GermanFoamy

Nothing we haven't read before, but it comes with a new twist. Most car reviewers are men, but this review is from a women's point of view. Enjoy.

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Benz C-Class moves up in size

Entry-level C300 and C350 the only models

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Special to the Star
Aug 25, 2007
HULL, QUE.–It isn't often that you get something for nothing, especially from a luxury auto maker.

But that's the idea behind the redesigned C-Class, Mercedes-Benz's entry-level sedan, that offers a new Sport package at no extra charge.

The package swaps the traditional grille and upright hood ornament of the base Elegance model for an AMG-inspired nose with massive three-pointed star.

By comparison, the conventional Elegance looks almost stodgy.

The Sport package also includes skirting, stainless-steel pedals, upgraded brake calipers, lowered sport suspension, staggered-width 17-inch wheels, and aluminum or black wood interior trim.

The Sport package is optional on the C300 and standard on C350, the sole models available for 2008 – the optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive systems will come later.

The C350 is further distinguished by twin-spoke AMG wheels and a tacked-on (and tacky) trunk lip spoiler.

All models receive heavily-browed, one-piece headlights that have more than a touch of BMW about them, to replace last year's twin-oval versions, along with wheel arches from the S-Class, upswept lines and coupe-like styling.

Overall, it's a very fetching and sporty design.

It's arguable that Elegance buyers are simply overpaying for the look, but in any case, it's a sly marketing move on the auto maker's part.

Mercedes expects about 90 per cent of C300 buyers will opt for the Sport package, once cars hit the showrooms Sept. 12 (the 4Matics follow later).

Offering the Elegance design for 10 per cent may seem unnecessary, but this is a company steeped in convention, and it fears alienating fans of that tradition.

The C300 starts at $41,000, while the 4Matic will be $44,700; the C350 is $47,900, rising to $50,100 for the all-wheel drive.

The new C-Class is slightly larger than the one it replaces.

It boasts improved interior and trunk space; a wider track, longer wheelbase, increased rigidity, a more-direct steering ratio, an improved chassis and more.

The result is a creamy, bigger-car feel.

The smooth, responsive steering doesn't have the weighty feel of a 3 Series, but then I've always thought BMW should more logically be compared to Audi, at least in its sports sedans.

Most people align Mercedes and BMW strictly for their Teutonic roots, but the C-Class's lighter, silky character would be better shopped against Lexus.

Two V6s are offered, carried over from 2007. The C300 uses a 3.0-litre, the C350 a 3.5-litre.

The C300 starts with a six-speed manual that can be optioned, for $1,500, to the seven-speed automatic (which will be used in the C300 4Matic), and in the C350 (non-AWD and AWD).

The autobox shifts almost imperceptibly, but I'd take it on ergonomics alone. The interior is designed for it.

The console is too long and high for comfortable manual shifting. (The pedals include a foot-operated parking brake.)

Both engines have fat powerbands: the company says 87 per cent of peak torque is available at 1500 rpm, and the rest kicks in about a grand later, hanging around until 5000 rpm.

The 3.0-litre should be enough for most buyers, although I found the throttle too stiff.

Acceleration to 100 km/h is about a second faster in the 3.5-litre, with smoother pedal and just enough throaty rumble; I prefer it, but it's also a hefty step up in price.

The automatic-equipped C300 takes E85 ethanol fuel, if you can find it.
Europe gets a diesel, of course. While a Canadian version is not entirely out of the question, Mercedes says not to expect it in the short term.

Inside, there's a new instrument cluster, with a vehicle information centre tied to wheel-mounted buttons; a manually-operated cover hides a standard display screen on top of the dash, but it opens and closes automatically should there be an optional navigation system.

That system also includes COMAND, a twist-and-push knob that's relatively simple.

I found it fairly intuitive when inputting a navigation destination, albeit slower than a touch screen .

Still, some things could be easier: instead of resetting the trip odometer through the information centre, and then having to confirm that yes, I really do want it at zero, why not just a push button in the cluster like almost everyone else's?

As expected, interior panels are joined with tight tolerances, but some of the plastics look a little less-than-luxury, especially the thin stuff on the shifter knob.

The silvery finish around the gauges is a nice touch.

Comfortable and supportive seats are eight- or 10-way power, depending on the model.

I'm willing to bet that by next year, buyers will decide that that sweet new star-crested nose won't be a separate package, but the singular face of Mercedes.

Bighead

Even though the statement is quite subjective, but I have to disagree.

cawimmer430

Interesting review, from a woman. Thanks for posting this.

Anyone notice how she hardly talked about handling?