Mercedes continues to expand the range
of the recently updated 2018 C-Class range with additional engine options,
including the new entry-level diesel C180d model. The cheaper diesel variant of
the C-Class family replaces the old Renault-sourced powerplant with a new
1.6-liter four-cylinder that’s been developed entirely by Mercedes.
The new engine belongs to the latest
OM654 family of diesel units, featuring reduced bore and stroke compared to the
2-liter version but keeping all the innovations of its bigger sibling, such as
the fourth-gen common-rail injection system and aluminum engine block.
The 1.6-liter diesel produces 120 hp between 3,200 and 4,600 rpm and 300 Nm between 1,400 and
2,800 rpm, and is available only in conjunction with the nine-speed 9G-Tronic
automatic transmission.
Mercedes says the base C180d Saloon is
capable of a 0-100 km/h sprint in 9.4 seconds and has a top speed of 207 km/h. CO2 emissions are 112g/km, while combined fuel consumption is
certified at 67.2mpg UK (4.2lt/100km, 56 mph US) per NEDC.
Mercedes will offer a more powerful
158 hp version of the same 1.6-liter diesel engine with a six-speed manual
transmission in the C200d. What’s confusing in the fact that automatic versions
of the C200d get a 147hp 2.0-liter engine.
Order books for the new C180d have been
opened in Germany, with prices starting from 34,914 euros for the Saloon and
36,580 euros for the Estate. The Coupe and Cabriolet versions of the C180d
start from 40,066 and 46,130 euros respectively.
Overall, Mercedes reckons that there are
more than 50 variants of the new C-Class available in Europe, namely 30 saloons
and estates and 21 Coupes and Cabriolets.
