New C Class ~ Official W205
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: BLR-BFL-LAX
2015 Acura TLX
The site Motor Authority did a writeup of an conversation it had with the head of AMG Tobias Moers at the Detroit Auto Show and he told them the next C63 will be RWD, not AWD.
The article also says the regular W205 C-Class will get RWD option in North America in the first half of 2015 in the form of the C300. I had thought maybe they'd reintroduce the C250 badge for the RWD version but it seems like the C250 will disappear, at least in North America.
If only the "fun-to-drive, more sporty" RWD C-Class were available on launch in North America like it will be in the rest of the world....oh well, at least the wait won't be too long.
The article also says the regular W205 C-Class will get RWD option in North America in the first half of 2015 in the form of the C300. I had thought maybe they'd reintroduce the C250 badge for the RWD version but it seems like the C250 will disappear, at least in North America.
If only the "fun-to-drive, more sporty" RWD C-Class were available on launch in North America like it will be in the rest of the world....oh well, at least the wait won't be too long.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 7
From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
Canada seems to be completely different, most MB'S either come in AWD or are very limited in availability if they are RWD, the 2014 S550 does not even come with RWD option.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
09 E350 W4M
The interior is nicely done but I don't personally like a few things:
- Doesn't look like there is much storage at all on the front console. There seems to be some cubby but the cover implies that it's not like the rolling covers like the ones on the redesigned X204 or W211.
- I don't like the floating displays on the newer models. It takes away from the cabin's design.
- I notice the rudimentary display for HVAC is gone, presumably to show up only on the center screen. This is sadly a cost cutting measure and means you won't see the HVAC system's current settings in some situations and probably have to move between screens to get that info.
- I love the round screen in the I/P in the current W204/X204/W212. I think it's one of the most harmonious designs as you can read the speed and see the screen in one glance. Not a fan of the screen between dials that MB seems to be putting in CLA/GLA/ML/GL and now the new C. They stuck the screen between dials in the refreshed W203 but went back to the round center display in W204 but looks like a step back again in W205.
Overall it looks great though and the design surely sets it apart from the herd.
- Doesn't look like there is much storage at all on the front console. There seems to be some cubby but the cover implies that it's not like the rolling covers like the ones on the redesigned X204 or W211.
- I don't like the floating displays on the newer models. It takes away from the cabin's design.
- I notice the rudimentary display for HVAC is gone, presumably to show up only on the center screen. This is sadly a cost cutting measure and means you won't see the HVAC system's current settings in some situations and probably have to move between screens to get that info.
- I love the round screen in the I/P in the current W204/X204/W212. I think it's one of the most harmonious designs as you can read the speed and see the screen in one glance. Not a fan of the screen between dials that MB seems to be putting in CLA/GLA/ML/GL and now the new C. They stuck the screen between dials in the refreshed W203 but went back to the round center display in W204 but looks like a step back again in W205.
Overall it looks great though and the design surely sets it apart from the herd.
Last edited by payam81; Feb 1, 2014 at 12:03 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
- I notice the rudimentary display for HVAC is gone, presumably to show up only on the center screen. This is sadly a cost cutting measure and means you won't see the HVAC system's current settings in some situations and probably have to move between screens to get that info.
Last edited by alsyli; Feb 1, 2014 at 02:36 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 377
Likes: 5
2013 C250 sport
On the refreshed W204, the climate control setting pop up in a small strip at the bottom of the COMMAND display whenever you change the settings. I presume the W205 will have something similar Perhaps not as convenient as being able to see the settings at all times, but at least there probably won't be a need to toggle btw screens. The current position of the climate controls are so low that they're not easy to look at, anyway, unless you're at a full stop.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 9
GLE, SLC
Thought I would chime in on this thread instead of starting a new one.
Things I like compared to the W204...
Classier looking rear end.
Better overall performance.
Better looking interior mostly.
Full LED, HUD, and 360 camera options.
Things worse than the W204.
All made in Alabama for US? This is really worrying. They haven't exactly covered themselves in glory with new line launches.
I have seen these up close in Germany and is it just me or are the lighter colored versions better looking. The darker ones accentuate the bulbish front end.
Not a fan of column shifters or where they moved the signal stalk since MY13.
The floating display as well as the square center cluster really cheapens an otherwise excellent interior.
The transmission is still basically the same as before.
Could this be a one off engine once they phase in the inline 6? Turbo doesn't bode well for reliability either.
Things I like compared to the W204...
Classier looking rear end.
Better overall performance.
Better looking interior mostly.
Full LED, HUD, and 360 camera options.
Things worse than the W204.
All made in Alabama for US? This is really worrying. They haven't exactly covered themselves in glory with new line launches.
I have seen these up close in Germany and is it just me or are the lighter colored versions better looking. The darker ones accentuate the bulbish front end.
Not a fan of column shifters or where they moved the signal stalk since MY13.
The floating display as well as the square center cluster really cheapens an otherwise excellent interior.
The transmission is still basically the same as before.
Could this be a one off engine once they phase in the inline 6? Turbo doesn't bode well for reliability either.
Last edited by bluegene; Apr 24, 2014 at 10:22 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
2013 C250 , 2012 SLK350 , 2014 GL450 Designo currently owned
Thought I would chime in on this thread instead of starting a new one.
Things I like compared to the W204...
Classier looking rear end.
Better overall performance.
Better looking interior mostly.
Full LED, HUD, and 360 camera options.
Things worse than the W204.
All made in Alabama for US? This is really worrying. They haven't exactly covered themselves in glory with new line launches.
I have seen these up close in Germany and is it just me or are the lighter colored versions better looking. The darker ones accentuate the bulbish front end.
Not a fan of column shifters or where they moved the signal stalk since MY13.
The floating display as well as the square center cluster really cheapens an otherwise excellent interior.
The transmission is still basically the same as before.
Could this be a one off engine once they phase in the inline 6? Turbo doesn't bode well for reliability either.
Things I like compared to the W204...
Classier looking rear end.
Better overall performance.
Better looking interior mostly.
Full LED, HUD, and 360 camera options.
Things worse than the W204.
All made in Alabama for US? This is really worrying. They haven't exactly covered themselves in glory with new line launches.
I have seen these up close in Germany and is it just me or are the lighter colored versions better looking. The darker ones accentuate the bulbish front end.
Not a fan of column shifters or where they moved the signal stalk since MY13.
The floating display as well as the square center cluster really cheapens an otherwise excellent interior.
The transmission is still basically the same as before.
Could this be a one off engine once they phase in the inline 6? Turbo doesn't bode well for reliability either.
Transmission has been revised heavily, so we'll see how that turns out.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 7
So much of these cars are assembled by robots now, that I worry less and less about where its built these days.
For sure, you will see a 2017 C with the I6 turbo from the 2016 E, and probably a 9G transmission. MB will use up their remaining V6 engines and 7Gs in the 2016 model year cars, that I6 is the future. But the V6 is a proven engine, and it will likely see two model years in this car.
For sure, you will see a 2017 C with the I6 turbo from the 2016 E, and probably a 9G transmission. MB will use up their remaining V6 engines and 7Gs in the 2016 model year cars, that I6 is the future. But the V6 is a proven engine, and it will likely see two model years in this car.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
BMW 328i
Robotics play a large part in assembling a car but how much of it is fully automated versus robots controlled by human operators? The fact that these plants have thousands of workers suggests to me that human judgment and skill is still a big factor in a car's assembly. The workers in Germany have generations of experience building the C-Class platform and that intangible isn't there in Alabama. And it isn't just the Mercedes plant, there's also the stateside supply chain. Lots of components will be imported from Mercedes regular suppliers but you'd think a lot of parts will be made in the USA by local suppliers who are new to the C-Class. Experience counts, no matter how precise the specs or high the degree of automation. The Alabama C-Class won't be lemons but I think they'll have a higher defect rate than C-Class built in Germany. The only question in my mind is how long it'll take to get the Alabama plant's output to match the more experienced factories.
Last edited by ddarko; Apr 25, 2014 at 10:41 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 265
From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I have just returned from travelling & atill clearing PM's. Went past the dealer yesterday after a trustees meeting & they are decorating the showroom for launch. Hope to get behind the wheel in next week or two. Stock is locked up out of sight. They are running slightly late for some reason.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 377
Likes: 5
2013 C250 sport
