Test drive Mercedes Benz C-class W204 since 2007 sedan

Operation "Edelweiss"

By the centenary of creating its first all-wheel drive car, Daimler has launched an updated version of Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4Matic to the market. The tests of new items were held in the Austrian Alps
 
In winter, Edelweiss in the mountains can only be in a fairy tale. However, we succeeded the impossible! On the steep slopes of the Austrian Alps, we opened a new mountainous flower of all-wheel drive C-Class from Mercedes-Benz. I confess to open the ski season while driving a car, albeit all -wheel drive, has not yet happened. However, C-Class 4Matic perfectly coped with both the lift function and the role of the descent apparatus. He confidently conquers the snowy mountain roads of the picturesque valley of Gurgl.
When lifting, the usual Mercedes 7-speed automatic forcibly switches one or two gear down, and the rear axle, which accounts for 55% of the torque, is loaded much more. As a result, moving uphill, an all-wheel drive C-Class is an order of magnitude more lively than on the slopes, where a herd of 272 horses confidently hold in the fiction of the auxiliary electronics system. Very reasonable and pleasant: both in terms of dynamics (on the rise), and in the sense of safety (on the descent).

One of the determining innovations in the next generation of the Mercedes-Benz all-wheel drive system was a two-disc clumor of the center differential. By causing a differential lock, it limits the torque supplied to the wheels of the front and rear axle, at about 50 nm. Due to this, when slipping the wheels of one of the axes, the moment of friction forces through the relative movement of the friction discs is automatically transferred to more slowly rotating wheels. As a result, the new Mercedes-Benz 4matic has become much more painful and more stable than its predecessor. Although, of course, the ESP renewal also played its role here.
In the design of the all-wheel drive C-Class, the traditional ESP stabilization program is complemented by the ASR anti-circulation function and the 4tS traction control system. The latter is actually an electronic analogue of traditional self -locking differentials, redistributing the torque and brake force in the event of two or even three wheels on the ice. The emergence of a new electronic assistant made an all-wheel drive C-Class much more predicted in management. And in conjunction with the ASR auxiliary accelerating system, it made it possible to significantly improve accelerating dynamics on slippery coating. If, on dry asphalt of an all-wheel drive from 350, it accelerates to 100 km/h per 6.3 s, then on rough ice with a clutch coefficient of 0.30.4 to accelerate to hundreds of Mercedes-Benz, only 9.5 per second is less than less than The previous generation of all-wheel drive C-Class.
Moreover, both with the turned on and with the stabilization system, which demonstrates once again: the ESP OFF mode is quite conditional. When the ESP is turned off, of course, it becomes a little more lively, the threshold of the auxiliary electronics is slightly increased, but only. You will no longer be able to completely remove the stabilization system from participating in the driving of the car. But this, if you think about it, is also more likely a plus than a minus. Still, C-Class from Mercedes-Benz, although it allows you to enjoy the drive, you can’t consider an absolute extreme car. And with regard to security, the requirements for this model in its potential buyers are much higher than in terms of eating extremely extremely extremely extremely.
In total, the model range of all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz has 46 models, of which four are created on the basis of the new C-Class. However, only two sedans with 3- and 3.5-liter gasoline engines will be presented on the Russian market. Diesel sedan and station wagon from 320 will not be supplied to Russia yet. Although the first step to the long-awaited appearance of diesel Mercedes-Benz in our market can be made in the near future. But so far this concerns only the possible start of sales of German SUVs.
Driving
A little less acute in management compared to the usual C-Class, but in the mountains it is practically flawless.
Salon
The usual C-Class salon corresponding to the highest quality standards.
Comfort
The back is not too spacious. Otherwise, to find fault with something.
Safety
Electronic systems are configured in such a way that even with the ESP disconnected, they will not allow to cross the face of a reasonable risk.
Price
It is quite at the level of the main competitors.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Reasonable settings of auxiliary electronics and economy have made the new C-Class 4Matic is an order of magnitude more perfect than the previous generation car.
- Not too spacious trunk.

Specifications
Mark and Model - MB C 350 4MATIC
Dimensions - 4581x1770x1448 mm
Engine - gasoline, 3498 cm3, 272 hp/6000 min -1
Transmission - automatic, 7 -speed KP, all -wheel drive
Dynamics - Max 250* km/h; 6.3 s. up to 100 km/h
Competitors - Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro, BMW 335xi

Our opinion
S-Class 4Matic Image car, which is mainly intended for the North European markets, so it is difficult to expect records from all-wheel drive C-Class on a global scale. However, in Scandinavia, Finland and mountain Austria and Switzerland, this car will certainly be in demand. Moreover, for S-Class 4Matic sales with gasoline engines, Russia will probably become a leader.
Mercedes-Benz C 350 4MATIC. Price: from 52 800. On sale: since February 2008
Author: Vladimir Makkaveev
   
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [February 2008]