The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers a range of models to suit different preferences and needs. From the efficient C250 to the powerful C63 AMG, understanding the trims and available options is key to choosing the right model. This guide provides a detailed overview of the features and packages available for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, focusing on what makes each trim distinct and desirable.
Core Features Across the Range
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup, including the C250 and C300 models, establishes a strong foundation of standard features. These models come equipped with 17-inch wheels, ensuring a balanced ride and aesthetic. Automatic headlights and LED running lights enhance visibility and modern styling. Automatic wipers add convenience in varying weather conditions, and a sunroof brings in natural light and fresh air. Cruise control is standard for comfortable highway driving, and dual-zone automatic climate control ensures personalized comfort for both driver and passenger.
Inside, eight-way power front seats with adjustable lumbar support offer excellent comfort for long journeys. MB-Tex vinyl upholstery provides a durable and premium feel. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel allows drivers to find their ideal driving position. Auto-dimming interior and driver-side mirrors increase safety during nighttime driving. For connectivity and entertainment, Bluetooth phone and audio, a CD player, auxiliary audio jack, USB audio jack, and HD radio are standard, providing a comprehensive infotainment setup.
Alt text: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class interior showcasing dashboard, steering wheel, and seats.
The C300 4Matic distinguishes itself by including all-wheel drive (4Matic) for enhanced traction and stability, particularly in adverse weather conditions, and a more powerful V6 engine.
Sedan Sub-Trims: Luxury vs. Sport
For sedan versions of the C250 and C300, Mercedes-Benz offered further differentiation through Luxury and Sport sub-trims. These sub-trims cater to different aesthetic and driving dynamics preferences. The differences are manifested in wheel designs, suspension tuning, styling details, steering wheel design, and interior trim types. The Sport trim generally features a firmer suspension and sportier styling cues, while the Luxury trim emphasizes comfort and classic elegance. Notably, when equipped with 4Matic all-wheel drive, the Luxury trim also includes a comfort-tuned suspension, prioritizing ride quality.
Alt text: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan Sport trim highlighting sporty wheels and front grille.
Premium 1 Package: Elevating Comfort and Convenience
The Premium 1 package is a significant upgrade, adding a suite of comfort and convenience features to the C-Class. This package includes four-way adjustable lumbar support for the front seats, enhancing seating comfort further. Heated front seats are included for added warmth in colder climates. Driver memory functions allow multiple drivers to save their preferred seat and mirror settings. A power-adjustable steering wheel adds another layer of customization. Split-folding rear seats increase cargo versatility. The audio experience is significantly enhanced with a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, complete with satellite radio and an iPod interface (also optionally available as standalone features).
Alt text: Premium interior of 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class showcasing Harman Kardon speakers and upgraded seat features.
Coupe Enhancements
The coupe versions of the 2012 C-Class receive some feature enhancements as standard compared to their sedan counterparts. The C250 coupe includes a panoramic sunroof, offering an expansive view and open-air feel. Split-folding rear seats are also standard in the coupe, along with additional driver seat adjustments, driver memory functions, and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The Premium 1 package for the coupe mirrors the sedan, adding heated seats and the Harman Kardon system with satellite radio and iPod interface.
Alt text: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe featuring a panoramic sunroof and sleek profile.
C350 and C63 AMG: Performance and Standard Features
The C350 sedan is offered exclusively in Sport guise, emphasizing performance and dynamic handling. It comes standard with a larger, more powerful V6 engine and the Premium 1 package, ensuring a high level of standard features. The C350 coupe further adds a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment.
The high-performance C63 AMG maintains a similar level of comfort and convenience features as other C-Class models but distinguishes itself with performance-oriented upgrades. These include 18-inch wheels with high-performance tires, an adaptive sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes for enhanced stopping power, sport seats for better support during spirited driving, more aggressive exterior styling, and unique interior trim details.
Alt text: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG exterior showcasing aggressive styling and AMG badging.
Optional Packages and Standalone Features
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offered a wide array of optional packages and standalone features to further customize the vehicle.
COMAND Package: This package significantly upgrades the infotainment system, featuring a larger central screen, navigation system for turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates to avoid congestion, voice controls for hands-free operation, digital music storage for media, and a single-CD player. A six-CD changer was also available as a separate add-on for those preferring physical media.
Lighting Package: Enhancing nighttime visibility, the Lighting package includes adaptive bi-xenon headlights that adjust to driving conditions, headlight washers to maintain cleanliness, and automatic high beams for optimal illumination without dazzling other drivers.
Lane Tracking Package: This safety-focused package adds a blind-spot warning system to alert the driver to vehicles in their blind spots and a lane-departure warning system to help prevent unintentional lane drifting.
Standalone options included a rearview camera for easier parking and maneuvering, Mercedes-Benz mbrace emergency telematics for enhanced safety and assistance, a panoramic sunroof for the sedan (also available as standard on coupes), a power rear sunshade for rear passenger comfort, keyless ignition/entry for convenience, and the Parktronic advanced parking sensor system for parking assistance.
Alt text: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class dashboard featuring the COMAND infotainment system with navigation display.
Leather and AMG Performance Options
For those seeking an even more luxurious interior, the Full Leather Seating package (available on all models except C63) added extended leather trim throughout the cabin, additional passenger seat adjustments, and passenger seat memory functions.
For C63 AMG enthusiasts seeking maximum performance, the AMG Development package boosted horsepower by 30, increased the top speed, and added distinctive red brake calipers and a carbon-fiber trunk lid spoiler. A limited-slip differential was also offered for enhanced traction and handling on the track.
The ultimate performance variant, the C63 AMG Black Series (coupe only), took performance to an extreme. It featured even more power, an adjustable coil-over sport suspension, high-performance composite brakes, extra engine cooling, a rear axle differential lock, a wider track, aerodynamic body modifications, special 19-inch wheels, a rear diffuser, a two-seat interior, sport seats, microfiber upholstery and steering wheel trim, and unique interior design elements. Further track-focused options for the Black Series included the AMG Track package with ultra-high-performance tires and an active cooling unit for the rear axle, and the AMG Aerodynamics package with added exterior winglets and an adjustable carbon-fiber rear spoiler.
Alt text: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series showcasing aggressive aerodynamics and performance wheels.
Conclusion
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offered a compelling blend of luxury, performance, and technology. With a variety of trims, packages, and standalone options, buyers could tailor a C-Class to their specific preferences and needs. Whether prioritizing fuel efficiency in the C250, balanced performance in the C300 and C350, or ultimate power in the C63 AMG and Black Series, the 2012 C-Class lineup provided a premium driving experience across the board. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for anyone considering a pre-owned 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
