[parrys]

Mercedes has launched the C-Class C250 CDI Avant-garde with an AMG kit, which they are calling the C250 CDI AMG Performance Edition. The car has been launched at a price on INR 34,62,609 Ex-Showroom Mumbai. A limited run of a 100 of these will be available for sale.



What's Different from the regular C250 CDI:

• 7G-tronic automatic gearbox
• Distinct 17" AMG 5-twin-spoke alloy wheels.
• Cross-drilled front brake discs.
• Sports suspension.
• 3-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel with 12 function keys in Nappa leather
• Steering mounted gear shift paddles.
• Instrument cluster featuring 3 analogue dials with tapered tube-style surrounds.
• AMG body styling with front and rear apron and side sill panels.
• Tail pipe trim in polished stainless steel.
• Brushed stainless steel AMG sports pedals with black rubber studs.
• Aluminium-look gearshift lever with leather gaiter.

[parrys]

Pictures:
Mr. Debashis Mitra (Director Sales & Marketing) with the new C250 CDI AMG Performance Edition.


The distinct 17" AMG alloy wheels we all are familiar with.


The signature AMG styling.


Decent looking side skirts.


Front bumper looks more or less the same.






The stainless steel finish on the tail pipe.


3-spoke steering wheel. Perforated near the grip area for better comfort.


Center console with the new gearshift lever.


Aluminium pedals with rubber studs. (Thats the Parking brake on the left).

[parrys]

Other points:

• Like every other manufacturer, even Mercedes-Benz is not happy with the current scenario in the Indian automobile market.
• Due to the changing taxation structures and other factors like fuel prices etc, the market which saw 80% growth in the year 2010 has now come down to a mere 10% growth.
• Also, since 80% of the cars purchased are through car loans, the rising interest prices are also some how making the customer either wait for some more time or compromise to a car in the lower segment.
• With the increase in excise, interest on loans, CBU taxes, and RTO registration fees - the cost of ownership is going up to a unrealistic level.
• Despite on the currency fluctuations which sometimes go up to Rs.20, the manufacturers have cut down on their profitability and made sure that the customer gets the vehicle only at a 5-6% increase in price. This however is not a feasible option in the long run.
• For example, the GL Class which costs around 60-75 lakh rupees would go up to 85-90 lakh if all these fluctuations are to be forwarded on to the customer in proportion.
• Later this year, the much awaited B-Class will be launched in India. The A class would follow by early 2013.
• The B-Class will be initially launched in the petrol variant and the diesel variant will follow later.

[Rehaan]

1) Interesting to see that they've done this on the diesel C250 CDI. That speaks volumes about whats currently happening in the Indian auto scene.

2) Has the suspension been tweaked a bit, or is it exactly the same suspension as on the C63? (I'm guessing not)

3) I've always loved the looks of this gen C-Class. More-so the C63. In terms of looks, this is a nice in-between, but i really miss the power-dome hood thats on the C63.

Here's a visual comparo:



Side view: (For some reason the 17"s look significantly smaller than the 18"ers no?)



cya
R

[1-Testosterone]

Is there any significant increase in performance via engine tuning since AMG means serious performance.

[Nitrous Power]

Originally Posted by 1-Testosterone

Is there any significant increase in performance via engine tuning since AMG means serious performance.

Reading thru the list of upgrades, it is just cosmetic upgrades to AMG specific kits and no upgrade to engine. AMG's have different engines and not different tuning on same engine. The performance may be better in terms of handling if they have upgraded the suspensions to AMG specs.

[Akshay1234]

It certainly looks good with the AMG kit and rims, but why haven't they got the 7 speed tranny yet? The 5 speed really spoils the whole driving experience. Its something they should have done with this performance edition. Nice to see stiffened suspension and cross drilled rotors though.

ORRR this may just be a stock clearance so they can launch the 7 speed. Who knows.

Btw Rehaan I think the C63 has 19s, not 18s.

[v12]

Personally I feel this is just an excuse to boost sales of the C250. The AMG package should have included the complete exterior body kit along with the bumpers, grille, rear spoiler and the correct wheel size. The wheels are too small for the car to be termed as an AMG Performance Edition.

This one just looks like Mercedes had a inventory of unused 17 in AMG rims and had to clear that stock.

[Sahil]

This is defiantly not an AMG kit, it is just a regular sport kit. I just bought my sister a sport edition C300 in the US and the body kit on that is pretty much the same as this and it defiantly has nothing AMG on it.

[Jeeper1941]

This looks different than the AMG bodykit available for the new C-class in this part of the world. The only "AMG" I can see are on the alloy wheels, and even they look different than the AMG kit here.

I think MB must have made a special kit for India, because it sure doesn't look like the ones we get here.

[elantracrdi05]

Its just like the M styling kit which one can opt for in the current 3 series. I really like the new alloys. Also, the cross drilled brakes do look mean! However, pardon my ignorance but the steering paddle shifts don't seem too visible to me - they are almost completely hidden behind the steering wheel. Don't know how much utility they will provide.

It would have been nice to see a performance upgrade as well to bridge the gap between this and the C63. Maybe a 220 bhp with a 550 nm would have sufficed well.

[Mike89]

Originally Posted by Jeeper1941

This looks different than the AMG bodykit available for the new C-class in this part of the world. The only "AMG" I can see are on the alloy wheels, and even they look different than the AMG kit here.

I think MB must have made a special kit for India, because it sure doesn't look like the ones we get here.

The picture you have here is not the amg package. infact its the c63 amg itself. Amg package is suppose to look a litte different than the actual amg vehicles. Same with bmw's M package. And it is the same amg package that we have here in the US.

[S350L-E240]

Dont confuse AMG models with AMG pack, the Above IS the AMG pack added to a 250CDI, It has a tuned suspension just like how the Sport Models in the US markets have it, in the US markets also 17" is standard and 18" is optional, and most of all it IS a 7G-Tronic!

Do check my post in Jan 2012 where I pretty much had said by July 7G will be in the C.

MB C-Class 7G

Regards,

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

ORRR this may just be a stock clearance so they can launch the 7 speed. Who knows.

Interesting point. Hadn't Mercedes done something exactly like this about 3-4 years back? I seem to remember some limited run special edition just before an updated model came in, but just can't place it.

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Btw Rehaan I think the C63 has 19s, not 18s.

Nope, it seems to be on 18s. Had a similar doubt and checked this site before posting...

Originally Posted by S350L-E240

and most of all it IS a 7G-Tronic!...

You sure about this? There doesn't seem to be any mention of it for whats shown here...

cya
R

[S350L-E240]

Hello,

There is no new C coming until the end of 2013 (Global launch), This was a part of plan from the time the facelift was launched as MB had a lot of transmission kits I've mentioned it in many threads, I believe this AMG kit was always needed and lets hope it stays like this always, this is basically an Avantgarde model with AMG pack.

Let them sell for few days cause in less than 6 weeks the greatest car in this segment arrives, and boy it comes with a bang! There is perhaps no mention because like Monkeys MB India has been pushing the 5 speed in 250 CDI in the most ridiculous manner by telling clients that you will enjoy torque better with 5 speed. It's one of the funny moments of MB India, I'm sure it would be tough to now come to real terms and confess it was all rubbish.

Anyone who needs a clear picture of what AMG pack adds, Here is a snapshot from German price lists, and yes C63 comes with 18" as standard and can get 19" as optional.

Regards,

Originally Posted by Rehaan

I seem to remember some limited run special edition just before an updated model came in, but just can't place it.


You sure about this? There doesn't seem to be any mention of it for whats shown here...

cya
R