Classic and Elegance retained a traditional Mercedes-Benz grille, with horizontal chrome bars and standing hood emblem.

In the United States, the C250, made in South Africa, in Avantgarde trim with the AMG Sport Package was available on the C-250 with a four-cylinder turbocharged 1.8L engine, 7 speed automatic gearbox and RWD and the C-300 (the only US market C-Class with a standard manual transmission (manual transmission was only available with RWD), with 4MATIC system available as an option) and the C 350 Sport (RWD only).The Elegance trim was only available on the C 300 Luxury with an option for the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, There were no Classic/SE trim models, no models with diesel engine, and no station wagon models available in the US market.

[17][18] For the 2008–2011 model year, the dashtop features a deployable central sliding cover panel over an LCD colour screen for entertainment and information functions.

The optional navigation system, marketed as COMAND APS integrates a larger, 7-inch TFT screen into the deployable panel.

An optional advanced agility control package offered a sport mode button to enable a stiffer suspension setting and more precise handling.

The BlueTEC includes an inline-4 variable nozzle turbocharged engine with third-generation common-rail direct injection generating a power output of 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) and 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) of torque, a 6-speed manual transmission, exhaust gas recirculation, particulate filter, oxidization and SCR catalytic converters.

[22][23] Unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show,[24] the C 300 Bluetec Hybrid is a near-production study based on the C-Class Estate.

The C 300 Bluetec has a 4-cylinder hybrid engine generating a combined power output of 224 PS (165 kW; 221 hp) and 560 N⋅m (413 lb⋅ft) of torque.

[25] Available from mid 2007,[26] the 4MATIC models include a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, permanently active all wheel drive with 45:55 torque split, a transfer case with multi-disc clutch centre differential, 4ETS traction control and Electronic Stability Program.

[29][30][31] The BlueEFFICIENCY variants achieved better economy and weight reduction by using a newly developed windscreen made of laminated glass by AGC shared with the Maybach saloon, optimised noise-insulating firewall lining, lightweight forged wheels with low rolling resistance tyres from Michelin, a lightweight transmission; reducing drag coefficient to 0.25 via smooth under-body cladding, a radiator grille shutter, sealed joints between the hood and headlamps as well as between the rear fender and headlamps, streamlined exterior mirrors housing, lowered suspension (15 millimetres height reduction), aerodynamically tuned wheels; servo pump shut-off in power steering system; a new 6-speed manual transmission with newly developed final drive having further-improved anti friction bearings and forged differential gears, longer final-drive ratios (C 180 Kompressor and C 200 CDI models only); ECO Training mode cockpit; reduced engine displacement, optimised combustion chamber, mixture formation and engine friction (C 180 Kompressor); direct injection with max 200 bar piezoelectric fuel injectors (C 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY).

The saloon model includes an AMG lip spoiler on the boot lid, a dual-flow exhaust system with polished stainless steel tailpipes, a seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, 16-inch light alloy wheels with 17-inch wheels available as a no cost option, a speed-sensitive steering and the "Speedtronic" cruise control with a variable speed limiter.

In 2011, this package included increasing power to 487 PS (358 kW; 480 hp) at 6,800 rpm and 600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,000 rpm, compound brake discs on the front axle and red or yellow painted brake callipers, composite brake discs connected aluminium bowl via cast-in arms, carbon fibre lip spoiler on the boot lid (saloon), AMG performance steering wheel in Nappa leather with a grip area trimmed in Alcantara.

Engine wise, it adopts the slightly lighter V8 from the SLS AMG, which included an uprated ECU, new conrods, a lightweight crankshaft and forged pistons.

Externally, the Edition 507 carries the same vented aluminium bonnet from the Black Series, light-alloy spoke wheels, AMG side stripes and a boot lid spoiler.

For the interior, there was the alcantara covered steering wheel, a special AMG emblem on the gear shifter, optional two-tone leather and an Edition 507 plaque on the passenger side fascia.

Unveiled at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show, the Concept 358 is a version of C 63 AMG saloon with designo Pearl Orange body colour, AMG Performance Package Plus, 19-inch multi spoke alloy wheels in black, Keyless-Go entry system and extended designo leather upholstery.

Introduced by Mercedes Specialist Products Division, it includes increased engine power to 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) and 650 N⋅m (479 lb⋅ft) of torque.

Between December 2007 and January 2008, spontaneous test driving events were also held in selected upmarket shopping centres and malls in Germany.

The 250,000th C-Class – an iridium silver metallic C 220 CDI saloon – was produced in Sindelfingen and delivered to a customer in Japan.

There is a high resolution screen on the dashboard which has visual functions similar to the S and CL Class models, and it also has the new Mercedes-Benz Comand APS system first seen on the W212 E-Class.

The C 200 CGI BlueEfficiency 125!Edition includes LED daytime running headlamps with intelligent light system along with headlong washers and 8-way adjustable power seats at the front.

Other notable features include 255/35 ZR 19 and 285/30 ZR 19 tyres,[93] black diffuser insert shared with the SLS AMG GT3, twin tailpipes finished in chrome, AMG adjustable sports coilover suspension developed by KW with AMG rear axle differential lock,[94] three-stage ESP, two AMG sports bucket seats, black DINAMICA microfibre upholstery on the centre panels of the seats and doors, omission of the rear bench seat (single rear seats available as option), AMG performance steering wheel upholstered in either Nappa leather or the Dinamica microfibre, steering wheel rim having flattened top and bottom sections along with aluminium shift paddles on the steering column for manual gear changes, red seat belts and red contrasting top stitching on the steering wheel, on the seats, door centre panels, armrests, on the doors, the centre console and on the shift lever gaiter along with three autonomous round dials has a three-dimensional TFT colour display.

Notable features include a bonnet shared with the C 63 AMG Black Series, AMG light-alloy cross-spoke wheels in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish or matt black with high-sheen rim flanges, 235/35 R 19 front and 255/30 R 19 rear tyres, AMG sports stripes in matt graphite grey above the side sill panels; a lip spoiler on the boot lid (Saloon and Coupé only), exterior mirror housings, black surrounds on the radiator grille and daytime running lights in high-gloss black; darkened headlamps, optional designo magno platinum body colour, 360 x 36 mm composite front brake discs, 6-piston aluminium fixed front callipers, 4-piston fixed rear callipers, choice of 3 interior upholstery types (porcelain designo leather or Dinamica microfibre with light-coloured contrasting topstitching, black designo leather or Dinamica microfibre with light-coloured contrasting topstitching, black designo leather), AMG Performance steering wheel upholstered in Alcantara with light-coloured contrasting stitching and a 12-o'clock marking, selector lever of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission in upholstered in Dinamica microfibre with the AMG badge, steering wheel and selector lever gaiter with light-coloured contrasting stitching, AMG instrument cluster with red applications, trim in high-gloss black piano lacquer and the "Edition 507" badge on the trim on the front passenger side.

[105] AMG Performance Package: 487 PS (358 kW; 480 hp) at 6,800, 600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 In 2012, C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY was replaced by 1,595 cc (97 cu in) turbo engine.

As part of the 2011 model year launch campaign, Two 45 and 30-second TV advertisements were made, which take a humorous and cinematographic approach to the C-Class Saloon and Estate models, focusing in particular on the innovative ATTENTION ASSIST system, which detects and provides early warning of the onset of driver drowsiness.

Printed ad features C-Class photographed against an urban backdrop, with the 'living city look' highlights the sportiness and dynamic qualities of the vehicles.

[108] As part of the C-Class Coupé campaign, an interactive web video titled 'Drive & Seek' was released in March 2011, featuring the theft of a work of art, a car chase starring the new C-Class Coupé and the hero agents, who rely on the help of the user, who must stay focused and make split-second decisions in order to capture the thieves and return the painting to its rightful owner.

Four short films highlight the C-Class Coupé's top features in terms of agility, design, safety and comfort.

Three different ad images show the vehicle with a high-gloss finish in palladium silver on a disused air field in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, where parts of the web thriller were also shot.

The two 45- and 30-second cinema ads also take a humorous approach to the campaign slogan "More glances per hour", which was released on 19 May 2011 serving as sequel to the Drive & Seek, linking back to the bank robbery featured in the film.