AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 107T
he Mercedes W205 C
Class range opens with
the $63,700 C200 sedan, with
a 135kW/280Nm, 1.5-litre
turbopetrol/nine-speed
automatic, tested here. The
143kW/400Nm 2.0-litre
turbodiesel C220d is $65,200
and the 190kW/370Nm 2.0-litre
turbopetrol C300 is $71,800.
In AMG territory, the
287kW/520Nm 3.0-litre twin
turbo V6 C43 is $108,600 and
the big banger C63S, with a
375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin
turbo V8, is $160,900.
Each drivetrain is also available
in the Estate wagon, starting at
$66,200 for the C200 and topping
out at $163,400 for the C63S.
The base C200’s 1.5-litre
four-cylinder turbopetrol
engine produces the same
135kW of power as the 2.0-litre
turbo it replaced in mid 2018,
but 20Nm less torque (now
280Nm). It has also put on 40kg,
largely due to its new EQ Boost
mild hybrid drivetrain.
As a consequence, it’s half a
second slower from 0-100km/h,
taking 7.7 seconds for the trip.
Fuel effi ciency is the overriding
priority now, so performance
has suffered.
EQ Boost uses a 48-volt
network, with a lithium-ion
battery and a starter motor/
alternator assembly between the
engine and transmission.
When you put your foot down,
the alternator gets a surge of
electricity from the battery that
assists engine performance by up
to 10kW, and reduces turbo lag.
It’s automatically recharged by
regenerative braking, contributes
to smoother, quicker automatic
stop/start in traffi c, and decouples
the engine at highway speeds,
allowing the C200 to “glide” on a
light or trailing throttle with the
engine switched off.
Pointy end technology
extends to the cabin, where
an all-digital dash includes
confi gurable instruments and
a big infotainment screen, with
gesture control via touchpadson the steering wheel and
centre console, plus a manual
controller. Navigation, digital
radio and Apple CarPlay/Android
Auto are included, but the slick
new Siri-style MBUX voice control
in the new A Class is missing.
Mercedes fake cow upholstery
actually feels more luxe and
leathery than the real hide used
in some other brands.
It’s worth ticking the
adjustable suspension option
on a Benz because it delivers
a more compliant ride and
assured handling than the
standard setup, especially with
the W205’s runfl at tyres. On the
C200, it’s money well spent.
You sit deep in the C Class, with
vast seat travel, but the driver’s
seat itself, though fi rm and
comfortable, offers little upper
body support when cornering.
Rear-seat legroom, maximised
by deeply concaved front seat
backs, allows tall passengers in
the W205 to enjoy more space thanin previous models. Autonomous
emergency braking operates up to
105km/h. Blind spot monitoring is
also standard; lane keeping and
adaptive cruise are optional.
The 1.5 gets the Benz
off the line with impressive
responsiveness and low-speed
tractability is excellent, so it works
particularly well around town.
On the open road, though, it does
feel lethargic in the midrange
compared with a 2.0-litre.
If you take the adaptive
suspension option, you also get
one of the best-handling cars on
the road. The rear-wheel-drive
C Class is traditional Benz at
its best: beautifully balanced,
as solid and tight as they come,
and a wonderfully engaging
drive, with uncorrupted, intuitive
steering, powerful, progressive
brakes and premium, staggered-
size Continental tyres.
The C200 is a sweet car, let
down by dull performance. If
you’re after a C Class, try the
C300 and you might agree that
it’s worth the extra $8000.MERCEDES C-CLASS FROM $63,700
SafetyPerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for money
Overall
STARS
THINGS WE LIKE
Superb handling and a
comfortable ride with adjustable
suspension option
Stylish, high-tech cabin
As safe as they come
Great fuel effi ciency on the highway
Improved rear-seat legroom and
comfort
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Sluggish on the open road
Weak resale values
Short warrantySPEX
Made in South Africa
1.5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/
nine-speed automatic/rear-wheel
drive
135kW of power from
5800-6100rpm/280Nm of torque
from 3000-4000rpm
0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds (claimed)
5.2L/100km highway; 8.4L/100km
city; 95 octane premium; CO²
emissions are 145gkm
Warranty: Three years/unlimited km
Standard: Nine airbags,
stability control, AEB, blind spot
monitoring, automatic parking,
dual-zone air, LED headlights,
18-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth,
navigation, digital radio, Apple
CarPlay, Android Auto
Redbook future values: 3yr: 44%;
5yr: 29%compare with ...
Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3
Series, Jaguar XE, Lexus ISS