NEW DEHLI: Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been awarded with A+ category and has been give the name of 2015 JoongAng Ilbo Car of the Year (COTY). In 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has sold 35,213 units. After it was introduced in Korea last June, 4,152 units were sold through December and 771 in January.
The organizing body of COTY announced on Feb. 23 that the new C-Class took this year’s honor and unveiled the winners for seven other categories.
Unveiled at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show, the new C-Class is the fifth generation of the model and its first makeover in seven years.
The car’s exterior earned it the nickname Little S-Class. It is a small sedan, but the C200 Avantgarde has a 1,991cc engine that produces 184 horsepower.
“It basically offers everything, including good driving balance, beautiful design, performance and safety,” said judge Lee Nam-seok, a business professor at ChungAng University.
“It truly is a game-changer that can lead the industry,” said automotive columnist Na Yoon-suk.
But judges were critical of the car’s high cost – 48.6 million won ($43,800) to 63.5 million won – compared to other cars in the segment.
Hyundai’s LF Sonata was selected Domestic Car of the Year, thanks to its stylish design and improved safety features. Hyundai Motor said 51 percent of LF Sonata’s body is built with ultra-high-strength steel, similar to the company’s premium Genesis sedan. Judges said Sonata’s improved suspension system produced driving performance at high speeds.
“Previous Sonatas tended to appeal to customers with options, but it looks like the company is focusing on the basics with the LF,” said judge Kang Byung-huee, a racecar driver and official at Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles Korea.
Kia Motors’ new Carnival van won in the recreational vehicle category, besting Nissan’s Qashqai compact SUV. “Comparing other imported minivans, I couldn’t find many things to complain about,” said judge Kim Ki-tae, producer of Autoview. “The space from the front to third row seats give enough room for passengers.”
In the Innovation category, BMW’s electric vehicle (EV) i3 took the honor, beating out Infiniti’s hybrid Q50. “The i3 certainly provided a standard for EVs, particularly in safety and high-end technology,” said Huh Seung-jin, head of the College of Automotive Engineering of Kookmin University.
