2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

Sporty front

The front end of the Coupe differs from the Saloon model of the C-Class in that it has a sportier, distinctive shape. The sports grille with central Mercedes star is an eye-catcher. Large air intakes in the bumper hint at the air requirements of the performance engines and underscore the sense of width and sportiness of the front end.

The AMG Line is even more expressive. Its diamond grille sports mirrored dots. The AMG Line bumper sports larger air intakes and larger fog lamp recesses as well as a wide chromed front splitter.

Headlamp contours with clean lines round out the face of the new C-Class Coupe. The LED daytime running lights in the torch design of Mercedes-Benz are integrated into the headlamps.

The Coupe comes with H7 halogen headlamps as standard. Two energy-saving LED headlamp variants are optionally available: a static and a dynamic version with “LED Intelligent Light System” and Adaptive Highbeam Assist, which makes driving with permanent high-beam possible by masking out detected road users in the cone of light.

Dynamic rear end

Compared with the saloon model, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe has a completely newly designed rear end that carries the genes of the S-Class Coupe. A strong taper in the C-pillar forms a powerful shoulder, which is distinctly sculpted and gives the impression of a muscle. Because the number plate is located in the bumper, the designers were able to give the surfaces of the boot lid more definition. This puts the focus more strongly on the Mercedes star centrally placed on the boot lid. It hides a retractable surround view camera that is available as an option.

Slim, redesigned two-section LED tail lights emphasise the vehicle’s width and underscore the sporty design. The characteristic graphics of the lights with four horizontal LED bands provides a recognition factor day and night.

The slim design of the tail lights became feasible because the designers integrated the reflectors in the sportily styled rear bumper. The exhaust system with two visible tailpipes integrated flush into the black lower section of the bumper and connected by chrome trim furthrer underscore the sporty character. Except the C 220 d, C 250 d and C 180 models: They are fitted with a chrome wing. In conjunction with all engine variants, the AMG Line includes two visible pieces of tailpipe trim that are functional on petrol models and non-functional on diesel models.

Interior: Dynamics and modern luxury

Driver and passengers enjoy an ambience that leans toward the interior of the C-Class Saloon yet raises it to a new, sporty level.

The interior is likewise an emphatic statement of the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of sensual purity. The door and rear side panelling as well as the sweeping centre console merge smoothly, thus emphasising the Coupe character. As a DIRECT SELECT selector lever handles gear selection on vehicles with automatic transmissions, a large, one-piece centre console panel sweeps elegantly from the centre air vents to the touchpad in the handrest above the controller on the centre tunnel. These seamless, clear-cut lines create a sense of open space and convey a sense of simple, purist modernity.

The large solitaire component is available in a host of materials – for example, with modern wood surfaces, in piano lacquer design or carbon.

On vehicles with manual transmission, the centre console is slightly steeper and features two separate trim elements in order to create optimal space for ergonomic operation of the shift lever.

At a high level

A centrally positioned free-standing central display is the main eye-catching feature above the centre console – with a screen diagonal of 17.78 centimetres (7 inches), or 21.33 centimetres (8.4 inches) if COMAND Online is specified. It floats in the ergonomically best position above the centre console and is connected with a piece of horizontal trim. Thanks to its ergonomic positioning, the eye easily adapts to the central display. Visualisations and animations on the central display enhance the operating convenience and make the functions of driver assistance and communications systems tangible.

A wing-shaped piece of trim separates the upper and lower sections of the instrument panel. Its design makes it look like it is floating in the air. The visual split also makes it possible to choose different material and colour combinations.

Interior lighting is largely provided by long-lasting and energy-saving LED technology. This also applies to the optionally available solar (amber), polar (ice blue) and neutral (white) ambience lighting.

The touchpad in the handrest of the central controller developed by Mercedes-Benz marks an evolutionary step. As on a smartphone, all the functions of the multimedia system can be operated using finger gestures.

The door panels of the frameless doors have a completely new design. The door panels and the rear side panelling merge together smoothly.

Surfaces, colour combinations and seam patterns not only characterise the value appeal and an ambience moulded by the Mercedes guiding principle of modern luxury, but also underscore the sporty nature of the Coupe interior.

This also comes courtesy of the newly designed seats with integral seat look, which enhance the sense of spaciousness compared with the predecessor model. Convenience features are the easy-to-operate Coupe-specific controls of the easy entry function on the side of the backrest. For the first time, optionally available automatic belt extenders aid in fastening the seat belt. The rear seats are designed as individual seats.

The stowage volume increased by 6.9 litres compared with the predecessor and now amounts to 24.8 litres (manual gearbox) and 28 litres with automatic transmission.

The unique position of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is emphasised by the special upholstery colour combinations: saddle brown, porcelain and – in the Edition 1 – nut brown/black with turquoise topstitching.

Head-up display – focus on information

An optional head-up display provides less distraction from traffic. As in a jet aircraft, it projects important information directly into the driver’s field of vision in front of the windscreen. It displays the current speed, posted speed limits, navigation instructions and DISTRONIC messages – depending on the selected settings.

The technology is based on mirror optics and a full-colour display module with a resolution of 480 x 240 pixels which is driven by high-power LEDs. They project the virtual image, which measures around 21 x 7 centimetres, into the driver’s field of vision where it appears to float above the bonnet around two metres away. The resolution of more than 60 pixels per degree of viewing angle ensures a needle-sharp image.

A light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the head-up display to the exterior lighting conditions. In addition, the driver can adjust the height of the virtual image so that it is easy to read.

Engine and drive system: Efficiency and temperament

Powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines, all equipped with the ECO start/stop function and complying with Euro 6 emissions standards, provide for lively performance and great fun at the wheel. At the same time they lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent compared with the predecessor thanks to high energy efficiency.

The further advanced four-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 2.2 litres is eco-friendly and powerful. In the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe it produces outputs of 125 kW/170 hp and 150 kW/204 hp. Both variants are equipped with SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction) for emission control, which makes especially environmentally friendly driving possible.

In addition, four petrol engines are initially available. The output spectrum ranges from the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine in the C 180 rated at 115 kW/156 hp to the two-litre C 200 (135 kW/184 hp) and C 250 (155 kW/211 hp) models and the C 300, likewise with a displacement of two litres but with an output of 180 kW/245 hp.

All four-cylinder engines share the third-generation direct injection system with spray-guided combustion. The system pressure is up to 200 bar with the pressure being variably optimised in line with the engine mapping. Piezo injectors enable optimal mixture formation with up to five injections per power stroke.

This technology is rounded out by the rapid multi-spark ignition (MSI), which is able to trigger up to four sparks a millisecond as required. The interplay of both technologies enable outstanding fuel utilisation with minimal emissions.

The thermal management system with on-demand water pump also operates efficiently.

Optimised powertrain for more comfort and efficiency

Power is sent to the road via either a 6-speed manual transmission, the 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-speed automatic transmission or the new 9-speed 9G-TRONIC. Both automatic transmissions are equipped with the DIRECT SELECT selector lever and DIRECT SELECT paddle shifters.

Chassis and suspension: Sportily agile and comfortable

The lowered standard suspension with wider track and specific tuning offers a high ride quality with low road roar and tyre vibration whilst ensuring agile driving dynamics – the basis for driving enjoyment on twisty roads.

A new 4-link front axle with wheel suspension decoupled from the spring strut plays a major part in the agile handling. This enables sporty axle kinematics for plenty of grip and high lateral stability. As a result, the suspension responds more sensitively to steering movements and allows a sporty, agile driving style.

Because the components of the new front axle such as the tie rods, spring links, wishbones and steering knuckles are made of aluminium, it weighs about two kilogrammes less than a corresponding steel design. This enables a sensitive response.

A multi-link independent rear suspension with 5 links ensures excellent wheel control qualities and supreme straight-line stability.The rear axle carrier and the spring control arms are made of forged aluminium. A large rear axle bearing contributes to improved isolation of vibrations and thus to the outstanding NVH characteristics and ride quality.

The Coupe comes with a steel suspension as standard. Two suspensions with selective damping are available in conjunction with this system:

• a comfortable AGILITY CONTROL suspension with sporty character and a ride height lowered by 15 millimetres compared with the saloon model
• a sports suspension with tauter springing and damping including the Sports Direct-Steer system for even more agile handling

First in class: riding on air

The Coupe is the first vehicle in its segment to come with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension on the front and rear axle. Its electronically controlled, continuously adjustable damping on the front and rear axle ensures outstanding road roar and tyre vibration characteristics in every situation and gives the driver the option of selecting the desired driving style: sporty, comfortable or consumption-optimised. To this end, the driver can select one of five driving modes using the DYNAMIC SELECT Switch: “ECO”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport +” and “Individual”. Selecting “Individual” allows the driver to customise the vehicle settings.

The adaptive damping system allows a high level of driving dynamics because the system adapts the damping forces to the vehicle’s driving dynamics within fractions of a second.

At the same time AIRMATIC is characterised by a comfortable ride usually only found in the luxury segment. It smooths out expansion joints, asphalt patches and undulating asphalt caused by trucks braking at traffic lights.

AIRMATIC also features all-round self-levelling for excellent ride comfort even with the vehicle loaded. It controls the ride height automatically depending on the speed and reduces fuel consumption on the motorway by lowering the vehicle, for example. This also improves driving safety. Furthermore, the ground clearance can be increased at the push of a button using the ride-height adjustment switch on rough roads or poor access roads.

Sporty steering feel

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is equipped with an electro-mechanical Direct-Steer system with a sporty, direct character. It combines speed-sensitive power assist from the speed-sensitive steering with a steering ratio that varies according to the given steering angle.

Advantages of the electromechanical Direct-Steer system:

• improved agility thanks to more direct steering response
• comfortable handling and high level of steering comfort at all speeds
• considerable savings potential, since energy is only required when steering occurs
• enables the use of assistance systems, such as Active Park Assist

Fade-resistant brakes for short stopping distances

The brakes meet high requirements with regard to stopping distance, response, fade resistance, directional stability and service life of the brake pads. The braking

system is furthermore equipped with ADAPTIVE BRAKE that offers the following advantages:

• Hill-start assist prevents rolling back on a hill
• a HOLD function keeps the vehicle immobile without having to depress the brake pedal
• in the rain, a brake-drying function regularly wipes the moisture from the brake discs to make full braking power instantly available
• the priming function lightly puts the brake pads into contact with the discs the instant the driver releases the accelerator quickly, and can consequently shorten the stopping distance during subsequent braking.

In addition, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe comes with an electric parking brake with ‘Comfort Go’ automatic release as standard. It automatically releases the parking brake when the driver intends to start off.

Other brake functions:

• As a torque vectoring brake it provides for additional safety at the limit by purposefully vectoring the torque between the wheels of the driven axle by means of one-sided brake interventions.
• The adaptive brake lights can warn vehicles following behind of heavy braking and shorten their reaction time.

Aerodynamics: Against the wind

Outstanding fuel consumption figures require great aerodynamic properties. The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe has the lowest drag coefficient in its segment.

Mercedes-Benz offers the most streamlined cars with the lowest drag coefficients in almost all vehicle categories. The new C-Class Coupe boasts a Cd value of 0.26.

Because the aerodynamic drag is greater than all other driving resistance forces from a speed of about 70 km/h, this top figure of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe pays off in the form of fuel savings and reductions in CO2 emissions – especially at higher rates of speed such as when driving on the motorway. A reduction in the Cd value by 0.01 points translates into one gramme less of CO2 per km in the driving cycle (NEDC), while it can equate two grammes in averaged real-world consumption and actually as much as five grammes of CO2 per kilometre at 150 km/h.

Intensive detail work for Cd benchmark

The aerodynamics engineers achieved the Cd value of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe with an extensive bundle of measures. They include:

• aerodynamically designed front and rear bumpers
• aerodynamic wheel spoilers, at the front with 3-D shape and auxiliary spoiler on the front engine bay shroud
• sealing between wheel arches and engine compartment
• aerodynamically designed exterior mirrors with mirror base
• sealing around headlamps and aero lip in the gap between the bonnet and the front bumper
• Improved sealing of the radiator section and flow properties to make efficient use of the available cooling air
• spoiler modelled on the boot lid
• aerodynamically optimised underbody with extensive engine compartment and underbody panelling
• aerodynamically optimised wheels and tyres

Bodywork: More rigid and sturdy, safer

Intelligent lightweight construction with a higher proportion of aluminium helps make the Coupe lighter yet more rigid than its predecessor.

As for the saloon model, the body shell engineers employed the principle of sustainable lightweight construction for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. Light-alloy components include the wings, bonnet and boot lid. Consequently, they were able to reduce the weight of the Coupe by up to 50 kilogrammes.

In addition, they designed every detail in a way that results in the body shell meeting demanding standards with unprecedented performance in this segment – for example, with regard to the transfer of forces from the chassis to the body or the NVH characteristics. High-strength and ultra-high-strength materials play an important role in this regard. Their use resulted in higher rigidity and strength of the body shell. This has positive effects on the driving dynamics and the noise level.

Safety first

In keeping with Mercedes-Benz traditions, the body shell is designed for exemplary crash safety. The Coupe not only meets all current national and international laws, but also all rating requirements as well as the more stringent internal Mercedes-Benz safety requirements, which are based on what actually happens in real-life accidents.

A high-strength safety passenger compartment forms the core of this concept. It consists primarily of high-strength and ultra-high-strength sheet steel and panels with graduated wall thicknesses designed to withstand specific local stresses. Many segments consist of hot-formed steels, which as the result of this production process become very hard and less deformable.

The rigid safety cell is surrounded by purposefully calculated deformation zones that have been tested in practice. Thanks to optimised force paths, they produce outstanding crash test results (e.g. Euro NCAP and U.S. NCAP) and ensure maximum safety for the occupants.

Assistance systems: Driving safely, reducing stress

Additional assistance systems, expanded with significant functions compared with the predecessor modell, enhance both the comfort and safety of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. It comes as standard with the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, which can help to prevent rear-end collisions or mitigate their severity.

A sensor system, the scope of which can be expansive depending on the customer’s selected options, provides the basis for the intelligent assistance systems. The standard-specification model comes with a multi-mode radar (range up to 80 metres) in the front bumper that supports the functions of the COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. If the DISTRONIC PLUS is specified, this sensor is replaced by a long-range radar (up to 200 metres) behind the radiator grille. Depending on the equipment features, these sensors can be supplemented with a mono camera behind the windscreen for functions such as Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist or Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, as well as near-range radar sensors (30 metres) at the side in the rear bumper for Blind Spot Assist.

In the case of a fully equipped vehicle with the Driving Assistance Plus package, the coordinated sensor system provides the vehicle with a 360-degree view. This is in part courtesy of a stereo multi-purpose camera (SMPC) behind the windscreen. Two camera eyes provide it with a three-dimensional view of the area up to around 50 metres in front of the vehicle, and it is able to monitor the overall situation ahead for a range of up to 500 metres and thus determine the position and movement of objects, especially of vehicles and pedestrians. Two short-range radar sensors in the front bumper and at the sides of the rear bumper (range of up to 30 metres), a long-range radar (up to 200 metres) including mid-range scan (up to 60 metres) behind the radiator grille and a multi-mode radar (up to 80 metres) in the centre of the rear bumper are also part of the sensor system.

Combining the data from the camera and the radar sensors is crucial in order to provide useful data for a host of assistance systems – a process dubbed “sensor fusion”. Intelligent algorithms analyse this data in order to detect and pinpoint the position of vehicles ahead, crossing, approaching from the rear and even from the front, as well as of pedestrians, within a large field of vision. In addition, the camera can also detect road markings and a variety of traffic signs. The aim is enhanced comfort, assistance and all-round protection not just for occupants of the own vehicle, but also for other road users.

Combating inattention and rear-end collisions

There is a host of optional safety and assistance systems based on the Mercedes‑Benz Intelligent Drive concept on board the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. ATTENTION ASSIST with adjustable sensitivity, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness, is included as standard.

Further standard equipment includes COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. This further advanced system can provide effective aid in mitigating the severity of rear-end collisions or even in preventing them entirely.

To this end, the radar-based system constantly monitors the area of traffic in front of the vehicle, and can determine the distance and speed of the vehicles ahead. If the following distance drops significantly below the safety threshold at speeds above 30 km/h, the system gives the driver a visual warning. If it detects a serious risk of collision at speeds above 7 km/h, the driver receives an additional audible warning. The system also computes the brake pressure required to prevent a collision, if this is still possible. If the warned driver then depresses the brake pedal firmly, the system is capable of boosting insufficient braking commensurate to the situation. In so doing it makes the best possible use of the remaining distance in order to leave vehicles following behind space for braking manoeuvres.

If the driver fails to respond, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can go one step further and if the danger of collision persists can perform autonomous braking for slower moving and stopping vehicles at speeds of up to 200 km/h to mitigate the severity of the accident and ideally prevent the collision entirely. The system even brakes when stationary vehicles are detected up to a speed of 50 km/h, and can prevent rear-end collisions up to 40 km/h depending on the situation.

In addition, more assistance systems with expanded functions compared with the predecessor model are optionally available, which can significantly enhance comfort and safety:

• DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot is an adaptive cruise control system that can adjust the speed of the vehicle in line with a slower-moving vehicle ahead in a speed range from 0 to 200 km/h if required. Likewise available from 0 to 200 km/h, steering interventions help the driver stay in lane. At speeds below 130 km/h, for example in tailbacks or when driving bumper to bumper, the system can follow the vehicle ahead even where there are no or unclear lane markings, thus enabling the driver to safely and comfortably follow the flow of traffic.
• Apart from vehicles travelling ahead and stationary vehicles, BAS PLUS Brake Assist can also detect crossing traffic and boost the braking force if the driver fails to apply the brakes sufficiently. In addition to slower-moving, stopping and stationary vehicles, the PRE-SAFE® Brake can even detect pedestrians and brake autonomously if the driver fails to react, thus preventing accidents at speeds of up to 50 km/h and mitigating the severity of collisions at speeds of up to 70 km/h. In flowing traffic, the PRE-SAFE® Brake provides assistance in the same way throughout the entire speed range from 7 to 200 km/h.
• Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist can now also prevent the vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of lane by applying the brakes on one side when the lane markings are solid or broken and there is a risk of collision, e.g. as a result of vehicles overtaking at high speed, parallel traffic or even oncoming traffic.
• PRE-SAFE® PLUS extends the Intelligent Drive functions to take account of imminent rear impacts. It warns the following traffic by activating the rear hazard warning lights at increased frequency and initiating preventive PRE-SAFE® occupant protection measures such as the reversible belt tensioner immediately prior to the impact. If the vehicle is stationary, the brakes are locked to reduce the forward jolt, which reduces the forces acting on the occupants and the risk of secondary collisions.

Two dozen assistance systems

Standard equipment features are:

• COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS with Adaptive Brake Assist and autonomous braking
• ADAPTIVE BRAKE with Hill-Start Assist, brake priming, brake drying and HOLD function
• STEER CONTROL steering assist function
• Crosswind Assist
• Torque Vectoring Brake
• Adaptive brake lights
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• Brake Assist (BAS)
• Tyre pressure monitoring system

There is a host of optional extras available:

• Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC
• DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Blind Spot Assist
• Driver Assistance Package Plus comprising of
  • DISTRONIC PLUS with Steer Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
  • BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist
  • PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian detection
  • Active Lane Keeping Assist
  • Active Blind Spot Assist
  • PRE-SAFE® PLUS
• Traffic Sign Assist
• LED Intelligent Light System
• Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
• Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC
• Reversing camera
• 360° camera

Infotainment: A sensual pleasure

The new multimedia generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is characterised by internet access already with the basic audio system, intuitive operation thanks to displays with visual effects and accurate traffic information. The Frontbass system delivers sound almost of the quality of a concert hall as standard.

Three infotainment systems are available for the new C-Class Coupe.It comes as standard with the Audio 20 system. Upgrade alternatives are the touchpad-controlled Audio 20 CD with CD drive, and COMAND Online. All three variants of the infotainment system are internet-capable with a Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phone with tethering and a data plan. This enables surfing the internet without restrictions when the vehicle is stationary. In conjunction with COMAND Online, the Mercedes-Benz Apps can be used while driving. COMAND Online offers integral hotspot functionality to boot. It allows passengers on all seats to connect different W-LAN-capable devices such as laptop or tablet computers to the internet.

COMAND Online is identified by the colour flat screen positioned above the centre console. Its 21.3-cm TFT colour display (8.4 inches, resolution 960 x 540 pixels) outperforms the 17.78-centimetre colour displays of the Audio 20 and Audio 20 CD (7 inches, resolution 800 x 480 pixels).

Both types of displays use IPS technology (In-plane Switching) with LED display backlighting. Consequently they achieve high brightness values of about 500 cd/m² and contrasts of about 800:1 and higher. A light sensor adjusts the brightness to the ambient light. Drivers are also able to adjust the brightness to their personal preferences.

Touchpad and diverse data sources

Audio 20 is operated with a rotary/push controller on the centre console. Audio 20 CD and COMAND Online can be also operated with finger gestures on a touchpad. As a third operating option, COMAND Online also offers the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system for audio, telephone, navigation and music search.

Audio and video playback is possible from various sources with all three variants. For example, via Bluetooth®, from an Apple iPod® or iPhone®, from an SD card, USB stick or CD/DVD (with Audio 20 CD or higher and with COMAND Online). Digital radio for the DAB, DMB and DAB+ standards and internet radio are optionally available.

COMAND Online is additionally equipped with a Bluetooth® interface that allows the use of text and email write and read functions as well as audio streaming for music playback. A CD/DVD drive, a slot for SDHC memory cards and 10 GB of storage (Media Register) for compressed audio and video files (mp3, wma, aac, mpeg, avi up to 720p) are likewise integrated. Cover Flow display, song tagging and the “play more like this” function are also included.

COMAND Online also offers the option of playing videos from DVDs and has a picture viewer for photos from SD cards or USB mass storage devices. Optionally Mercedes-Benz equips the COMAND Online system with a six-disc DVD changer and TV receiver for digital TV reception with support for multichannel sound, EPG (electronic programme guide) and video text.

Listening pleasure guaranteed

The Frontbass system, which was honoured with the Daimler Research and Innovation Award, delivers extraordinary sound quality The customary woofers in the doors are replaced in the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe with a woofer (Burmester® surround sound system: two woofers) installed in the front longitudinal and cross-members in the footwell in front of driver and front passenger. The cavities behind the speakers serve as a resonance chamber. Because these structures are inherently very rigid, the bass notes reproduced here are very precise and have little distortion, even with very high signal levels.

As no woofers now need to be accommodated in the doors, the irritating vibrations that are typical of such configurations are eliminated. The mid-range speakers and tweeters move closer to the vehicle’s beltline and thus almost to the passengers’ ear level. As a result, they create a brilliant sound.

Sound system – concert hall sound

Mercedes-Benz offers the Burmester® surround sound system as an option for audiophiles, which brings a concert hall atmosphere to the Coupe. The Burmester® surround sound system drives 13 loudspeakers (standard specification 5) with a 9-channel DSP amplifier and a total system output of 590 watts (standard specification 100 watts). All loudspeakers are additionally optimised for performance with this sound system.

Modern-style navigation

The Audio 20 CD can optionally be supplemented with the Garmin® MAP PILOT navigation system. Its merits include accurate map data and excellent route guidance. 3-D views with realistic views of streets and buildings as well as photo-realistic junction and lane assistants make orientation easier. Intuitive operation is provided by the Controller or the touchpad. The character recognition feature of the touchpad allows text input. The navigation system can also be operated by voice control. Software and maps can be updated easily via the internet.

The fast 3-D hard-disc navigation of COMAND Online with topographical map display, photo-realistic 3-D buildings and 3-D map rotations, as well as display of NASA satellite images, makes for a sensory experience. The system displays its contents interactively and its features include an animated compass as well as a “Drive Show” with information for passengers similar to the on-screen presentations aboard airliners. In addition, the navigation system can provide real-time information about the situation on the roads with the “Live Traffic Information” service.

Telephony via Bluetooth® as standard

The basic Audio 20 system as well as Audio 20 CD and COMAND Online all offer basic telephony as standard, which links a mobile phone to the vehicle via a standardised Bluetooth® interface. The optional “Comfort Telephony” is available as pre-installation of a universal telephone interface which allows the mobile phone to be connected to a phone cradle in the centre console.

Mercedes connect me: connected with the car

Under the name “Mercedes connect me”, Mercedes-Benz offers an extensive package of free standard services via a KOM module integrated into the vehicle. This module also makes it possible to use the fee-based Remote Online services. The range of services is being expanded continuously.

The free standard services include automatic emergency call (eCall), Accident Recovery, Breakdown Management and Maintenance Management. In an accident, the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system automatically connects the occupants with the Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call Centre and sends the position and condition of the vehicle to the rescue operations centre. A rescue vehicle can then be dispatched immediately. The system can also be triggered manually.

The “Mercedes connect me” standard services also include:

• Accident Recovery – after the Mercedes-Benz emergency call, the system connects to the Customer Assistance Centre so that additional assistance can be requested, where necessary, to deal with an accident, e.g. a tow truck.
• Breakdown Management – provides technical assistance in the event of a breakdown. To this end, the position and condition of the vehicle are transmitted to the Customer Assistance Centre, which informs Mercedes‑Benz Service 24h. This allows the Mercedes-Benz Service 24h to provide fast and optimal help.
• Maintenance Management – the vehicle detects and reports pending maintenance needs and sends the necessary data to the service outlet as the basis for preparing a service quote.
• Telediagnostics – the vehicle detects the need for replacement of diagnostics-capable wear parts and reports this to the service outlet. The service outlet contacts the customer to arrange a workshop appointment. The previously transmitted data enable the workshop to provide optimal assistance.

Connected to the car via internet

The optional extra Remote Online (standard with COMAND Online and free to use for the first three years) allows drivers to connect to their vehicle from anywhere and at any time via “mercedes.me” to retrieve vehicle data and remotely activate various vehicle functions. With the new Mercedes me app, this also works with iOS and Android smartphones as well as with the Apple Watch.

The optional Remote Online services include:

• Parked Vehicle Locator – allows the vehicle position to be determined, for example, if the vehicle was parked in an unfamiliar city. This makes it possible to conveniently find the vehicle within a range of 1.5 kilometres with the help of a smartphone.
• Vehicle Tracker – enables the latest position of a moving vehicle to be pinpointed via GPS. The driver has a display in the vehicle and can deactivate the service at any time with a toll-free call to the Customer Assistance Centre.
• Geofencing – shows where the vehicle is in an area previously defined on the map and informs the owner if the car leaves or enters this area. Like the Vehicle Tracker, this service can also be deactivated by the driver at any time.
• Remote door locking and unlocking – allows opening or closing the vehicle doors remotely, for example, if the driver forgets to lock the vehicle. Remote Retrieval of Vehicle Status – vehicle data such as fuel level, range and more can be accessed from home or while on the road.
• Programming of Auxiliary Heating – if the vehicle is equipped with auxiliary heating, all functions such as starting, switching off or programming of the timer can be controlled online via a smartphone.

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