Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2019 pricing revealed

Mercedes-Benz has released the pricing and specification details for one ofits most important new models, the updated 2019 C-Class.

Mercedes is billing the facelift as a major overhaul, pointing to some 6500 parts that differ from the outgoing car, equaling about half the overhaul components. But the vast majority of those are under the skin, with the exterior undergoing more of a tweaking than a complete reimagining.

The updated C-Class Sedan and Estate (wagon) is offered with three engine options, kicking off with the C 200 ($63,400 sedan, $65,900 wagon), and stepping up to the C 220d ($64,900 and $67,400), before topping out with the C 300, for which local pricing is still yet to be confirmed. The Coupe and Cabriolet models, however, don’t get a diesel option, arriving in C 200 ($67,900 or $88,400) or C 300 guise only, with pricing for the latter also yet to be confirmed.

That's an increase on the outgoing car - the C200 Sedan was priced at $61,900 - a jump Mercedes justifies by pointing to better specification across the range.

Chief among the changes for the 2019 C-Class is a new hybrid drivetrain introduced on the entry-level C 200 cars, with a new 48-volt system that pairs with a 1.5-litre petrol engine to lower claimed fuel consumption to 6.4 litres per 100km.

Alone, the petrol engine generates 135kW and 280Nm, but the mild hybrid system, called “EQ Boost”, adds around 11kW of extra power that is delivered low in the rev range, plugging the power void usually left by turbo lag when taking off, or if you plant your foot when overtaking.

The tech offering has been overhauled, too, with a huge digital display standard across the range.

The C 220d now gets a more powerful 2.0-litre engine, good for 143kW and 400Nm (18kW more than the old car), while the C 300 cars are powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine good for 190kW and 370Nm. All are paired with a nine-speed automatic.

The tech offering has been overhauled, too, with a huge digital display standard across the range. The 12.3 inch digital display in the driver’s binnacle is butted-up against a second, 10.25-inch infotainment display, the latter of which is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The C-Class now adopts an S-Class-inspired steering wheel, complete with Merc’s swipe-sensitive buttons that control the media and navigation settings. The brand's 84-LED Multibeam headlights are an option across the range (though standard from the C43 and up), and will automatically adjust to the lighting conditions, making their calculations 100 times per second.

And if you thirst for more power, then there's more good news; the fire-breathing C43 AMG has been overhauled too, now producing slightly more power than the model it replaces.

The entry-level C-Class AMG will now set you back $107,900 for the Sedan version (up from $102,240 for the outgoing car), $110,400 for the Wagon, $111,900 for the Coupe, while feeling the wind rustle your hair in the Cabriolet will set you back $124,900.

Big bucks, but big bang, too. The C 43 4Matic's 3.0-litre biturbo V6 engine now makes a staggering 287kW and 520Nm (enough for a 4.7sec sprint to 100km/h in sedan guise). It's paired with a nine-speed transmission that sends the power to all four wheels, albeit with a bias toward the rear tyres.

Still now powerful enough? Then you'll have to wait for the C 63 S to arrive in January 2019. When it does, it will be wearing a $159,900 price tag (up from $156,840) for the sedan, while the wagon will set you back $162,400. Shopping for a Coupe adds another $2k - now $164,900 - and the Cabriolet is yours for $182,900.

The C 63 S is powered by 4.0-litre (M177) twin-turbo V8, good for 373kW and 700Nm. Drive goes to the rear wheels via a new nine-speed automatic, which is now equipped with a wet clutch on take-off to help with the off-the-line acceleration.

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