Why This Entry Merc Feels Like a Maybach
Slick Mercedes C200 Benefits a Huge Western Advantage
It’s been a while since we last tested a Mercedes-Benz, but even if it’s a pretty standard base model, this slick, smart C200 AMG Line more than adequately demonstrated the difference between the real thing and the pretenders. See we’ve been inundated with new world cars out of China and India, among others in our local market of late. So we’ve kinda become used to their standard.
Not that there’s very much wrong with that, but the way the world is singing their praises, you’d swear that those cars have the market by the balls. In price, perhaps. But it only took this bottom end Mercedes to shatter any crazy preconceptions that seem to have smoked and mirrored their way into the modern South African car market.
This C200 is the entry C-Class in most European, our South African and some other markets, versus the US C300 starter model, it’s still clearly a chip off the old S-Class block. C200 gives entry Benz buyers more than their fair share to ponder. With sharp E looks, S tech, comfort and style it backs it up impressive mild-hybrid efficiency and performance.
Clearly a Chip Off the S-Class Block
Minimalist design makes no mistake that this is a Benz face. The sharp, if a touch Korean tail and bold shoulder bring a subtly aggressive tone to the adequate 4,751 mm long, 1,820 mm wide sled riding on a 25 mm longer 2,865 mm wheelbase. The stretch over the previous car benefits rear passenger room most.
You should however first step aboard, if you want to discover why C200 makes a mockery of any Oriental wannabe trying to pose as something similar. Plush materials cobbled together in a business class finish deliver a truly premium class cabin. Splendid finishes, fine leather and real stitching around seemingly floating screens take C’s Mercedes style next level.
The large high-resolution LCD infotainment screen hovers off the clean carbon wing style dash. It splits opinion. Some enjoy big screen. Others question if it’s all necessary. More senior drivers may even be overawed. The screen sits low in the car and the system logic can baffle even the most computer literate of drivers. But of most concern, these horrid touch things that replace them here, just cannot do what buttons do.
Step Aboard to Relish the Greatest C200 Advantages
One can also control it by ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX voice, via the touchscreen, or use the left stalk of the steering wheel. It’s disappointing touch sensitive surfaces are just as big a step backward versus the brilliant old buttons we once so raved about. All that said, most of the even more faux Chinese ‘rival’ cabin systems are beyond baffling.
Discreet, Sporty and Classic display styles and three Navigation, Assistance and Service modes help make the C-Class your own. Driver and passenger space is good front and rear. Four adults will travel at ease. A fifth man in the middle will survive a shorter drive. The adequate 455 litre boot is practical enough for most needs.
Speaking of spec, there remain a few aspects common to too many far more base-model (read Chinese) cars that are conspicuous by their absence in this fifty grand sled. Manual fore and aft adjustment on the otherwise power front seats, for instance. And then there’s access, being a sedan its more challenging that say getting in or out of a SUV.
150 kW Turbo Defies its 1500 Capacity
C200’s 204 HP 221 lb.-ft 1500 cc turbo-petrol (versus the 255 HP 295 lb.-ft 2-litre in the US C300) L burbles to life courtesy of its 20 HP and 148 lb-ft mild hybrid electric motor mounted in the nose of its 9G-Tronic ‘box that turns the rear axle. The sophisticated transmission swaps cogs invisibly as you drive. Never mind, the power unit defies its fifteen-hundred capacity.
Snick it to drive, pull away and you’re rewarded with a splendid smooth drive. Torquey and effortless, quiet and composed even under hard acceleration, it is magic carpet like. Our test beat Merc’s 7.3 to 60 mph claims by half a second and we readily drove within the promised 35 mpg. The C300 is claimed to do 6 seconds to sixty and 25 mpg.
Five Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual modes bring more choice. We fiddled a bit, but preferred softer Comfort for everyday driving. It’s a tad taut and a bit noisy on these low profile tyres, but that’s a trade-off for the ego. But it’s an awesome car to just cruise in.
C200 Stars On Quietness, Comfort
Sport and Sport+ modes sharpen steering and throttle response and bring firmer suspension settings to noticeably improve dynamic performance. Not that it will trouble a 3 Series. The brakes lack a little feel and seem when you first tramp on them. That made us pump them for confidence. The steering could also be more communicative.
That said, the C200 stars on quietness and comfort and it’s still more than amply agile and fun to drive. A continuously adjustably damping sport suspension is an option if a more flamboyant driving is that important to you. Benz’ latest Driving Assistance Package can become a little overbearing, but you can override the lot easily enough.
Made right here in East London, South Africa this ‘Baby S’ Mercedes-Benz C200 punches well beyond its pay grade . Better in many ways, yet maybe not quite as dynamic as a 320i, it has the A4, Giulia and the rest covered. And comparing a Chinese car to it makes C200 seem more like a Maybach. Yip, this entry Mercedes has that undeniable Benz touch of class.
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line Engine: 204 HP 221 lb.-ft 1.5-litre turbo petrol I4 Drive: 9-speed automatic RWD TESTED: 0-40 mph 3.05 sec 0-60 mph: 6.84 sec 0-100 mph: 16.59 sec ¼-mile: 14.8 sec @ 92 mph 50-75 mph: 4.49 sec 75-100 mph: 7.38 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 140 mph Fuel: 35 mpg Range: 600 miles LIST PRICE: $49,500 (C300)
Images & data: Giordano Lupini
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