2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Vehicle Overview

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is available as a coupe or sedan, in Sport or Luxury trim, and with a turbo 1.8-liter four-cylinder, new 3.0-liter V-6, or a more powerful 3.5-liter V-6.

The C300 and C350 come standard with stop/start technology that shuts the engine off at a stop, restarting again when the gas pedal is pressed.  Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard on the C300 and optional on the C350 coupe. Competitors include the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37 and Cadillac CTS.

A high-performance C63 AMG model, powered by a 6.3-liter V-8 that generates upward of 481 horsepower, is also available in in both coupe and sedan body styles.

(Skip to details on the: C-Class coupe, C63 AMG)

New for 2013

For 2013, all Mercedes C-Class models get new mbrace2 in-car communication service standard. Available on all C-Class models is the new AMG Sports Package Plus that brings greater exhaust tuning, a refined sport interior and unique 18-inch seven-spoke wheels. C-Class coupes with this optional package also get a revised front suspension.  Distronic Plus proximity control system is now a stand-alone option.

The C300 4Matic also gets a brand-new direct-injection 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 248 horsepower and 251 pounds-feet of torque. New Eco start/stop fuel-saving technology comes standard on both the C300 and C350 models.

Exterior

The C-Class' front end takes after the current E-Class, with resculpted headlights and horizontal LED running lights in the bumper. The new taillight assemblies integrate LED lighting in a continuous band. Exterior features include:

• Four-door sedan or two-door coupe
• LED taillights and running lights
• Optional bi-xenon headlamps
• Standard tilt/sliding sunroof, optional sliding panorama roof
• 17-inch wheels standard, 17- and 18-inch AMG style wheels optional

Interior

Interior trim choices include brushed aluminum, black ash and matte-finish burl walnut wood. A row of metallic buttons anchor the center control panel. C-Class Sport trim models come with a three-spoke steering wheel and sporty interior cabin, while Luxury trim models feature a four-spoke steering wheel and more elegant comfortable cabin. Leather seats are optional as is heating for the both the driver and front passenger. Interior features include:

• Standard mbrace2 in-car communication service
• Standard Bluetooth audio streaming and USB inputs
• Available sport interior with contrasting-colored seat belts
• Optional backup camera
• Available premium stereo
• Optional 7-inch LCD screen with navigation

Under the Hood

The C-Class offers three engines, all with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The C250 has a 201-horsepower, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder with direct injection. The C300 with 4Matic all-wheel drive has a new 248-hp, 3.0-liter V-6, and the C350 has a 302-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with direct injection. Both the C300 and C350 feature Mercedes' new start/stop fuel-saving technology.

Safety

The 2013 C-Class has nine standard airbags: frontal, side-impact, side curtain, front pelvic and one for the driver's knee. Optional high-tech safety features include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and Attention Assist, which detects erratic driving and suggests the driver take a rest. Other safety features include:

• Electronic stability control with traction control
• Active front head restraints
• Antilock brakes with brake assist
• Optional rear side-impact airbags
• Optional Parktronic parking assist

C-Class Coupe

The C-Class coupe comes in rear-wheel-drive C250 and C350 variants and shares both its powertrains with the bigger sedans of these matching trims. The only difference being that C-Class coupes get steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the seven-speed automatic transmission. For 2013, buyers also have the option of Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system in the C350 coupe.

Sharing the same wheelbase as the sedan, the C-Class coupe has the same length and width, but its height is down 1.5 inches.

Inside, the coupe gets unique one-piece seats with integrated head restraints. It adopts the same dash as the sedan, complete with Mercedes' Comand system and 3-D city maps. Headroom in the two-position rear seat drops 1.4 inches versus the sedan's backseat; the drop in legroom is more substantial. Cargo volume drops slightly, to 11.7 cubic feet, versus 12.4 cubic feet in the sedan. Back to top

C63 AMG

Available as a sedan or coupe, the C63 bears more aggressive styling, complete with a wider track, glossy black bumper portions and unique 18-inch wheels. Under its hood is a 451-hp V-8 that drives the rear wheels through an AMG-derived seven-speed automatic with paddle-shifters. The automatic uses a wet startup clutch and a multiclutch pack to shift once you're moving. It's not to be confused with the old C63's seven-speed auto, whose transmission used a more conventional torque converter.

The suspension and steering have been tuned for higher performance, and the C63's brake rotors are wider than the C350's discs. An optional AMG Development Package adds lightweight drivetrain components that reduce engine friction, bumping horsepower to 481. Back to top