11.03Mercedes-C-Class India, Mercedes-C-Class Review
DaimlerChrysler
The biggest changes are inside. The central console is more like the one you will see in the E-Class and is much more sophisticated with those push-push toggle controls. The instrument panel is sporty with a chronometer-like design and chrome rings around the gauges with a white backlit light. DaimlerChrysler have come out with an innovative material for their seat upholstery. It’s called Twin-leather, where some parts of the seat have faux leather, while other sections are padded with genuine leather. The external mirrors can now be folded at the touch of a button and a new generation ‘Audio 20 CD’ makes it to the new C. A Thematic automatic climate control is now standard, not to be confused with Thermotronic climate control. The interior is very well built and stuffed with equipment. Things are better in front, with fully adjustable seats and steering wheel, which help you find the perfect driving position.
The new C does get the smashing Bosch wiper that’s on the E. This super wiper is a long piece of limp rubber that’s been attached to a wiper arm with rectangular holes in it. Conventional wipers lift when the car’s moving at speed, consequently, they don’t clean as well. Here, the wind is actually used to force the wiper down on the windshield and do a better job of removing those offending raindrops.
The C-class has an updated pair of engines, a 1.8-litre supercharged petrol, the C200 K, and a common-rail diesel, the C220 CDI. The C220 CDI is for those who do some highway traveling. The engine is actually much the same as the C200 CDI it replaces, but revised electronic mapping means it is more 28bhp more powerful, with 143bhp, and at 32.1kgm, has 7kgm more torque. The C220 can actually out-accelerate the V6-powered petrol E-class. The engine is extremely flexible, with huge amounts of torque available at all speeds, making it the perfect tool for quick highway passing. Fuel economy has also commendable 9.7 and 15.2kpl. This is 1796cc petrol, with advanced technology like variable valve-timing and a supercharger or Kompressor, which gives it 158bhp and 22.5kgm. This gives it far great performance than the C180 — it is 10 seconds faster from 0-160kph! This engine is also more refined and composed, and allows one to take advantage of the excellent chassis.
DaimlerChrysler has incorporated their Direct Control package in the new version. This means that the C is that much sportier to drive. The steering feels much more responsive and the ride, which is always brilliant, has been firmed up a little bit.
The C-class is extremely safe, with a host of electronic aids that prevent the driver from doing anything silly. These include a dozen airbags and chassis control devices like ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution. Its suspension is very sophisticated, with a three-link axle in front suspended by MacPherson struts and gas-filled dampers, along with a device that prevents the nose diving when you brake. At the rear, there is a multi-link set-up, with anti-dive and anti-squat devices.
Fuel economy is surprisingly good i.e. 6.9kpl and 10.8kpl; especially considering it is supercharged and uses an auto. Both engines come with an excellent five-speed automatic, which goes through the gears seamlessly.
The C220 CDI is basically a change in engine management system software to the earlier C200 CDI, but is a step-up in performance in the real sense. The C-Class is one of the best driver’s cars around: with two powerful engines, an excellent chassis, plenty of technology and that three-pointed star, it is easy to see why it is so popular, why many have chosen it as the first step into the Mercedes-Benz experience.