Dabo

I've been foraging through as much internet hearsay as I can find for months now for anything to do with the upcoming C450 and the story seems to be solidifying around the idea that the C450 will replace the C400 as the first "AMG-Sport" badged offering.


Most of what I've read has been rumor and conjecture, until now. I visited my local dealer this weekend and when he looked into his ordering system, he was surprised to see that all remaining C400 build orders had been finalized (frozen, no more changes allowed) so it was no longer possible to custom order one. In fact, from what he could see, it appears that there will be no further production of C400 units beyond January.


Yesterday he called his contact at MB and was told that production is being stopped at the end of January to clear C400 inventory on dealer lots in time for the release of the C450. He was told that the first C450 orders would be taken in June and the cars should be available in late August, early September as 2016 models.

c4004matic

The C450 is a mythical model. At least for the US. Our next models here will be the C300 RWD, and the C63AMG. The C63 will come in 2 flavors superpowerful and more superpowerful. Why are people so interested given the C400 will already do 0-60 in 4.7 seconds (frigging FAST!!!!!)? The C63 acceleration will only be limited by traction!!!!!! The 3.0 biturbo "400" engine is a brand new one, why is everyone trying to replace it already? Give it a few years, OK? There are barely any C400 out the door yet

dreamerak

Supposed to be announced at NAIAS in January, I'm very interested in this car.

From Car and Driver:

C450 AMG Performance: This car is exactly what it sounds like: a BMW M Performance–like bridge model between the regular C-classes and the skull-obliterating C63. It will get an uprated version of the C400’s 329-hp twin-turbo V-6, likely good for 360 horses or so and spinning all four wheels via 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Expect all manner of sport-tastic styling touches, more-aggressive brakes and suspension, and copious AMG logos inside and out. (The name could also be AMG Sport.) The sheet will be pulled off at next January’s Detroit auto show, and the car will go on sale in the fall. Here’s the kicker: It will supplant the C400 completely after a year on the market.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/c-whats...oupe-and-more/

c4004matic

January is not far away so we will see, I seriously doubt it will be another sedan model. I have seen a picture of a station wagon with a 450 logo or it may be a coupe.

dreamerak

54 days, should be an interesting show.

http://naias.com/

Ryan_U

I find it strange that the c400 would be abandoned in favor of the c450. The c400 is already giving people sticker shock and I imagine the c450 will be more expensive. The price point will determine its success I guess. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure all the extra goodies are nice but the c400 gives customers an entry to the 3.0l tt engine.

StanNH

I can understand the introduction of the C450 as a higher performance version of the C400, but replacing the just introduced C400 with it makes no sense at all.

The scenario where C400 production ends in January, while the C450 production doesn't start until August, 2015 also makes no sense at all. Under this scenario, the North American markets will only be able to buy a C300 during that 8 month production gap.

Quite frankly, I really don't think the dealer's information is correct.

Dabo

I agree that abandoning the C400 is a bit strange after such a brief time on the market, but the C450 timing isn't as odd as it appears. If the C400 production ends in January, it'll probably take until the end of March before the last of them hit the dealerships. I'm not sure what the typical turn around is on a C400, but I'm told they sell much more slowly than the C300. Once the rumors of the C450 become well known, the C400 will likely sell even more slowly. So if they're counting on April, May, June and July to sell the supply of C400s, I'm betting their planning is right about correct for August arrival of the C450.

bwoodbmw

People keep acting like this can't happen... remember that BMW did the exact same thing with the e90 330i after one year stepping it up to the 335i. They also are perfectly aware that there is a new A4 coming down the pipe as well as the updated motors going in the BMWs (becoming 340i for mid cycle refresh)... stepping the top non AMG C to a C450 with a bit more power (which adds no expense to them as it is likely just tuning) makes a lot of sense.
Mercedes has a great car on their hands but they need to stay ahead of the others power wise if they want it to sell well

Germancar1

What don't you get here? The C400 and C450 have the same engine, the 3.0L turbo V6. C450 is just a higher state of tune. The C450 is getting the same variant of the 3L turbo that is already in the 2015 GL450.

M

c4004matic

Precisely! Its simply ridiculous. Yep lets invest 200 million in developing a new engine so we can dump it less than a year after we introduce it!!!! The C400 will probably be around for 5 years or more just as the 350 was. The C will have three engines a 4 a 6 and an 8. The 8 will be available in 2 flavors courtesy of AMG. Does that rule out a tweaked c400? No, but replacing it is a nonsensical.

Germancar1

You guys are lost.

M

c4004matic

The issue is the replacing the model. NO one replaces a model in less than a year, particularly since the model is already the most powerful in the market. Its absurd.

Germancar1

If you're concerned about the model being replaced, why do you keep talking about the engine and all the money spent and what not? It is matterless, because all they're doing is changing the numbers on the trunk lid. Whether it is a 400 or a 450, none of it is true to the engine size anymore. Much ado about absolutely nothing.

You're caught up over nothing and Mercedes has replaced models after one year before also. There was only one year of the CLS55 AMG (2006) before it became the CLS63 AMG (2007), and there are other examples of MB and others doing this. Ridiculous to think that Mercedes should stand pat for no reason. The C450 AMG Sport is just what they need to fight off the next S4 and upcoming 340i.

M

Jinzen

I don't think it's out of the question... during those months you can definitely buy a C400, you just can't custom order one. They probably will stock as much as projected demand.

Germancar1

Yep that is exactly it.

M

Jinzen

It looks like the C450 is happening regardless. It's going to be a C400 with a different engine tune, maybe a little more boost, AMG styling and tweaks and that's probably about it.

bwoodbmw

Again... see my comment above. Has happened plenty of times, most relevant example being the e90 330i which was the most powerful car in its class and replaced after one year by the 335. And it won't be a motor swap in this case, just a tune.

PeterUbers

Good points... E420... One year later e430....

Germancar1

Oh yep, forgot about that one. That was an entirely new V8 also.

M

jbbeauso

My opinion is that the c400 to c450 is all a transitional pricing strategy to give the market an intermediate step to a much higher cost. The spec on the c450 is essential identical to the c400 except for the turbo pressure (ECU controlled), and maybe a slight visual cue like a spoiler. They could have easily released the c450 from the beginning but the price jump which they were aiming for would alienate buyers because you are essentially into the e class range. In the meantime they can transition to a more upscale and more expensive e class. At the end of the day a c400 may be a great deal if it doesn't have too many first run problems.

c4004matic

Not going to lose any sleep over it.........
I'm already waiting for mine. Not going to spend 15K more for 30 more ponies, nor 40k more for a RWD C63 that I'll never take to track where is the only place to exploit what it can do. With the 400 in 13 seconds you can already be at almost twice the speed limit, more than good enough for an everyday car to drive 5mths in snow.

Germancar1

The C450 won't be 15K more expensive. That would be C63 Pricing.

M

bwoodbmw

Now with any luck what they will do is release C450 in RWD at about the same price as the current car with 4matic... this would make a lot of sense and I would have no choice but to purchase a RWD C450...

Germancar1

Clearly it won't be just a spoiler. This will be a AMG lite model sorta speak. AMG tweaked suspension, brakes, and styling etc with about 360hp. The same engine is already in the 2015 GL450, with 362hp. If they're having trouble moving the C400 at 50K now, I seriously doubt they'll raise the price too much for the C450, 52-53K tops IMO and you'll be getting way more car. Now why didn't they introduce this model from the start is a very good question. I have no idea why they didn't. Ditto for the RWD C300 which would have made entry point lower for people in Florida, Texas etc won't don't need AWD.

M