A Review of the 2015 C-Class
MBUSA chose Seattle to unveil some of the members of their 2015 C-Class lineup. The cars fit right in with those driven by tech entrepreneurs and those wanting to look like one. Thankfully, the C-Class got much of its styling cues from the S-Class. The creases and scallops in the doors give a more elegant aesthetic to the car. Although spying the LED running lights and the beautifully-sloped nose in traffic is easy, having a larger color palette to choose from would be nice.
Check Out the Interior
The interior takes a similar limited styling cue from the exterior with the wraparound dashboard, which leads to a neat and uncluttered center stack. The 2015 C-Class retains the oversized air ducts that resemble large turbines. However, the interior is so finely crafted that even the plastic parts feel solidly built and as though it was made from high-quality materials.
Looking around the interior you can tell the car took many of its design cues from the S-Class. The well-made and comfortable leather seats, the bright and visible LCD screens, and even the switches on the dash all tell you this car is a descendant class and not just a gussied-up version of a cheaper car.
One Real Flaw with the Interior Layout
The C-Class comes standard with an infotainment system with a seven-inch screen. It feels natural and comfortable; however, there’s an option for an 8.4-inch infotainment display. It resembles an eight-inch Microsoft Surface or iPad stuck to the dash as an afterthought, detracting from the polished look of everything else. This wasn’t well-thought-out.
Options Are Now Standard Features
MBUSA announced that a number of features that were available as added (read extra money) options in previous years are now going to be standard equipment on the C-Class. For instance, the 2015 C300 now comes standard with push-button start. The vehicle pictured in the image gallery has a number of added options including the steering wheel with the flat spot at the bottom, larger cross-drilled rotors, and a special front grille treatment.
Fuel Economy Drives Lighter Materials Usage
If an automaker isn’t talking about increasing fuel economy these days, they aren’t selling cars. The C-Class for 2015 grows almost four inches in length and almost two inches in width, but MB engineers were able to cut the curb weight in the area of 200 pounds through the use of high-strength steels and aluminum. This diet the cars have been put on means that even the smaller engines in use can deliver some spirited get-up-and-go.
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images [Automobile Magazine]