Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203)

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203)
Overview
Manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler
Also called	Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class (coupe, 2008–2011)
Production	July 2000 – 2006 (sedan & station wagon) 2000–2011 (coupe)
Model years	2001–2007
Assembly	Germany: Bremen; Sindelfingen Brazil: Juiz de Fora India: Pune (CKD) Malaysia: Pekan (CKD) South Africa: East London Thailand: Samut Prakan (CKD) Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City (CKD) Indonesia: Wanaherang (CKD)[1]
Designer	[2]
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 3-door hatchback coupé (SportCoupe/CLC)
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive (4MATIC)
Related	Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C209)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.8–2.3 L M111 I4 1.8 L M271 I4 Kompressor 2.0–2.3 L M111 I4 Kompressor 2.6 L–3.2 L M112 V6 2.5 L–3.5 L M272 V6 3.2 L Supercharged M112 V6 AMG 5.4 L M113 V8 AMG Diesel: 2.1 L OM611 I4 2.1 L OM646 I4 2.7 L OM612 I5 3.0 L OM642 V6 3.0 L OM612 I5 AMG
Transmission	6-speed manual 5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,715 mm (106.9 in)
Length	Sedan: 4,526 mm (178.2 in) Wagon: 4,541 mm (178.8 in) SportCoupe: 4,343 mm (171.0 in)
Width	1,728 mm (68.0 in)
Height	Sedan: 1,426 mm (56.1 in) Wagon: 1,465 mm (57.7 in) Coupe: 1,406 mm (55.4 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202)
Successor	Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (for CLC-Class SportCoupé)

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203) is the internal designation for a range of compact executive cars manufactured and marketed by DaimlerChrysler from 2000 to early 2007, as the second generation of the C-Class — in sedan, three-door hatchback (marketed as the Coupe and sub-designated CL203) and station wagon/estate (sub-designated S-203) body styles.

Design and development[]

Design work on the W203 C-Class began in mid-1994, with the final design being approved in December 1995 by the executive board.^[3] Design patents were filed on 20 April 1998 and 4 March 1999.^[4][5] Testing began in 1997, with development concluding in 2000. The second generation C-Class was unveiled on March 21, 2000, going on sale starting in September 2000. The sedan debuted with a range of inline-four and V6 petrol engines and inline-four and -five diesels. Most of the engines were carried over from the W202, but the C 320 was exclusive, offering 160 kW (218 PS). The diesels now featured common rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbochargers. Six-speed manual gearboxes were now standard for the entire range, except the C 320. There was a version of this car that was made in Korea.

Mercedes-Benz debuted a coupe variant in October 2000 (launching in 2001), labelled the C-Class SportCoupé and given the model designation CL203 (see below). The US model, labeled C 230 Kompressor, became available for the 2002 model year with the M111.981 engine, a 2.3-liter supercharged inline-four making 143 kW (192 hp) at 5500 rpm and 280 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft) at 2500–4800 rpm. The third body variant, a station wagon codenamed S203 arrived in 2001. Then in 2002 for the 2003 model year, a new family of supercharged four cylinder engines, dubbed M271, debuted for the entire C-Class range. All of them used the same 1.8-litre engine, with different designations according to horsepower levels, including a version powered by natural gas. The C 230 Kompressor variant sported 140 kW (188 hp).^[6][7] The newer 1.8-litre was less powerful but smoother and more efficient than the older 2.3-litre engine (143 kW (194 PS) compared to 140 kW (190 PS). For the C 240 and C 320, 4MATIC four-wheel drive versions were also offered in addition to rear-wheel drive.

Along with the C-Class Estate (wagon), the SportCoupé was discontinued in Canada and the United States after the 2005 model year. The SportCoupé continued on sale in other markets until 2008. From October 2000 until 2007, a total of 230,000 SportCoupé were built in the Bremen factory and in Brazil.^[8]

As of 20 Sep 2006, over two million C-Class vehicles (including sedan, station wagon and SportCoupé) had been sold since March 2000, with 1.4 million sedans since May 2000, 330,000 wagons since spring 2001, 283,000 Sports Coupé since spring 2001. Over 30 percent of total sales occurred in Germany, and over 20 percent in the United States.^[9] The last W203 C-Class sedan was produced on 14 December 2006 at the Sindelfingen plant, although US-market sedans were made as late as March 2007.^[10]

Engines[]

Petrol engines

Models	Production years	Displacement	Power	Torque	Acceleration (0–100 km/h, automatic)	Top speed (automatic)	Fuel consumption (combined, automatic)
Inline-4 engines
C 180	2000-2002	1,998 cc (121.9 cu in)	129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) at 5,300 rpm	190 N⋅m (140 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	11 seconds	210 km/h (130 mph)	9.4 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US)
C 180 Kompressor	2002-2007	1,796 cc (109.6 cu in) Supercharged	143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) at 5,200 rpm	220 N⋅m (160 lbf⋅ft) at 2,500-4,200 rpm	9.9 seconds	220 km/h (140 mph)	8.2–8.5 L/100 km (34–33 mpg‑imp; 29–28 mpg‑US)
C 200 Kompressor	2000-2002	1,998 cc (121.9 cu in) Supercharged	163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) at 5,300 rpm	230 N⋅m (170 lbf⋅ft) at 2,500-4,800 rpm	9.3 seconds	230 km/h (140 mph)	9.7 L/100 km (29 mpg‑imp; 24 mpg‑US)
	2002-2007	1,796 cc (109.6 cu in) Supercharger (Kompressor Engine) / Gasoline direct injection (CGI)	163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) at 5,500 rpm	240 N⋅m (180 lbf⋅ft) at 3,000-4,000 rpm		231 km/h (144 mph)	8.5–8.9 L/100 km (33–32 mpg‑imp; 28–26 mpg‑US)
C 200 CGI	2003-2005		170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) at 5,300 rpm	250 N⋅m (180 lbf⋅ft) at 3,000 rpm	9 seconds	235 km/h (146 mph)	7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US)
C 230 Kompressor	2004-2005		192 PS (141 kW; 189 hp) at 5,800 rpm	260 N⋅m (190 lbf⋅ft) at 3,500-4,000 rpm	8.1 seconds	240 km/h (150 mph)	8.9 L/100 km (32 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US)
V6 engines
C 230 C 230 w/ Flex Fuel option (2007 only)1	2005-2007	2,496 cc (152.3 cu in)	204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) at 6,100 rpm***	245 N⋅m (181 lbf⋅ft) at 2,900-5,500 rpm***	8.9 seconds	238 km/h (148 mph)	9.3–9.6 L/100 km (30–29 mpg‑imp; 25–25 mpg‑US)
C 240 C 240 w/ Flex Fuel option (2005 only)2	2000-2005	2,597 cc (158.5 cu in)	175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) at 5,500 rpm***	240 N⋅m (180 lbf⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm***	9.2 seconds	235 km/h (146 mph)	10.7 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)
C 240 4MATIC	2002-2005				10 seconds	232 km/h (144 mph)	10.6 L/100 km (27 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)
C 280	2005-2007	2,996 cc (182.8 cu in)	231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp) at 6,000 rpm	300 N⋅m (220 lbf⋅ft) at 2,500-5,000 rpm	7.2 seconds	250 km/h (160 mph)*	9.4–9.7 L/100 km (30–29 mpg‑imp; 25–24 mpg‑US)
C 280 4MATIC					7.6 seconds	247 km/h (153 mph)	9.8–10.1 L/100 km (29–28 mpg‑imp; 24–23 mpg‑US)
C 320 C 320 w/ Flex Fuel option (2003-2005 only)2,3,4	2000-2005	3,199 cc (195.2 cu in)	218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) at 5,700 rpm***	310 N⋅m (230 lbf⋅ft) at 3,000-4,600 rpm***	7.7 seconds	248 km/h (154 mph)	10.9 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 21.6 mpg‑US)
C 320 4MATIC	2002-2005				8 seconds	245 km/h (152 mph)	10.7 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)
C 350	2005-2007	3,498 cc (213.5 cu in)	272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) at 6,000 rpm	350 N⋅m (260 lbf⋅ft) at 2,400-5,000 rpm	6.4 seconds	250 km/h (160 mph)*	9.7–10 L/100 km (29–28 mpg‑imp; 24–24 mpg‑US)
C 350 4MATIC							10.3 L/100 km (27 mpg‑imp; 23 mpg‑US)
C 32 AMG	2000-2004	3,199 cc (195.2 cu in)	354 PS (260 kW; 349 hp) at 6,100 rpm	450 N⋅m (330 lbf⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm	5.2 seconds		11.5 L/100 km (25 mpg‑imp; 20.5 mpg‑US)
V8 engines
C 55 AMG	2004-2007	5,433 cc (331.5 cu in)	367 PS (270 kW; 362 hp) at 5,750 rpm	510 N⋅m (380 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	5.2 seconds	250 km/h (160 mph)*	11.9 L/100 km (23.7 mpg‑imp; 19.8 mpg‑US)

Diesel engines

Models	Production years	Displacement	Power	Torque	Acceleration (0–100 km/h, automatic)	Top speed (automatic)	Fuel consumption (combined, automatic)
Inline-4 engines
C 200 CDI**	2000-2003	2,148 cc (131.1 cu in)	116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp) at 4,200 rpm	250 N⋅m (180 lbf⋅ft) at 1,400-2,600 rpm	12.1 seconds	203 km/h (126 mph)	6.1 L/100 km (46 mpg‑imp; 39 mpg‑US)
	2003-2007		122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) at 4,200 rpm	270 N⋅m (200 lbf⋅ft) at 1,600-2,800 rpm	11.9 seconds	208 km/h (129 mph)	6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg‑imp; 34 mpg‑US)
C220 CDI	2000-2003		143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) at 4,200 rpm	315 N⋅m (232 lbf⋅ft) at 1,800-2,600 rpm	10.3 seconds	220 km/h (140 mph)	6.2 L/100 km (46 mpg‑imp; 38 mpg‑US)
	2004-2007		150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) at 4,200 rpm	340 N⋅m (250 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm		224 km/h (139 mph)	6.8–6.9 L/100 km (42–41 mpg‑imp; 35–34 mpg‑US)
Inline-5 engines
C270 CDI	2000-2003	2,685 cc (163.8 cu in)	170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) at 4,200 rpm	370 N⋅m (270 lbf⋅ft) at 1,600-2,800 rpm	8.9 seconds	230 km/h (140 mph)	6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)
	2003-2005			400 N⋅m (300 lbf⋅ft) at 1,800-2,600 rpm
C 30 CDI AMG	2003-2005	2,950 cc (180 cu in)	231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp) at 3,800 rpm	540 N⋅m (400 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000-2,500 rpm	6.8 seconds	250 km/h (160 mph)*	7.6 L/100 km (37 mpg‑imp; 31 mpg‑US)
V6 engines
C320 CDI	2005-2007	2,987 cc (182.3 cu in)	224 PS (165 kW; 221 hp) at 3,800 rpm	510 N⋅m (380 lbf⋅ft) at 1,600-2,800 rpm	7.2 seconds	250 km/h (160 mph)*	7.3–7.6 L/100 km (39–37 mpg‑imp; 32–31 mpg‑US)

*Electronically limited

**For fleet vehicles, power is rated at 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) and torque is rated at 235 N⋅m (173 lbf⋅ft) at 1,800 rpm

***Performance may vary in vehicles designated as "flexible fuel" or flex-fuel. Based on premium fuel. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating as specified in Operator's Manual.

¹ Please see 2007 Operator's Manual C-Class

²Please see 2005 Operator's Manual C-Class

³Please see 2004 Operator's Manual C-Class

⁴Please see 2003 Operator's Manual C-Class

Facelift[]

The C-Class W203 was refreshed in early 2004. In North America, the refresh took effect for the 2005 model year. The interior styling was changed in all three body styles. The instrument cluster was revised to display four chrome gauges with multifunction display in the middle. Center console revision with new radio and climate control designs were also included. A fully integrated iPod connection kit was available as was a better Bluetooth phone system made optional. For the North American market C230, the "sport" package was made standard which included AMG edition bumpers, side skirts, and a rear spoiler. The exterior had changes of different wheel designs, grills and clear lens headlights. New more aggressive front, rear bumpers and side skirting were also installed.

Several all-new M272 and OM642 V6 engines were introduced later in the year. In North America, the changes took effect for the 2006 model year. The C230, C280, C350 replaced the C240 and C320, the new-generation six-cylinder engines developed substantially more power than the older versions, by as much as 24 percent, whilst also increasing fuel economy and reducing CO₂ emissions. The C230, C280 and C350 developed 150 kW (204 PS), 170 kW (231 PS) and 200 kW (272 PS) respectively. The three-valve twin spark design was replaced by a four-valve design, now with variable valve timing. On the diesel side, Mercedes-Benz released a brand-new 3.0-litre V6. Fitted to the 320 CDI, the new diesel cut CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption over the old C270 CDI. The C220 CDI received a power increase from 105 to 110 kW (143 to 150 PS). In addition, these engines also received the new seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.

Flexible Fuel ("Flex-Fuel") models (2003–2007)[]

C 320 (2003-2005)[]

Mercedes-Benz began offering their flexible fuel or flex-fuel option in the C 320 Sedan, C 320 Sport Sedan, C 320 wagon, and C320 Sport Coupe from 2003 until 2005.^[11][12][13]

C 240 (2005)[]

Mercedes-Benz offered the flexible fuel or flex-fuel option in the C 240 Sedan and Wagon in 2005 only.^[13]

C 230 (2007)[]

Mercedes-Benz later offered the flexible fuel or flex-fuel option to the 2007 C 230 Sport Sedan.^[14]

AMG models (2001–2007)[]

C 32 (2001–2003)[]

After the performance of the AMG models in the previous generation, Mercedes-Benz attempted to increase sales among high-end buyers by introducing two different AMG versions of the new model in 2001. The C 32 AMG scaled back down to a 3.2-litre V6 engine, to match the BMW E46 M3 displacement and improve weight distribution, but it required a twin-screw type supercharger (manufactured by IHI) to reach 260 kW (354 PS) and 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft). Like its predecessors, it used a five-speed automatic, helping it to complete a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint in 5.2 seconds.^[15] The C 32 AMG Sportcoupe was only offered by request as an AMG STUDIO order. This car was produced only in 2003 and the production numbers are unknown. The C 32 was mainly sold as a sedan. However, a limited run of C 32 station wagons were made for some markets.

C 30 CDI (2002–2004)[]

Another version was the C 30 CDI AMG, using a 3.0-litre five-cylinder diesel engine, capable of 170 kW (231 PS) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft). Like the C 32, it was available in all three body styles, but this diesel model did not reach sales expectations and was retired in 2004. The car's exterior resembled that of the C 32 AMG.

C 55 (2004–2007)[]

Along with the mid-generation refresh of the C-Class in 2005, the C 32 AMG was also replaced, giving way to a new 5.4-litre naturally aspirated V8-powered C 55 AMG. This was an evolution of the V8 engine found in the previous E-Class, with power raised to 270 kW (367 PS) and torque climbing to 510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft). The C 55 AMG uses a V8 from the same engine family as the W202 generation C 43 AMG. Though maximum speed is still limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), the 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) time has dropped to 4.7 seconds.^[16] Unlike the less-powerful V6s in the rest of the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the C 55 AMG continued to use the five-speed automatic with AMG Speedshift. The C 55 shares its longer front end design with the CLK 55 AMG to accommodate the larger 5.4-litre engine. The C 55 AMG is one of two AMG models to feature different structure than its base Mercedes platform, the other being the W204 C 63 with its custom elongated engine bay. The C 55 was the first AMG C-Class to feature quad exhaust outlets and an external differential cooler. The Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time seen on List of Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times for the C 55 AMG is 8:22 compared to 8:37 for the C 32 AMG mainly due to the revised suspension and extra torque. The C 55 was mainly sold as a sedan with a portion of wagons being sold in European markets.

Coupe[]

2000–2008: SportCoupé (CL203)[]

Mercedes introduced the C-Class Sport-Coupé (codenamed "Peanut" ver. CL203) to Europe in October 2000 as a three-door hatchback coupe with a fastback profile, based on the regular W203 C-Class range. North American sales began in 2001 for the 2002 model year.

Whereas the C-Class sedan and wagon had the traditional Mercedes horizontal bar grille with the hood ornament, the coupé had a star-grille front end. The coupé also had a fastback roofline and functional rear spoiler to provide downforce at high speeds. With an optional panoramic sunroof, the coupé was seven inches (178 mm) shorter overall than the sedan, while sharing the same wheelbase length.^[17]

Initial engines included the C 180 (139 PS), C 220 (143 PS), C 200 Kompressor, and C 230 Kompressor. In 2003, Mercedes-Benz added the C 180 Kompressor, the C 200 CGI in 2003, the C32 AMG with 354Hp and finally the C 160 Kompressor in 2005. The C 230 SportCoupé was powered by a 2.3-litre supercharged, four-cylinder motor. It offered 143 kW (192 hp) and 281 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) of torque. The 2.3 liter supercharged inline-four engine (M111) was considered to be coarse and noisy at the high end and was replaced in 2003 with a quieter and more efficient DOHC supercharged 1.8 liter (M271).^[7][18]

The C 230 base model enabled the automaker to reach a lower price point than existing models sold in North America,^[19] some^[who?] suggested that the hatchback configuration (as "liftback" is almost never used in North America) and the "inexpensive Mercedes" moniker would undermine the marque which was traditionally composed of expensive cars. It also lacked standard leather seats and a CD player, amenities typically expected of German luxury imports.

The C 230 Sport Coupe and the C 320 Sport Coupe were the two most inexpensive models in the U.S. and Canadian C-Class lineup at the time.^[18][19]

Mercedes found that the C-Class coupe was a popular first Mercedes for new customers, 40% of whom reportedly return to subsequently buy more expensive models.^[20][21][22]

2008–2011: CLC-Class (CL203)[]

The SportCoupé was spun off into its own separate line called the CLC-Class in 2008. The car was presented at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, which took place from 27 to 31 January.^[23] The CLC was produced in Brazil at the company's plant in Juiz de Fora, close to the state border with Rio de Janeiro.^[24]

Although the CLC is still based on the W203 platform, it was refreshed with an updated front and tail inspired by the W204 series C-Class. The refresh reworked the rear and front along with some other refinements and new details (Mercedes claimed around 1,100 components), including a steering system borrowed from the SLK-Class and a revised suspension.^[25] Out of the sheetmetal of the CLC-Class, only the doors, roof and quarter panels were carried over from the C-Class Sportcoupé. The interior is still largely similar to the first-generation SportCoupé, although it did receive the Steering wheel from the facelifted W219 and an updated optional navigation system.

Some auto journalists noted that the improvements were limited in order to differentiate the CLC-Class and protect the status of the more lucrative marques in the lineup; one reviewer stated the "CLC does just about enough to introduce new customers to the world of Mercedes" and that it had the "feel of an authentic Mercedes-Benz, which is more than I’d say about the A-Class and B-Class front-wheel-drive hatchbacks".^[26] Due to the age of the W203 platform which "exudes a level of float and wallow" not found in the W204 C-Class, the CLC received mixed reviews against sportier rivals such as the BMW 1 Series coupé (a successful replacement of the 3 Series hatchback).^[26]

In 2009 the CLC 160 BlueEFFICIENCY was added to the range, and the CLC 230 was rechristened as the CLC 250.

Daimler AG decided that the CLC would not continue production. Instead, the W204 C-Class received a traditionally designed coupé added to the lineup for the 2012 model year, coinciding with the facelifted W204 sedan/saloon in the fourth quarter of 2011. The 2012 C-Class Coupe is positioned directly against the BMW 3 Series Coupé.

CLC-series engines[]

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Petrol engines

Model	Type	Power, torque@rpm
CLC 160 BlueEFFICIENCY	1.6 DOHC 16V I4	129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp)
CLC 180 KOMPRESSOR	1.8 DOHC 16V I4 supercharged	143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp)
CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR	1.8 DOHC 16V I4 supercharged	184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp)
CLC 230 KOMPRESSOR	2.3 DOHC 16V I4 supercharged	194 PS (143 kW; 191 hp)
CLC 230 / CLC 250	2.5 DOHC 24V V6	204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp)
CLC 320	3.2 SOHC 18V V6	218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp)
CLC 350	3.5 DOHC 24V V6	272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp)

Diesel engines

Model	Type	Power, torque@rpm
CLC 200 CDI	2.1 16V I4 turbo	122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp)
CLC 220 CDI	2.1 16V I4 turbo	150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)

References[]