The long-wheelbase version of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has now been unveiled ahead of its debut at the Beijing Motor Show 2014. More than 35,000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models were delivered to customers in China in 2013 bringing the total figure to around 150,000 vehicles for the entire previous generation.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Long Wheelbase is extended by 80 millimetres. The extra length has been added specifically to accommodate (excuse the pun…) the growing market in China. The extra length equates to 80 millimetres extra rear leg room and a unique exterior design. The car now measures 4766 millimetres in length and 2920 millimetres in wheelbase.
The long wheelbase will be built and sold exclusively in China by Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC) in Beijing. Not only does the C-Class benefit from a larger rear passenger compartment. The addition of larger doors and a bigger opening helps aid accessibility.
The interior is the most important part of the C-Class Long Wheelbase package. It is presented in typical modern Mercedes-Benz fashion with high-quality materials and class-leading ergonomics.
Rear-seat passengers get privacy glazing, a leather-trimmed instrument panel, a 25 mm longer rear bench seat, unique luxury headrests, arm rests, illuminated door sills, vanity mirrors and a networked rear centre console with USB port.
The seats are fully power-adjustable and can be controlled via an intuitive seat adjustment module in the door centre panel. There is a power roller sunblind for the rear window and mechanical roller sunblinds for the rear doors, mounted to the upper edge of the door trim.
Two versions of the car will be offered to the Chinese public. The first is the normal Sedan which bears the classic saloon grille with the Mercedes star on the bonnet. The second is the Sport Sedan, equipped with a sporty radiator grille, central star and AMG body modifications. AMG touches include a redesigned front apron, diamond mesh, chrome trim, AMG side sills and a diffuser-look AMG rear apron in vehicle colour.
The C-Class Long Wheelbase gets the LED headlamps of its standard wheelbase sibling. Depending on which model the customer chooses, these will either be static LED High Performance headlamps or dynamic LED High Performance headlamps with LED Intelligent Light System. The rear lamp and brake lamp in the tail lights feature LED technology with all headlamp versions.
Numerous Mercedes-Benz light-alloy wheel designs are on offer up to 19 inches in diameter. A unique feature of this car is the partially chrome-plated door handles and the L model designation on the boot lid. The driver gets the same refinements as you would find in the standard C-Class. The Touchpad for the centre console, COMAND system, two-zone THERMATIC automatic climate control as standard.
Ride is another aspect that the Chinese market sill be looking out for. The long wheelbase C-Class gets a 4-link front axle suspension system. At the rear, Mercedes fit a 5-link system to ensure ride quality. Couple this withe air suspension and individual driving options and the long wheelbase S-Class should ride very well indeed!
Engine options haven’t yet been revealed. The cars in the photos are C 260 L models which isn’t a model we’ve seen before. We suspect that we won’t be seeing this car in Europe or the US any time soon.
