Visitors to this year’s Windhoek Show will immediately notice two intimidating beasts staring at them from the M&Z Motors exhibit when they enter the venue. These beasts are the 2019 Mercedez Benz A-Class A200 and the 2019 C-Class C180.
Upon enquiry, M&Z Sales Executive, Josie Pokolo, explains that the two Mercedes models have only been in the country for a few weeks and are already drawing copious amounts of attention and glares from the admiring public despite the starting price tag of N$504 000 for the A-Class and N$592 000 for the C-Class.
If you want revolution, rather than evolution, then look inside. The ground-breaking design (which was first seen last year) features a pair of free-standing instrument panels and turbine-style air vents, with ambient lighting used to highlight the separate sections of the dashboard.
Pokolo explained that the new models don’t just look different but actually work very differently as he demonstrated the much-hyped Mercedes-Benz User Experience system first revealed early this year.
Designed as a rival to the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes says the 2019 A-Class is a ‘new interpretation’ of the existing design.
Three trim levels will be offered to buyers, namely the SE, Sport and AMG. Standard kit across the lineup includes alloy wheels, DAB radio, leather and fabric upholstery, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Keyless-Go starting function and air conditioning.
Not only can the Mercedes system learn through artificial intelligence but it can be personalised and adapted to each individual user, meaning that the digital screens can be set up to display the driver’s preferred combination of information in the way they want. On top of that, the system learns if you phone the same people or tune to certain radio stations at particular times of day; and, if you do, the system then suggests these to the driver at the appropriate moment.
The new breath-taking Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the most successful model series from Mercedes-Benz and boasts a wealth of enhancements, including the design of the exterior and interior benefits which have benefitted from a stylish makeover.
The electronic architecture of the new C-Class is completely new. Options include a fully digital instrument display and multimedia systems featuring customised information and music offerings. The assistance systems likewise benefit from the new electronic architecture and are now on a par with those of the SClass.
The new-look C-Class combines emotionality with intelligence and the vehicle’s new appearance is defined in particular by its front end and the design of the headlamps and tail lights.
The sporty interior displays a premium look and feel as well as flowing forms. Visual changes inside go along with new technologies. Like the larger E- and S-Class, the C-Class adopts a new steering wheel with touch controllers right where your thumbs rest; they manipulate the optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the central COMAND infotainment system. While a 7-inch display for COMAND remains standard, the C-Class can now be optioned with a 10.25-inch widescreen display for improved legibility. The new steering wheel also puts its cruise-control switches on the wheel’s left-hand spoke, rather than on the old control stalk that was by your left knee in the outgoing C-Class.
Key engine changes for efficiency include a switch to an electric water pump, saving energy, and a twin-scroll turbo that spools more readily for improved low-end torque delivery. There’s also a two-step valve-lift system called Camtronic. At low engine loads, the engine switches to low valve openings so the throttle can open further, thus reducing parasitic pumping losses.