Wheels Australia — June 2017

148 wheelsmag.com.au

Price

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

Price Engtype Engsize Power Torque Trans.Kerbweight0-100km/h 0-400metresFuel cons.RONResale % tested DriveIssue tested Drive

C-ClassCoupe Nolongeratwo-doorsedan

Sharp pricing and equipment; rorty 2.0 turbo for C300; ride of Airmatic suspension

Steering not as sharp as other dynamics; base drivetrains not particularly sporty


 The Pick: C63 coupe is one of the truly great AMGs, but even the C200 is a sweetheart

C200 $65,900 L4T 2.0 135 300 A7 1505 7.7 — 6.0 95 57 R

C250d $74,900 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A9 1645 6.7 — 4.4 D 57 R

C300 $83,355 L4T 2.0 180 370 A7 1565 6.0 — 6.6 95 57 R

C43 AMG $105,615 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1660 4.7 — 7.8 98 57 A

C63 S AMG $162,115 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A7 1800 3.9 — 8.7 98 55 R

C-ClassConv Thefirstdrop-topC-Class

Styling; body strength; minimal wind noise and buffeting, even at freeway speeds

Extra weight dulls handling; price premium over Coupe; boot space is limiting


 The Pick: The C300 has decent poke, but the C43 AMG is a significant step up

C200 $85,900 L4T 2.0 135 300 A9 1645 8.2 — 6.8 95 57 R

C300 $99,900 L4T 2.0 180 370 A9 1690 6.4 — 7.2 95 57 R

C43 AMG $119,900 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1870 4.8 — 8.5 98 57 A

C63 S AMG $179,900 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A7 1925 4.1 — 9.4 98 55 R

SLC SLKgetsanamechange

Versatility;SLCischeaperthanSLKitreplaces; performance of 43; looks the business

43 can’t match performance or sound of SLK55; ageing interior; more cruiser than sporty


 The Pick: The 300 offers plenty in performance and gear, or go for the cruisier 200 to save

SLC180 $70,900 L4T 1.6 115 250 A9 1428 8.1 — 6.2 95 R

SLC200 $83,855 L4T 2.0 135 300 A9 1509 6.9 — 6.2 95 R

SLC300 $99,855 L4T 2.0 180 370 A9 1512 5.8 — 6.3 95 R

SL43 AMG $134,615 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1591 4.7 — 7.9 98 R

E-Class Lookmum,nohands

Cutting-edge tech; luxurious interior; oodles of standard kit; pleasing road manners

Australia misses out on some of the fancy tech; mild wind noise; prices have gone up


 The Pick: The E400 is a ripper; all-paw E43 even better. Or go for the frugality of the E220d

E200 $89,990 L4T 2.0 135 300 A9 — 7.7 — 6.4 95 46 R

E220d $92,900 L4D 2.0 143 400 A9 — 7.3 — 4.1 D 46 R

E300 $107,900 L4T 2.0 180 370 A9 — 6.2 7.1 95 R

E350d $134.900 L6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 — 5.9 — 5.6 D 46 R

E350e $131,600 L4TDH 2.1 210 550 A9 — 6.2 — 2.4 95 R

E400 $139,900 V6TT 3.0 245 480 A9 — 5.2 — 8.4 95 A

E43 AMG 4Matic $159,900 V6TT 3.0 295 520 A9 — 4.6 — 8.4 98 A

E-ClassCoupe FinallybasedonanE-Class

Spacious coupe cabin; beautiful interior and attention to detail; supple ride

Weight dulls performance; lacks cornering sizzle; semi-autonomous tech overhyped


 The Pick: Go the whole hog and get the E400, which brings AWD. Or wait for the AMG six

E220d $96,000 L4TD 2.0 143 400 A9 1735 7.4 — 4.9 D R

E300 $110,900 L4T 2.0 180 370 A9 1685 6.4 — 6.4 95 R

E400 $145,900 V6TT 3.0 245 480 A9 1845 5.3 — 8.1 95 A

E-ClassCabrio E-Class’slidlopped

Airscarf and Aircap-equipped for top-down winter warmth; terrific top-up refinement

No rip-snorting V8 in the line-up any more; it’s a Benz for cruisers, not drivers


 The Pick: As in the Coupe, the E400 is hard to go past if you like convertibles

E200 $90,855 L4T 2.0 135 300 A7 1660 8.2 — 6.5 95 53 R

E250 $108,855 L4T 2.0 155 350 A7 1690 7.5 — 6.5 95 53 R

E400 $145,615 V6TT 3.0 245 480 A7 1770 5.3 — 7.7 95 53 R

CLS Stillthemostcrediblefour-doorcoupe

Still-pretty looks; lovely cabin; brilliant steering and Airmatic ride (even on CLS63 AMG)

Petrol V6 can’t match the oiler; CLS63 AMG will never return 10L/100km; only seats four


 The Pick: 350 CDI over an A7 3.0 TDI; storming AMG a coin-toss away from Jaguar XF R

CLS 250d $115,355 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A7 1710 7.5 — 5.4 D 44 R

CLS 250d S-Brake $125,355 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A7 1790 7.8 — 5.6 D 44 R

CLS400 $140,115 V6TT 3.0 245 480 A7 1815 5.3 — 7.8 95 46 R

CLS500 $171,115 V8TT 4.7 300 600 A9 1815 4.8 — 6.8 95 46 R

CLS500 S-Brake $181,115 V8TT 4.7 300 600 A9 1815 4.9 — 8.9 95 46 R

CLS63 AMG S $251,115 V8TT 5.5 430 800 A7 1795 4.3 12.210.0 98 44 10/14 R

S-Class Arguablytheworld’sbestsedan

Incredible combination of agility, ride comfort and silence; superb seats; keen steering

Some trim combinations are putrid – money can’t buy taste; expensive


 The Pick: The SWB S500 with 20-inch wheels because the brilliant ride still works

S300e $199,455 L4TDH 2.1 150 500 A7 2015 7.6 — 4.5 D 48 08/14 R

S350d $220,955 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A7 1880 6.8 — 6.0 D 48 02/14 R

S350d L $228,340 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A7 1900 6.8 — 6.0 D 48 R

S400 L $234,716 V6TT 3.0 245 480 A7 1920 5.3 — 7.9 95 50 R

S500 $294,715 V8TT 4.7 335 700 A7 1920 4.8 — 9.2 95 45 02/14 R

S500L $319,715 V8TT 4.7 335 700 A7 1940 4.8 — 9.2 95 45 09/13 R

S500e $317,715 V6TH 3.0 325 650 A7 2215 5.2 — 2.8 95 R

S600 L $419,715 V8TT 6.0 390 830 A7 2110 4.6 — 11.3 98 46 R

S600 Maybach $448,325 V12TT 6.0 390 830 A7 2260 5.0 — 11.7 98 45 R

S63 AMG $392,715 V8TT 5.5 430 900 A7 1970 4.0 — 10.2 98 55 11/13 R

S63 AMG L $404,715 V8TT 5.5 430 900 A7 2095 4.5 — 10.2 98 45 R

S65 AMG L $492,715 V12TT 6.0 463 1000 A7 2175 4.3 — 11.9 98 45 R

S-ClassCoupe Two-doorGermanpowerhaus

New generation gets big lift in interior presentation; nine-speed debut for base V8

Pricing, plus the cost of rear tyres, and probably insurance; and is the V12 worth it?


 The Pick: New twin-turbo V8s promise better economy with still-brilliant performance

S500 $327,215 V8TT 4.7 335 700 A9 1955 4.6 — 8.6 95 64 02/16 R

S63 AMG $414,715 V8TT 5.5 430 900 A7 1995 4.2 — 10.2 98 53 R

GLA-Class Cityalmostmeetscountry

Think of it as a slightly larger, comfier, more practical A-Class – we actually like it more

Not a proper SUV by any means, with tight rear seat room; turbo-diesel a bit gruff


 The Pick: The GLA250 4matic is a superb jacked-up driver’s hatch

GLA180 $43,600 L4T 1.6 90 200 S7 1435 9.2 — 5.7 95 61 F

GLA220d $50,400 L4TD 2.1 130 350 S7 1535 7.7 — 4.5 D 61 F

GLA250 $60,700 L4T 2.0 155 350 S7 1505 7.1 — 7.0 95 63 A

GLA45 AMG $84,315 L4T 2.0 280 475 S7 1585 4.8 — 7.5 98 63 A

CLA-Class A-Classwithatail

Frameless doors give it a coupe feel; quality interior feel; big boot; fiesty AMG go

Tight in the back seats; price premium over A-Class


 The Pick: CLA45 is a riot but the all-paw CLA 250 Sport does loads for the money

CLA200 $52,500 L4T 1.6 115 250 S7 1430 7.9 — 5.6 95 59 F

CLA200 S-Brake $54,000 L4T 1.6 115 250 S7 1460 8.2 — 6.1 95 59 F

CLA220d $53,900 L4TD 2.1 130 350 S7 1525 7.7 — 4.2 D 59 F

CLA220d S-Brake $55,400 L4TD 2.1 130 350 S7 1555 7.8 — 4.4 D 59 F

CLA250 Sport $67,600 L4T 2.0 160 350 S7 1550 6.4 — 6.9 95 60 A

CLA250 Sport S-B $68,600 L4T 2.0 160 350 S7 1565 6.7 — 7.0 95 60 A

CLA45 AMG $92,215 L4T 2.0 280 475 S7 1585 4.2 — 7.4 98 60 A

CLA45 AMG S-Brake $92,215 L4T 2.0 280 475 S7 1615 4.3 — 7.4 98 60 A

B-Class StillnotquiteA-grade

Spacious mini-MPV now with quality and class; competitive drivetrains; grippy 4matic

Jiggly ride quality on standard run-flat tyres; slightly odd styling; uninspiring dynamics


 The Pick: A reasonable effort, but ride quality lets it down. Try a BMW 2 Active Tourer

B180 $42,400 L4T 1.6 90 200 S7 1425 9.1 — 5.5 95 50 F

B200 $48,900 L4T 1.6 115 250 S7 1425 8.6 — 5.5 95 51 06/12 F

B200d $49,400 L4TD 2.1 100 300 S7 1505 9.8 — 4.2 D 51 06/12 F

B250 4Matic $55,900 L4T 2.0 155 350 S7 1505 6.7 — 6.8 95 51 A

C-Class S-Classgoescompact

Aerodynamic style; punchy petrol engines;superb cabin; fine dynamics; stonking AMG

Rear seat comfort not great; coil-sprung models don’t ride like the Airmatic versions


 The Pick: C250 with optional Airmatic for practical types; either AMG for petrolheads

C200 $61,400 L4T 2.0 135 300 A7 1465 7.7 15.4 6.0 95 59 10/15 R

C200 Estate $63,900 L4T 2.0 135 300 A7 1525 7.5 — 6.2 95 56 R

C200d $62,900 L4TD 1.6 100 300 A7 1505 10.2 — 4.6 D 60 R

C200d Estate $65,400 L4TD 1.6 100 300 A7 1580 10.6 — 4.7 D 56 R

C250 $69,400 L4T 2.0 155 350 A7 1480 6.7 14.8 6.0 95 60 04/16 R

C250 Estate $71,900 L4T 2.0 155 350 A7 1545 6.8 — 6.9 95 56 10/14 R

C250d $70,900 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A7 1595 6.6 — 4.5 D 60 R

C250d Estate $73,400 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A7 1660 6.9 — 4.8 D 56 R

C300h $75,300 L4TDH 2.1 150 500 A7 1715 6.4 — 4.0 D 57 R

C350e $75,300 L4TH 2.0 205 600 A7 1780 5.9 — 2.4 95 60 R

C350e Estate $77,800 L4TH 2.0 205 600 A7 1840 6.2 — 2.6 95 60 R

C43 AMG $101,900 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1690 4.7 — 8.2 98 57 A

C43 AMG Estate $104,400 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1735 4.8 — 8.3 98 57 A

C63 S AMG $155,615 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A7 1580 4.2 12.2 8.6 95 60 04/17 R

C63 S AMG Estate $158,115 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A7 1650 4.1 — 8.7 95 60 10/15 R

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L=in-line,

V=vee,

F=flat,

R=rotary.

Number of cyls or rotors.

T=turbo,

S= s'charged,

D=diesel,

H=hybrid

LitresKilowattsNewton metresM

=m

anual,

A

=automatic,

S=sequential,

C=CVT

Kilograms0-100km/h acceleration, in secs(Wheels

tested figures in italics)

0-400m acceleration, in sec s(Wheels

tested figures in italics)

Fuel consumption inLitr

es/100km

Recommended octane ratingGlass's predicted resalera

ting, retained after 3 years

Rec When we drove it

ommended Retail Price

at time of publication(* indicates driveaway) F= F

ront drive,

R=Reardrive,

A

=All-wheel drive

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