We reported on its impending arrival last week, and now it has been officially announced. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the locally-assembled W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, doing so at a C-Class Driving Experience showcase at Setia City Convention Centre - the CKD versions of the C 200 Avantgarde and C 250 Exclusive take over from the CBU variants introduced in September, when the 2015 World Car of the Year made its local debut.

The CKD C 200 Avantgarde is priced at RM269,888, while the C 250 Exclusive goes for RM299,888, GST-inclusive. Both are cheaper than their equivalent CBU models by around RM15,000 (for the C 250) and RM16,000 (for the C 200), and the good news is that the specifications for the CKD cars are identical to the fully-imported (from South Africa) models

Both variants are powered by a 2.0 litre M 274 DE 20 AL engine, in different states of output tune. On the C 200 the numbers are 184 hp and 300 Nm, and performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds and a 235 km/h top speed.

The M 274 in the C 250 features a higher output of 211 hp and 350 Nm, and the 0-100 km/h sprint is done quicker at 6.6 seconds. Top speed is also higher, the car able to get to an electronically-limited 250 km/h. On both cars, a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus auto is the transmission choice.

Cosmetically, as it was before, the C 200 is dressed in the sportier Avantgarde exterior trim while the C 250 goes the elegant route with its Exclusive line trim, complete with Airpanel active louvres on the front grille. Common kit includes LED headlights (though these are not the full-fledged adaptive system), an Audio 20 CD system with Touchpad and built-in Garmin MAP Pilot navigation.

Both models also feature powered front seats with memory, auto lights and wipers, cruise control, rear (powered) and side (manual) window blinds, a reverse camera as well as Active Parking Assist. Safety kit includes seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver's knee bag), Collision Prevention Assist Plus, rear Isofix anchors and the automaker's Pre-Safe system.

The two C-Class offerings ride on 17-inch alloys in different designs, a five twin-spoke on the C 200 and a multi-spoke on the C 250. Other differentiation bits come in the form of interior trim - on the C 200, it's aluminium and piano black (on the centre console), while on the C 250 the tone goes the dark brown glossy Linden wood route.

The C 250 also gets more lux and convenience kit in the form of a leather-covered dashboard, keyless entry, a sunroof, and an Air Balance package as well as a comfort suspension. https://paultan.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=331825&action=edit&message=10#The C 200, meanwhile, features an Agility Control suspension, which lowers the car by 15 mm.

The arrival of the locally-assembled variants should definitely ease the wait times for the W205 C-Class, which we hear has stretched to a pretty long one. As before, there's no mention whether a locally assembled C 250 AMG Line, which was available for a short period of time as a CBU import, will be introduced into the CKD line-up.

W205 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Avantgarde CKD

W205 Mercedes-Benz C 250 Exclusive CKD

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Driving Experience