Sexy Cars Girls Entertainment

Sexy Cars Girls Entertainment

Look very closely - this is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which gets a very modest facelift for the new model year. Design tweaks are limited to a new aluminum hood with slightly restyled headlamps and LED running lamps down below. Yes, it looks extremely similar to the 2011 model, but if we鈥檙e honest, the current C-Class design isn鈥檛 exactly growing old. In fact, we rather like it as-is. The styling upgrades to the rear end are hardly noticeable, and that鈥檚 just fine, too. Four-cylinder powerplants are quickly replacing six-cylinder mills these days, even in the entry-level luxury segment. You鈥檒l remember that just a few years ago, Audi discontinued the 3.2-liter V6 in its A4, leaving only the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine on tap. Based on preliminary specifications, the new direct-injected 1.8-liter turbocharged mill looks to be plenty potent, with 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque on hand. That鈥檚 27 less horsepower than the mid-range 3.0-liter V6, but the 1.8T offers eight more pound-feet of twist. Thus, both the C250 and the mid-range C300 4Matic will do the 0-60 sprint in 7.1 seconds, but the C250 returns 24 miles per gallon (combined) while the C300 nets just 20 mpg. The range-topping C350 also gets some help from direct injection, meaning its 3.5-liter V6 now produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft, gains of 34 hp and 15 lb-ft over the outgoing model. In addition to new engines, the 2012 C-Class benefits from a restyled interior, mimicking what we鈥檝e grown accustomed to in the E-Class. New driver assistance systems like Attention Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Parktronic help keep things in check out on the road. The 2012 C-Class will make its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month with the cars going on sale in the United States next summer. Follow the jump for Mercedes-Benz鈥檚 official press release.

Audi A4 versus BMW 3 Series versus Mercedes-Benz C-Class: does motoring have another more predictable three-way head-to-head stoush? One stuck on repeat through the years, playing again and again with clockwork-like frequency almost any time one of Germany鈥檚 Big Three volume-sellers gets some update. Perhaps not. And yet, despite the predictability of due course, this match-up almost always makes for interesting, if not downright exciting, competition. For a good many reasons, really, if mostly because the rivalry between them has long been so fierce as the stakes are so high. Fact is, the A4 45, the 330i M-Sport and C300 sedans grouped together here embody - or attempt to embody - their makers鈥?key premium virtues at palatable pricepoints for the comfortably heeled everyman or everywoman. They really are the bedrocks for their brands. Each of their makers could afford to stumble or misfire with a small entry-level model or an obscure high-end luxo-performer - even a big-selling SUV - but there鈥檚 a lot of hard-earned reputation riding on these stalwart executive four-doors. It鈥檚 a segment they can鈥檛 afford to stuff up, and this is reflected by the effort their makers invest.

But who鈥檚 put in the extra yards to produce the superior choice for the buyer? The impetus for this three-way battle is the all-new, seventh-generation (G20 coded) 3 Series, here in 330i trim that, with its recent arrival Down Under, is the only petrol version currently available. During that last match-up, in 2016, it was the A4 that was all-new. Regardless, late last year Audi injected some subtle styling and naming freshness to maintain the lustre of the A4 in its 2019 model year, represented here in new 鈥?5鈥?nomenclature. Clearly, when one contender moves, its two nemeses counter to some degree or another. So it鈥檚 no surprise that constant evolution at play with all comers produces a lot of parity amongst the field, a least on paper. And we鈥檇 expect separating them in assessment might take some deep digging. 71,800, not by much. 108K plus) for petrol C-Class alternatives. With less than a grand separating the trio, it鈥檚 fair to presume close to identical specification and equipment levels.

On one hand, yes, each covers off what we鈥檒l call 鈥榩remium essentials鈥? On the other, value propositions change somewhat once you add what we鈥檒l label 鈥榩remium indulgences鈥? Essentials here across the board include LED lighting front and rear, and 19-inch wheels with performance-grade braking hardware. Inside, each gets leather trim, sport-style electric seating, digital instrumentation, cruise, climate control, parking sensors and camera parking assistance, and elaborate infotainment systems with DAB, proprietary navigation and high-end audio. But it鈥檚 with standard-fitted indulgences where the BMW appears the most generous. 77,400 before on-roads, its only options being metallic paint, glass roof, Sensatec dash top trim and an ambient lighting kit. Optioned as reviewed, both the Audi and Benz are over 10-grand pricier than the BMW! 89,680 list with options fitted. 20K premium includes the paint/roof/lighting extras as per the 330i, but the Nappa leather, seat heating and privacy glass are optional. 90,781 list, our somewhat loaded-up C300 is pricier still.

Ranking the trio鈥檚 occupancy is tricky business. Obviously, individual buyer tastes will inevitably favour one marque鈥檚 approach over the others, not just with preferences in styling and materials, but, crucially, how friendly their cabins interface with the user. The BMW has had a cautious if refreshingly simpler and neater cabin makeover that mostly sticks true to the marque鈥檚 鈥榗lassic vibe鈥?preferences, with a bit of chunky sportiness ambience complete with low-slung front seating and satisfying driver ergonomics. It鈥檚 perhaps less dramatic than the recent C-Class revamp that adopts Benz鈥檚 push for modern slickness and flash, which has added a noticeable lift in colour and metallic brightwork in conspicuous areas. For me, the user format of BMW鈥檚 updated Operating System 7.0 in its 10.25-inch infotainment system is an absolute breeze to control and navigate, and the screen display is clear and razor sharp. But the 12.3-inch digital driver鈥檚 instrumentation is an over-stylised mess that鈥檚 confusing to pick information from at a glare, let alone a glance. That its design alters in tandem with drive modes doesn鈥檛 help legibility matters one iota.