New Mercedes C-Class review

For the new Mercedes C-Class Saloon range there is the choice for four and six cylinder engines, petrol and diesel options, with prices starting at £22,937 and rising up to £35,577.

On top of the engine options the new C-Class offers customers the option of a different style of front grille as a distinguishing feature.

In the SE and Elegance body styles the new grille shape, which I do not like, has a bonnet mounted Mercedes star and for the Sport line there is a huge centrally mounted Mercedes star in the grille bars.

I think the previous generation C-Class, circa 2000 to 2007, with its elegant low-line bonnet and four eyed- face, referring to the headlights either side of an elegant grille, was much prettier. Thanks to front end crash safety and pedestrian impact safety requirements, a higher bonnet line is needed to accommodate energy absorbing air-space in the engine compartment above the power unit.
We now have a politically correct bland front end which is not unique to Mercedes; it could be applied to any other car from Korea to the USA.

Styling apart I think the new C-Class is a huge improvement in all other areas. The driveability is the biggest improvement. No longer is it outshone by the BMW 3-Series or Audi A4. It is rewarding for even the most sporting of drivers. New technology handling, suspension, braking, safety and stability packages have done wonders for the car.

There are too many to mention in detail but their titles will paint the picture for you on how advanced the new C-Class is.
Adaptive Braking, Intelligent Lighting, seven airbags, active head restraints, anticipatory occupant protection with Pre-Safe and Agility Control are included as standard or as an option. These are in addition to new suspension and steering systems with cleaner and more powerful engines.

My test car was one of the projected best selling models, the C 220 CDI Sport Saloon costing £28,002 on the road and featuring items such as automatic climate control, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights, stability control and electrically operated windows ands door mirrors are included.

Add in some must-have options as company and business car owners and user do, such as the uprated sound system, satellite navigation, the stunning panoramic sunroof, plus a few more bits and bobs and the total climbed to a hefty £34,982.

The Sport specification has AMG wheels and body kit together with a firmer and lowered suspension. Surprisingly the sports suspension didn’t compromise the ride comfort although the road noise intrusion was higher than expected from the wide low profile tyres.
Sports models also feature metallic facia inserts and silver dial surrounds and these brighten up a somewhat conservatively styled interior. The cabin says ‘executive’ car but it really doesn’t feel that special. It is beautifully put together but the overall quality is missing.

On the plus side there is really good headroom front and rear, lots of rear legroom and the largest boot in its class. A neat touch is the electrically operated cover in the facia which slides back to reveal the information display. All the controls are logical but the foot-operated parking brake is not to my taste.

The C 220 has a 2.1-litre turbocharged high-pressure common rail, four-cylinder diesel engine mated with a six-speed manual transmission. Power output is a healthy 170hp but maximum torque is a high 400Nm delivered from 2,000rpm. Whilst the top speed is an impressive 142mph and 0-62mph is covered in just 8.5 seconds it is the low CO2 figure of 160g/km and combined fuel economy of 47.9mpg that will impress hard taxed company and business car users the most.

For the record during a week of heavy motorway driving the C 220 CDI hovered between 50 and 55mpg and this only lowered to an overall average of 49.7mpg after prolonged periods of stop-start in town traffic. Very impressive.

The engine was also really responsive, willing to work, it revved freely and quietly and the torque made it really easy to drive at lower speeds without the need for constant gearchanging.

So in most areas, other than exterior front end styling, the new C-Class is a real ‘A lister’.
MILESTONES

Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDI Sport Saloon

Price: £28,003 (£34,982 as tested)

Engine: 2.1-litre, four-cylinder direct injection, common rail turbodiesel, 170hp, 400Nm of torque at 2,000rpm

Performance: 142mph, 0-62mph 8.5 seconds, 47.9mpg (49.7mpg actual), CO2 160g/m, VED Group D £140 Insurance group 14E, 22% tax

For: Roomy interior, excellent ride quality, agile and well balanced handling, strong engine performance, economical for fuel

Against: Brash non-descript front end styling, cabin quality does not feel premium class, expensive when must-have options are fitted, foot operated parking brake.
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