Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1053035
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 NOVEMBER 2018 MOTORING M2 AUTO Sales Ltd have just re- ceived the first facelifted modes in the best-selling Mercedes- Benz C-Class range, notable among which is the sporty two-door coupé. The other three modes are the four-door saloon, two-door cabriolet and the estate. In 2017, its fourth year of sales of the outgoing model range, no fewer than 415,000 C-Class saloons and estates were sold worldwide. The Coupé's exterior has been enhanced with new LED high performance headlamps featuring a particularly strik- ing interior design as standard. The front grill is dominated by the three-pointed star and the rear boot lid is moulded to de- flect air and promote greater grip at higher speeds. Inside, the driving experience is enhanced through greater comfort and a greater onset of electronics both in terms of infotainment but also general safety. These include Active Distance Assist that immedi- ately steps in to warn with a red light and, in an instant, an audio warning unless you slow down. This is coupled with Ac- tive Steering Assist to provide even more comfortable sup- port in steering and keeping a safe distance. The car's speed is now ad- justed automatically ahead of bends, junctions or rounda- bouts. Also on board are Ac- tive Emergency Stop Assist and intuitively understandable Active Lane Change Assist to complete the full safety arsenal that envelops you. In terms of power units, Mer- cedes-Benz launched a new generation of four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engines, along with the additional electric power of a 48-volt system with a belt-driven starter/alterna- tor. On the C 200 engines this adds an additional power out- put of 14 bhp and an impres- sive 160 Nm (pulling power) to the already generous 184 bhp and 280 Nm produced. During braking, kinetic energy is recu- perated to charge the battery and there is an overall contri- bution to better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. There is also a new 258 bhp 2.0-litre petrol on the C 300 with 370 Nm. In terms of die- sels, the 1.6-litre engine on the C 180 d (122 bhp and 300 Nm) and the C 200 d 160 bhp (with six-speed manual transmission) and 150 bhp with the automatic gearbox, both produce 360 Nm and are a first in any Mercedes- Benz model worldwide Power output ranges from 125 bhp and 210 Nm of torque in the C 160 to 390 bhp and 520 Nm of torque in the range- topping Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC. Drivers will appreciate such details as the passenger door mirror automatically tilting lower to enable a better view of the pavement as soon as re- verse gear is engaged. There is a choice of the new Dynamic Body Control sus- pension, including damping characteristics adjustable in three stages, the Sports Direct- Steer system or Air Body Con- trol suspension. Standard equipment on all C-Class models includes the latest electronic architecture, active brake assist (ABA), wind- screen wipers with rain sensors, 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox, cruise control, and the mirror package (described above – the mirrors automatically fold when the engine is off) with prices starting from €50,400. With so many options available on this model, Auto Sales make it easier by putting together a number of different packages. MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS COUPÉ Greater sporting character