tgchicago

Does anyone know what the story is with the louvers on the grill on the luxury model? The pictures on the current MB USA website do not show the louvers, but I was at a dealership yesterday near Chicago and the car with the luxury package had the ugly louvered grill.


I would like the luxury model but not with the louvers.


Thanks!

joshg1001

Those are the active grill shutters to make the car more aerodynamic at high speeds. My understanding was that only certain euro models and the plug in hybrid will use these. I don't think these will be on the standard C300

Seylan

It's optional extra for euro-models, and probably a special request for the one you saw. I actually like it, it makes it look more futuristic and unique.

xxGenericSNxx

Any pics of the one you actually saw in Chicago? If you're able to swing by again it'd be helpful to find out more about that car such as if it's a corporate car (that could possibly have features not for the US market) and if you can snag a pic of the VIN that'd be helpful as well so I can run it on the MB EPC program. This will tell you specifics about the car (such as if it's a preproduction model etc.).

tgchicago

I don't have any photos from the unit in Chicago (MB of Westmont) but I have found a picture of another example - this one from MB of Tampa. I have contacted Mercedes and while we are waiting for confirmation from a product manager what I think I have found out is that the louvers (officially called "Airpanel") will come standard in the US on the C300 with cars with the luxury package UNLESS Distronic Plus (part of the Driver Assistance Package) is ordered. Distronic Plus sensors are effectively part of the grill, and the Airpanel louvers would interfere with it. I don't care for the Airpanel louvers so I am hoping that I am correct.

xxGenericSNxx

That's interesting and seems to make sense logically speaking. I thought I also read somewhere that the Airpanel won't be available in the US but guess it will be in the end.

MBNUT1

Yeah I don't like them either. If the luxury's come with that I see a booming mod business

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah. The Exclusive that I drove had active Distronic. So no Airpanel louvers. Not sure I like the louvres either. I love the new traditional grill however ~ very like the new S Class.

BlackjackM

Shouldn't be too hard to mod the louvers to stay open all the time.

vic viper

The fins are spring actuated and are always closed when the car is turned off, but as mentioned it shoud be imple to disconnect the control arm.
If the actuator is disconnected you will get CEL on.

tgchicago

I heard back from Mercedes and they confirmed that in the US the C300 with the luxury package will come with the Airpanel louvers unless one orders the Driver's Assistance Package. The Airpanel louvers will not work with the Distronic Plus (which is part of the Driver's Assistance Package).

4maticneday

Looks like the c300 with the luxury package does come with the louvered grill, found this model on eBay showing the grille

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-C-Class-4dr-Sedan-C300-Luxury-4MATIC-4-dr-sedan-c-300-luxury-4-matic-c-class-p-01-/321504098714?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4adb23399a&item=321504098714&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

highrise

I found this Mercedes page about the Air Panel system:

http://techcenter.mercedes-benz.com/...el/detail.html

I think it is interesting and would like to see it in person. The technical details shown on the linked page make it seem like the fins will be closed a large portion of the time - so you had better like them if you get them. Better aerodynamics should mean lower fuel consumption on the highway, and it seems likely that in the winter time the engine will get up to operating temperature much more quickly, which will reduce emissions, fuel consumption and engine wear.

Leslielp

I have an order on paper with a loaded up C300 with the Luxury package.
I will more than likely place the order this week.


There is a video of it on a bench in a German Youtube video which shows you the mechanical opening and closing.


It is the cheapest MB option on the planet $200.00
You get the AIRPANEL Radiator Grill, Comfort Suspension, 17"Multi Spoke Wheels and most importantly the MB Top mounted Emblem.


I figure if you are going to call the C Class a baby S Class you should look the part

mbinnl

The other way around: can this be retrofitted to a Luxury model, I have no distronic?

CorradoJr

I plan to order the C300 with Luxury package and think the Airpanel grill is a neat tech gizmo. In fact, I like how it operates and looks.

I am genuinely curious to know how much of a difference in fuel economy the C300 Luxury (with 17" wheels and Airpanel grill) vs. a C300 Sport (with 18" or 19" wheels and no Airpanel grille) would be. Unfortunately EPA puts these two very different models into the same classification and provides 1 rating. I would think the Luxury package would 0.5-1 MPG more than Sport, but who knows?

Here is some more technical information I found regarding when Airmatic operates on the C-Class:

With closed fins, the AIRPANEL radiator shutter helps to improve the vehicle aerodynamics, as the air can no longer flow through the engine compartment.

Less air resistance means reduced fuel consumption. When greater cooling performance is required, the fins open to increase air circulation to the engine.

AIRPANEL is adjusted via the engine control unit. The radiator shutter opens when one or more of the following conditions arise:

• Vehicle speed above 180 km/h
• Coolant temperature above 105 °C
• Suction fan performance requirements over 30 %
• Cooling water temperature above 34 °C

Until the conditions named are reached, and when the engine is switched off, AIRPANEL remains closed.

The system is visible from the outside and provides an interesting visual effect.

Glyn M Ruck

I believe the louvres should be sprayed black & not Sterling Silver.

Kahster

I agree. I have the louvers and would like to figure out a way to keep them open. It's the only aspect of the car I find distracting from the otherwise classic design cues. Having them black instead would be a great alternative.

Cmersu

Why do you not paint them black? I have the Airpanel and I think it is a good idea.When it is cold the engine will get up to temperature quite rapid.
In summer it prevents insects and bugs to enter your radiator.

Kahster

I have no idea how to go about painting them (no idea how they attach and they seem rather fragile). I agree with you on the actual function of the Airpanel; it's just an aesthetic thing.

emilryba

Look here : https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ry-trim-2.html
post # 34

Kahster

Thanks so much! Can you share how you did that? It would be a perfect solution.

r77cwd

The airpanel shutter will be discontinued for w205 in model year '16

emilryba

with Plasti Dip : http://www.plastidip.com/
enjoy !

CorradoJr

Source?