Adaptive brakes respond more quickly in emergency. Brakes are also primed for immediate application and are programmed to lightly wipe the discs when it detects rain. The high-strength steel of the cabin is augmented by seven airbags, including a kneebag for the driver. Most significantly, the Pre-safe system introduced in the S-Class is now standard on the C. The system detects a potential accident and prepares the interior by adjusting the seats, tightening the seatbelts and closing the windows to protect the occupants.

The C-Class lineup presents an attractive range of choices. The C 200 Elegance is priced at P2.88 million, while the Avantgarde model goes for P2.98 million. The V6 cars start with the C 280 Avantgarde at P3.98 million, and the C 350 with AMG package goes for P4.48 million. All the cars feature equal or superior equipment to the predecessor models.

As the Philippines is the first market in Southeast Asia to launch the C-Class, country distributor CATS Motors sees a lot of excitement and anticipation for the car. CATS Chairman Greg Yu foresees that the new C-Class will help them close the gap in unit sales to market leader BMW. Mercedes-Benz has already taken over the number two slot in January 2007; brand sales grew 48% in 2006 and has grown 36% year-to-date, heavily outpacing the total luxury-car segment. CATS President Felix Ang noted that the feature-loaded and price-competitive C-Class will help attract a younger set of buyers to the brand. As the new C-Class comes with a dynamic new look, more features and a lower price that the predecessor model, they have the right car to back up their growth targets.

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