23 Jan 07
As design differences go, this is emblematic rather than fundamental: all the other main body panels are identical and the overall personality of the new car is very much the same, whether it is a Sport or an Elegance.
The new mild wedge shape is more dynamic, with the nose-down stance more clearly evident on the Sport; around the rear there are shades of the new S-Class and BMW 3-Series, with the shape of the rear lights recalling the previous-generation Honda Accord.
Agility Control system uses self-adjusting dampers
Inside, colour, decor and fabric differences again distinguish the two versions, the plush Elegance favouring wood veneers and warmer shades over the Sport's more masculine greys, blacks and aluminium trim accents. Yet in each case the ambience will be familiar to any Mercedes user and the differences are no more than could be achieved by careful choosing on a conventional options list.
Agility was a word repeated many dozens of times in the C-Class presentation, showing how anxious Mercedes is to match the perceived driver appeal of the super-successful BMW 3-Series.
Mercedes has developed a suite of new 'Agility Control' technologies aimed at providing swift responses without losing ride comfort: the steering has been made more direct and a new shock absorber system responds to driving conditions to sharpen handling when needed. Later this year a further agility package will add speed-sensitive steering and dual programmes for the automatic transmission.
