C-class Ups The Ante
The Age
Wednesday August 1, 2007
MERCEDES-BENZ is about to try something radical in the medium-luxury segment - it's going to offer a car that's good to drive and good value for money. It sounds pretty obvious and cynics might say it's about time, but that was the message from Benz Australia's chief, Horst van Sanden, at the release of the new C-Class range, "our most important launch ever".
The penny has dropped. To compete against Audi, BMW and Lexus in the fast-expanding medium-luxury segment, Benz has produced a driver's car."We have said that many times before, but this time I think you will experience it's real," Mr van Sanden said.He said Benz would back up its new approach to C-Class design with a second strategy, offering outstanding value for money. Drive reported the pricing strategy a month ago but, in a nutshell, the entry-level price has been reduced $2000 to $56,990 and you now get more car at that level.Benz has delivered on its aim of producing a driver's car with the new C-Class, a necessity given the segment-leading 3-Series sets the benchmark in this area. The C-Class has none of the floatiness that has been a Benz hallmark. It feels well tied down, although it stops short of being BMW-firm.The Benz uses a clever, two-stage shock absorber that generally gives a softer ride. When the speed rises or cornering becomes more vigorous, a simple mechanical system restricts the shocker's valving, automatically firming up the ride and giving the car a two-stage suspension without the need for complex electronics, the usual Benz solution.The only options in the handling department are various 17-inch alloy wheel designs with lower-profile tyres. The extra road noise comes free.The suspension is complemented by speed-sensitive steering that reaches maximum resistance or effort at 200 km/h, just 10 km/h short of the top speed for all three engines - the 1.8 supercharged petrol, the 2.2 turbo-diesel and the 2.8 V6 petrol.One drawback is the overlarge multi-function steering wheel, although there is no slackness in the system and the car is easy to place on the road.The V6 and the diesel are the pick of the engines. While a supercharger is mildly exotic, the blown 1.8-litre in the C200K provides a leisurely power-to-weight ratio of just 90 kW/tonne versus 109 kW/tonne for the V6. The diesel's 400 Nm of torque ensures good low-down pull and relaxed touring on hilly or winding roads without repeated changes by the automatic five-speed gearbox shared with the C200K. The top-end V6 gets a seven-speeder.The C-Class also offers for the first time Comand, Benz's answer to BMW's iDrive single-knob control system. Drivers get a satisfying dashboard with enough buttons to suggest you got your money's worth of technology. In fact, you have at least four ways of changing the radio station in a C-Class: the seek buttons, preset buttons, a central controller and the steering wheel. And, if you can make the optional Linguatronic voice-controlled system understand you, make that five. That should cover it.Safety is a given with Benz and every C-Class comes with a full complement of 10 airbags, stability control and Benz's Pre-Safe accident anticipation system, which tensions seatbelts, brings seats to a favourable position and will even close the windows so curtain airbags can do their thing.All up, the C-Class is a more comprehensive car than before and better value. Whether it is sharp enough to lure buyers away from the strong-selling 3-Series remains to be seen.
© 2007 The Age