SL55Kompressor

News for the C-Class:
Sports packages for even more dynamic driving pleasure

17-inch light-alloy wheels, sports suspension and perforated brake discs
Three-spoke steering wheel, sports seats and stainless steel pedals for the interior
AMG sports package with special trim elements for front, rear and sides
Available from the spring of 2003 for C-Class Saloon and Estate models
Stuttgart – From the spring of 2003 Mercedes-Benz will be offering two attractive sports packages as optional extras, designed to emphasise the dynamic and progressive character of both the saloon and the estate models. Mercedes customers at this level will thus have even more possibilities to give their car an individual flair right from the factory door.
Size 225/45 R 17 wide tyres on the front axle and size 245/40 R 17 on the rear axle, as well as light-alloy wheels in a striking five-spoke design, characterise the dynamic appearance of the models fitted with the sports package. To satisfy those drivers with more sporting ambitions, the car also has a specially tuned suspension which, with its stiffer springs and damping, ensures even more responsive handling for the C-Class. Thanks to the sports suspension, the bodywork has been lowered by 25 mm on the front axle and 15 mm on the rear.

A further feature of the suspension are the perforated brake disks on the front axle which, thanks to their wider diameter and larger callipers, are particularly robust. The brake callipers feature the words ”Mercedes-Benz” in white letters as a visible reminder of the brake system’s sporting expectations.

An oval stainless steel cover on the exhaust tailpipe provides the final touch to round off the dynamic, powerful appearance of the petrol-engined models fitted with the new sports package. In the six-cylinder models C 240 and C 320, a modified exhaust system delivers the appropriately sporty ”sound”. The diesel models feature twin chrome-plated tailpipes.

In conjunction with the similarly new AMG sports package, both Saloon and Estate versions of the C-Class have been given new front and rear aprons and door sill trims, as well as 17-inch AMG-design light-alloy wheels.






Interior design with sporty flair

The interior that comes with the sports package also emphasises the car’s sporty appeal. The front sports seats are specially designed to offer perfect lateral support and, at the same time, excellent comfort over long distances. The anthracite-colored ”Silverstone” upholstery, used for both the centre panels of the front and rear seats and for the door panels, emphasises this special flair. Seats upholstered in anthracite Leather Twin or lather are also available as an option.

A three-spoke steering wheel in leather, stainless steel pedals with rubber studs and fitted carpets in high-quality velour with piped edges are further elements that characterise the interior of the C-Class. The gear lever for the six-speed gearbox and the shift lever for the five-speed automatic transmission (optional) are found here in a somewhat shorter version than usual with high-quality leather trim.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon and Estate models can be fitted with the new sports packages in all lines. The sports packages are, however, not available for the 4MATIC models, the C 32 AMG or the C 30 CDI AMG.


There are some nice pictures on Germancarfans.com
Well not available on the 4matics suck, but hey beafier tires, sweeter wheels, lowered and tighter chassis. I'd take one!

Lynn

These packages are not available in North America.

David N.

Lynn, just curious, how do we know for sure they will not be available in NA? MBNA has been known to drop things on us out of the blue. The new sedan and coupe were unknow commodities to most people (other than this board).

If MB is serious about taking a chunk of 3 series sales, then they should offer these packages to NA customers. Most Europeans don't purchase packages like this. Most MB's sold in europe are of the downmarket variety. Europeans don't have the cash for expensive sport packages.

Oh well, MB is just shooting itself in the foot yet again. One day they'll learn. I mean, what customer wants new and exciting models and packages to choose from? Certainly not us. And what car company wants something that will get people's blood pumping and in turn drive sales? Certainly not MB.

So sad.

E55 KEV

These packages were introduced at the www.laautoshow.com this month. Sport Package cars are called 2003 C320 Sport Sedan, Wagon and C230k Sport Sedan. Also introduced C320 Sport Coupe. Go to www.mbusa.com to build or order these new models.

There are now 9 models of W203 to pick from.

Lynn

I invite you to re-read the original post. These pakages are not the same as the C230k sedan, C320 Sport Sedan, C320 coupe are any other car at the LA auto show. Actually there are 14 models on W203s depending on how you count them.

FrankW

the new "sport" C230k and C320 sedan are basically just the advantgard model with next to none options.

Lynn, I think there are more than 14 variations of C-classes. C180, 180k, 200k, 230k, 240, 320, 32 AMG, 200 CDI, 220 CDI and 270 CDI. That's just for the sedans and wagons. Sports Coupes adds a 30 CDI AMG to the list. Total of 81 combonations + 4 AMGs. and I know I'm forgetting something.

btw, BMW just added a performance pkg to their 330i which will make 10 additional hp to the 225 hp. C320 sport sedan hardly stands a chance, when the 330i performance pkg will be listed at $39k. IMO MB always does things too slow or too little to compete in the compact entry luxury market.

E55 KEV

Lynn, your statement indicates that the W203 does not have a Sport Package "at al"l for 2003. Hell, everyone knows that the US does not get all the goodies offered in Europe.

Lynn

E55KEV, my statement does not say that there are no sport packages available at all in NA. It say the ones referred to in the first post of this thread are not available in NA. Maybe they will be someday, maybe they won't. The C230k sedan is only sold in NA. Some variants of the sedan and coupe are sold everywhere but NA. MB does have different packages and cars for different markets. Some markets even get decent sound systems as standard equipment.

FrankW, I was just counting the variants of the C according to the MBUSA web site, and counting all 4MATICS as separate models.

FrankW

I realize that after i posted the reply.

anyway, I forgot to add the 4 matics into the combos. With 4-matic counted in the line up it would make the C-class have more than 90 different variations

Tariq

topspeedtuning

Sorry if its big, I found these at school

topspeedtuning

the rims are hot though