Mercedes-Benz C 180 introduced – RM228k

Of late, companies seem to be introducing models without any fanfare – one such example is Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s newest C-Class variant, the C 180 BlueEfficiency. The car slipped in unannounced, popping up recently on the company’s website in quiet fashion.

The cheapest W204 rolls in at RM227,888 on-the-road without insurance, 35 grand cheaper than the C 200 CGI in its Elegance specification level. The introduction of the variant is not with the 154 hp and 250 Nm 1.6 litre M 270 DE 16 L that has just gone on the C 180 BlueEfficiency in other markets, but with the same 1.8 litre mill as found on the C 200 and C 250 CGI versions here.

In the case of the C 180, the DI turbocharged M271 DEH features an output tune of 156 hp at 5,000 rpm and 250 Nm at 1,600-4,200 rpm, identical to that on the C 180 Coupe. Performance specs for the 1,495 kg offering include a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.9 seconds and a 223 km/h top speed, and like its siblings, the C180 wears a 7G-Tronic seven-speed transmission.

As to be expected, there’s some omission of kit – the C 180 is missing the speed-sensitive steering, bi-xenon headlamps and electric rear screen roller blind found on the C 200, among other things. There’s ECO start/stop in the mix, and the dampers set-up on the car is the same as that found on the C 200 Elegance variant.

Inside, the variant features a black or grey interior, with Artico leather upholstery and piano black trim (the C 200 features high-gloss burr walnut trim on the Elegance and aluminium on the Avantgarde). The C 180 rides on 17-inch alloys like the rest of the range, in this case a five double-spoke design.