system does not have to rely on the condition of the key battery to activate and deactivate the immobiliser