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
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...
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)