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By MURRAY
HUBBARD
7 September 2009
Just
what can you do to a car that has already achieved many awards for
excellence? At Mercedes-Benz they decided the bread-and-butter
C-Class saloon could be given a limited edition make-over. A neat
sporty touch up.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a junior executive offering from the
iconic marque. It is also the favoured wheels of many a
well-heeled retiree. People get comfort and satisfaction from the
three-pointed badge. For those on the way up, it tells you – and
others – that you've arrived. The C-Class is the German brand's
best-selling car in Australia and world-wide. In standard garb
just a tad over $57,000 will get you into this compact Mercedes.
As
such, it's an entry level car. What the sports package has done is
offer a point of difference to the standard C-Class saloon or
wagon and on the way through given the car a sporty edge that may
appeal to younger buyers. In particular we like the use of the
Avantgarde grille dominated by the large three-pointed emblem.
If the neighbours don't notice the standard C-Class they sure as
hell won't miss this limited edition.
That's not the only bling that elevates the C-Class Sports Package
to $59,990 (plus on roads and government charges).
Mercedes-Benz tells us the sports package, if ordered on a
comparably equipped C-Class saloon, would add more than $5000 to
the bottom line. The exterior enhancements include the radiator
grille in matte-silver finish with chrome inlays and the Mercedes
star integrated into the louvres. There are chrome highlights in
the front and rear bumpers, as well as in the lower side of the
doors between the wheel arches. That shiny material also graces
the boot lid handle and foglight surrounds. The tail lights
feature a grey tint.
No package is complete without a wheel change and the Sports
Package includes unique alloys. The front are 225/45 R17 tyres on
7.5J x 17 twin-spoke alloys and the rear 245/40 R 17 tyres on 8.5J
x 17 wheels. The cabin features a combination of Artico fabric
upholstery on the pews and includes a double cup holder and
stowage compartment in the rear central armrest.
The enhancements add class to a car already exuding plenty of
prestige. But, there are limits to how much around $60,000 will
buy you. Not all the driver's seat settings are power driven. For
instance the forward-back slider is still a handle under the base
of the seat. So, there is some compromise compared to the more
up-market Benzes.
The C 200 Kompressor and the C 220 CDI turbo-diesel both have the
Sports Package available. The big difference between the two is
the grunt out of the oil burner, which boasts 400Nm of torque
compared to 250 Nm from the 1.8 litre petrol in the C 200. Having
said that the 135 kW supercharged four-cylinder, while no
dragster, does get up and boogie if the right foot is planted to
the floor. Maximum torque hits the red line between 2800 and 5000
rpm, so it's easy to see why the car has long legs. But, that's
not why you would buy the C 200 Kompressor.
This is the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class and even
before the Sports Package the car was a significant improvement on
the former model, taking styling cues from both Mercedes S-Class
and CLS. The extra chrome gives it an edge in style, which may be
a defining reason to fork your hard-earned on the Tristar. The
interior is functional and comfortable. We would prefer the cruise
control stalk to be ditched in favour of a wheel mounted system.
Nissan has a much easier, user-friendly system on many of its
cars, which is one of the best going around, luxury or no luxury.
Despite its modest pricing (modest for a German marque, that is)
the Mercedes C-Class uses high quality plastics and the overall
finish and fabrics give you a classy feel.
For city driving the C-Class is big enough for families, but small
enough to be easily parked in shopping centres and dropping off
kids at school. With a tight turning circle of 10.8 metres,
parking and turning in narrow streets is a breeze. Boot size is
acceptable at 475 litres.
The driving experience is one of no fuss. The car lends itself to
stress-free motoring. Should you decide to 'push' the car, then it
willingly obliges, and excels at the very basics of motoring –
cornering, handling and braking.
The 1.8-litre supercharged engine is quite happy to potter around
the suburbs, is equally at home pushing the beautifully balanced
car around winding roads, while the car hugs the bitumen as well,
if not better, than many cars that claim to be `sports' cars.
Acceleration is not blistering at 8.6 seconds to 100 km/h, but it
is quick enough to meet needs for every day motoring. Top speed is
235 km/h, which reflects its European autobahn heritage.
Driven in day to day conditions expect fuel economy of around
eight litres/100 km depending on driving style.
Verdict: The Sports Package is excellent value and gives the
C-Class individuality, given it is Mercedes-Benz's most popular
vehicle.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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