Sector: Compact executive Price: €27,140–€35,700 Fuel: 4.0–5.3l/100km CO2: 103–123g/km

The latest evolution of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class needed to be a very good car to better its predecessor, which won many friends in the fleet sector.

Mercedes would not try to do anything less, and it starts with a programme of weight reduction resulting in weight savings of up to 100kg. Most of this comes in the bodyshell, where the use of aluminium is said to have risen from under 10% to 50%.

Engines all feature Mercedes Stop/Start system with claimed fuel consumption reductions of up to 20% compared with the outgoing models. At launch the engine range includes a 1.6-litre petrol, powering the C180, a 2.0-litre engine powering the C200 and a 2.2-litre diesel in the C220.

Soon to come will be a Renault-Nissan sourced 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 115hp or 136hp, with 280Nm or 320Nm of torque respectively. As it stands, the 170hp C220 BlueTEC generates CO2 emissions of 103g/km, so it seems reasonable to suggest that the 1.6-litre engine will offer sub-100g/km emissions. Additional power ratings will be added to the C220 diesel between 115hp and 204hp and all use SCR emissions control technology using the AdBlue additive to reach Euro 6 emissions limits.

The BlueDIRECT petrol engines feature direct petrol injection and multiple injections as well as multiple ignition. Still to come is a hybrid option with the diesel engine, to be the C300 BlueTEC HYBRID with 204hp from the diesel engine and an additional 27hp from the electric motor. Mercedes claims 3.9l/100km fuel consumption for this model. A second plug-in hybrid model will combine a petrol engine and electric motor with extended electric range. Paired with the engines is either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic.

Steel suspension with a new four-link independent front system will be the standard arrangement and there is an option of three selective damping systems with this setup. Alternatively Mercedes claims the C-Class is the first car in its class to be offered with air suspension, with a range of settings from ‘Comfort’ to ‘Sport+’. The system is also self-levelling to automatically compensate for load.

As you might expect there is a long list of driver assistance options from safety systems such as the BAS PLUS Brake Assist system to a 360° view camera. There are new airbags, a new air conditioning system and a new infotainment system that can become Internet connected via a smartphone.

Luckily the C-Class is still a very fine car to drive, with either the AMG package and seven-speed automatic and air suspension or the more ‘basic’ manual models offering what you would hope from a Mercedes. There’s a high degree of comfort, low levels of wind and road noise and impressive handling characteristics. You might need to keep a watchful eye on the speedometer. I found that it took little time to propel the C220 diesel well past motorway speed limits.

Verdict:

Mercedes has produced an excellent successor to the outgoing C-Class with great fleet appeal. New engines and hybrid drivetrains will only add to this.