Friday 14th March 2014

Mercedes C-Class: Review

New C-Class debuts with four-cylinder motors; PH goes straight for American spec twin-turbo V6 instead

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There's a swagger and sense of confidence about the new Mercedes C-Class you'll have never felt before in previous iterations. The A-Class derived CLA now fills the 'my first Merc' slot for those wanting a pseudo three-box Benz on a budget, leaving the C-Class to mature and genuinely act the downsized S-Class.

Bigger - inevitably - but significantly lighter too

It's a massive step-change from the W204 and if you were a current owner taking a first look at the new model in a Mercedes showroom you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd missed an entire generation. The interior, especially, is more dynamic, luxurious and expressive than the traditionally conservative and functional C-Class cabins we currently know. Predictably it's packed with more gadgets, expanded in space and considerably more opulent in feel. And the car itself is significantly lighter, greener, more refined and advanced, bringing the option of air suspension to the class for the first time in one of the more eye-catching features.

Company ticket
This is all very well. But the two launch models for the UK are the some way from PH-worthy 184hp C200 petrol and slightly less than thrilling C220 Bluetec diesel. Fear not, there are three further engines to follow not long after! Including ... oh ... a company friendly 1.6 diesel C200 Bluetec, gruntier C250 Bluetec and - hold the phone - a C300 Bluetec. That's a diesel hybrid, in case you were curious. You (and PH management, wondering where its editor had gone) may be justified in asking why we attended the launch, especially given the yet to be officially confirmed 4.0-litre twin-turbo AMG version won't even show until the autumn.

You've not sat in a C-Class like this before

Leaving the only sensible option to be sitting drinking coffee while the rest of the hacks squabbled over the limited number of under-endowed, UK-relevant models available. Before ambling over to the key desk, picking the car with the biggest engine from the remaining odds and ends and going for a spin with a pleasant chap from German e-zine Motorvision. He, it quickly turned out, had a bright green Focus RS at home in the garage and a similar level of interest in driving four-cylinder diesel C-Classes.

Leading us neatly to the C400 4Matic, a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 equipped version with four-wheel drive, 333hp and naff all chance of ever troubling the UK pricelist. This being a flagship model specced with all the bells and whistles may, just possibly, have some bearing on the generous opening paragraphs and all the 'baby S-Class' accolades. Fear not though; my new German friend and I were diligent, prepared to suffer for our art and also drove the 1.6 diesel with a manual gearbox and steel springs.

AMG Line cars get vented rear bumper look

Which we'll come to in due course. But not until we've appreciated what North American C-Class buyers will get to enjoy when the car goes on sale there.

Fast and loose
You can enjoy this '400 engine in the UK but you'll need to choose an E-Class coupe or cabrio to do so. That horsepower figure and the burly 354lb ft of torque would have required another couple of cylinders and two litres of displacement not so long ago. And in this guise offer an interesting counterpoint to the gruff but effective turbo straight-six in our PH fleet BMW 435i.

In comparison the Mercedes bi-turbo V6 is a peach, with no detectable lag, a zingy throttle response and pulling power across the rev range to beat the BMW and without the Bavarian's top-end wheeziness. The auto option has seven rather than eight ratios but doesn't seemingly suffer for it and is adequately crisp if you choose to shift via the paddles.

Baby S-Class vibe rocked with aplomb

The standard variable-ratio steering is light, positive and (relatively) more feelsome than the somewhat numb BMW alternative, this and the floaty air suspension putting some dynamic credence to the significant weight savings derived from part-aluminium construction. Mercedes claims 'up to' 100kg overall reductions on some models despite an extra 80mm in the wheelbase, among other increases; like for like comparisons with the W204 and W205 C220 Bluetec have it at -50kg in that instance.

Sensible pants
Mercedes has followed BMW in offering a rocker-switch actuated driver mode system called Agility Select, ranging from Eco through Comfort, Sport and Sport+ and to configurable Individual settings. Even in the upper reaches of the range and in a car bedecked with AMG trimmings the emphasis is firmly geared towards comfort and refinement end of the scale, leaving the real AMG some scope to deliver on more PH-worthy expectations.

Air suspension very worthwhile option tick

It's a class act though, with a Jaguar-like subtlety and controlled floatiness that contrasts with the more severe, tied down mindsets of BMW and Audi. Subtly that might be lost on the self flagellating S Line and M Sport mindset but worth opening your mind to. Don't expect thrills even with this much power on tap though. Handling is defiantly on the conservative side; neatly balanced and satisfying to thread along at a good lick without once threatening to moisten your palms. Again, we'll hope the AMG version has the necessaries to make an Alcantara wheel worthwhile as per the run-out 507 Edition '63.

Meanwhile how's life at the other end of the scale in the C200 manual? Mein Herr and I spent some time scratching heads saying "This IS a petrol, right? No ... really. It is, right?" Direct injection may be good for emissions and it pulls strongly with the weight savings more noticeable in the smaller engined cars. But it's a gruff engine and who, even with the promise of forthcoming rev-matching downshifts (really), buys manual Mercs? More convincing was the 136hp C200 Bluetec diesel, the new 1.6 turning accepted wisdom on its head and actually seemingly smoother than the petrol. Your fleet manager will love it; as a motorway mile muncher it's a classy option and a relaxed cruiser. You still wouldn't have it with the manual though.

AMG look for now; real thing to follow

Harder, not faster
The standard steel suspension, in one of three available settings as you progress from SE to Sport (plus £1,995) and then AMG Line (£1,495 on top of that), can't match the buttery smoothness of the £895 Airmatic system and feels a little on tip toes in comparison. But the sense of lightness carries over, likewise the focus on easy-going comfort. Basic or blinged, the C-Class will be a very comfy place to rack up big mileages.

This far into our journey with the new C-Class and we've barely touched on the technology, be it the standard touchpad interface (actually half usable), reversing camera and multitudinous passive and active safety systems. Frankly it's boggling, the quota increasing significantly with each progression up the range and/or with themed packages (Premium, Driving Assistance, etc) that depending on your preferred level of inattentiveness can bring the car to a complete halt in traffic or when pedestrians step out. Mercedes demonstrated this to us with a test track and inflatable dummy called Fritz. They needn't have bothered, the residents of Marseille happy to offer up live subjects at regular intervals on our journey through the city.

Not that the C-Class needs this technological smokescreen. At heart the self confidence and scope to act like a proper junior Benz rather than just the cheapest route to Mercedes ownership has given us a C-Class of real distinction. OK, there's little in the UK line-up to initially tickle the PH fancy. But there lurks a very sound basis for future thrills courtesy of our friends in Affalterbach. The M3 had best make the most of its time in the sun...

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MERCEDES-BENZ C400 4MATIC
Engine 2,996cc V6 turbo
Transmission: 7-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 333hp@5,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 354lb ft@1,600-4,000rpm
0-62mph: c. 5 sec (TBC)
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: TBC
MPG: 35.3 (TBC)
CO2: TBC
Price: North America only

MERCEDES BENZ C220 BLUETEC
Engine: 2,143cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual/7-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 170@3,000
Torque (lb ft): 295@1,400
0-62mph: 8.1 sec
Top speed: 146mph
Weight: 1,550kg
MPG: 70.6mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 103g/km
Price: £29,365 (SE, manual)

MERCEDES BENZ C200
Engine: 1,991cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual/7-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 184@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@1,200rpm
0-62mph: 7.5 sec
Top speed: 148mph
Weight: 1,445kg
MPG: 53.3mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 123g/km
Price: £26,885 (SE, manual)

 

 

[GTEYE]

Wasn't too keen on first sight, but this actually looks like a grower.

Certainly miles better than the hideously proportioned CLA.

[Cable]

Glorious interior, it's a shame the exterior of the car looks as if it's been parked too close to a fire.

[Dan Trent]

Better in the metal, I have to say.

Dan

[mike-r]

70mpg combined from a 2.2 turbo?

I'll eat my hat if that's true.

[P4GNO]

Looks nice, the interior flows but is then spoiled by the naff aftermarket looking screen on the dash.

Edited by P4GNO on Friday 14th March 12:32

[darren f]

If these become as available as decent deals on Contract Lease as the old model did, I reckon they'll shift masses. I hope so, then the likes of BMW, Audi and Jaguar may have compete accordingly.

[TimS2000]

What on earth is the deal with these new fashion of an ipad stuck on the dash? If I want my new car to come with a fancy touchscreen interface, then I'd want it be nicely integrated within the dash not just slapped on top like an afterthought - if I wanted that I'd buy the base specification and pop down to halfrauds with £14.99 in my pocket to buy a generic bracket to plonk my ipad on. Crazy.

Not a fan of this new Merc melted styling, I thought the previous generation c-class was a far sharper looking car.

Edited by TimS2000 on Friday 14th March 13:26

[Hellbound]

P4GNO said:

Looks nice but spoiled by the naff aftermarket looking screen on the dash.

The whole tablet screen plonked on the dash movement has arisen simply because it provides complete flexibility. Different screen sizes can be offered in different markets and the screen can be replaced or upgraded far easier too.

Look at any well specified car from the last two decades and you'll notice a hideous, outdated screen with crap software that's stuck right there inside a square hole in the dashboard, leaving little or no option to upgrade or replace. It's one of the things which frustrates me most about older cars. I guess you could remove the entire thing and put a blanking plate in or use it as a cubby, but that's hardly a solution. It also doesn't help brand kudos by having their older products rolling around the streets reminding everyone how awful and ill thought out their technology was.

The dash mounted screen is great. And who's to say in future we won't be able to replace it with a 4k bendy LCD panel which can fold away into itself? These cars are going to be kicking about for decades, it makes sense for something as fluid as screen technology to be modular.

It's sad that some people still don't understand that.^^

Edited by Hellbound on Friday 14th March 12:43

[Wrathalanche]

From a design for manufacture standpoint, it allows manufacturers to come up with one dash design, whether you have sat-nav or not. Less parts and less stock plus easier assembly = more profit, I guess.

[TimS2000]

Hellbound said:

The whole tablet screen plonked on the dash movement has arisen simply because it provides complete flexibility. Different screen sizes can be offered in different markets and the screen can be replaced or upgraded far easier too.

Look at any well specified car from the last two decades and you'll notice a hideous, outdated screen with crap software that's stuck right there inside a square hole in the dashboard, leaving little or no option to upgrade or replace. It's one of the things which frustrates me most about older cars. I guess you could remove the entire thing and put a blanking plate in or use it as a cubby, but that's hardly a solution. It also doesn't help brand kudos by having their older products rolling around the streets reminding everyone how awful and ill thought out their technology was.

The dash mounted screen is great. And who's to say in future we won't be able to replace it with a 4k bendy LCD panel which can fold away into itself? These cars are going to be kicking about for decades, it makes sense for something as fluid as screen technology to be modular.

It's sad that some people still don't understand that.^^

Edited by Hellbound on Friday 14th March 12:43

Each to their own - personally if I was spending £30k+ on a new car, I'd want it looking nice now and I (and I expect Mercedes) wouldn't give a flying fk if the person who was buying 10+ years later wasn't able to upgrade the screen to latest tech. I'd say it is pretty sad if you don't understand that.
However I get your point on modularity for other markets, although I'm pretty sure you could shape the dash and have bezels with that in mind - there isn't that much difference screen shape and size globally.

[ShankyTT]

Not really sure if the new Merc styling is my cup of tea. I do like the new rear light clusters though.

[Hellbound]

Wrathalanche said:

From a design for manufacture standpoint, it allows manufacturers to come up with one dash design, whether you have sat-nav or not. Less parts and less stock plus easier assembly = more profit, I guess.

Up to a point. A single sized dash and single sized screen isn't too difficult to scale up. Even two screen sizes (and no screen even) as that particular part of the dash is modular at the point of manufacture anyway. The difficulty comes after it rolls off the factory floor and when it all has to come back out again in the dealership after a few years of use.

Right now I can walk into a Volvo dealership and buy, for example, a 2007 model XC90 and be presented with an expensive car with a very outdated satnav/on board computer. The same goes for pretty much every manufacturer from BMW and Audi to even Ford. Relatively expensive cars with really embarrassing and pretty much useless tech.

[Agent Orange]

darren f said:

If these become as available as decent deals on Contract Lease as the old model did, I reckon they'll shift masses. I hope so, then the likes of BMW, Audi and Jaguar may have compete accordingly.

Granted I've just bought one so biased but I think Merc have got the march on BMW and Audi right now. In my visits and test drives around the dealers I genuinely failed to see a difference in quality or ride between BMW, Audi, Mercedes and yes even Skoda. In 90% of your daily driving none are a better or worse drive and none would be a poor choice.

So it just comes down to styling and that is where I think Mercedes are winning right now. The BMW 3 Series is just unbelievably dull and the cabin especially so. Audi corporate face wearing a bit thin and whilst the Merc face is hardly a radical departure from previous models it just looks good and the interiors are a very nice place to be.

For anyone interested you can get the current C-Class at ridiculous deals right now. C-Class 220 AMG Sport with just about every option on it bar the pano roof for less than a Skoda Octavia VRS and Ford Mondeo with employee discount! Doesn't help that Skoda don't discount but Mercedes are discounting heavily.

[CraigyMc]

mike-r said:

70mpg combined from a 2.2 turbo?

I'll eat my hat if that's true.

On the NEDC, it's got to be true (and repeatable, or they'd not be allowed to claim it). The 320d ED has been doing the same sorts of numbers (68.9 combined) since 2010.

Actual MPG achieved on real roads obviously depends on a lot of factors: driving style, traffic, road conditions, weather etc etc.
This is the best I've managed with my 320d/ED (similar class to the C220D Bluetec in terms of weight, speed and acceleration etc), over a course of 33 miles:

For what it's worth, the fuel economy gauge on my car (shown) is usually pessimistic to the tune of about 2mpg, measured via brim to brim calculations. It's been like that so many times now that I rarely bother validating the number the trip comes up with because it's always been right.

[Hellbound]

TimS2000 said:

Each to their own - personally if I was spending £30k+ on a new car, I'd want it looking nice now and I (and I expect Mercedes) wouldn't give a flying fk if the person who was buying 10+ years later wasn't able to upgrade the screen to latest tech. I'd say it is pretty sad if you don't understand that.
However I get your point on modularity for other markets, although I'm pretty sure you could shape the dash and have bezels with that in mind - there isn't that much difference screen shape and size globally.

Ten years was an exaggeration and in the past you may have been right. Think more along the lines of the pre-owned cars on most dealers forecourts that are around five or six years old.

The on board tech landscape is changing far more rapidly now than ever before so it makes even more sense to keep things as easily 'upgradeable' as possible.

Call it 'future proofing' your product. We should applaud such a thing as it's far better than inbuilt obsolescence.

Edited by Hellbound on Friday 14th March 13:15

[Wills2]

I like the new interior, but having seen the autocar video with sutters driving it seemed small inside, not sure how big he is but he filled the cabin!

[P4GNO]

The nav/tech screens can be made modular as it is in my 2006 CLK with command (which still works fine and the maps are mainly accurate as the roads haven't changed that much since then. I could update it if I wanted but it would cost around £2300 for the privilege. Even with just a screen mounted on the top of the dash like this surely it will be more complicated than just replacing the screen to update the tech?
I get the point about cost and making a dash universal, but I still think they can make it modular and more integrated as other manufacturers do.

[fourscore]

What a great write up, I really enjoy Mr Trent's prose..

[CraigyMc]

I'm a bit surprised that the article didn't mention the little 1.6 diesel is a renault engine by the way.

[Rumblestripe]

Why are they always silver?

I'll take one in bright red please!