2008 Mercedes C-class undisguised!

2008 Mercedes C Class!

This is the very first sighting of the 2008 Mercedes C Class and although it’s heavily disguised, the timing is significant – indicating the W204 (as it’s known by its internal codename) is right on schedule.

The next generation C Class will arrive in the 2007 calendar year, followed twelve months later by the wagon version. And although it’s hard to tell from these pictures – the new C Class is expected to be much sportier and no longer just a downsized S Class, but a more modern Benz which hope to gain the attention of younger and less conservative buyers.

The rear-wheel-drive sedan will be the first powered with KDI EVT (electronic valve train without camshaft, supercharged, direct-injection) engines, and will incorporate other new technologies including the third-generation 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

But as independent and modern as the new C Class looks, it will be sharing even more component-wise with E and S Class models.

w211Benz - 3/4/2005 2:35:14 AM

+1 Boost

Horrible! I'm sure the real one looks much better than this Photoshop pic. This car looks like it got its grill from the CLS, the front headlights from the new S class, the entire side is definitely the current E class and the back looks like CLK

Steve - 3/4/2005 9:29:43 AM

+1 Boost

At first glance, I thought I was looking at a Lexus. Are the Asian cars so good that BMW and Mercedes are trying to emulate their styling?

Steve - 3/4/2005 9:29:43 AM

+1 Boost

At first glance, I thought I was looking at a Lexus. Are the Asian cars so good that BMW and Mercedes are trying to emulate their styling?

MercBasher - 3/7/2005 12:06:36 AM

+1 Boost

Anyone who is still in love with Mercedes needs to become familiar with the latest Consumer Reports study of reliability. To my knowledge it is not associated with JD Powers and it is new news. The April 2005 edition of Consumer Reports has some interesting lists:

For example "most satisfying" - out of 32 cars which were scored highly by owners of vehicles in this area, only one Mercedes (the SL) made the list compared to 5 Lexus models (LS, SC, RX, GX, LX). BMW had 2 (Z4 and M3).

Predicted reliability - the top 3 are Scion, Lexus and Toyota. The bottom 3 are Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Land Rover

Individual model predicted reliability for 2005 models -

Most reliable sporty car: Lexus SC
Least reliable sporty car: Mercedes SL (Mercedes
CLK was also in the top three least reliable)

Most reliable sedan: Lexus LS (Lexus IS and Toyota Camry were the others in the top 3)
Least reliable sedan: Mercedes S class

My understanding is that the Consumer Reports research is conducted among thousands of real folks who drive real cars and have real world opinions. Unlike Autospies, Consumer Reports is not swamped by advertising from Mercedes.

Other real world data, check out Mercedes sales calendar year to date both worldwide and in the US - down 10-20%. Remember Autospies predicts a strong 2005 for Mercedes!!!

bgagliano - 3/7/2005 11:33:14 PM

+1 Boost

Merc Fan. Well said.

MercBasher - 3/7/2005 11:52:07 PM

+1 Boost

Merc Fan - for the records I have owned a Merc S Class, and two new Merc SLs. If you want a fight over net worth, I am doing quite well thank you.

I have also owned a Lexus LS, an LX, and an SC, as well as a BMW. I am able to talk about luxury cars based on personal opinion.

By the way if you don't like Consumer Reports, then read the April edition of the US's Automobile Magazine - it carries a three page article called "Losing the Luster" and it focuses mostly on Mercedes.