REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Is there a market for a Baby Benz?

The first generation 190 sold 1.88 million units worldwide in the 10 years after its introduction in 1983. And its successor, the C-Class, has accounted for no less than 1.6 million sales in the seven years since. Existing Mercedes loyalists are going to love this car, both for its qualities and for the fact that, more than ever, it looks and feels like a smaller version of Benz’s top models. It’s also likely to attract customers from more traditional competitors, looking to maximize luxury in a small sedan.Inside, there are myriad differences, though they still add up to an ambiance that could only be Mercedes. Fellow auto journalist Alex Law loved the C-Class even before driving it, so impressed was he with the ability to move the driver’s seat back far enough to accommodate his long legs.

In fact, though Mercedes claims relatively small advances in interior room, the new C-Class feels decidedly more spacious, which should give it an advantage over its competitor from Bavaria.

There are also some nice touches of detail, like the tilt/telescoping control for the steering wheel being mounted on the door just beside the power seat controls. And the range of adjustment for the wheel is just as phenomenal as the for the seat.

With the redesign, Mercedes chose to equip its least costly sedan with all the safety equipment at its disposal. Besides the standard front airbags, there are side airbags to protect the chests of front seat occupants and side windowbags that protect the heads of occupants both front and rear. As well, rear side chest airbags are optional. And if the demonstrations that were on hand are any indication, the C-Class ’ s new body should be even more crashworthy as well as cheaper to fix in case of an accident. Of course, Mercedes’ electronic wizardry — like ABS and its ESP stability control — are standard.

On the down side is the optional global positioning system that I still can’t come to grips with. In the C-Class’ case, this is exacerbated by a screen that ’ s just too small.

Combine this with the fact that the arrow representing our position on the digital map kept disappearing, and the GPS was much more frustrating than rewarding.It’s a sophisticated beast, and for the first time in a Mercedes sedan, the V6 is offered with a six-speed manual transmission. It helps make the most of the small six’s high- revving 170 horsepower. The 2.6 litre V6 in the C240 is a refined piece of machinery: it’s part of Mercedes’ single overhead camshaft, three- valve-per-cylinder range of engines. That means it’s super smooth, with nary a hint of harshness, even at its 6,000 rpm redline.

The same applies to the top-of-the-line 3.2 litre V6 found in the C320. Of course, it’s more powerful, with 218 horsepower available. Drivers will notice the power increase most at low rpm. While Mercedes claims the automatic-equipped C260 requires 9.5 seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h, the C320 requires just 7.8 seconds. Available only with the five-speed automatic, the 3.2 litre more easily overcomes the sluggishness caused by the extra drag of a slushbox. Still, the Mercedes finds itself amongst stiff competition in the engine department as more and more entry-level luxury sedans are boasting horsepower of 225 and more.

But there ’ s more to luxury than brute power, and in most departments, the new C-Class excels. For one thing, the chassis is super stiff. Mercedes claims that it outshines the old one in this department by some 25 percent. This translates into a superior ride that transcends the entry- level class. .
Another reason that it’s so hard to upset the new Baby Benz is its sophisticated suspension. It ’ s independent at all four wheels, with the company’s double-wishbone, five-link system in the rear and a 3-link arrangement in front. As always with the Teutonic company, the dampers themselves are stiffer than most, trading the pillowy ride of a full-sized Caddy for greater control.

PROS
Power train performance
Roomy interior
High quality feeling

CONS
Too low profile
Needs more torque
Electronics to be perfected

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