Merc1

It looks like there’s a major change going on here.

Certainly is. Gone are the smooth curves of the previous C-class, replaced with something far more edgy and, dare we say it, rather modern. The C-class is bigger all-round and crucially there’s another 45mm in the wheelbase and more shoulder room. That’s hardly a surprise. Passenger space has always been the weakness of compact premium cars in the compact exec segment, and with the cheaper and hugely competent cars like the new Ford Mondeo offering limo levels of comfort, space can’t be ignored.

We've already driven the new C-class on its continental launch; now we've finally driven it on UK roads. Click 'Next' to read our full report.

What’s with the funny grille?

For the first time, a Mercedes saloon uses the grille to distinguish between models. The traditional trim levels, SE and Elegance, get the three-pointed start on top of the bonnet, as every Mercedes should.

The Sport, in a slightly worrying nod towards bling, ditches the bonnet emblem for a massive star mounted in the centre of the unique three-louvre grille. The range has been simplified too, with Avantgarde versions dropped in the UK.



Sport models? Has Mercedes has finally woken up to the fact that BMW sells twice as many 3-series?

Indeed it has, imbuing a far more sporty character into the latest generation. Key is the Agility Control suspension that has adaptive damping. It’s a pretty simple system, just two stages and hydromechanical rather than electronic, but comes as standard on all models. And it puts C-Class handling on a new level.

There’s tight chassis control and sharp turn-in, and the result is a new level of driver entertainment. The C-Class Sport gets speed-sensitive steering with a welcome degree of extra weight, plus a slightly lower ride height. Being a Mercedes there is, of course, the full suite of active safety installed to try and prevent you make a complete fool of yourself when you breach the boundaries. But they don’t really intrude on the fun.

So it handles, but does it go?

All the four-cylinder engines, petrol and diesel, have been uprated. The best seller is likely to be the C220 CDI driven here, with its 168bhp (up from 148bhp in the old car). More significantly, this now pumps out 295lb ft of torque at 2000rpm, endowing performance that seems perfectly matched to the both old-school Mercedes subtlety and the newfound enthusiasm for driving prowess.

That old bugbear, the Mercedes manual gearbox, has been improved in the hope 3-series buyers will take it seriously, and there’s a hill-start system to overcome the problem with the foot-operated parking brake. But this diesel remains best suited to the automatic transmission, where the short rev range can be readily accommodated. You get five rather than seven gears with the four-cylinder engines, but Sport models get a handy paddle shift, too.

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M

cawimmer430

Good review.

The C180 Kompressor and C200 Kompressor models will be replaced with a 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with two different power settings according to AMS.

The C220 CDI won't be there for long. AMS claims that the '220 CDI will be replaced by a (GET THIS!) 200-horsepower 2.0 or 2.2-l 4-cylinder CDI engine with the newest generation of commonrail. Sounds really good.

Mr. Mercedes

I'm sure the non sports models would ride more comfortably, as the traditional older Mercedes buyers would expect?

The point about BMW mating excellent handling with a fine ride quality is moot. Down here the 3-series has been nothing but blasted for its poor ride.

Just_me

but you said it yourself before, combination of runflats and bad roads is no good for BMW. Down here we have good roads and the comfort for 3er is very good. So its no good to draw a line based on your experience in Australia that 3er is a bad ride outside your country.

Mr. Mercedes

No argument there Just Me. I think I'm just being misunderstood. The point was on poorer roads, like those in the UK and Australia, the 3-series does suffer in terms of ride quality, as does the new C it seems. But on smooth european roads they're both perfectly fine.

I look forward to reading some local reviews of the C.

Benzboi_inoz

I'd have to agree with the local press here blasting the 3 series on the runflat tyres as regards ride quality, as I've driven a number of the new 3 and 1 series on those tyres, and yes, the ride is not good. As in not the sort of car you would want to go for a long drive in the country in. As in bang, crash, thump and body flex over suburban potholes.

Still, they are ahem, *sporty* in their handling...

Really quite why BMW insist upon fitting these tyres as standard for this market is beyond me as they are clearly unsuitable IMHO.

I note that Mercedes will be specifying standard tyres for the Australian market, and a full size spare, not the bottle of goo as is supplied with runflats.

Kudos to them. BMW and Mercedes are sold globally and need to specify their products to suit local conditions IMHO.

Best Regards

John...