Over the years and four generations - if we're also including the 190E (W201) - the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has remained rather faithful to a much smaller size than its big brothers, with each new generation taking only baby steps in terms of overall dimensions.
The recently-launched C-Class W205 is the first in its lineage to forget baby steps and make a radical jump as far as size is concerned.
With an entirely new approach in terms of design and technology features, the new C-Class has grown so much in every direction that its wheelbase, width and height are actually surpassing those of the E-Class W210 from 1995.
In fact, the only areas where the old E-Class is better than its modern small brother are the elbow room in the rear and its overall length, neither of which being of extreme importance for a modern C-Class owner.
With an aluminium content of no less than 48 percent and up to 100 kg (220 pounds) lighter than its predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 is also lightest model in its segment, not to mention the most aerodynamically-efficient one as well.
Mainly thanks to these two well-thought out features, the new model has cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to its predecessor, meaning that it also bests the old E-Class W210 by quite a large margin while being much faster.
If fitted with the Airmatic suspension, the levels of comfort and agility are unprecedented in any old C-Class or E-Class model, making the new W205 an actual revolution form a number of points of view.
With an entirely new approach in terms of design and technology features, the new C-Class has grown so much in every direction that its wheelbase, width and height are actually surpassing those of the E-Class W210 from 1995.
In fact, the only areas where the old E-Class is better than its modern small brother are the elbow room in the rear and its overall length, neither of which being of extreme importance for a modern C-Class owner.
With an aluminium content of no less than 48 percent and up to 100 kg (220 pounds) lighter than its predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 is also lightest model in its segment, not to mention the most aerodynamically-efficient one as well.
Mainly thanks to these two well-thought out features, the new model has cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to its predecessor, meaning that it also bests the old E-Class W210 by quite a large margin while being much faster.
If fitted with the Airmatic suspension, the levels of comfort and agility are unprecedented in any old C-Class or E-Class model, making the new W205 an actual revolution form a number of points of view.