Third Mercedes C-Class model arrives in Ireland in December

The third model in Mercedes’ C-Class range — the new C-Class Coupé — which follows on from the saloon and estate models is set to arrive here in mid-December.

The new 2-door coupé comes with what Mercedes-Benz describes as “perfect coupé proportions” thanks to its sporty extended bonnet, streamlined body section, and distinctive, sporty rear end.

With echoes of the S-Class and E-Class coupés, Mercedes maintains that the design blends classical and modern elements which it hopes will appeal to motorists across the generational divide.

Power will come from four petrol and two diesel engines, all 4-cylinder, all Euro 6 emissions compliant with ECO start/stop function and up to 20% lower fuel consumption compared to its predecessor.

Petrol models begin with a 1.5-litre, 156 bhp C180 version which will launch at a lowest-in-range price of €44.550 ex works.

Three additional models, all 2-litres, are a 184hp C200 launching at €45,860, a 211 bhp C250 at €50,265 and a 245 bhp C300 at €54,080. Diesel models — both of 2,143cc capacity — are a 170 bhp C220d at €45,900 and a more powerful 204 bhp C250d Automatic for €51,470.

Within the range, there are two additional Mercedes-AMG versions — a C63 and C63S, both of 3,982cc capacity, with 476hp and 510hp and 0-100km speeds of 4.0secs and 3.9secs respectively.

Visually, these high-end versions come with strongly flared wings, an aluminium bonnet with power domes, and a front with a twin-blade radiator grille and large air intakes.

Mazda marvels

Customers purchasing from the new Mazda range of cars before the end of January will have the opportunity to save on any of the model range with a combination of spec upgrades up to the value of €2,000 and even lower monthly PCP repayments. Mazda will offer the ultra-efficient 1.5 diesel engine to the extremely popular Mazda3 range. The Mazda2, launched in May 2015, is now available from a competitive €173 per month and, during the 161 sales event, every Mazda2 executive model will receive a complimentary ‘activity style pack’ which includes rear privacy glass, 16” diamond cut alloys, rear parking sensors, and dusk sensing lights.

Ford goes to college

In response to the skills crisis in the motor industry, a team from Ford’s after-sales department has been visiting technical colleges across the country to inform them about the 100-plus jobs, both technical and non-technical, that exist at its dealerships.

According to Dave Pimlott, Ford’s customer service director: “There is a current skills crisis in the motor industry in Ireland which no doubt has its roots in the economic collapse of 2008 which led to the closure of a number of car dealerships across all of the vehicle brands.

In an effort to address this issue in a proactive way, the Ford after-sales team came up with a plan to target the technical training colleges to present directly to students the great career opportunities that are available across the Ford dealer network.”

As part of this ‘Team Ford Drive Your Career’ programme, the Ford team is visiting seven of the technical colleges across the country, including Athlone, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

Anyone interested in finding out what opportunities might be available with Ford should contact their local dealerships.