The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a series of compact executive cars introduced in 1993 as the replacement for the 190. It was the smallest model in the range until the A-Class arrived in 1997.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class at a glance
| Introduced | May 1993 |
|---|---|
| Replaced | Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201) |
| First generation | W202, 1993–2000 |
| Second generation | W203, 2000–2007 |
| Third generation | W204, 2007–2014 |
| Fourth generation | W205, 2014–2021 |
| Fifth generation | W206, 2021 |
| Bodies | saloon and estate originally; coupé and cabriolet later |
| Four-wheel drive | 4MATIC available since 2002 |
| Coupé line | SportCoupé, later renamed CLC-Class |
| Electric successor | W520, shown 2026 for 2027 sales |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
History of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The first C-Class was introduced in May 1993 as the successor to the 190, though the first W202 saloons had been built from August 1992. Until the A-Class arrived in 1997 the C-Class was the company’s entry model. Its styling carried over themes from the W201 but was smoother and rounder, with cues from the W124 E-Class, the W140 S-Class and the R129 SL-Class.
The second generation, W203, was introduced in March 2000 from production that had begun a year earlier. It launched with four-cylinder and V6 petrol engines and four- and five-cylinder diesels, later joined by a V6 diesel. The C320 was exclusive to the range with 160 kW (215 hp), and the diesels gained common-rail injection and variable-geometry turbochargers. From 2005 the model numbers no longer matched engine size: the C200 had 1.8 litres, the C240 had 2.6 and the C200 CDI had 2.2. Four-wheel drive became available under the name 4MATIC from 2002.
The W204 was shown on 18 January 2007 and went on sale in Europe from 31 March. It had a longer wheelbase and wider tracks, a stiffer body and styling inspired by the W221 S-Class, and it was facelifted in 2011 for the 2012 model year. The W205 followed in 2014 on a lighter structure with extensive use of aluminium, 100 kg below its predecessor, and it came as saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet. The fifth generation, W206, was unveiled on 23 February 2021 with four-cylinder engines, a 48-volt system and an integrated starter generator. The electric W520 C-Class was shown in April 2026 ahead of sales in 2027.
Design and features
- Six generations: from the W202 of 1993 to the W206 of 2021 and the electric W520.
- Many bodies: saloon, estate, SportCoupé/CLC, coupé and cabriolet.
- 4MATIC: four-wheel drive offered since 2002.
- AMG versions: high-performance models from the C36 and C32 to the C 63.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class versions
- W202 (1993): the first C-Class saloon.
- W203 (2000): second generation with new diesels.
- SportCoupé and CLC: the fastback and its renamed successor.
- W204 (2007): third generation, facelifted in 2011.
- W205 (2014): fourth generation, 100 kg lighter.
- W206 (2021): fifth generation with 48-volt electrics.
The C-Class replaced the 190 and sits below the E-Class; the fourth generation has its own page at the W205. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class first drive
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, bodies, dates
