C-level rising

We travel to Mercedes-Benz South Africa headquarters for an exclusive first drive of the stunning new, locally built C-Class

- Gareth Dean GarethD_CARmag

ETA: DECEMBERMERCEDES-BENZ C300D

Engine: 2,0-litre, 4-cyl, turbodiesel + 48V mild hybrid Transmission: 9-speed automatic Power: 195 kW@ 3 800 r/min Torque: 550 N.m@ 1 800 r/min 0-100 km/h: 5,70 seconds* Top speed: 250 km/h Fuel consumption: 5,00 L/100 km* CO2: 132 g/km Rivals: Audi A4, 3 Series, Lexus IS

When Mercedes-Benz South Africa invited us for an exclusive first drive on local soil of the W206 C-Class at its East London plant, it would be the latest instalment in a history of quality cars produced locally for a discerning global market. The facility opened in 1950, with marques as diverse as Nash, Packard, Fiat and Auto Union rolling out of the factory door. In 1958, Mercedes’ W120, W105 and W180 models joined them. The first W202 C-Class rolled off the line in 1994, setting in motion a legacy of C-Class production that has spanned close to three decades – the W203 to W205 would follow – and see the facility grow in both stature and reputation. It won JD Power quality awards for six years in a row and truly cemented its status as a world-class production hub.

In 2018, the plant was earmarked as a major contributor in the manufacture of the W206 C-Class and received investment to the tune of R13 billion.