Mercedes C-ClassThe C-Class saloon was first introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range. It was the most affordable model in the Mercedes lineup until the arrival of the A-Class in 1998. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in the German towns of Sindelfingen and Bremen. In 2001, Mercedes increased the range, with the introduction of the new T-Modell (station wagon) and Sportcoupé. The Revised C-Class Aims To Stay At The Top Of The Compact Executive Pack. Andy Enright Reports Before we even explore the merits of the latest Mercedes C-Class saloon range, youll probably know whether its the vehicle for you. The most recent set of revisions add up to little more than the mildest of mid-life facelifts because, to be frank, there was very little that needed doing to keep the C-Class at the top of the tree. That said, customers in this particular market often have very clearly defined affiliations. No matter how good this car is, for instance, it wont sway a dyed-in-the-wool BMW fan, nor will it tempt somebody whos always bought Audi. The bald facts are that these marques now offer models so good that theres not a whole lot to choose between them. If one were to apply a strictly objective review, the C-Class would probably emerge victorious, but with Mercedes pricing to take into account, thats probably to be expected. When it was launched in 2000, the C-Class changed the way we thought about small Mercedes models. From being dull but worthies, baby Benzes were now viewed as credible drivers cars, with that inherent spark that previous models lacked. Although its a tough task to improve the C-Class, if given that brief, there would be a few changes I would have made. Firstly, Id have ditched the underwhelming C240 model, a car that was both thirsty, sluggish and encumbered by unflattering emissions figures. Next up Id have moved to tighten up interior trim quality. Finally Id have made the sportier versions feel more sporty to drive instead of just wearing big wheels and spoilers. Mercedes have done all of this and a little bit more without too many increases in prices starting from £21,960 for the saloon, £22,910 for the estate and £19,495 for the Sports Coupe. "Its a tough task to improve the C-Class" In fact, theyve gone much further than that, especially in the saloon and estate line-ups. Here, the rather noisy, peaky supercharged C230K model has been replaced by a silky-smooth 204bhp V6 230 variant. If you want more power than that, a 231bhp C280 model has been added, while a 272bhp C350 version replaces the old C320 to slot in above that. Diesel buyers meanwhile, get an impressive C320CDI model offering 224bhp. Heres also wider use of the companys clever 7-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic gearbox. The exterior has been altered in recent times but youll need to be a genuine spotter to make out the revisions. The front bumper has been redesigned and theres a radiator grille with three louvres. This apparently gives a more powerful feel. These louvres are either painted or feature a perforated design, dependent on which model you opt for. If you want a bit more outward pizzazz, its worth considering paying £1,830 extra for Sport Edition trim. Here, the most obvious additions are the AMG body kit and the 17-inch alloy wheels but the cars stance is a little squatter on its lowered suspension and there are a number of more subtle exterior cues to give the game away. Sport Edition badging is included, as is a silver radiator grille, colour-coded door handles and either Iridium Silver or Diamond Black metallic paint. Petrol engined models get a polished stainless steel tailpipe, while saloons are finished with a rear spoiler. There are various Sport tweaks on the inside too but even on standard models, the C-class cabin is now a good place to be. The interiors benefit these days from better switchgear, modified seats and a little more visual flamboyance with chrome detailing and white, chronometer-style illuminated dials. Classic models feature fine wood trim as standard while Avantgarde models offer standard aluminium detailing with an option of Birds-Eye maple. Its not all window dressing, however. Under the skin there are revised chassis, steering and manual transmission settings. Revised bearing setups on both front and rear axles allow for more agile cornering without impacting on ride quality while a more direct steering ratio gives a more sporting feel. The reinforced anti-roll bar introduced astern also gives the car a flatter, more dynamic feel through bends. For sportier versions, Mercedes install a sports-tuned six-speed manual gearchange with a significantly shorter shift action. As for the C-Class Estate, the tale if the tape shows it to be one of the more capacious cars in its class. If you need to tote serious loads, the E-Class Estate is naturally a better bet but the 470 litres of spce with the rear seats in place cant be sniffed at and the the 1,384 litre capacity when folded is tough to beat. Mercedes have ensured that intrusion into the load bay is kept to a miniumum so although there may be some rivals with bigger overall capacities, their actual usueable space is compromised by wheelarch and suspension turret intrusion. At the top of the range, the C55 AMG offers a hefty power output of 367bhp. Its also the perfect riposte to Audi who were making much play of the fact that the S4 was the only eight cylinder offering in this category. Even with an automatic transmission fitted as standard, the C55 AMG will still accelerate to 60mph in just 5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The C55 AMG can be identified by a front end thats been extended by a full 80mm to accommodate the monster V8 engine. It also adds 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 front tyres and 245/35 rear rubber, Alcantara AMG sports seats and silver dials on the instrument cluster. Deeper side skirts, a low rear bumper moulding and a resculpted bootlid also mark the C55 AMG out. That and the little badge on its bottom. So, a subtle set of improvements designed to keep the Mercedes C-Class where it belongs. If youre already a believer, youll be well satisfied. FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Mercedes C-class range For information on the history of Mercedes cars, visit the website: www.lapcr.com/mercedes_history_and_models |