Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Review

The C-Class Mercedes Benz is the most accessible of all Mercedes Benzes and has been a benchmark in the entry level luxury sedans segment considering that it comes in the creamy price bracket. German car manufacturer DaimlerChrysler has completely overhauled the Mercedes-Benz C-Class with classy design and shape to gain a commanding position in the luxury sedan segment in India.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which is available in petrol and diesel variants, received a fresh lease of life with updated and refreshed high-quality interiors and a distinctively styled exterior. It is available in C200 Kompressor petrol variant, C220 CDI diesel variant, and a powerful C63 AMG petrol variant.

The C-Class comes with refined styling and characterises everything that's vintage Benz. It epitomises it all – a distinctive aura of class, luxury and mystery. The current generation (second) of the C-Class that was introduced in 2001 replacing its classically–styled predecessor the 1994–model, globally. The new generation car looks sportier with a steeper front and a shorter rear. The new C–class sedan gives buyers plenty of standard features. As for the engine, it gets what it deserves – a super–charged straight–four petrol engine and a common rail diesel engine. Overseas it receives V6 engines. The AMG variant is powered by a V8 engine.

The sedan is packed with plenty of technology to woo its lovers. The C–Class is available in 12 cities and its competitors are the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series.

The new C–Class has three engines: a 1.8–litre petrol, a 2.2–litre diesel with high–pressure Common Rail Diesel Injection (CRDi) and a 6.2–litre V8 petrol. All the engines are powerful for payload. The Mercedes C200 K (KOMPRESSOR) is propelled by the 1.8–litre supercharged petrol engine. This sedan benefits from a skillfully combined compressor, supercharger, intercooler, variable–adjustment camshafts, Lanchester balancer and adaptive drive dynamics. This results in 178 bhp of power at 5600 rpm and 240 Nm of torque being developed between 3500–4500 rpm.

The C220 CDI diesel variant is powered by a potent 2.2–litre diesel engine that produces 170 bhp of power at 3700 rpm and 410 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm. The high pressure CRD assembly pumps out enough power for an extra kick to push past other cars on highways. The C200 K can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 8.6 seconds whereas the C220 can make the same in about 8.5 seconds.

The C63 AMG petrol variant is powered by a powerful 6.2–litre V8 engine that generates an awesome 457 bhp of power at 6800 rpm and peak torque of 600 Nm at 5000 rpm. The C63 AMG can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.5 seconds.

A 6–speed manual transmission is standard with the 1.8–litre and 2.2–litre engines. A faster shifting 5–speed automatic transmission with touch shift is optional. The 6.2–litre engine on the AMG is coupled to a 7G–Tronic 7–speed Speedshift automatic transmission. It's capable of adapting to individual driving styles. The direct controlled suspension is tuned to be slightly stiffer to suit Indian highways. It could have been slightly softer for low speed driving. The C–class responds to inputs like a sports car does. The steering with safety steering column is very well weighted and accurate, and the car is perfectly stable at high speeds.

The car looks the same as the older C–Class with no dramatic changes, except for some minor ones in the interiors as well as exteriors. Its exterior contours have the same drape as the larger E–Class and S–Class cars, but along more compact and aerodynamically sleeker lines.

It had received subtle upgrades for 2005 that included a wider set of quad–ovoid headlights, revised taillights and prominent fender flares. The C–Class sedan is slightly narrower than the BMW, making for better access to tight corners and easier parking. The seven–spoke alloy wheels accentuate the elegance of the sedan.

The interiors of the sedan are very conservative and elitist. Upgraded levels of luxury include new gauges, controls and comfortable seats. There is ample cargo space for a car of its size.

The standard features include front and rear armrest with cup holder, THERMATIC automatic climate control, dust filter and air re–circulation, trip computer in multi–function display, cruise control with "SPEEDTRONIC" variable speed limiter, front seats with power height and backrest adjustment, heated mirrors, Brake Assist System and Electronic Stability Program to name a few. The exterior is adorned by clear–lens projector–beam headlamps, clear–lens front halogen fog lamps, heated windscreen washer nozzles and heated rear windscreen, and green–tinted insulated glass all around. The new C–Class comes standard with 2–zone Thermatic automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel with trip computer in the multi–function display, power windows with one–touch control, obstruction sensor, power tilt–and–sliding tinted–glass sunroof with one touch open/close function, Bluetooth interface with hands–free function. Audio system includes a 20–CD radio with MP3–compatible CD player, and a 6–disc CD changer.

It is packed with top–notch safety features including front row airbags and sidebags, window bags for all occupants, height adjustable belt with pre–tensioners, child–proofing for doors, automatic child seat recognition, side impact protection, Anti–lock Braking System, automatic–locking doors with emergency opening, electronic immobiliser including "ELCODE" locking system with infrared/radio–frequency remote control and visible signalStyle, performancePrice, fuel economy