The official Mercedes-Benz distributor for the Philippines, CATS Motors, introduced the all-new C-Class to media and clientele recently.

This C-Class is the fourth-generation of Mercedes's premium compact sedan. At first glance, it looks like a smaller version of the new S-Class introduced last year - the sloping trunk and rakish headlights are the most obvious resemblance between them.

The new C-Class is lighter (by 100kg), longer (by 95mm), wider (by 40mm) and marginally lower (by 15mm) than its predecessor. The all-important wheelbase grows by 20mm, and the trunk space increases to 480L.

The launch car is a C200 AMG variant, and this is evident in the lowered stance and five-spoke AMG alloy wheels. Cabin enhancements include Artico leather seats, flattened multifunction sports steering wheel, aluminum trim, and AMG sports pedals.

Coming to the interior, the centre console only has three chrome-ringed A/C vents, a strip of buttons, and an analog clock. Prominently displayed is an 8.4-inch hi-resolution screen that displays multimedia information, vehicle functions, and navigation. Controlling these modern functions is a touchpad with a multitouch sensor system, located where the shift knob would be in other cars.

A Burmester sound system is standard in the first batch of C200 AMGs that CATS brought in. This premium German audio brand first appeared in the S-Class, presenting another link between the two Benz models. The C also inherited the S's Air-Balance package, which is basically a filtration and perfume system.

As the '200' in the variant name implies, this C-Class has a 2.0-litre in-line four engine that generates 184 PS and 300 Nm, paired with the latest 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed transmission. Combine this with the Eco start/stop feature, and the C200 can supposedly achieve fuel economy figures of 17.5km/L to 18.9km/L.

The C200's power is still enough to make the car sprint from zero to 100kph in 7.3 seconds, which is about Toyota 86 levels of acceleration.

The price of all this German goodness is P3,880,000 (US$ 88,100). Navigation comes standard, as well as the Active Park Assist system that automatically parallel-parks the car.