By Andre Palma
Philippine Daily Inquirer
IT has been a while since a Merc put a smile on my mug; a feat that has to be given its fair share of credence. One car is primarily at fault for this non-abashed animosity toward recent models released by the suits from Stuttgart.
As if to punctuate the end of an era, Mercedes-Benz’s initial C Class reeked of undeserved commercial success. In place of the three-pointed star, a silver spoon should have been welded on to the first C Class hoods. Riding on the success of the relatively affordable and rather able W201 190, the worldwide public lapped up this new “Baby Benz.” In only a short span of time the first C Class started to top the sales volume figures of one of the largest luxury passenger automobile manufacturers in the world.
If not for the three-pointed star on the hood and trunk of the first C Class, many wouldn’t have paid it much attention anyway. Ladies and gentlemen, we must not forget that in the Philippines, nothing says you’ve made mad money, across all economic strata, like a car with the Mercedes-Benz logo on it. And a car that screams success sells. Not convinced? Just ask the guys over from SsangYong just how effective a sales tool the Merc logo is.
Much has been said about the current model C Class already, the local media getting its hands on the car even before the public launch. From the initial reports it seemed as if this new car hit all the critical success factors needed from a product that would do well in the luxury compact market.
Some even hinted that the other European competition was in for a real challenge. That concept is plausible really if the major players’ products in this segment are all similar and indistinguishable from each other. As it is, the luxury compact cars like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class display very distinct personalities, especially at the mid trim and engine levels of each model.
The C200 Kompressor impresses well with simple things. The theme of the new 2008 C Class seems to be one of understatement. In an unusual way, the uncomplicated nature of this car lends an air of quiet class, a decent amount of charm.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four is enough engine for this car. Acceleration is decent, with a little punch available in overtake situations or when the road ahead opens up. The five speed auto box shifts on the seamless side. Gear changes are only noticeable when selecting a gear from a cold start or when you’ve been aggressively raking through the ratios for some period of time.
Ride quality successfully walks the tightrope between a sporting attitude and more comfortable designs. There is the right amount of compression and a rebound action that though slow, eases back predictably. Driving the C200 with a little panache is possible but cruising around and preening in traffic is where everything comes together.
The C200 Elegance’s exterior is a little more staid than the larger, sportier of its ilk, mainly because the large three-pointed star on the grill is deleted and in its place is a smaller, more sedate upright hood ornament. Inside the compact sedan, things are equally sedate. The brown and khaki interior of polymer and fabric isn’t going to win a beauty contest but it scores points for being practical and ergonomic. Even the wood panel, which is likely a veneer of some expensive timber, doesn’t seem out of place. There is just something very Benz about the passenger compartment; it works and it works well.
This current generation C Class isn’t trying to be something it isn’t, what you see is what you get. True to being luxury commuter, this is a car that emphasizes a daily driven nature with just a little more power and comfort than usual. It is in this mild manner that the C Class distinguishes itself from the competition. Score one for Mercedes-Benz.
