Mercedes-Benz Quietly Ushers in 2010 C-Class with Uber Modest Tweaks

We can't say that we blame Mercedes-Benz for not making a fuss about the 2010 model year C-Class, photos of which have appeared on the firm's official German website, as even fans of the car will have a hard time spotting the differences. As we informed you a couple of weeks ago when our spies snapped the 2010MY C-Class on a hauler, the styling tweaks are limited to the reshaped air intakes on the front bumper that now incorporates a pair of LED daytime running lights (could be optional though) and the new exterior mirror housings. More pics after the jump.

Kudos to Mohamed E.!

Back to Future Benz: Mercedes Retrofits 190 with Modern 204HP Diesel, Faster than the 190E 2.5-16 EVO II!

We often hear people whining and groaning about modern cars, either because they don't make them the way they used to or because automakers aren't making any technological advances. We say, you can't win them all, especially those that don't have a clue about what they're talking about. Nevertheless, we'd advise them to take a look at this uber-cool 'Back to the future' style Mercedes project that demonstrates the major developments in diesel technology over the past two decades.

In order to do this, the German automaker's engineers retrofitted a 1980's 190 sedan with an ultra modern common-rail diesel from the C250 CDI BlueEfficiency.

The 2.2-liter 4-cylinder clean diesel produces an output of 204 horsepower and a massive 500Nm or 368 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 and 1,800 rpm, which is more than twice the torque of the most powerful model in the old W 201-series, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II that was presented in 1990 and produced in a limited run of 502 units as a homologation special for the Group A DTM touring cars.

With the new diesel engine, the classic 190 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in a mere 6.2 seconds. Now pay attention; not only does the 190 D BlueEfficiency manage to perform the standard sprint 11.9 seconds faster than a 190 D of the time (18.1 sec...), but more impressively, it literally trumps the 235HP 190 E 2.5-16 EVO II that accelerated from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds!

For the record, the standard, BMW M3 E30 challenging 190 E 2.3 16V upon which the EVO II was based, completed the same acceleration in 7.5 seconds.

Despite the scorching sprint time and the fact that the 190 D BlueEfficiency has 72 more horsepower than the standard 190 D, the new engine in the old body consumes 4.9 lt per 100 km (NEDC) instead of the 7.3 liter figure for 1988 (51.1 mpg vs 32.2 mpg respectively).

In comparison, the larger (160mm or almost 6.3-in. longer than the 190) and heavier (+385 kg or +848 lbs) but also far better equipped C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY that gets all sorts of safety and luxury features such as seven airbags and ESP, hits the 100km/h mark in 7.0 sec and consumes on average 5.1lt/100 or 46.1 mpg US.

Mercedes-Benz 190 D BlueEfficiency

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Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16V EVO II

Spies Snap 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with Faint Styling Tweaks

Hot on the heels of the refreshed 2010 S-class and the completely revised E-Class range that currently includes the Sedan, Coupe and Estate models and soon, a Convertible, Mercedes now appears to be readying a gentle - and that's an understatement- facelift for the C-Class. Our spy photographers caught the subtly refreshed C-Class in Estate form without any trace of camouflage as it was being transferred on a hauler.

As with the recently faclifted S-Class, the styling tweaks are extremely subtle and were done to keep the C-Class in line with the rest of the range. Unless we're missing out on something, the styling changes are limited to the newly designed front bumper with reshaped air intakes and integrated obligatory LED daytime running lights while the door mirrors are also new.

We not aware of any other upgrades but we wouldn't be surprised if Merc also reveals new trim options and makes the C-Class models slightly greener with tweaks to their engine management systems.

Edo Competition takes the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG V8 to the next level

German firm Edo Competition has taken the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and given it even more power in addition to some other minor updates. The tuner started by modifying the 6.3-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine that makes 457 horsepower and 600Nm (442 lb-ft) in standard form. A recalibrated ECU, a new high-performance exhaust system, exhaust headers, high-flow catalytic converters and new air filters help boost these numbers to 555-horsepower and 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) of torque.

The tweakage cuts the C63 AMG's zero-to-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time to 4.3 seconds while the removal of the top speed governor helps the sport-sedan achieve a maximum speed of 320 km/h or 199 mph.

Edo Competition didn't mess with the car's appearance but it did add a new set of 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels finished in black and shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup high-performance tires (front: 235/35 19, rear: 265/30 19).

The German tuner also offers several upgrades for the C63 AMG's interior including special leather upholstery and unique trims.

Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI White Series by MCCHIP

German tuning firm MCCHIP has developed an extremely mild modification package for the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI with power and suspension upgrades. Thanks to the remapped engine control unit (ECU), the C200 CDI's 2.2-liter 4-cylinder diesel powerplant delivers an output of 170 horsepower and a maximum torque of 350Nm, up from 136HP and 270Nm respectively.

The package also includes new springs that lower the vehicle's ride height and a choice of performance wheel and tire combinations in sizes 18, 19 and 20 inches.