Mercedes covets 2nd COTY title

THE 2015 WesBank South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) Car of the Year (Coty) competition is edging ever so closer, taking place in Johannesburg on March 18. There are 11 finalists, which will be taken through their paces over a couple of days in the first week in March. One of the contestants for this coveted award is the Mercedes-Benz C200 Auto.

Just to clarify how this competition works, the finalists assembled here are not pitted against each other, but rather with other vehicles in their respective segments. This means the Mercedes-Benz C200 Auto will slog it out with the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Infinity Q50. The motoring panel of the South African Coty will test all the 11 finalists on public roads and at the Gerotek vehicle testing facility.

With the C200 Auto, Mercedes-Benz South Africa aims to finally bring the South African Coty title home this year. The South African Coty, which started in 1986, saw Mercedes-Benz win this prestigious crown only once in the second year of the competition in 1987 with the Mercedes-Benz 260E.

The C200 Auto glitters with the latest range of modern car technologies and innovations. The cabin of the new generation C-class is much more spacious and luxurious than ever before and the superior quality inside certainly lives up to the expectations of this German automaker. In short to describe the new C-Class, this new luxury family sedan offers new dimensions regarding technology, ecology, comfort, a sense of high-class appeal and of course fun and safe to drive.

The C200 Auto South African Coty finalist, like its sibling in the new C-Class range, has outstanding ride comfort thanks to its Airmatic air suspension. Other advancements are the innovative multi-functional touchpad, head-up-display and GPS controlled climate comfort.

The C200 Auto with its turbo charged four cylinder petrol engine with BlueEfficiency technology produces 135kW at 5 500rpm of power and 300Nm of torque between 1 200 and 4 000rpm. From standstill to 100km/h, the C200 Auto accelerates in just 7.5 seconds, while Mercedes-Benz claims a fuel consumption figure of just 5.3 litres per 100km and CO² emissions of 123g per kilometre.

The 7G-Tronic Plus auto transmission comes with a direct select lever and direct select shift paddles to create even more of a fun to drive experience.

Highlights of the new C-Class that will make the C200 Auto a strong title contender for the 2015 WesBank SAGMJ South African Coty are:
• A striking, dynamic exterior in line with Mercedes-Benz’s latest designs as found with in A, CLA, GLA and S-Class ranges.
• Longer wheelbase, increased length and width for a roomier interior.
• High quality materials and trim elements characterising its sporty interior that exudes modern luxury.
• Internet capable navigation and entertainment system with large colour display above centre console.
• Sophisticated crash management system.
• Unique frontbass sound system for concert hall atmosphere.
• All engines with Eco start and stop function.
• 7G-Tronic Plus automatic gearbox for a dynamic response and reduced fuel consumption.
• H7 halogen headlamps as standard.
• LED technology in rear and brake lamps.

The C200 Auto, as with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, comes standard with six years or 100 000km maintenance contract with no customer contribution and this option can be extended. The C200 Auto currently retails for R458 500 and is now available at Mercurius Motors Polokwane on the corner of the N1 road and Nelson Mandela Drive.

Call (015) 299 9500 for any of their friendly sales executives or for more information on the latest range of C-Class models.