Test drive Mercedes Benz C-class W204 since 2007 sedan

Star ambitions

With the new C-class, Mercedes-Benz intends to take an Oscar for the best role in the first plan in the segment of compact premium sedans. Whether the fourth generation of Baby-Benz will be able to win is not yet known, but we are already applauding it to the creators.
Mercedes-Benz has conceived something something was wrong. We are talking about this today, because yesterday the C-class positions were not as strong as Mercedes-Benz would like. Since 1983, when the first Baby-Benz appeared, each next generation set new standards for compact premium segment cars, but competitors have since significantly grew up and have acquired a decent army of fans. This is evidenced by sales statistics in Western Europe and North America, where BMW, Audi and Lexus feel free. However, we have a new, fourth in a row, generation of Baby-Benz, which has every chance to put competitors in place.
 
So, we are dealing with a car for which 65 thousand inhabitants of the Old World have already made an advance. A good start, considering that today it is fashionable to give money for an expressive design, and the C-class more reminds Daniel Craig in the casino of the piano than Banderas in the Sorro mask. The energy of this car does not come from relief surfaces, but from the rich inner world. Rich because Mercedes. Because we are used to the fact that all the best from Stuttgart, and for more than a dozen years for a cool engineering in a glossy wrapper, go to Mercedes. That is why there are no controversial design solutions in the new C-class, and if you compare the new W204 with senior models, then make sure that nearly a quarter of a century Baby-Benz is developing in evolutionary. At least the main proportions went to him from his predecessor. A short front overhang, a long hood, a smooth line of the side windows, the most striking changes touched the optics and architecture of the side surfaces. So, Mercedes-Benz finally moved away from the round-eyed head headlights, but the rear lights, as before, have ribbed surface. Tribute to tradition? Perhaps not without it. But this time, the tradition also carries a functional load: ribbed lanterns optimize the turbulence of air flows, thereby creating an additional clamping force. After that, you begin to evaluate each trifle in the exterior in terms of practicality.
 
Here, for example, external mirrors. Why are they so big? It turns out that in 2009, a law regulates the size of the external mirrors of the car will enter into force in Germany. And the C-class first model in the Mercedes line that meets these requirements. For nothing that due to the impressive size of the mirror after 120 km/h begins to sing, the visibility is magnificent! In rainy weather, heating of mirror elements automatically turns on, and additional turn signals are built into the casing. Safety! It is she who faces comfort and agility in the motto of the new C-class. Turning xenon, flashing during emergency braking of the Stop signal lamp, Adaptive Brake, Presafe, Neck-Pro, seven airbags (including the driver's pillow), an unlotted stabilization system before the official presentation, the new C-class drove 14 million km, passed 5,500 virtual and 100 real Crash tests to become the best in the eyes of consumers .
 
And what is the functional meaning of the rapid lateral line, drawn by the sharp pencil of the designer from the front wheel arches to the upper edge of the rear lights? Maybe she helped to achieve the best aerodynamic resistance among competitors (CD 0.27)? It is unlikely that this element makes dynamism into the appearance of the C-class. We must pay tribute to the Mercedes-Benz chief designer to Peter Pfamifer, who managed to combine the characteristic proportions of the previous models with new plastic. In any perspective in the new C-class, Mercedes-Benz is guessed. New Mercedes-Benz!
 
Another important advantage of the W204 is the choice. You can choose one of the three lines of performance: Classic, Elegance and Avangarde. The differences in their equipping the salon and the design of the exterior. So, in the execution of Elegance, the C-class has 16-inch wheels of special design, bumper, fog-tanks, thresholds and window frames decorated with chromium. Avangarde looks more aggressive and dynamic due to a different radiator grill, where the Mercedes star flaunts in the manner of CL compartment in the center. But I prefer the AMG sport package. The suspension is reduced by 15 mm, the brake system is strengthened, a convincing body kit, excellent chairs, a three -spitting steering wheel and aluminum decoration. Safety, comfort, agility? Everything is so, only in the reverse order!
 
Now let's try to distract from appearance and talk about the content. The W204 has become more than the previous model, so we have the right to expect better comfort in the cabin. The length of the sedan increased by 55 mm, the width of 42 mm, and the wheelbase is 45 mm. This difference in external dimensions is not so great, but it became much inside more spacious. The distance between the front and rear seats increased to 795 mm, and thanks to the 40-million growth in width, now in C-class you feel more free. The quality for which we roared the previous Mercedes-Benz models finally responsible for our expectations. You can feel the entire interior from rugs to the skill buttons to make sure that DaimlerchrySler stabilize the financial situation. Plastic on the front panel, the skin on the steering wheel and aluminum on the selector of the automatic box confirm that we are sitting in a premium car. This is Mercedes-Benz, gentlemen, and the C-class is precisely the case when it is inappropriate to bring competitors as an example.
 
I really liked the driver’s place, because the C-class is easy to set up and you do not need to spend a lot of time to get a job as it should.
There are three circles on the dashboard: in the center, the speedometer, inside of which there is an information display of the on -board computer, on the right of the tachometer, on the left of the engine temperature and fuel level in the tank. Everything is extremely clear and pretty. The climate control unit migrated to the C-class from senior models, like the Comand multimedia center. This system debuted on the last generation of S-class (W221) and was immediately given an example of Bavarian IDRive. But in two years, Mercedes-Benz programmers managed to achieve even more logical management and formulate a friendly interface. No labyrinths on the menu, colorful graphics and ... Russian! The menu can be translated into Russian, and the navigator in this case will also speak Russian. It was funny to ride valencia with a Russian -speaking guide
 
However, we would like to get more from Mercedes than first -class comfort for the driver. I'm talking about places for the back row passengers. The previous C-class was not the best CD for passengers. And the new one? Everything is different in the new. The three of the back will be perhaps crowded, and two will sit down with comfort. The legs are 11 mm more, 40 mm in the shoulders, so even tall passengers will be convenient.
 
But I did not choose an AMG version to steal time on the back sofa. Let it be good and comfortable there, but it’s better to drive! Moreover, to warm up, I got C 350 Elegance, which is good for everyone, except for one: comfortable chairs are deprived of intelligible lateral support, and 272 hp. Under the hood and a dog-minded chassis, they still and then provoke to test the clutch properties of the tires in corners. Therefore, for the sake of harmony after lunch, I sat in a tight -fitting Mercedes chair with 320 CDI AMG.
 
This is the engine, this is the craving! A three-liter turbodiesel gives C-class such a dynamics that I did not manage to implement it on public roads. A light touch of the gas pedal, and the car is carried forward, like a piece of wind, picked up by the wind. More than 500 nm are already available from 1600 rpm V6 3.5 more modest, but the power is higher by 47 hp. Therefore, acceleration to a hundred succeeds with 350 a little better: 6.3 s versions of 6.8 C C 320 CDI. The disadvantages of the diesel version, we could classify increased noise and vibration loading if we were talking about the previous C-class model. But this new one, with a 6-cylinder turbodiesel, sounds better than other gasoline sixes. No vibrations are almost inaudible at idle. So if you are deprived of prejudices regarding diesel cars, feel free to order CDI.
 
But in Russia, as before, 4-cylinder versions of C-class will be in greatest demand. For Mercedes-Benz C 180 Kompressor (156 hp) and C 200 Kompressor (184 hp), a mechanical 5-speed box or automatic transmission with the same number of gears will be available. A more advanced 7G-Tric machine is aggregated only with 6-cylinder engines.
 
But back to Valencia. The second day of the test drive began with heavy rain, which put the cross on the continuation of the walking with 320 CDI or C 350. Yesterday, there were plenty of power of these versions on the mountain dry road, therefore, even despite the ESP unconnected system, I had to pray for the salvation of its The souls and bodies of the new C-class. And today you will have to be even more restrained, even more careful, so I choose C 280. But also in AMG sports performance.
 
Bravo Engineering School Mercedes-Benz! Bravo, C-class! How impeccably the work of the power line is, how exactly the suspension, brakes, steering are configured! This car can and allows you to drive very quickly, but no matter how cool the turns and no matter how narrow are straight, the palms always remain dry. The speed, rod of the engine, the screech of rubber all these passions seet up outside the window, and here, in the driver's place, calm and confidence reign. Perhaps a three-year-old treshka will furnish a C-class in corners, but Mercedes-Benz is damn carefully about your nerve cells. Whatever mode you ride, the machine inspires a feeling of reliability and safety. This does not deprive the driver of the drive at all, but this is the drive that does not deprive you of your mind. And if you still lack acute emotions? Mercedes-Benz offers Advanced Agility for hot drive connoisseurs. An inconspicuous Sport button lurked on the central console. Click it, and the shock absorbers will become tougher, the steering is sharper, and the drive is even more exciting.
 
What if you move out of a serpentine? Mercedes remained faithful to traditions, so the C-class allows you to relax at the wheel. The salon is quiet even at high speed, you can talk in an undertone and enjoy the pleasant sound of the musical system. At the same time, the W204 holds the ear and is always ready to go faster. This is the main feature of the new Mercedes C-class. It allows you to go at different pace, but always offers a high level of comfort. In addition, he is beautiful and well cut.
 
Prices? The basic C 180 Kompressor performed by Classic will cost 30,500 euros. For 34100 euros, you can purchase C 200 Kompressor, and 6-cylinder C 280 and 350 cost 38700 and 47800 euros, respectively. Also for Russia, C-class in a special series is proposed (metallic coloring, parking sensors, bixenon headlights and automatic transmission). Such a car with a 2.2-liter compressor engine will cost 37900 euros. In September of this year, all -wheel drive modifications C 280 4MATIC and C 350 4MATIC will appear. And a little later, the production of the sports version of AMG with the V8 engine and the station wagon will begin. What other news did Stuttgart prepared? Perhaps the main one is in front of you: Mercedes-Benz has every chance to regain leadership in the segment of compact premium sedans.
Technical characteristics of Mercedes-Benz C 280
Dimensions, mm 4581x1770x1447
Base, mm 2760
Engine type gasoline 6-cylinder
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 2996
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 231/6000
Max. moment, nm/rpm 300/2500
The transmission is automatic 7-band
Tires 225/50 R16
Max. Speed, km/h 250
Acceleration time 0-100 km, with 7.2
Fuel consumption (average), l/100 km 9.5
Tank volume, l 66

Stanislav Goncharenko
Photo by the author and the manufacturer
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine