Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

Apple was the first company to introduce a smartphone. These phones did make our lives simple and convenient. These do come at a premium price, and probably one of the most expensive phones in the market. As this was the only phone that Apple sold, it couldn't load it with multiple features as that will again affect the price. So, to avoid this Apple had introduced the iPhone 5S and a new entry-level phone the iPhone 5C. This meant that the iPhone 5S can get more features like finger-print scanner, slo-mo camera and a list of features that make it premium.

So, buyers who are worried about the price tag can opt for the iPhone 5C, while those who need a better-equipped phone can go for the iPhone 5S. Similarly now, there is also a larger iPhone available called as the iPhone 6 Plus. This is a phone for those who do not want any kind of compromise. The price of the phone is on the higher side, but then there is something called as the royalty factor.

This formula isn't just applied in smartphones but in other sectors too. Mercedes-Benz invented the automobile back in 1886 and this one of the luxury car brands too. But the entry-level sedan to the three-pointer star was the C-Class and the German automaker couldn't embellish it with brownies to retain a certain price tag. Now, with the CLA coming in, Mercedes-Benz has a new compact sedan, so it has upped its game with the new C-Class. We get our hands on this new sedan to understand what makes its so special.

At the first glance, the C-Class will prompt you of the S-Class. This is a mini S-Class in almost all proportions. The headlamps have the thin array of LEDs with projector headlamps and a whisker of indicator LEDs. The two horizontal slats form the front grille with the large central star. The silhouette of the new C-Class looks a lot larger than the outgoing version. The doors and even the glass-area looks like a smaller version of the S-Class. The door pillar (B-pillar) is blacked out and even the roof is black in colour. The tail lamps too are LED and are based on a similar design like the S-Class. From the rear third-fourth portions does make the boot look a tad smaller and a bit off in proportion.

The interiors are again a dej? vu if you been inside a S-Class. This has nothing similar to the previous C-Class. A brand new steering wheel, instrument cluster and a brand new centre console. This styling is similar to the S-Class with round AC vents and similar styling for the dash. The C-Class doesn't get the retro styling for the steering wheel, and this is a completely different one on the C-Class. There is touchpad along with the Mercedes-Benz's signature COMAND system. Several S-Class features have been trickled down into the C, including different ambient lightning of three different colours.

Longer wheelbase has increased the interior space. The added knee room in the second row now makes it comfortable for those who want to be chauffeur-driven. The seats of Mercedes-Benz have always been comfortable, however rear still need some more thigh support. The boot too is large even for weekend luggage.

The C-Class comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 181bhp and 300Nm of torque. This comes mated to a 7G-TRONIC, and there is only petrol is available at the moment. The new C-Class has been built on a new lighter platform and this has improved the driving dynamics. The engine feels a lot peppier and surely a lot more fun to drive. There is sufficient power at any speed and the C-Class is a lot more nimble than before. Push the accelerator pedal and the C is always ready to lift its skirt and begin running.

The diesel engine is 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 168bhp of power and 400Nm of peak torque. This engine also gets the same seven-speed transmission. The power is linear and this time the C220 even gets paddle shifts. The C-Class certainly a lot more agile to drive and it does feel like an E-Class when you get behind the wheel.

There are various driving modes too, Economy, Sport and even Sport+. The ride quality has been improved too, despite the C-Class having the best ride in its segment already. The modes are only for the throttle response and gearshifts; there is no suspension set-up option. No car brand offers this feature in this segment.

The new C-Class is a lot better than competition in all aspects than the outgoing version. The new C-Class is now available as a CBU and it costs Rs 40.9 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi), which means it will cost Rs 52 lakhs on-road in Mumbai for the diesel model. It is just like the Apple iPhone 6 Plus, stylish and feature-loaded but a bit on the expensive side. As for competition, they need to do a lot of catching up.

Source : MotorOctane