Bruce

This is the area in which Mercedes has concentrated the bulk of its endeavours in its campaign to prise those who care about driving from behind the wheel of their BMWs. And largely these efforts have been successful. While an old C-class was always an underrated and subtly effective ground coverer, it never seemed to have much enthusiasm for the role. But in Sport guise, with fat tyres and firm suspension, this new generation now attacks decent roads with a relish you’d not suspect from a car with such a sensible, prudent pedigree.



You notice something’s up the moment up turn the wheel; the steering lock is still enviably tight but there are just 2.5 turns from one extreme to the other. A less well engineered car might feel nervous as a result, but not this one; it’s just delightfully positive, precise and direct. You guide it from the wrists rather than the elbows as it flows seamlessly from one apex to the next.
Up the work rate or find a tougher road and you’ll find there’s nothing superficially impressive about its chassis; body control is BMW-good and the balance quite exceptional for a four-door saloon. It is a car you can hustle with great confidence and it will reward with a level of driver involvement no standard small Mercedes saloon has ever been able to muster.



As good as a BMW, then? Not exactly. The chassis and steering feel of the 3-series isn’t quite matched by the Mercedes and that extra weight does tell; point to point we’d expect the BMW to prove both more agile and involving. The gap, while reduced, is still there.

And there’s a price to be paid in ride quality, historically one of the C-class’s strongest suits. The C220 CDI lacks the trademark Mercedes saloon glide. Once up to speed it’s very comfortable and compliant, but around town it feels unsettled over ridges and potholes, and even on coarsely surfaced but otherwise smooth roads the ride is just a little fussier than we’d either expected or hoped for.

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Test Date 20 June 2007 Price When New £28,002

For Looks of Sport version, high-quality interior, wide power band, handling balance

Against Diesel rattle at idle, manual gearbox, foot-operated parking brake