MERCEDES C-CLASS
The
Mercedes-Benz C-class would be a useful accessory in the business arena - and it's surprisingly affordable, as June discovers
If you're determined to break through the glass ceiling in your company's management structure, you'll know that image, like it or not, has a part to play. How you dress is part of that, what you drive another. You'll want a car that sets you apart, a statement of confidence and individual style, above all a car that, like you, means to be taken seriously. Behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz C class, you'll know that you've found what you're looking for. Or so I was told by the dealer.
At first glance, I found it hard to decide exactly what size the latest C-class really was, so cleverly packaged are beautiful lines clearly derived from the larger S-class and recently the subject of a series of subtle revisions. I discovered pretty quickly mind you, after taking a
seat in the back. There's supposed to be more space than was on offer in the old model but it doesn't feel like it. For rear seat passengers, any Mondeo or Vectra would be preferable. Look beyond the sleek shape however, and longer-lasting virtues begin to appear. For a start, this is one of the safest cars in its class, a simple fact has far-reaching effects, particularly when it comes to weight.
With a body that's 26% stiffer, the latest C-class weighs over 100kgs more than its predecessor one reason why the C180K that I tried needs 2.0-litre power to propel it. Nevertheless, thanks mainly to the slippery shape (of 0.26cd), this entry-level model still manages to be more frugal than its predecessor.
Mercedes reckon that you could drive from London to Frankfurt half an hour faster while using the same amount of fuel.
Apart from sheer comfort and impeccable interior design, even the entry-level C180 delivers punchy performance. No, the 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine is not a little too small for a
Mercedes-Benz. This 143bhp unit is state-of-the-art, with a supercharger to provide the extra oomph.
Performance figures on paper are more than adequate - the C180K manages rest to sixty in around 9.7 seconds on the way to a maximum of around 145mph. Keep the fast track for your career advancement..
. The engineers from Stuttgart have worked hard to make this car handle better too and have to some extent succeeded. The traction and ride quality are class leading, though the overall package is still not calculated to please the real enthusiast. The 6-speed transmission should have helped in this respect especially in light of recent improvements, but it still doesnt, being not much better than the clonky unit in the previous car.
I found it just as difficult to use smoothly in up-hill getaways, thanks to the awkward floor-mounted footbrake. In almost any other car, that - and the rather lifeless steering - would be a major problem. That vast majority of C180K buyers however, will opt for a five-speed automatic that is predictably excellent though Ive found that the 'Tiptronic'-style manual shift mechanism can be a little abrupt. Inside, the interior is quite simply peerless. It benefits from better switchgear, modified seats and a little more visual flamboyance with chrome detailing and white, chronometer-style illuminated dials. Classic models feature fine wood trim as standard while Avantgarde models offer standard aluminium detailing with an option of Birds-Eye maple.
This sporting version also offers an interesting
seat trim, being a mix of fabric and what Mercedes dubs ARTICO. All models feature a revised climate control system thats a lot easier to get to grips with and a vertically stacked information display that runs between the speedometer and the rev counter. The performance car magazines will tell you that there are a handful of competitors who arguably shade the C-class in terms of handling finesse. Most experts however, suggest that the difference is so slight that even if you wished to drive your car to the limit, you'd be unlikely to notice it. Over more typical day-to-day journeys, all you'd notice is the indisputable fact that this 'small' Mercedes has the best ride quality in its class.
Arguably, the best bit is how much it will cost. Prices of family cars have been creeping up lately - especially if you get carried away with the extras. Even so, a mainstream Mondeo or Vectra with all the add-ons will probably fall £3,000 - £4,000 short of the £21,130 that Mercedes will ask for the C180K saloon I was driving, but look a little deeper and a different picture emerges. After a year and, say, 25,000 miles, the mainstream contenders could typically lose around 50% of their value.
Run over the same period with an equal mileage, the C180K would realise a value quite close to the original price when new, subject of course to wear and tear. In other words, taking depreciation and purchase price into account, the Mercedes buyer gets the last laugh. And unlike the more basic Mercedes-Benz standard models of the past, the latest C180K comes impressively well equipped. Theres a choice of saloon and estate bodystyles.
Waiting lists at your local dealer attest to the esteem in which British buyers hold the new generation model. When disposal time comes, there should be an army of ready buyers willing to pay serious money to take your C180K off your hands.
The more closely you examine the C-class, particularly in C180 form, the more sense it makes. The same could be said of almost any model bearing the famous three-pointed star, of course. It's just that in the case of the C180K, most of us can act on it. I'd like to...
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