Super C

DaimlerChrysler South Africa revealed the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz C-class in Stellenbosch on October 9, and for the first time the Stuttgart star looks set to go head to head with BMW’s blue and white roundel.

  While the C and the Three have always been rivals in this market, there have been subtle distinction in terms of specification level, model line-up, and of course, target market. The young and upwardly mobile opted for the latter, with the Benz differing in that it attracted an older and more conservative buyer. With the latest version, Merc wants to see that change and aim to bring down the average age of owners by six or seven years and also attract a bigger percentage of female buyers.

 In addition, the car’s introductory pricing looks especially keen, with the C spanning a price range from R168 000 to R265 000 – equivalent to a two percent price hike on similarly-equipped outgoing models, according to DCSA .

  According to Merc’s passenger car marketing head, Fritz van Olst, the C-class flags in a new era for the brand locally, and is extremely important for the East London-based assembler. DCSA has invested R1, 3-billion in the Eastern Cape plant and will build C-class for 11 export markets, including Japan.

  And on the face of it this baby Merc certainly seems to have the credentials to get to the younger at heart, boasting attractive styling in a compact package. The car’s most striking feature is the headlights – a more contemporary interpretation of the four round headlights first introduced in the E-class of 1995.  Now the ovals blend into the bodywork more elegantly, while overall the front of the car has a purposeful, powerful look to it. This is thanks to the grille, which stands more upright than the lights, and a discreet front spoiler with integrated foglights.

There’s a pronounced wedge to the profile, with powerful rear three-quarters thanks to a rising waistline vaguely reminiscent of the CLK coupe. As at the front, the rear lights of the C define the upper edge of the fender – as they did on the previous car – but now more nearly executed.  The rear bumper is also seamlessly integrated into the bodywork (as it is at the front), the two steeply angled inner edges of the trapezoidal light clusters created a strong “V”, once again giving the car a powerful appearance.   The overall effect is a car that looks good from just about any angle, with muscular yet elegant lines.

 It is extremely slippery too, with a drag coefficient of just 0,26 and this results in fuel consumption some 13 percent lower than that of previous C-class models.

  The engine line-up starts with a 2,0 litre four, which, confusingly, powers the C180 models. This basic 16-valve engine in supercharged form is what powers the C200 Kompressor, forced induction pushing output from 95 kW/190 Nm to 120 kW/230 Nm with an abundance of torque from low revs.

There are also two models powered by Merc’s modular, three-valves-per-cylinder V6 – the C240 (which is actually a 2,6 litre) and the flagship C320.

  Initially, all powerplants are mated to the accomplished five-speed automatic (with integrated Tippshift for manual gear selection), with six-speed manuals for C180 and C200K next month. Early 2001 will see the addition of a turbodiesel, in the form of the five-cylinder C270 Cdi.

Making it more agile and sporty both outside, inside, and underneath were key to the repositioning strategy for this car, and to that end most of the bits that affect the way car and road interface have been changed.