Mercedes-Benz EQB Arrives In Ireland!
Mercedes-Benz continues to extend its presence in the market for electric vehicles with the arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz EQB compact SUV. It's available now in Ireland with a 7-seat option.
The EQB is the latest electric SUV to be launched by the German brand in Ireland. It joins the EQC and EQA, recently reviewed for Changing Lanes.
Mercedes-Benz EQB price in Ireland
The Mercedes-Benz EQB uses a 66.5 kWh battery with a range of 419 km (WLTP). There are three models confirmed for Ireland - EQB 250, EQB 300 and EQB 350.
The EQB 250 is front wheel drive with 190 hp and is expected to be the most sought-after model here. Pricing begins from €64,030 for this model.
The other two models in the range are four wheel drive. The EQB 300 has 225 hp and is priced from €68,505. The EQB 350 has 288 hp and is priced from €71,520.
The new Mercedes electric SUV is available in Progressive, AMG Line and Electric Art trim levels, as well as a special Edition 1.
7-seat electric SUV
The EQB shares its dimensions with the GLB and borrows heavily in design. It's now one of the few 7-seat electric SUV options on the Irish market and has been designed to deliver electric motoring in a family-size package,
There are adjustable second-row seats and an optional third-row seat arrangement concealed beneath the luggage floor which can be raised to expand capacity to a 7-seat layout as required. Up to four child seats can be fitted in the second and third rows. The boot volume in five seat mode is a generous 465 litres.
The new EQ model joins the Mercedes-Benz family with a distinctive black panel grille with central star, front ‘EQ’ blue headlamp strips and a continuous fibre-optic strip running along front and rear. Light-alloy wheels in bi or tri-colour design are available in sizes up to 20 inches.
Anything else?
The EQB can avail of up to 100 kW DC fast charging, adding up to 80% battery power in 30 minutes. Maximum AC charging capacity is 11 kW.
With a 0.28 Cd value, the EQB’s lower wind resistance delivers greater efficiency and range. Other aerodynamic features include front and rear aprons, a smooth and enclosed underbody, closed cooling air system, and wind-optimised wheels with spoilers.
Inside there is a latest generation Mercedes-Benz interior with a distinctive centre console, instrument panel and widescreen dashboard with MBUX user experience and ‘Hey Mercedes’ command system. It's enhanced with fastest route to destination ‘Navigation and Electric Intelligence’.
2022 will also see the launch of the two more new Mercedes-Benz electric car: the EQS, based on the S-Class, and the EQE based on the E-Class.
Continental Tyres Irish Car Of The Year Returns In 2022
The Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year 2022 awards programme has been launched, with 34 new cars and SUVs eligible for this year's award.
The class of 2022 show the shift that is taking place towards electric with half of the eligible cars available as electric vehicles.
The aim of the Irish Car of the Year awards is to highlight for consumers the best new cars that have launched in Ireland in the past year. Cars are divided into categories with a number of category winners awarded, as well as an overall Irish Car of the Year.
The jury for Irish Car of the Year is made up of over 30 of Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists, from across online, broadcast and print media, including this writer.
The Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year awards programme in 2021. The Kia e-Soul was the last car to win the coveted title, announced as Irish Car of the Year 2020 at a gala event held in The Westin, Dublin, in November 2019. The e-Soul was a popular winner, and the first electric vehicle to win in over 40 years of Irish Car of the Year.
Speaking at the launch of this year's awards programme, Joint-Chairman of the Irish Car of the Year Committee, Anthony Conlon, said:
“It is an important service that myself and the other motoring journalists who vote on the awards provide to the Irish car buying public – we help to make sense of the mind-boggling array of cars that are launched here each year, highlighting the best models in each category that are best suited to the needs of Irish drivers. And even though the pandemic has caused some disruption and delay in the production of some models, there has still been an impressive crop of cars for us to judge as part of the 2022 awards programme.”
Cathal Doyle, Joint-Chairman of the Irish Car of the Year Committee, added:
“With half of the contenders for this year’s Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year awards available as full electric vehicles, the extent to which the worldwide motor industry is reinventing itself is clear. That said, there are still many exciting new petrol and diesel models being launched as well as an ever increasing choice of hybrid options, ensuring there is a vehicle on sale to meet the needs of every Irish customer.”
Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, German premium tyre brand Continental Tyres, said:
“We are delighted to be back with the awards programme for 2022. Two years ago in 2020 when we last named an Irish Car of the Year winner, it was the Kia e-Soul, the first time that an electric car has won the title. Two years ago, the e-Soul was very much in the minority among the eligible cars as only a small number were electric. Now, in spite of the pandemic, just look how the picture has changed with half of the entrants being available as full electric vehicles – there can be no more stark indication of the revolution that is occurring in motoring today.”
A field of 34 candidates is eligible for the 2022 Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year awards. The category winners and the overall winner of the coveted title will be announced in February.
The full list of eligible cars for the Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year 2022 awards is as follows:
Compact Car
Dacia Sandero
Honda-e
Hyundai i20
Medium Car
Citroen C4
CUPRA Leon
DS 3
MG5
Volkswagen Caddy passenger
Small Crossover/SUV
Hyundai Bayon
Mazda MX30
Mercedes-Benz EQA
MG ZS
Opel Mokka
Toyota Yaris Cross
Medium Crossover/SUV
Cupra Formentor
Hyundai Tucson
Nissan Qashqai
Renault Arkana
Subaru Outback
Large Car
Audi Q4 e-tron
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Kia EV6
Škoda Enyaq
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen ID.4
Luxury Car
Audi e-tron GT
BMW iX
Mercedes-Benz EQV
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Performance Car
BMW M3/M4
Ford Puma ST
Peugeot 508 PSE
Toyota Yaris GR
Volkswagen ID.4 GTX
...
Stay up to date on all the latest Irish Car of the Year news with Changing Lanes!
By Caroline Kidd
New Car Registrations Ireland In 2021
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released new car registrations data for Ireland in 2021 and it shows that 104,932 new cars were registered here in 2021 compared to 88,325 for the same period in 2020. This is an increase of 18.8% but remains 10% down on 2019.
The data shows that 8,646 new electric cars were registered in Ireland in 2021, compared to 4,013 in the same period in 2020 and 3,444 in 2019.
The five bestselling brands were 1. Toyota, 2. Volkswagen, 3. Hyundai, 4. Skoda, and 5. Ford.
The five bestselling cars were 1. Hyundai Tucson, 2. Toyota Corolla, 3. Toyota Yaris, 4. Volkswagen Tiguan, and 5. Toyota C-HR. The Volkswagen ID.4 was the bestselling electric vehicle in Ireland in 2021.
Diesel remains the most popular engine type despite a decline in its market share last year (9.85%), while hybrid, electric and plug-in hybrid continue to gain market share in 2021.
Diesel accounted for 33.44% of the Irish new car market, petrol for 32.16%, hybrid for 16.22%, electric for 8.24%, and plug-in hybrid for 7.26%.
There were 63,617 imported used cars in Ireland in 2021, a decrease of 20.4% on 2020 (79,969) and a decrease of 44.2% on 2019 (113,926).
Manual transmissions had 51% market share, while automatic transmissions continue to increase their popularity, accounting for now 40% of the new car market in Ireland, driven by sales of new electric and hybrid cars.
The hatchback remains Ireland’s top selling car body type of 2021. Grey is the top selling colour and has continued to keep this title for the past six years. It's followed by black in second place and blue in third place.
New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2021 saw an increase of 32.3% (28,741) compared to 2020 (21,732) and +13.4% compared to 2019 (25,336).
New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) saw an increase of 31.5% (2,716) in comparison to 2020 (2,066) and +2.1% on 2019 (2,659).
Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said:
“The difficulties arising from both COVID and Brexit impacted on the supply and demand for cars, which made 2021 another challenging year for the Irish Motor Industry. While new car sales show a 19% increase on 2020, they remain behind 2019 levels. On a positive note, the sale of Electric Vehicles (EVs) more than doubled in 2021, and with the sale of EVs being underpinned by SEAI Grants, we can expect to see an increasing number of new EVs on Irish roads in 2022.
Commercial Vehicles sales also saw a significant improvement in 2021, with light commercial vehicles up over 30% on 2020, reflecting the increase in business confidence as the year progressed.
The Industry is hopeful that 2022 will see further improvements in business levels. Pre-orders do indicate a strong appetite for new and used cars, providing a positive outlook for our Industry and with a return to pre-pandemic 2019 new car sales levels expected.
However, even these anticipated sales will not be sufficient to reduce Ireland’s ageing car fleet. We need to see significant growth in the years ahead if we want to optimise the benefits of reduced emissions from new cars. We will see annual increases in Electric Vehicle sales, but the extent of their penetration into the fleet will not only be determined by the increased choice of EVs been supplied but also by the continuation of Government supports.”
Toyota Corolla Cross On The Way To Ireland!
Toyota Ireland has confirmed that a new SUV will join the range in 2022 - the new Toyota Corolla Cross.
What is the new Toyota Corolla Cross?
The new Corolla Cross is a mid-size family SUV and will join the RAV4, Highlander, C-HR and recently launched Yaris Cross in the brand's line-up of SUVs. Pricing for the new Corolla Cross in Ireland will be announced closer to launch.
The new SUV will complete the family of Corolla derivatives -sitting alongside the Corolla hatchback, Touring Sports and saloon.
Based on Toyota’s TNGA philosophy, the Corolla Cross features the latest GA-C platform developments. It will be exclusively available as a hybrid. It sits between the Toyota C-HR and the RAV4 and is designed to be practical and spacious for families.
The Corolla Cross will be the first Toyota model globally to benefit from the new fifth-generation hybrid system. It has more torque, more electrical power, greater efficiency and increased driving pleasure.
The transaxle has been re-engineered along with new lubrication and oil distribution systems that use low-viscosity oil. This contributes to efficiency and power improvements thanks to reduced electrical and mechanical losses.
New hybrid tech for Corolla Cross
The new battery pack system is more powerful and 40% lighter than before. Both motor and engine output have improved, resulting in a total system output increase of more than 8%.
The front wheel drive 2.0 litre hybrid powertrain generates 197hp, delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.1 seconds. There will also be an all wheel drive variant.
Inside there is a European-specific dashboard layout, featuring an all-new, multi-configuration, 12.3-inch driver’s digital cockpit and a 10.5-inch central multimedia display.
More than 50 million Corollas have been sold around the world since its introduction in 1966. The new Corolla Cross will further strengthen Toyota’s presence in the C-segment. The Corolla is already one of the bestselling cars in Ireland.
Customer deliveries of the new Corolla Cross will start in Autumn 2022.
New Car Registrations Up In November 2021
New data released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry shows that there were 1,131 new cars registrations in Ireland in November 2021, compared to 913 in November 2020, an increase of 23.9%.
So far this year, 104,563 new cars have been registered, compared to 87,724 for the same period in 2020, an increase of 19.2%.
Electric vehicle sales continue to grow, now accounting for just over 8% of the new car market. 195 new electric vehicles were registered in November 2021, compared to 61 in November 2020.
8,533 new electric cars have been registered in Ireland year to date, in comparison to 3,928 in the same period in 2020.
Plug-in hybrids and hybrids also continue to increase their market share, with their combined market share now over 31.62%. Diesel now accounts for 33.50%, petrol for 32.20%, hybrid for 16.19% and plug-in hybrid for 7.27%.
The top 5 bestselling brands in November 2021 were 1. Toyota, 2. Volkswagen, 3. Hyundai, 4. Skoda, and 5. Ford.
The top 5 bestselling models are 1. Hyundai Tucson, 2. Toyota Corolla, 3. Toyota Yaris, 4. Volkswagen Tiguan, and 5. Toyota C-HR.
The bestselling car in November was the Toyota Corolla.
Light Commercials Vehicles (LCV) saw a decrease of 767 registrations compared to 829 in the same period last year. Year to date, 28,424 new LCVs have been registered, an increase on last year’s 21,431.
Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) saw an increase of 177 registrations in November when compared to 81 in November 2020. Year to date, HGV registrations total 2,649 compared with 2,037 in 2020.
There were 4,445 used cars imported in November 2021, compared with 8,645 imports in November 2020. Year to date, used imports are down 10.7% (59,982) on 2020 (67,149).
Commenting Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General:
“New car registrations for November were ahead of last year for both the month and year to date, although new car sales continue to remain behind pre-COVID levels.
The most positive aspect of the new car market is the ongoing growth in the electric car segment, with a further increase in EV sales anticipated next year. Notwithstanding this, we are still in the early stages of de-carbonising the national fleet and we have a very long way to go to get close to the targets in the Climate Action Plan. In this context, we need to continue year on year growth in EV sales, which in turn will kick start an active used EV market. In order to achieve this, we must both extend the EV supports until there is a critical mass of these cars to create a viable used car market, and implement a tax strategy that supports a much stronger new car market.
The potential benefits of this approach include the acceleration of EV growth, a material reduction in emissions, removal of the worst polluters from Irish roads and increased tax revenues. In a recent address to the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Climate Action, the Society highlighted the importance of the extension of EV supports, the rolling out of a national charging infrastructure, and an increased focus on supporting the business EV market. It is simply too soon to start eroding the current EV supports, but the recent and sudden removal of the PHEV Grant sends a bad signal to motorists and the Industry. It is not too late to reverse this, and we would again urge the Government to re-instate this support for those vehicles that the Industry and consumers have already committed to.”
FASTER Project Launches New Website
A new website has been launched by the FASTER Project partnership to support motorists and transport users by offering strategic advice and information to facilitate a transition to electric vehicles and sustainable transport systems across Western Scotland, Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland.
The website offers impartial advice to motorists, answers a serious of frequently asked questions about electric vehicle use, allows car users to determine the cost savings they may be able to make by switching to an Electric Vehicle, and presents testimonials and reviews from existing EV owners based on their personal experiences.
Commissioned by East Border Region Ltd, the lead partner on the FASTER Project in collaboration with South West College, the website will evolve over the lifetime of the project in response to user demand and marketplace changes.
Commenting on the launch of the website, Cllr Kyle Savage, Chairperson of East Border Region Ltd said:
"The FASTER Project will revolutionise the public charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles in Northern Ireland and the Border Region. We hope to increase public confidence in electric vehicle and sustainable transport use through this initiative and we are delighted that the website is now in place to help those who are considering their carbon footprints and the impact of their vehicle use on the environment to make an informed choice."
Donal Monaghan, Project Officer at South West College added:
"There is a lot of confusion around the various electric vehicle types available on the market and how these vehicles are charged. The FASTER Project website will help alleviate some of the concerns that exist around electric vehicle use and ensure that potential users are better informed when it comes to buying their next vehicle. The potential to make significant cost savings over the lifetime of the vehicle is a key benefit of EV ownership and one of the functions of this website will allow visitors to calculate those potential savings."
The FASTER Project, which has received €6.47 million funding under the European Union’s INTERREG VA programme, will install 73 rapid charging stations (50KW +) across the programme regions. Match-funding for the project has also been provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department for Transport in Ireland, as well as Transport Scotland.
The website and further information about the FASTER Project can be accessed now at www.fasterEVcharge.com
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid On Sale In Ireland
The new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is expected to arrive in Irish dealerships this December, say Toyota Ireland, with first customer deliveries from January 2022.
The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid will be sold alongside the RAV4 Hybrid, which is already Ireland’s best-selling hybrid SUV.
The new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid will be available in two grades - Sol and Sport - with pricing starting from €50,775. The latest addition to the Toyota range combines a petrol engine, battery and electric motor, with an electric driving range of up to 75 km on a full battery charge. It has 306 hp and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds.
There has been high customer interest in this new model, with the first allocation of online reservations already full.
The first models to arrive here in January will be in the Sport grade, while Sol models will arrive in March.
Standard equipment is high and includes a 9" infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 18" alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, powered tailgate and keyless entry. A 6.6 kW on-board charger means charging the battery can take as little as 2.5 hours.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is on sale from €40,010.
MG ZS Updated For 2022
Following on from the launch of the MG brand in Ireland in late 2020, MG Motor Ireland has confirmed the arrival of an updated MG ZS to the Irish market.
The MG ZS was the brand's first model to launch here in 2020. The all-electric compact SUV now gets renewed styling, more range and more technology for 2022.
Pricing for the new ZS will start from €31,995, including SEAI grant and VRT relief. It will arrive in Irish MG dealerships in December.
The MG ZS is now available with a 72.6 kWh battery that gives a range of up to 440 km (WLTP). The ZS will continue to be offered in two trim levels, Excite and Exclusive.
There is a new front end, with a stamped effect grille to improve aerodynamics and a new side-opening charging port. LED headlights and distinctive daytime running lights also feature, as does a redesigned rear bumper and new wheels.
Charging status is now easily viewed on the four stage indicator LEDs inside the charging port. The combination Type 2 and CCS charger provides up to 7kW fast charging using the on-board AC charger, or up to 76kW DC rapid charging (depending on climatic conditions).
This means the Long Range 72.6kWh battery can be charged from 0-100% in 10½ hours on a standard 7kW charger, or up to 80% in 42 minutes on a 100kW rapid charger. With Vehicle-to-Load capability now available as standard, buyers can even charge or power
other external equipment, for example, an electric bike, using an accessory charging cable.
Inside there is a new iSMART connectivity system, which offers connection via a dedicated smartphone app. Owners will benefit from new convenience features in the app to remotely lock and unlock the car, set the air conditioning and heating, and activate the windscreen demister when required. Charging status and statistics can be viewed through the app, and owners can also instantly stop or start a charge, and schedule charging to optimise lower rate energy.
The 10.1-inch tablet-style touchscreen has new graphics and improved functionality. The latest MG ZS also gets a new digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charging, as well as the first over the air (OTA) software updates from MG. Owners
will receive any new software updates, including new features and improvements, through iSMART.
The ZS EV Excite model, priced from €31,995 (after grant and VRT relief) comes with automatic air conditioning, bi-function LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and push-button start, vehicle-to-load charging, 360 parking camera, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, sat nav, iSMART infotainment system and multiple USB charging points.
The Exclusive model, priced at €34,995 (after grant and VRT relief), adds a full panoramic ‘Sky Roof’ and leather-style seats, along with more comfort and convenience options such as roof rails, heated front seats, electric driver’s seat adjustment, rain-sensing wipers and
wireless phone charging.
MG’s suite of driver assistance technology also features. MG Pilot includes Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Intelligent High Beam Assist. The Exclusive model also gets Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist.
The 2022 MG ZS is the first fully electric vehicle in the MG range to offer towing capability. A 500kg towing capacity means owners can now attach small trailers or fit a bicycle carrier.
New Car Registrations Ireland October 2021
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry has released official new car registrations data for Ireland in October.
2,646 new cars were registered in Ireland in October 2021, compared to 2,296 in October 2020 (+15.2%) and 2,179 in October 2019 (+21.4%).
103,253 new cars have been registered this year to date compared to 86,811 for the same period in 2020 (+18.9%) and 116,124 in 2019 (-11.1%).
Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrids and Hybrids continue to increase their market share in Ireland, with their combined market share now over 31.52%. Diesel now accounts for 33.63%, Petrol for 32.16%, Hybrid for 16.14%, Electric for 8.08% and Plug-in Electric Hybrid for 7.3%.
522 new electric vehicles were registered in October compared to 254 in October 2020 (+105.5%). 8,342 new electric cars have been registered so far in 2021 in comparison to 3,867 in the same period in 2020 (+115.7%).
The bestselling car brands in Ireland are 1. Toyota, 2. Volkswagen, 3. Hyundai, 4. Skoda, and 5. Ford.
The bestselling models are the 1. Hyundai Tucson, 2. Toyota Corolla, 3. Toyota Yaris, 4. Volkswagen Tiguan, and 5. Toyota RAV4.
The bestselling car in October 2021 was the Hyundai Tucson.
Light Commercials Vehicles (LCV) saw a decrease of 1,315 registrations compared to October last year 1,651 and an increase on 1,064 registrations for the same month in 2019. Year to date 27,849 new LCVs were registered an increase on last year’s 20,602 (+35.2%) and on 24,304 in 2019 (+14.6%).
Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) saw an increase of 212 registrations in October when compared to 155 in October 2020 and 137 in October 2019. Year to date HGV's registrations total 2,473 compared with 1,956 in 2020 (+26.4%) and 2,492 in 2019 (-0.8%).
4,401 used cars were imported in October 2021, compared with 9,316 imports in October 2020, and a decrease on the 11,457 imports in October 2019. Year to date used imports are down -5.1% (55,538) on 2020 (58,504) and down 40.8% on 2019 (93,892).
Commenting Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General:
“New car registrations for October were ahead of last year for both the month and for the year to date, although new car sales continue to remain behind pre-COVID levels. With Climate Change at the forefront of everyone’s minds, it is hugely positive to see the year on year growth in the sales of both Electric and Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicles. This is a result of the Motor Industry providing a greater selection of low emitting cars combining with the Government’s support in terms of incentives, giving motorists wider and more affordable choices. This is the right approach, and has led to more consumers making better environmental decisions. It is this joint effort from Industry and Government that must continue if we are to reach our decarbonisation targets. On the contrary the sudden removal of the grant incentive for Plug-in Electric Vehicles, only serves to undermine consumer confidence in lower emitting technologies and this incentive should be re-instated for vehicles already committed to by both the Industry and consumers. Looking forward to 2022 and beyond, it is vital that the current Government supports for Electric Vehicles are extended out until 2025, along with State and private investment in a countrywide charging infrastructure. If we want to rapidly electrify the Irish car and commercial fleet the Industry and Government must work together to give consumers real choice. The Industry can provide solutions by supplying more and more electric vehicles as the decade progresses; the consumer also needs the Government to continue its support, to help them make the transition. We all have a part to play in decarbonising our national transport fleet”.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2022) Arrives In Ireland!
Mercedes-Benz Ireland has confirmed that the new 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has arrived in Ireland, with pricing starting from €53,350.
Traditionally the point of introduction to the Mercedes-Benz executive offering, its enhanced specifications now sees C-Class rub shoulders with S-Class and E-Class. Its enhanced level of specifications has the effect of raising C-Class to a new position of prominence within the Mercedes-Benz range, one from which their sales manager in Ireland, Ciaran Allen says: “it will be poised to attract an even wider cross section of owners.”
Coming on the market at €53,350 for the C180 petrol version, the range at launch includes five petrol and three diesel models, in saloon and estate models, all with four-cylinder, turbo charged engines and 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission.
Petrol models are: C 180 (1496cc/Nm 250 torque), C 200 and C 200 4MATIC (1496cc /Nm 300), C 300 and C 300 4MATIC (1999cc/Nm 400). Diesel models are: C 200 d (1951cc/Nm 380) C 220 d (1992cc/Nm 440) and C 300 d (1992cc/Nm 550). Plug-in hybrid versions with an electric range of around 100 kilometres will join the range later.
Longer and wider, saloon and estate models are considerably larger than before. A 25 mm longer wheelbase increases passenger comfort. Despite its larger dimensions, the drag coefficient of its predecessor is retained. Beneath the retractable cover in estate versions, height and length of the load compartment have increased to boost capacity by 30 litres to 1510 litres – aided by 40:20:40 split folding rear backrests with push button operation. Electronic tailgate operation is standard on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate.
In front, all models feature a central star with louvers whose design varies slightly from base model to the AMG Line version with its diamond pattern grille. Three new colours have been added – Spectral Blue, High-Tech Silver and Opalite White. In estate models, its roofline combines with an inclined rear window to give it an added sporty appeal, seen also in its wide track and flush 17”–19” wheels.
Inside, focal points include a leather-covered dashboard with nappa-look beltlines and new brown and black toned veneers. Front and rear space is increased with greater elbow, rear head and knee room. Other highlights include latest generation MBUX infotainment and ‘Hey Mercedes’ multimedia systems with voice-activation and touch screen functions, alongside a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster, 11.9 inch central media display and ambient lighting.
Driver comfort and safety features include distance assist, steering assist, lane keeping assist, improved surround sensors, emergency braking functions, and a feature that can detect and raise the body height in anticipation of an impending collision. High Performance LED headlamps are standard while optional items include a host of passenger comfort, safety and wellness features already familiar in the S-Class and other Mercedes-Benz models.
Three decades since its introduction – as successor to the original 190 model – the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has proven its success with just under 11 million units sold worldwide.
