Mercedes first compact sedan, introduced more than 25 years ago as the 190E, was met with much criticism at its launch.
Critics predicted that an entry-level Benz would tarnish the luxury brand's reputation for quality and workmanship, but they were wrong. The brand's image remained intact, largely because the 190E was an engineering masterpiece.
The same can't be said for its successor, the C-Class. Especially in the last few years, the C-Class hasn't been a real contender in its segment, due to poor build quality, cheap interior materials, and sub-par reliability.
Although its interior still feels too narrow, Mercedes seems to have addressed the material quality problem with this new C-Class, shown publicly for the first time at the 2007 Geneva Auto Salon.
Its exterior design, which is decidedly reminiscent of the current S-Class, is much more distinctive than the previous model, and two different front end treatments will be available: Luxury models get the traditional Mercedes hood ornament and grille; Sport models have a much more aggressive look, with the three-pointed star integrated into the grille.
The C-Class will go on sale later this spring in the U.S. with a choice of two V-6 engines.
