The latest news I have read from the Autocar magazine is that there will be an AWD option available for the new C-Class. The AWD system will be borrowed from the one used in the E-Class and modified to fit in the C-Class platform. Whether it will be available in North America has yet to be determied.

So, MB is shortening the W210 platform this time(I am not joking, but W220 S-Class is based on W210 E-Class. Ever wonder why they W210 and W220)??? Hm....it's interesting that though many environmental issues have surfaced, AWD option is getting more and more popular.....

P.S. Does anyone know if Audi will bring in the RS4??

Andy Kuo

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
</UL>

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry
NEW!!! http://akry.homestead.com

Akry:

The new C-Class platform is actually based on the revised W202 platform.

The body structire of the new car is said to be 20% stiffer. Also, Macpherson front suspension will replace the current double wishbone front suspension (for cost reduction purpose I think). In addition, rack and pinion steering will replace the current reculating ball steering. The length and width of the new car will increase only marginally but the interior space is said to be a lot larger than the current model.

The 2.3L Kompressor 185 hp engine will be replaced by a 2.0L Kompressor engine producing 161 hp. But I got a feeling that the 4 cylinder engine will not make it to North America. It will only be available in Europe and Asia. That's good; since it is rather rough and noisy and not refined at all.

Rather, I think (not sure) that the base model car will be equipped by a 2.4L (170hp) or a new 2.6L V6 (170hp) engine. Also, the top model will be equipped by a 3.2L V6 engine currenty in use in the E, CLK and M Classes.

So I think that the new C Class model for the North American market will be C240/C260 and C320. Later in 2002, direct injection gasoline engines will be equipped in all MB cars for better fuel economy.

In the world of fierce competition, the pricing of the new C-Class are said to remain the same with increase in level of standard equipment.

But then again, I do not have too much hope in the quality of the interior. It will just be as questionable as the one in the new S-Class. The days of tight fitting interior and superb paint finishing of MB cars are long gone. To remain comepetetive, MB have learnt to "cut corners" by outsourcing as many parts as possible to oustide suppliers rather than producing them in-house. They have also squeeze their suppliers to lower costs. The result is that quality of MB products have suffer dramatically in recent years. These poor results can be witnessed in the current E, SLK and M Classes.

Comments / questions?

Regards,
Johf

The interiors are open for a bit more debate but in my opinion the exterior paint has really gone downhill since about MY 95. Look at a well cared for 91 300E vs say...a showroom fresh car and look at the difference in orange peel, minor paint flaws, etc. Sit those two cars side by side (say in 040 paint color) and the early car will look like it has a show-car paintjob. Conversely, the new/showroom car will look like it has had a repaint. Don't get me wrong, not all the new car's paint jobs are that bad. I'm just seeing more new cars with paint that I sincerely doubt would of made it out of the factory 7-10 years ago.

Just my opinion...Lee

If Mercedes won't improve the quality ASAP, I think I will go for BMW's hug after my W140 gives up(which is not any time soon). BMW looks/feels/fits better than any current new MBs. What's with MB?? Are they gonna become European GM(General Motor)???

Andy Kuo

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
</UL>

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry
http://akry.homestead.com

One thing I am looking forward to is the availability of a 6-speed manuals paired to the C240 (170hp) and C320 (221 hp) along with possible AMG variants. It would also be sweet to see the manual-shift 5-speed autos in them as well. I just wish they would use the M-calss's 4wd system without the low-range, even though its about 50lbs heavier, it is much more sophisticated instead of the 4matic's constant 35/65 split f/r.



What I really can't wait for though is the new C-Class 2-door.


read more here:
http://4car.co.uk/spypage.cfm?StoryID=146
or new hatchback: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9323/newcl.htm
and new C-class Sedan: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9323/newc.htm
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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe

[This message has been edited by Chiragp (edited 03-13-2000).]

The April 2000 issue of Popular Mechanics states that the redone C-Class will be in showrooms later this spring as the C320 (yeah) and C280. It says that a coupe/hatchback will be six months later and the wagon in the spring 2001. The mag has an actual photo and it looks very nice & classy, more upscale looking and much better than the artist conceptions posted. The headlights are similiar to the 2nd pic.

Hm..C320?? Looks like MB is going into the BMW trend here, wich top of the line C-Class share the same engine with basic E-Class(or next level).

BMW 323i, 328i, 528i, 540i, 740i/iL, 750iL...see the trend??? It's hard to say, so this will clear up what I was talking about....

Andy Kuo

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
</UL>

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549

Mercedes S-Class Page
http://drive.to/akry
http://akry.homestead.com

Andy Kuo wrote:

'BMW 323i, 328i, 528i, 540i, 740i/iL, 750iL...see the trend??? It's hard to say, so this will clear up what I was talking about....'

Ummm only in America!

318, 320, 323, 325, 328 -&gt; 520, 523, 525, 528, 535, 540 -&gt; 728, 740, 750.

They may have removed some of the engines since I last checked (they seem to do that!)

Here there *is* a set of common engines, but a huge overlap between models...

Bri


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Brian Drought
1991 300CE
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drought/
ICQ: 2180069

Brian : You forget the 335 and the 340 (on order only)

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-------------------------------------
http://connect.to/windowsce
A.S.C. 2000
- Mercedes Benz 560SEC 1986 28.000km BRABUS
-------------------------------------

For those of you who are still interested in the new C-Class, please go to www.mercedes-benz.com. Yes, the new C-Class is finally presented to the public by MB; the official launch date is May 12, 2000.

I think the models that will be sold in North America are the C240 (V6 2.6L, 168hp) and the C320 (V6 3.2L, 215hp).

Regards

Another good place to look at this new C-class is http://www.geocities.com-MotorCity-Downs-9323-index.html. Plenty of information and pics for this car.

95 R129
98 ML320

I think you guys might be happy to know that a 6-speed manual can be ordered with the C240 (2.6L) as well as the 5-speed auto for both the C240 and the C320 (3.2L) models. Only problem I have is that I have heard the the C320 w/ the 5-speed auto does 0-60 in 7.8 while the current C280 does it in 8.0 and the C230 Kompressor doing it in 8.1 secs. Why is the new C320 so much slower, is because of added weight or something?

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe

Also, the paint scheme for new C-Class looks attractive. Look at the following example



It sure looks nice. Hope MB will bring in the AVANTGARDE model, too as this color(Amethyst Violet)is only available on AVANTGARDE...

Andy Kuo

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
</UL>
ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://drive.to/akry
http://akry.homestead.com

Well Brabus got its hand on one of the new C-class w203 cars. Take a look:



------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)