Let’s Torque About This

2014 Mercedes Benz C250 Bluetec review

Recently, I tried something I never thought I’d ever do in my life. It was called ‘hot yoga’ and it was simply one of the most ridiculous things I have ever attempted in my life. You’re put in a hot room with half naked people and you all sweat together as you fold yourself to become human origami. Essentially it’s like self inflicted torture but to make things worse you’re breathing other people’s sweat. Yes, it was as ridiculous as it sounds. I honestly couldn’t think of anything more horrible way of spending a Friday night. I would rather stick my head into an elephant’s bottom.

I literally have no idea how I got convinced to try it but I’m glad I did. I assumed yoga would be easy because it’s something one imagines housewives doing after doing the school run. It’s actually a lot harder than it sounds and I do appreciate the skill required for it. Nevertheless I still thing it’s a load of bollocks. That said I did feel more refreshed afterwards so that’s a plus. So I tried something new and it wasn’t what I expected but I’m glad I did because I now know what to avoid next time.

This brings me on to the car I’ve been driving recently. It’s the new Mercedes-Benz C250 Bluetec and yes I know, I’ve already driven a C-Class but that was the C200 petrol. That all nice and well, a small turbocharged petrol engine in a small limo was surprisingly swift and smooth. Just what you want from a limo. But how would the diesel compare? Would the extra grunt for the diesel engine be enough to turn the C-Class into a semi-sports saloon? It should also be noted that this will be my last review with Mercedes-Benz Wellington so as farewells go, what’s the C250 like? But first the engine.

Only a few years ago diesel engines were reserved for agricultural 4x4s, tractors, and big rigs. Diesels were rough, coarse, and hopelessly slow. That’s no longer the case today. Diesels have become more refined, more powerful, and more popular. We see diesels all over the place from Le Mans racers to small city cars and even high-end luxury cars. In Europe diesels are king and they’re becoming more accepted in markets that didn’t traditionally favour them, i.e. Japan and the USA.

So bring all that together in a Mercedes sedan and you’d expect it to be smooth and refined. And you’d be right. Previously, the only other diesel Mercedes tested was the GLA200 CDI and that was a bit rough and didn’t seem quite right for a premium car. I suggested it should have this ‘250’ engine. It ups the engine size from 1.6-litres to a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel but with a bit more power. In this guise the engine pumps out 204bhp and a whopping 500NM of torque. 500 of anything is always good. 500 dollars, 500 pints of beer, and especially 500NM! To put that into perspective the old 6.2 C63 AMG had 600NM. The great thing about this engine is the immediacy of all that torque. Available from as low as 2000rpm, you get the sensation of a much faster car as you accelerate. It’s not as responsive as a petrol engine, no diesel I’ve tried ever has been, but for a small turbo diesel it’s mighty impressive.

All that torque gives the C250 a punch as effective as it was surprising, as if Manny Pacquiao was under the bonnet. You could even say it can walk to the walk and torque the torque… Anyway, it also makes a semi-sporty noise. Actually for a diesel the noise isn’t too bad. It’s only noticeable on idle but that can be solved by having the stop/start function turned on. On the motorway and in town conditions the engine is quite hushed and settles to a distant hum. Only when your right foot gets heavy do you get a noise that somewhat resembles blending pebbles.

Never would I have expected a diesel powered Mercedes sedan to feel as much like a performance car as this thing did. Even with a diesel engine adding weight to the nose, it still steered nicely. It had decent weight to the steering and was direct. Placing the C-Class on the road was no problem and it provided a safe and secure driving style. Even when pushed it never seems to want to step out of line. It’s such a confidence inspiring car. It encouraged you to keep pushing and when you did you could with the knowledge of the safety gubbins working away in the background. All safety tech is there to help make the driving experience better, not ruin it. It made me feel like a hero. With 204bhp it felt like it had enough grunt for most situations. It felt controllable and not at all intimidating. It’s not a sports car by any means but it did feel relatively sporty, which for a diesel sedan is quite an impressive feat.

The road for the review was the Akatarawa Road. This was a long and narrow stretch of twisty hill road in the middle of nowhere. It stretches for 35 kilometres from the top of Upper Hutt to a small town called Waikanae. The road had blind, tight corners and an a variety of camber changes and different road surfaces. There were parts that were uphill, some downhill, and quite a few straights. It was the ideal road to find out if the C250 Bluetec was a sports sedan or not.

The C250 felt right and had a neutral handling. It didn’t understeer and despite the massive torque figure it didn’t oversteer either. Well, much. There were a couple of times around mid-corner where the back would kick out under power but never too much that I felt out of control. It’s such a manageable car to drive and really owes it to a well sorted chassis. I mean if this is the diesel variant with an AMG pack I can only imagine how wonderful the full V8 AMG C63 would be. Interestingly I found the C-Class AMG Line to be quite similar to the Lexus IS350 F-Sport. Okay, the IS had a 3.5-litre V6 under the bonnet which meant it felt a lot quicker but the subtle sporting changes over felt like they further enhanced the abilities of the car rather than spoiling or taking away from the whole ‘luxury’ experience.

The C200 felt like a little limo. It felt like a mini-S-Class in the way it went about its business. It was effortless, refined, and composed. That car sat on standard suspension and standard wheels. The C250 Bluetec as tested came with the AMG Line package which brings 15mm lower suspension and larger 19-inch wheels. Despite this it still rode with all the comfort you’d expect from a car bearing a three-point star. Even on the rough roads around Akatarawa it still managed to provide a comfortable ride. You do feel the road more with the AMG pack equipped but that’s to be expected as you are closer to the road. It wasn’t too much to make it a problem but just about right to make it feel sporty and connected.

But of course even with an AMG kit it still feels more suited to motorway driving. You can take the comfort out of a Mercedes but you can’t take the Mercedes out of comfort. That didn’t work as well as I hoped it would. Anyway, the C250 AMG Line does at least work on the motorway. The test car was optioned with the Vision Pack which includes a panoramic sunroof and heads-up display, and a Driver Assistance package which includes DISTRONIC Plus radar guided cruise control. It really should be called the fantastic motorway cruiser pack. The combination of all three turns driving up and down motorways from a chore to something you can truly enjoy.

DISTRONIC hooks on to the car in front and maintains a set speed. If the car in front slows down then the C-Class will automatically slow down too. Then should the car in front speed up, so too does the Merc. It’s completely genius and will even go to a complete stop. If that’s not enough the Attention Assist will make an audible and visual warning if the car senses you’re not paying attention to the road ahead. If you’ve you the reflexes of a log then it’ll semi apply the brakes. It’s all very smart.

I just wish the standard sat-nav was as good. The test car was almost the exact spec of my ideal C-Class. Palladium Silver with AMG Line and with Vision Pack. It just needed to be optioned with the COMAND Pack and it would’ve been perfect. The standard 7-inch screen isn’t bad but with the larger 8-inch display it brings the interior on to a whole different level. The bezel is also thinner but more importantly the sat-nav is hugely improved.

This is the third time I’ve tested a Mercedes with the Garmin Map PILOT sat-nav and in my previous two experiences with it was in an A-Class and GLA. It didn’t bother me so much in those cars as I understood they were ‘entry’ level Mercs. In a C-Class that’s nudging on $100k this sort of sat-nav is unacceptable. It’s not that it doesn’t work, it does, it’s just very slow and not all that intelligent. And why is the icon a pink car? Why? It’s not very good to look at either. It reminded me of a 1990s racing game. It looked very cartoonish and not at all as nice as the ‘proper’ COMAND system.

This was the first time I had gone on the Akatarawa road and assumed it was an easy straight up and then out to civilisation. Unfortunately there were roadworks. Granted this was a small road so the sat-nav wouldn’t have picked up but when I asked it to take me back to Mercedes-Benz Wellington it told me to straight ahead through the roadworks. So as I did a u-turn it recalculated the route, which took around a couple of minutes. I wasn’t impressed. Luckily the directions on the heads-up display were good and clear but it still frustrated me. I needed something to calm me down after this, but not yoga. Good thing the C250 had the grunt it had or else I’d have still been on that road.

Luckily you still get the same controls as you get with the larger screen so it’s all very easy to use and intuitive. The handwriting capable touchpad became easier to use the more I had practice with it. The standard sat-nav screen also comes with all the connectivity you’d ever need. Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB and iPod connectivity, digital radio, and it’s played through standard speakers. The C200 was fitted with Burmester speakers but even the standard fit speakers were good. It made think twice about having the Burmester in my ideal C-Class as there wasn’t much difference in sound quality to my ears. But then the Burmester speakers do look very nice so I’d have them anyway.

They add a lot the whole look and feel of the interior. Which is saying something as the interior is still my favourite part of the C-Class. It’s even better with the AMG Line fitted. In standard trim you get lovely Piano Black trim. Nothing wrong with that but in the AMG Line you get the most beautiful unpolished black ash wood trim. If that weren’t fancy enough you also get an analogue clock that looks as expensive as it costs to buy.

Space inside was good. Up front you get great space and lots of adjustability with the electric seats. The steering wheel is still offset though. As the gear selector is on the steering column there are lots of nifty cubby holes on the centre console. There’s a couple of cupholders and under the central armrest is a good sized cubby hole to store media devices as that’s where the USB ports are. The glovebox is pretty useable too, which comes as a nice surprise as most cars these days have pathetically small gloveboxes.

Behind my own driving position I had enough head and legroom to be comfortable for a cross continent trip. No seriously, it’s pretty nice in the back. The middle seat is a bit small and the transmission tunnel a bit big but if you’re only carrying three passengers then the C-Class is very good. The boot, complete with electric opening and closing function for sir, is a good size and shape. It’s identical to the Lexus IS and BMW 3-Series at 480L capacity too. The rear seats fold down with a 60/40 split if you need to carry larger items.

 

The AMG Line does make the gorgeous interior look even better but it also does wonders for the exterior. The standard C-Class is a very grand and elegant looking car. Certainly the most sophisticated, and dare I say most expensive looking car in its class. The mini-S-Class look has definitely paid off. Add the AMG styling bits such as a sportier front and rear bumpers, lower skirts, larger 19-inch multispoke alloys, and a cheeky spoiler on the bootlid and you’ve got a car that looks every bit as fast as it goes. I have to say it also looks even more impressive and expensive too. Here’s the thing though, while it does look fast it doesn’t shout about it. I like that. It’s flash without looking like trash.

I still believe this is the best looking C-Class to date. The previous W204 generation, particularly post-facelift looked aggressive. This one with the AMG Line fitted still pulls that trick but also with a touch more class. It looks and feels every bit as expensive as it’s price tag suggests. And more. There are a couple driving around Wellington already and every time one goes by, I can’t help but take a second look. They really do stand out thanks in part to the pretty daytime running lights.

There aren’t many optional extras for the C-Class. Most are bundled together in handy packages, such the AMG Line, Vision Package, and COMAND package. The standard features on the C-Class are very un-German in that there’s quite a lot thrown in. Intelligent LED headlights, a number of safety technology, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, 19-inch alloys, privacy glass, KEYLESS entry and go, and full leather upholstery to name a few. If this car had come out a decade or so ago you’d be lucky to have floor mats fitted as standard.

Audi and BMW do make some fantastic diesel engines. The 3.0TDI in the A6 Allroad and the 3.0-litre diesel in the X5 xDrive40d were two of the reasons why I started respecting and even liking diesel engines. While I have yet to try the equivalent diesel A4 or 3-Series I have no doubt that they’d be just as impressive as their larger siblings. I also know for a fact that the diesel engine in the Mercedes isn’t as quiet as the other two. But despite this I’d still put a strong case forward for the C250. The diesel does suit the C-Class quite well. It may not be responsive but it is effortless and packs quite a punch.

There are pros and cons for petrol and diesel engines and it depends on your driving style and preference. Both engines are good and I’m happy I got to try out a diesel powered C-Class. The C-Class is still my pick of this segment as it brings a whole new meaning to ‘affordable luxury’. As a small limo the C-Class is simply in a class of one. In terms of luxury, elegance, and class it blows the competition out of the water. Driving the diesel reminded me of the C-Class’ many talents and the engine itself does feel every bit as capable as its petrol counterpart. However as a personal preference I’d still go for petrol. I am a petrolhead after all. But like hot yoga I’m glad I tried the diesel engine. I see the appeal of a diesel, that torque and the range in particular. The C300 Bluetec Hybrid which combines a diesel engine and electric motor for the ultimate in C-Class economy could also be a worth option. Unlike hot yoga, however, I’d be happy to try the diesel or even the diesel hybrid again, and again, and again. At least with the C-Class the only things you’re burning are rubber and black fuel. Should you start to sweat it has a pretty damn good climate control system too.

Verdict: 9/10
Pros: Great looks and style, Mercedes image, class-leading interior design, superb build quality, good space, enjoyable drive, surprising performance, that incredible torque, decent fuel economy, loaded with technology, lots of safety kit..
Cons: Same as the C200; slightly offset steering wheel, awkward controls. Main one is the hopeless standard sat-nav screen though.
Diesel engine gives the already brilliant C-Class more talents. The extra torque and fuel range makes the C250 Bluetec a great long distance cruiser. However for most cases I’d still go for the petrol versions.

Specifications
Engine: 2143cc four-cylinder turbocharged diesel
Power: 204bhp, 150KW
Torque: 500NM
0-100 km/h: 6.6 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited)
Transmission: 7G-Tronic automatic
Fuel Economy: 4.5L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 116g/km
Drive: Rear-wheel
Weight: 1595kg
Length: 4686mm
Width: 1810mm
Height: 1442mm
Fuel Tank: 66L
Luggage Capacity: 480L

You Know I’m All About That Class

2014 Mercedes-Benz C200 review

Back in 1984 Mercedes-Benz did something not very revolutionary and not very exciting but it was the beginning of something great. You see in 1984 the Mercedes-Benz range was made up of big, expensive sedans, the SL convertible, and the G-Wagen. The 80s were a much simpler time, long before niche markets and an alphabet soup of badging was the norm. So when Mercedes launched the compact sedan which was the 190E, or the W201, it caused quite a stir in 1984. And rightly so.

I could just be making this up but the W201 got its name after Mercedes-Benz spent 201 hours, 39 minutes and 43 seconds testing the car at high speed at the Nardo test track in Italy. That’s such a German thing to; “Hans, ve must test ze auto for precisely two hunzred und vun hours”. In this time the factory standard 190E averaged a top speed of 250 km/h, covered 50,000km non-stop, and broke 12 world records along the way. This was one of the many achievements made by the 190E. It proved to be a great starting point for future Compact executive cars from Mercedes, which of course became known as the C-Class.

While the “first” C-Class was the W202 generation from 1993, many including myself consider the 190E to be the first C-Class only it was launched at a time in Mercedes’ history where their naming structure was quite odd. Anyway, glossing over that and back to the W202. This was a handsome looking car though it wasn’t all the exciting to drive. Then came the W203, “peanut lights” and all. I’l be honest and say this is my least favourite generation of C-Class. The looks, Sport Coupe and AMG models aside, never did it for me. But boy did this have some great AMG models. Two in fact; the C32 with a supercharged V6 and C55 with a 5.4-litre V8. Both are cars I want very much.

At this point the C-Class was always considered to be a 3-Series rival, a worthy contender but more a thorn in the Beemer’s side than a real threat. That is, until the W204 came along. This car was damn close to perfection, especially after its mid-life facelift. It looked great, drove great, had a lovely interior and did everything you’d expect from a Mercedes. The cherry on top was that it was priced quite nicely too. And the C63 AMG version was one hell of a ride. This was the only W204 generation I drove and I remember laughing at myself because the photos I had taken for the review were completely rubbish. It was because my hands were still shaking from excitement so they were either blurry or half the car was missing. That thing was a thrill-a-minute machine.

So we come to the new 2014 C-Class in its W205 generation, the fifth iteration of Mercedes’ compact sedan. I’ve been looking forward to driving this for a very long time. I first saw photos of it online earlier in the year when it was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. Then I attended the Launch Event for it in July at Mercedes-Benz Wellington. So here we are now and right from the off I can say with full confidence this is no longer a thorn in the 3-Series’ side but the only car worthy of usurping it from its throne. There is a caveat though; BMW make bold claims about being “the ultimate driving machine” so the 3-Series goes down the sporty path of executive motoring. Nothing wrong with that and there’s no arguing with the results; the 3-Series is widely praised as being pretty fun to drive. That’s just something BMW have always been good at. So with the new C-Class, Mercedes have gone down a different road. The C-Class has gone back to the roots of the old W201 and W202 by becoming a sort of mini-S-Class again. That’s not to say it’s no fun to drive, ooooh no.

When I first moved to Wellington I have to say I was bit disappointed by it. Compared to all the other capital cities I’ve visited (Tokyo, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore) it was just a bit… small. I thought it was more a town than a city. But then the more time I spent here the more I grew to love this little city and the more I understood its appeal. Everything is accessible. You could literally walk from the top of Mt. Victoria to the sandy beach at Oriental Bay. Not many cities in the world can let you walk from a mountain to a beach in an hour or so. It’d probably take me half a day though. Recently the style bible that is Vogue magazine proclaimed Wellington to be the “coolest little capital city in the world”. I’d have to agree. You have all the benefits of living in a capital city such as great sights, attractions, world-class food, convenience, so and so forth but without all the usual capital city drawbacks such as congestion, pollution, and high living costs. As I was driving around Wellington in the C-Class I realised this could very well be the coolest little limo in the world.

By going down the comfort and refined path and taking the whole “Honey, I shrunk the S-Class” philosophy to heart, the C-Class is like Wellington in that it offers you all the typical benefits of a luxury limo but without all the usual drawbacks. The C-Class looks and feels expensive, it is very smooth and refined, it’s packed full of the latest technology and it makes you feel special. However, unlike the S-Class this isn’t a huge barge of a thing so you don’t need a chauffeur to drive it, because it’s a lot smaller than an S-Class you can have fun with it on a hill road, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to buy and run.

Let’s start with the looks. Opinion seems to be divided on this one. Some have said it looks very “elegant and stylish”, others have said it looks “awkward and has a weird shape”. Those were the exact comments the first generation Mercedes CLS received when that was launched and now look at it. People are harping over how it was a design masterpiece. Personally I like this new C-Class design, I’d say its the prettiest in all its five generations. As with every other C-Class that’s gone before it, it does look like a shrunken S-Class. Not that that’s a bad thing, it looks very expensive because of it. However if I were to buy one, and how I wish I could, I’d spec it with the AMG package. With the AMG bumpers, the C-Class is undoubtedly the best looking car in its class. And I’ll take no arguments on that. Compared to the C-Class the current 3-Series looks a bit conservative, the Lexus IS a bit too fussy, the Audi A4 too dull and dated, and the Jaguar XE though not yet released, is let down but its half-arsed arse.

I was trying to pin why the C-Class’ design looked familiar and it’s not because of the S-Class but it’s because we’ve seen it before. It was actually previewed 4 years ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show by the F800 Style Concept. Give that a quick Google Images search and tell me that wasn’t the inspiration for the C-Class. Up front you have Mercedes’ now traditional two-bar grille with their badge in the middle. Their old traditional grille where the badge stuck out of the bonnet is now only reserved for the S-Class. We don’t even have the option of it in NZ. It’s the same story with the E-Class. I can live with that, I’m not sure if other Merc fans can. What makes the front stand out though are those pretty headlights. You get lovely daytime running lights as standard but also full LED headlights, which look like expensive jewellery.

From the side you have the classic proportions of a front-engine, rear-wheel drive car. It has a long bonnet and a pushed back cab design. Side on is my favourite angle to view the C-Class simply because I like its shape. I like how the back slopes down too. It’s a short bum but just the way the rear window slopes to the boot reminds me of those old coach-style cars from the 1930s. Maybe I’m alone in thinking that but it just elevates the look of the car to a whole new level. It looks far more expensive than it’s relatively modest starting price. From the back is where the S-Class similarities are most visible. It has a similar taillight design as the S-Class with similar graphics too. I’m not so sure on these yet. They’ll probably grow on as I see more on the road but at the moment these don’t have the same immediate impact as the previous design. People don’t go “ooh, that’s a Mercedes” but rather they went “oh, that’s a Mercedes?”

Step inside though and there’s no mistaking that this couldn’t be anything other than a Mercedes. It looks top class in there. Where do I even begin? Okay, the dash. The dash is dominated by that huge 8-inch display. That’s an optional extra, the standard screen is only 7-inches, but it’s an extra I’d urge you to get. Not only does it look better but it comes with a lot of handy features too. I would’ve preferred a similar screen display as the E and S-Class though. I know why Mercedes have chosen a tablet-stlye screen as per the A-Class and GLA, to appeal to younger buyers, but it does look a bit awkward sticking out like that. Some rivals allow their screens to fold away, that doesn’t happen here. It’s not to everyone’s taste but I could live with it because it does what its supposed to so damn well. Coming down from the screen you’ll notice a black slab of piano black trim. It’s like a big old Steinway was slapped across the dash and that’s that. It’s an elegant looking thing and feel wonderful to touch. Not that you’d be touching it often as there are very few buttons on it. Everything is controlled via a newer and larger COMAND dial or via new and shiny touchpad. The few buttons are a mix between push buttons for the infotainment system and toggle switches for the climate control. Of course you can control the climate control via COMAND but every man loves operating a toggle switch. Speaking of climate control, you’ll notice the air vents are a work of art. Unfortunately this one didn’t have the analogue clock, which is a shame as that alone was reason enough to buy this car over its fellow German rivals which don’t come with an analogue clock.

It’s one thing for it to look nice but it should feel nice too. And thankfully it’s as nice to touch as it is to see. Actually, it’s as nice to smell too. This car plays with your senses in all the right ways. No, not all the surfaces are trimmed in leather as per the S-Class but there’s generous use of soft-touch materials. Everything has an expensive feel to it. The aluminium trim on the doors, the controls for the electric seats, the damping of the buttons and stalks, the aluminium start button, and the quality of the leather are some of the best I’ve come across. The Burmester speakers are gorgeous. I’ve gotten a bit bored with all the usual Bose, Harman/Kardon, and JBL sounds systems that are standard in a lot of cars these days. Only two other car companies use Burmester speakers; Porsche and Bugatti. Yup, quite an exclusive club. The ones fitted to this C-Class were crisp, clear, and just so damn cool. My favourite speakers fitted to any car are the pop up Bang & Olufsens in the SLS, Aston Martins, and Audis but these Burmester ones are a close second. Form and function, what’s not to love? Unfortunately it’s not all perfect. There were some little niggles I had with the controls. The main one was for the cruise control stalk which was awkwardly positioned behind the steering wheel. This is the same in other Mercs but for some reason I couldn’t get to it properly. I ended up getting the indicator stalk more than once by mistake. Then there’s the rotary dial and touch pad combo. Because the touch pad is directly over the dial it makes it awkward to use. I can understand why Mercedes have both, but one would’ve sufficed. If they’d combined the two it would’ve been too similar to the BMW’s iDrive which wouldn’t have gone down well. That’d be like showing up to Oktoberfest with a bottle of champagne and a Frenchman. A massive no-no.

The new COMAND system is pretty similar to the old COMAND system. Why fix something that ain’t broke right? Changing songs you either push the dial left or right or turn it. You’d think turning it would adjust volume but that’s on a separate button. Of course you could use the steering wheel controls which are more convenient, which is what I ended up resorting to. Having two ways to control one thing sounds good at first but it becomes overwhelming. I’m sure with more practice it’d be second nature but on first impressions it was a lot to take in. Other than those niggles, everything else was business as usual. The display was nice and clear with only important information being displayed on the screen (this being a Mercedes golf courses and petrol stations dominated the POIs). It has a 3D mapping which looks great in the city. Not so out in the country. Another great feature was the optional heads-up display. Not only does it make you feel like you’re in the year 2050, it’s also a great safety feature. By displaying only key information such as navigation directions and speed, there’s no need to move your eyes away from the road. It’s brilliant and about time Mercedes got it into their cars. Rivals such as BMW and even Citroen have been doing it for a while now.

Space is plentiful inside. There’s lots of adjustment in the electrically operated front seats, which offer great support too. Steering column adjusts manually for reach and rake. Headroom was great, even with a panoramic roof. In the back there’s decent levels of head and legroom too. The middle seat does have an intrusive transmission tunnel under it but despite this I was able to squeeze myself on it. Once there I found I still had enough headroom, my head wasn’t touching the roof, and the footwells were big enough to put my feet somewhere. The large windows and panoramic roof add a lot light inside and make the interior feel airy. If anything this is the contributor to making it feel spacious and luxurious inside. Thanks to big windows visibility out is great. Looking out, side, and back is easy and there are little blind spots. Of course with blind spot assist on the good sized wing mirrors they’d be dealt with ease anyway. As for practicality, well the boot is as big as the 3-Series at 480L and there cubbyholes in the cabin are plentiful. Since the gear selector is up on the steering column the centre console is just a great big collection of places to lose your phone. Or somewhere to put the key fob.

Driving the C-Class is a wonderful experience in its own right. Call me a snob but to me a premium car must have at least 6-cylinders, any less just won’t do. But then everyone had a look around and noticed fuel prices were going up. We still wanted our posh cars but didn’t want to end up like Greece in debt. So premium manufacturers started downsizing their engines. You can now get an E-Class with a four-pot engine. How’s that for a sign of times? Powering this C200 is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol pumping out a healthy 182bhp and 300NM of torque. That’s enough to get this mini-limo from 0-100 km/h in 7 seconds. That’s pretty good for a car that’s 4686mm long, 1810mm wide, and weighs around 1600kg. It’s actually lighter than its predecessor which is good for performance, fuel economy, and agility. Which brings me to the C-Class’ new Agility Control which allows the driver to choose from different driving modes such as Eco, Comfort, Sport, Spot+, and Individual and adjusts steering, transmission, engine, and damping accordingly. All driving modes are good at what they do, I didn’t have it in Eco for long though. Comfort was great around town and on the motorway as the steering was light, engine and transmission were smooth, and the ride was supple. In Sport the gears are held for longer, and Sport+ was designed with the Paekakariki Hill Road in mind. In this mode, on this road it was a match made in heaven. Okay, I’m going to say it was a blast to drive or it gave me a smile as wide as Kim Dotcom but it still proved to be an enjoyable drive.

This had to be one of the best roads I’ve ever been on and not once did I feel like the C-Class wasn’t worthy of the road. In Sport+ the steering, engine, and transmission are all at their sportiest which to be fair isn’t all that sporty at all. It made the engine response quicker and the steering weights up. It gave decent feedback for what it was, I mean compared something built to be outright sporty such as a Golf GTI it doesn’t have the same level of feel or enthusiasm but still proved enjoyable. Everything was so manageable and you could predict exactly what everything will do. It gripped the road beautifully and there was no butt clenching tail-happy moments like the Lexus IS350 or C63. It was all very, refined. Its rear-wheel drive chassis was well balanced. The suspension damping did firm up and you could feel more of the road but not too much that it made the ride uncomfortable. That was one of the most surprising thing I found with the C-Class, not once did it ever feel uncomfortable. There were no unexpected jolts or crashes as it went over the less than perfect roads. It remained composed on every surface that came its way. For extra comfort the C-Class is the first car in this segment that has the option of air suspension.

That should hint at how this car should be driven. In all seriousness and honesty the C-Class is best driven like, surprise suspire, an S-Class. So while it can put a smile on a twisty hill road, it’ll soothe and calm you on the way back home on the motorway. Around town the C-Class is just as relaxing. When I drive an Audi, BMW, or even Range Rover I’m in a rush to get places and feel like everyone should get out of my way. Not in the C-Class. I didn’t care if I got stuck in traffic or if the idiot in the beat up Honda didn’t indicate before merging. Nope, because travelling in the C-Class isn’t about getting there in a hurry. It’s about enjoying the journey as comfortably as possible. It is as relaxing as sitting by the fire on a leather armchair and having a book read to you by Stephen Fry.

As a way of covering long distances the C-Class is in a Class of its own. An advantage the smaller C-Class has on the larger S-Class is the smaller engine. Thanks to the small 2.0-litre engine it has a long range thanks to a claimed fuel economy of just 6L/100km. On my test, the C-Class’ fuel gauge only moved one bar. That’s impressive for what is practically a limo. So it has range covered but with top class NVH levels and refinement the C-Class makes for a great long distance companion. Road, engine, and wind levels are kept to a bare minimum. The seats are comfortable and supportive. My only graff was the slightly offset steering wheel. You don’t notice it driving in a straight line but on the twisty roads you notice it more. What you will notice, if you have the Driver Assitance PLUS with DISTRONIC fitted, is that you can set your car at a certain speed (say, the legal limit of 100 km/h) and it will maintain that speed. If the car in front slows down or if a car merges in front of you, magical radar elves will spot this and automatically slow down for you. In addition it has something called ‘active lane keeping assist’. I didn’t know this car had that fitted so when I had DISTRONIC on and went around a light bend I was wondering why the C-Class felt like it was on rails. It was amazing. You’d turn the wheel and it would lock on to the perfect angle so you don’t swerve out or go past your lane. I had never experienced this before and as bizarre as it sounds it really works and it helps a lot.

The C-Class comes with so much equipment there is literally not enough time in the world to list them. Everything can be seen on the Mercedes-Benz New Zealand website. Go check out the specs sheet and you’ll see that even in ‘base’ C200 form it comes with a lot of standard equipment. Some highlights include full LED headlights and daytime running lights, AGILTY CONTROL and AGILITY SELECT, Keyless start, and ambient lighting. Unlike other markets where their C-Class aren’t as opulently equipped, the options list isn’t as daunting. I’ll make it easy for you and say to get the Vision Package which comes with the Panoramic sunroof, Intelligent Light System, and the Heads-Up Display. That’s a must have. So too is the COMAND package which increases the screen size from 7-inches to 8 and also brings in the 13-speaker 590W Burmester sound system. Now on a personal note I’d go for the AMG Line package because you get the nicer looking body kit, wheels, and that beautiful analogue clock. So yes, I’d recommend that one too. As for AIRMATIC well it is nice but at $2,490 for a single option it is quite pricey. But hey, if you’re chucking options at your C-Class you might as well go all out? As I see it choosing the colour is the hardest option. Usually I’d have gone for a black one with a cream interior but now I think it might be white or silver with that beautiful dark red leather. The C-Class begs for a light colour to highlight those gorgeous contours on its body.

Choosing between the C-Class and its rivals is a no brainer. The 3-Series is still probably a better drive around a racetrack but I’d put my money on the C-Class coming out on top in real world situations. As an everyday all-rounder its hard to think of anything in this segment that can match the C-Class. The Audi A4 has been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth so a replacement is due soon. The Jaguar XE is an interesting car and certainly looks pretty… from the front and side. The back just looks half done and I don’t think I could ever live with a half-done car. And it’s not even launched yet. The Lexus IS is actually very nice car but compare Lexus’ sales in NZ to the Germans’ and you can see they still have along way to go. Some people aren’t still convinced by them. Which is a shame as they make some nice cars. The Volvo S60 is a bit left-field but if I’m honest it’s not in the same league. So really it’s still a duel between the 3-Series and C-Class. These cars are so similar yet so different in their approaches that I reckon it’d only person preference which would pick a winner. Think of it like this; Apple’s CEO Tim Cook said their philosophy has always been to be the best, not the first.

The same could be said with the C-Class. It’s not the first in this segment but after 30 years and five generations I think it is the best compact executive out there because of the way it makes you feel. Let me put it like this; everything else in this segment feels premium. They feel expensive and well put together but the C-Class goes one further in that it truly feels luxurious. While the exterior does look lovely and elegant, it’s the interior that really sets it apart. Nothing else in this segment makes you feel special driving around in it. As you sink in to the seats which are as supportive and comforting as your own mother, set the driver mode to Comfort, set the climate control just so, and look out the windscreen and see the heads-up display you know you’re in something special. You know you’ve made it and there’s no need to rush everywhere. You can sit back and enjoy being in one of the best interior in the business and appreciate the details such as those wonderful Burmester speakers, the great mix of piano black trim and aluminium, and the analogue clock (if you tick the right options box). The C-Class has a refined approach to this segment but it’s anything but boring. It still manages to put a smile on your face but for a very different reason to something like a BMW. Yes, the C-Class does the same things as its rivals and I’d say in certain ways some of its rivals do certain things better. But if you want a car to flatter you and make you feel special, the C-Class is unrivalled. Few cars manage to feel more expensive than they actually are, especially at this end of the market, but my god this has done it. The C-Class has always been my favourite Mercedes sedan and I’m happy to say that with this new version it still is. C is for cool, the coolest little limo in the world.

Verdict: 9.5/10
Pros: Oozes class, Pretty looks, Stylish and fresh image, Great real-world performance, Impressive fuel economy, comfortable and refined way of travelling, loads of toys and safety kit, special factor, Burmester speakers,
Cons: Slightly offset steering wheel, has some awkward controls which take getting used to, no 6-cylinder option (yet), tablet screen not for everyone.
This has changed everything. The all-new C-Class has ruffled up the compact executive market for the better. While others are chasing perfection, Mercedes have damn nearly gone and done it. It does everything you’d expect from the coolest little limo in the world. It is simply the best and you wouldn’t have expected less.

Wellington AMG Club Launch

I’m no marketing expert but I find the whole concept of a brand and brand loyalty very fascinating. Some people get very serious about their love for a particular brand. Apple comes to mind. Apple fanatics, or fanboys/fangirls as their sometime called, are ridiculously (or should I say religiously) obsessed with the company. The new iPhone 6 and Apple Watch came out earlier this week and there was many hype and many superlatives surrounding these new gadgets. Truth be told a lot of the “new” features have been around for a while but because its Apple it is therefore better. In my mind I laugh at these people who get worked up and obsessed about brands because at the end of the day one’s preference of a brand shouldn’t dictate what you buy. That’s a bit like saying because I live in New Zealand I can’t eat Korean food.

But then I too fall in this category. Yes I am guilty of liking the forbidden fruit but my love for another brand is slightly more… German. While everyone was drooling over the new iPhones, I was drooling over the new Mercedes AMG GT. This is the company’s replacement for the SLS – a personal favourite car of mine. I was a bit adamant when I heard the AMG GT’s specs. A 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 with less power than the SLS. Hmm… but then I saw it and wow. It’s a properly beautiful car. It’s taken the best bits of the SLS and shrunk it in a more elegant package. Not to mention it’ll cost almost half as much as the gullwing supercar. And then there’s the interior which looks like it was styled by Coco Chanel. Okay, okay. I’ve gone way too fanboy now. But that’s what Mercedes AMGs do to me.

I’ve long been a fan of Mercedes Benz cars. My first favourite car (that I can remember) was a 90s R129 generation Mercedes SL. That was the big square shaped one that resembled a convertible tank. Unashamedly brash it was the ultimate symbol of 90s excess. After that my “favourite car ever” shifted to other two-door Mercs from the CLK to the SLK. It wasn’t until 2003 though when I was introduced to the wonderful E55 AMG. This car not only introduced me to the super saloon but also the AMG brand.

AMG has been synonymous with high performance Mercedes Benz cars since 1993 when their first ever official Mercedes Benz factory car went into production – the C36. Before this, AMG was a company specialising in turning humdrum Mercedes saloons into fully fledged race cars. In the 70s and 80s AMG offered performance and styling upgrades to various Mercedes models in that period. It wasn’t until 1986 when AMG launched its first “full” production car, which coincidentally was also one of the most infamous German cars of all time; the Hammer. This car formed the mould of future AMGs. It was tastefully discreet on the outside and a unapolagetically mental on the inside. These weren’t rock and roll cars but heavy metal, or should that be heavy mental?

Today AMG’s reputation for being bonkers Autobahn rockets remain but their cars are much more than that. Mercedes-AMG’s involvement in Formula 1 has translated into some very clever technology for engines and drivetrains. The new generation 2.0 four-cylinder turbo engines in the A45, CLA45, and GLA45 AMG produced unbelievable power and torque figures for their respective sizes while AMG have invested in hybrid and electric research. But while all that is nice and lovely, to me, an AMG is all about the growling V8 under the bonnet. From the M113 V8 Kompressors in the ’55’ badged cars to the epic 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 in the ’63’ badged AMGs and to today’s Bi-turbo V8s, every AMG V8 have all been handcrafted thunder amplifiers. My favourite remains to be the M156/159 engines though. Those 6.2-litre engines will go down as one of the greatest engines of all time.

I hope to own an AMG myself one day. Ideally it’d be something like an SLS or one of the new AMG GT but to be perfectly honest I’d be over the moon with a C63. I imagine owning an AMG would be a bit like owning a mentally unstable rotwieller. You’d take it out every once in a while to get some air and then all of a sudden it’ll let of a hellish bark and drag you by its leash as it chases a poodle in hope of doing unspeaking things to it. The point is you’d never be bored with the ownership experience. And that brings me on the new Wellington AMG Club because I think if there’s one way of bettering owning an AMG, it’s being surround by more AMGs.

I’ll be honest, I never understood the appeal of  car clubs as you drive your car to meet up with people who have the same car as you and then talk about your cars. But then again when I think of car clubs, I have an image of mostly British cars from the 1970s meeting up with the purpose of getting spare parts and/or tips of getting them to start. At least with an AMGs you have a wide range of cars from a long history stretching back over 40 years. And come on, the only thing better looking and better sounding than one AMG is multiple AMGs.

Wellington AMG Club was set up by Mercedes Benz Wellington Dealer Principal Bryan Loxton and Roger Shakelford, a C63 owner, and hope to bring AMG owners in and around the Wellington area for meets and gatherings from time to time. A drive and a spot of lunch perhaps or even a track day, it’s all a go. Wellington is great for these sorts of things as there are lots of great roads surrounding the city and you’re never far from a great place to wine and dine. Just imagine the noise a convoy of AMGs would make going up and down the hills and valleys in Wellington. People might think Weta let loose some dinosaurs and King Kong.

So if you’re in the Wellington area and own a Mercedes AMG, or even an AMG engined car in case anyone with a Pagani or a future Aston Martin is reading this, head over to the Wellington AMG Club website and get a membership. They’re a great bunch of people who are as enthusiastic about the cars as, well, an enthusiast. Probably could’ve done with a better simile there. Oh and if anyone has a spare seat I’d greatly appreciate a ride. Just until I can get my own AMG.