The new model year brings a fresh trim structure and changes in the engine lineup of the UK market Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon, Estate and Coupe models.
For the 2013MY, the C-Class is now offered in three grades named Executive SE, AMG Sport and AMG Sport Plus.
The Executive SE is the new entry point in the revised range for the C180 BlueEFFICIENCY, C200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon and Estate models.
It includes a sports grille, new 16-inch alloy wheels, Artico upholstery and LED daytime running lights at a price increase of £35 over the previous SE grade.
Buyers of the Executive SE models can enhance their car’s equipment features with a new Luxury Package that replaces the former Elegance trim option.
Priced at £2,000, it includes the three louver grille with bonnet-mounted star, 17-inch alloy wheels with a seven twin-spoke design, automatically dimming rear view mirror and folding exterior door mirrors, chrome trim on the side, rear and shoulder line, a storage package and brown Ash wood trim with a matt finish.
The previous Sport trim is replaced by two new variants named AMG Sport and AMG Sport Plus.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the AMG Sport Saloon and Estate cost £960 less than the previous Sport models, while featuring 17-inch AMG wheels and halogen headlights.
The new AMG Sport Plus carries an £1,000 premium over the AMG Sport and £35 over the previous Sport line. It includes 18-inch bi-colour AMG alloys, bi-Xenon front lights with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive High Beam Assist, AMG sports seats, Black Artico/Dinamica upholstery with contrast red stitching, red seat belts, AMG floor mats with red edging and in the case of an automatic transmission, silver gearshift paddles.
The Coupe models can also be equipped with an £530 AMG Handling Package, which uprates the steering, engine, exhaust and transmission response, while also adding unique styling touches.
For the 2013 model year, Mercedes-Benz has revised the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY’s 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine that is slightly less powerful at 152hp (154PS), while developing an identical 184 lb-ft (250Nm) of torque across a wider rev range, from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm.
The German automaker says that with this engine, the Saloon returns 47.9mpg UK and 138g CO2/km, the Estate 47.9mpg UK and 139g CO2/km and the Coupé 44.1mpg UK and 149g CO2/km.
In Britain, the company has also discarded the 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine option on the Saloon and Estate, while still offering it on the Coupe model. The C 63 AMG performance variants remain unaffected by the 2013 model year revisions.
Finally, there are new interior and exterior features, including revised colour options, repositioned cruise control and indicator stalks and easier-to-read silver graphics for the telematics screen.
UK pricing for the 2013 model C-Class starts at £25,915 for the Saloon, £27,115 for the Estate and £30,090 for the Coupé.
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