"RE: Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic: Driven

"RE: Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic: Driven

Thursday 5th March 2015

Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic: Driven

Mercedes' new AMG sub-brand debuts with a 367hp four-wheel drive C-Class - PH takes a drive



Back when we first drove the new W205 generation C-Class we entertained ourselves on a launch event populated with four-cylinder diesels by jumping in a twin-turbo V6, confidently predicting such a model would never make it to the UK. Thankfully we were dead wrong.

PH fast wagon bias further reinforced
PH fast wagon bias further reinforced
The C450 AMG 4Matic is that car with bells on and will be sold in the UK, giving the C-Class a mid-way sporting model between the 'civilian' range and full-on AMG version. Think of it as Mercedes' equivalent to 'S' Audis or M Performance BMWs and you get the idea, AMG offering just enough technical and marketing garnish to elevate it above the hoi polloi without treading on the toes of its own senior product.

Big news for this car is an upgrade over the 333hp of the C400 we drove on that launch event to a more than satisfactory 367hp - same as a C55 AMG of a couple of generations ago, fact spotters. 122.5hp per litre in a 'junior' performance product is pretty astonishing too. Being twin turbo it's also got bags of torque - 383lb ft - and will clock a sub-five 0-62 while recording official figures of 178g/km and 37.1mpg (180g/km and 36.6mpg for the wagon). Oh, and it finally brings Mercedes' long-standing 4Matic four-wheel drive to a UK market C-Class. And this is AMG-lite?

Steering and suspension also get AMG touch
Steering and suspension also get AMG touch
Don't call me junior
Up to a point, yes. And it's more than just a souped up engine, featuring C63-inspired aluminium suspension components with beefed up steering knuckles, increased negative camber front and back and firmer mounting bushings to improve response. Three-stage adjustable AMG Ride Control dampers also feature. It also gets the C63's linear ratio steering rack in place of the progressive one of the standard car.

Aesthetically and practically speaking in estate form it makes for an especially appealing package, albeit against some pretty accomplished competition in the shape of the widely acclaimed 333hp Audi S4 and unexpectedly impressive 350hp Volvo V60 Polestar. The 306hp BMW 335i and 340hp Jaguar XE S would likely be on the same shopping list too. Other than the BMW and Jag all are four-wheel drive, all use forced induction six-cylinder engines and have automated gearbox options - an S Tronic dual-clutch in the Audi, six-speed slusher in the Volvo, seven-speed auto in the Mercedes and the all conquering eight-speed ZF automatic in the BMW and Jaguar.

Yes, it's got 'that' tablet style display...
Yes, it's got 'that' tablet style display...
Four-wheel drive aside the gearbox is a key difference between the C450 and C63 - though the latter also uses a version of the seven-speed gearbox it is connected to the engine by an automated wet clutch while the C450 uses a more traditional torque converter. This means an immediate softening of the power delivery and a more refined driving experience, as you'd expect of a non-AMG Mercedes.

Two sides to every story
There is decently responsive manual control if you want it via the paddles and, indeed, the mode-based transformation from wafty cruiser into something more aggressive is probably more dramatic than the AMG, which is pretty burly in its base setting. In Eco or Comfort modes the C450 feels like a fast Mercedes and is quiet, comfortable and understated. But nudge the rocker switch to Sport+ and it really comes alive, the steering firming up noticeably and the exhaust suddenly emitting ripples of contrived bangs and pops on the overrun. The engine sounds louder and more assertive too but, as AMG boss Tobias Moers confesses, has some help via the speakers. Not something you'll find in a full AMG model on his watch.

367hp twin-turbo V6 is punchy and smooth
367hp twin-turbo V6 is punchy and smooth
As we found recently in the E400 it's very much a new-school direct-injected petrol and a little gruff and dieselly at low revs. But once it spins up it's a lot smoother and more pleasant than the current BMW turbo sixes and proves itself keen to rev out. It's strong too, boost picking up quickly and the power delivery rarely caught off guard. On the road it feels every bit as rapid as the numbers suggest while never threatening to steal the thunder of the '63.

Though rear-biased to the tune of 33:67 the four-wheel drive system makes the C450 resolutely neutral through corners where the C63 would be starting to transition into oversteer at comparable speeds. While we tested it on dry Portuguese roads you get the impression it would feel similarly secure on greasy winter ones back home, adding to the sense this is a fast car you can enjoy in all conditions. It also feels agile and nimble, which is some achievement given it's not a small car. The steering is light and positive, with more feel than the equivalent Audi but a more natural heft than the artificially weighty 3 Series. Here, and in damping feel, Mercedes has consistently bettered its German equivalents in recent years and even with four-wheel drive there's no noticeable corruption in steering feel.

Fine balance of sensible and speedy
Fine balance of sensible and speedy
AMG lite or Mercedes plus?
The interior is a lot more lavish in design, technology and ambience than the rather severe previous generation C-Class. Yes, it's got that controversial tablet-style screen seemingly tacked on top of the dashboard but Mercedes maintains this puts the information into the driver's eyeline and means the dash height in general can be reduced.

With the fleet friendly numbers, all-weather security and performance that would shame a full-fat AMG of just a couple of generations ago the C450 is a very appealing package. It won't scare the neighbours/domestic harmony/office car park and is a properly refined place to cover big miles. But on those occasions when you have the car to yourself it's also more than capable of putting a quiet grin on your face and carrying serious cross-country pace.

We'll have to wait though. LHD markets will get the car almost immediately but it won't arrive in the UK until next year, with pricing to be confirmed. For context an S4 Avant is £39,865 and a 335i Touring M Sport is £38,295 - the fully loaded V60 Polestar is just shy of £50K. Place your bets...


MERCEDES-BENZ C450 AMG 4MATIC
Engine:
2,996cc V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 7-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 367@5,500-6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 383@2,000-4,200rpm
0-62mph: 4.9sec (Estate 5.0sec)
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Weight: 1,615kg (Estate 1,690kg, both to EU without driver)
MPG: 37.1mpg (Estate 36.6mpg, both NEDC combined)
CO2: 178g/km (Estate 180g/km
Price: TBC

 

Author
Discussion

MustardCutter

Original Poster:

238 posts

119 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
I hate to be 'that guy' but:

"Though rear-biased to the tune of 33:63"

Where does the remaining 4% go, subspace? smile

Amirhussain

11,486 posts

162 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
Forget the car, the colour lickyum

filski666

3,841 posts

191 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
so, does that mean this car is available with option of 4matic - or will there be no RWD version available? In which case...yuck

foxhounduk

485 posts

179 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
MustardCutter said:
I hate to be 'that guy' but:

"Though rear-biased to the tune of 33:63"

Where does the remaining 4% go, subspace? smile
Well spotted son

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
I think it looks really smart in that colour, and would be interested to see the pricing and final spec sheet to see how it stacks up to the V60, which I think is a great car.

markwm

144 posts

219 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
That LCD display is borderline comical

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
markwm said:
That LCD display is borderline comical
Isn't it just...it looks like an Aldi iPad if such a thing existed. Probably being unfair to Aldi.

scherzkeks

4,460 posts

133 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
Other than the new engine, what makes this car any different than a regular C class with sports pack? Almost seems like they have just plonked a bigger engine into the top end std. model and fitted it with the AMG pack. Think I preferred it the old way, quite frankly.

bertie

8,545 posts

283 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
filski666 said:
so, does that mean this car is available with option of 4matic - or will there be no RWD version available? In which case...yuck
Why wouldn't you want 4wd in a family estate, unless you habitually drive around with the kids in the back and the arse end hanging out?

alock

4,224 posts

210 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
markwm said:
That LCD display is borderline comical
Isn't it just...it looks like an Aldi iPad if such a thing existed. Probably being unfair to Aldi.
It's not the 'stuck to the dashboard' concept that makes it look crap, it's the massive black bezel. Why doesn't it have a bezel of only a couple of millimetres in 2015?

godskitchen

131 posts

146 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
That screen really was an after though.

unpc

2,831 posts

212 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
bertie said:
Why wouldn't you want 4wd in a family estate, unless you habitually drive around with the kids in the back and the arse end hanging out?
More to the point, why would I want to carry all the cost and weight of 4wd when in 35 years of driving I have never needed it on a road car.

Charlie Michael

2,750 posts

183 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
It makes a compelling case in my head of why go for the full AMG when this appears (from this article at least), to offer more everyday driving benefits than its bigger brother?


Nickbrapp

5,277 posts

129 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
I Wonder what the switch on the door pocket does

Osinjak

5,453 posts

120 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
How long will it be before BMW finally build an M3 Touring, will this be the car that swings it? Unlikely methinks. Nevertheless I'd like to get a fast estate later this year. BMW don't do one (beyond the 335i), I don't want an Audi and the new C63 AMG is out of my reach but this might fit the bill. The interior is marmite to some but by Christ it's a damn sight more interesting than BMW's.

toppstuff

13,698 posts

246 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
unpc said:
bertie said:
Why wouldn't you want 4wd in a family estate, unless you habitually drive around with the kids in the back and the arse end hanging out?
More to the point, why would I want to carry all the cost and weight of 4wd when in 35 years of driving I have never needed it on a road car.
It has 4WD because lots of people buy Audi Quattros. They may or may not "need" 4WD but they want it. That is reason enough I guess.


HighwayStar

4,215 posts

143 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
unpc said:
bertie said:
Why wouldn't you want 4wd in a family estate, unless you habitually drive around with the kids in the back and the arse end hanging out?
More to the point, why would I want to carry all the cost and weight of 4wd when in 35 years of driving I have never needed it on a road car.
Exactly... People say these things as though, at the merest hint of dampness on the road, all RWD cars will simply spin off on anything resembling a bend. Ridiculous.

Burwood

18,709 posts

245 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
toppstuff said:
unpc said:
bertie said:
Why wouldn't you want 4wd in a family estate, unless you habitually drive around with the kids in the back and the arse end hanging out?
More to the point, why would I want to carry all the cost and weight of 4wd when in 35 years of driving I have never needed it on a road car.
It has 4WD because lots of people buy Audi Quattros. They may or may not "need" 4WD but they want it. That is reason enough I guess.
precisely

F1GTRUeno

6,333 posts

217 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
Looks better as an estate than the frankly comical saloon but it still looks a bit Korean.

bertie

8,545 posts

283 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
Burwood said:
toppstuff said:
unpc said:
bertie said:
Why wouldn't you want 4wd in a family estate, unless you habitually drive around with the kids in the back and the arse end hanging out?
More to the point, why would I want to carry all the cost and weight of 4wd when in 35 years of driving I have never needed it on a road car.
It has 4WD because lots of people buy Audi Quattros. They may or may not "need" 4WD but they want it. That is reason enough I guess.
precisely
Well I would prefer 4wd because my wife isn't a powerfully built PH type with the fast reflexes of an avid racer and a diploma in giving it a dab of oppo on the way to Sainsbuys, so the surefootedness in crappy weather that 4WD gives is welcomed.

Obviously I'd be OK because I have testicles the size of medicine balls and never go anywhere without the rear tyres lit up.

It's a family car, not a sports car!