Test Drive Mercedes Benz C-Class Sedan since 2011 Sedan

Young people from senior society

No matter how hard the Japanese is trying, the release of fast, spectacular and expensive infinity and lexus, in Russia, only siblings of three German families are considered truly prestigious. In two of them just recently occurred. So we will try to find out who of these sophisticated and very gifted natures is worthy of the title of the king of the middle class.
Does the value of the tuxedo?
Stuttgart C-class of the last generation debuted with us last summer. Ingolstadt A4 appeared and Russia six months later. So, from the point of view of technical, both in both of the highest category are equipped. Everyone besides the most popular and therefore we selected for comparing 1.8 l motors with superchargers in stock for another five engines. And Audi, and Mercedes-Benz can be built under themselves, choosing from a huge list of various equipment. There are all-wheel drive modifications. Finally, our heroes of comparable money are worth.
True, looking at the Four, you will not immediately believe that the car happened to change generations. Once again it increased in the size of the radiator grille shield, the sickle ribbons of LEDs fashionably emphasized the headlights. But other changes in the design are cleverly encrypted in those who have fallen already, to admit, the light upcomer of academic smooth forms. Of course, conservatism for prestigious cars is one of the main virtues. But after all, without encroachment to Holy Mercedes-Benz, it was possible to change very visible. The roundness of his predecessor was hidden, more sharp, tough faces that added an assediction and expressive car. And no one will say that from this C-class lost at least a tolik of elegance and nobility.
Buttons in row
But inside the picture turned back. Yes, Mercedes-Benz has the most convenient front armchairs with giant adjustments, allowing the miniature lady comfortably with comfort, and an increase in 195 cm. The spectacular instrument shield with three located on aluminum lining with tachometer, speedometer, fuel level sensors and coolant. Place the buttons and rotating climate control knobs on the central console are clear and easy to handle.
      
Lines in the interior of the current C-class sharper than the predecessor, quite harmonize with appearance, and with the assertive nature of the car
The only joy in the combined hug of the seats is tenacious and practical tissue of central inserts. Alas, in the C200K special series of other clothes for the chairs are not provided
 
    
In addition to the visible on the photo lamps in the basic configuration of C-class there is a couple of navigator lamps in the mirror housing
Mercedes's glove box is divided by a shelf, but even in a large branch, magazines will be closely
The central box is twice as well as Audi. Removing the septum, you can turn the cup holders to another tray for trifles
 
    
In the basic configuration of C-class already there are electrical adjustments of the front seats in height
Parktronic C-class Nekazist, but in a special series is already present
In the door pocket, except that a tutu cigarette or small format book
 
   
In the legs of the front passenger there is a pretty roomy grid
As in many other Mercedes-Benz, cruise control is inconvenient. Its something and the matter is taking, trying to turn on the turn signals
 
But artificial leather Artico, laid by the machines of a special series, suspiciously similar to the fleet of the flight ikarus. And even with chopped forms of torpedo, designed to add the interior of masculinity, the clearances are not combined with a thickness with a finger between the front panel and door upholsters. And is it a particular blue blood? Like the focus, she is God.
 
By default, the fourth seats are upholstered and equipped with mechanical adjustments. But improving finishing and comfort can be almost every taste and wallet. In the list of options and electric drives front armchairs, and the audio-exclusive package with valved skin. All together costs 300 393 rubles
 
The central console deployed to the driver, combined with the instrument panel with a single frame, the MMI display now the A4 interior is not inferior to the decoration of a more expensive six
   
     
Cosmetic backlit mirror, individual reading light bulbs and a speaker is in the basic configuration of Audi
In the glove box, only one branch, but deep
The armrest boxes will enter a dozen CDs, and the cup holders on the tunnel are molded under the banks of different caliber convenient
 
    
Fashionable Motor Runway Button without Key Standing in Audi 28 143 rub., And in Mercedes-Ben whole 1136
Parking sensor readings are displayed on the MMI display.
Pockets of the front doors A4 roomier and with a special bottle compartment
 
   
For 25 180 rubles. A4 can warn about cars in neighboring stripes
Normal cruise control for A4 costs 12 107 rubles. For 58 990, you can order an active it will maintain a given distance.
 
But the interior of the Audi is good unconditionally. At first, you think that you will surely get lost in the myriads of the buttons, in the menu of the on-board computer and the MMI system, controlling all kinds of useful functions, starting with the heating of the seats and ending with the delay in the headlights when setting the machine on the signaling. But literally in a couple of minutes you are already absolutely clear. And the eyes, hands, the back are extremely pleasant with the special care of the selected and fitted finish materials, accurately calculated forms of the chairs, spectacular, but not annoying the red-white backlight of the devices.
Made View
How much has been said about close sofas C-class and A4 of the previous generation! It would seem that the Germans listened to critics, making the car longer than their wheelbase increased by 45 and 158 mm respectively. And if I am with my height of 186 cm, transplancing from the driver's chair, I rubbed the back seat to the back seat, then I am already sitting much freer. However, the knees in the plastic front seats are still resting. And the painter touches the bend of the roof above the door.
   
   
 
 
 
Theoretically, triple sofas of sedans are molded for two persons, which services of which Mercedes-Benz offers not only the armrest, but also the furnishings built into it
 
On the sofa of Mercedes-Benz is not at all spacious. If the passengers are under the driver, medium height, they will be freely here. But those who walked above do not blame me. Meanwhile, let's say, on the sofas of the Passat, C5 or Mondeo is much more spacious.
 
Dimensions are given in centimeters. * Distance from seat cushion to ceiling. The space for the feet of the sitting rear is indicated, provided that the driver's growth is 185 cm.

Let it be written in pen
I wonder what the procedure determining the volume of the luggage compartment enjoyed Germans nameryanno C-class and A4 very decent 475 and 480 liters? At comparable data in the cargo compartment of the aforementioned Ford sedan even two large suitcases can be almost shuffle. A couple of the four standards is part of our back to back, nearly tearing off an expensive and high-quality upholstery. The C-Class is due to the highly prominent wheel arches put all one!

   
Special shroud protects luggage from contact with mounting hinge covers. However, from this roof racks become more closely
 
   
Sofa cushion Audi does not lean, but still folds back almost flush with the floor trunk
Niche for small things there are in the holds of both sedans. But only in the C-class with grid
 
We are ready to admit that the chores are not imperial case. But a representative of the Stuttgart names also loading height 5 cm longer than that of the Audi. And the back of the sofa laid out only for a fee of 394 (not available for Special Series), whereas in the screwed tightly there is not even hatch for long-length.
Not horses Newtons!
Of course, we did not expect rivals pressed into the seat acceleration for such exercises there are suitably qualified candidates for each of the families. We only reasonable to assume that the A4 with the engine at 160 hp. with. It will be hard to keep up with the S200K, in which sled 24 horses more. It turned out, however, that power is not always in horsepower. At speeds up to 140 km / h Audi as C-class, no forced nervous during protracted overtaking. And just as surely I started from the spot. No mystery: Ingolstadt sedan turbo develops torque of 250 Nm as well as your opponent's unit with a mechanical supercharger.
Moreover, multitronik A4 allows more control rod and the transmission in manual mode change faster than a few pensive 5-speed automatic Mercedes-Benz. This advantage is particularly palpable Audi, not only if you want to quickly dive into the next number in the city, but also on a winding country lane when braking the engine before the next turn. That, in our opinion, completely eliminates the loss to the maximum speed of Audi.
slowdown is not satisfactory both brakes from stock. But because of the possibility of a more finely controlled braking to us in this case is more like the C-Class. Audi pedal a little more tight, besides its too big free wheeling.
Unexpectedly
In the standard version, cunning, changing stiffness, Mercedes-Benz shock absorbers perfectly cope with joints, holes on asphalt and even with a paving. It is not annoying and engine, although it keeps noble silence only at idle. Alas, as a whole, C-class noise insulation, we cannot name an example for imitation. At a speed of 130 km / h, the rustle of the rear tires turns into a howl, overlapping the sound of the motor. At about the same time, it begins to fulfill its guidance batch and the wind confused in large mirrors.
What you can not say about the fourth car almost silently cuts the incoming air flow. Here and the aerodynamics are canceled, and noise insulation at an altitude of highly rigid tires Michelin-Sports reminded themselves only with a lightweight rustle. Thanks to the variator, the motor that issues a maximum of torque already with 1500 rpm, kept silence, in the standard modes without raising the tachometer arrow above 2000. And only from about 4000 rpm, it struck dry, with a hoarse branded Audi.
But ingolstadt prince we also deprived one point. His suspension adapted for Russia still remained very short. While the road rubbing is stacked in the working ranges of shock absorbers, the machine rolls smoothly. However, even in front of the standard lying police, it is necessary to slow down almost until a complete stop, otherwise the suspension is rigidly, with a well-tangible in the cabin, the knocking closes.
To Russian well
But on the part of the driving manner full equality. Both rivals were born in order to deliver to their owners the pleasure of driving. They perfectly hold the speedwise straight, very reliable on the fast arc and are adequate in the bundles of slow turns.
 
Suspension rigidity control system, effort on the steering wheel and the car dynamics of Audi Drive drivers, confessing active ride style, will certainly appreciate. Price from Ingolstadt 119 590 rubles
 
Yes, the rudge of the Audi at low speeds is easier and a little less informative than the Mercedes-Benz. Not ideal and C-Class Despite the regular system of adjusting control, automatically, depending on the driving style and the state of the road, adjusting the stiffness of the shock absorbers, the machine allows themselves to be light rolls with intensive rebuilding. But the lungs of these blots, as they say, within the admission and became a consequence of an increased specifically for Russia of the road lumen. However, lovers of undiluted driving to any of the sedans can order a special sports suspension so that in the full program to experience the charms of Russian roads.
How else?
In EuroNcap tests, both sedans were smashed to the maximum five stars. Earn higher Auditations Audia In addition to other things, six front airbags were helped, side and window. The Mercedes-Benz had a knee, only here such cars do not supply.
 
Thanks to the power elements of the body and inflatable curtains, one of the obligatory tests of EuroNCAP side impact at a speed of 29 km / h Both sedans have passed on excellent
 
However, judging by the report of Europeans, with frontal blow, the driver and without it turned out to be well protected. Otherwise, even the basic versions of both models have a complete Arsenal of Air Bags and ABS Active Security Tools, ESP and the Anti-Summer System. Actually, in the Supreme Society it is impossible otherwise.
Ahead of the planet all
If we consider close to equip the configuration, with all the desire, even among the prestigious middle-class sedans, you will not find cars more expensive than our rivals. But the sole leader is still Mercedes-Benz. The most affordable C180K costs 30,500 or 1 100 675 rubles, that is, by 89,665 rubles. More cheap A4 and 164,575 more expensive than the BMV of the 3rd series. Moreover, such C-class does not have no heating of seats or a radio tape recorder. Of course, you can significantly save at the cost of options, purchasing machines of a special series. Let's say, when buying C200K, the benefit will be about 7600. However, equipping to the level of such Mercedes-Benz is already quite rich (MMI system, rear parking sensors, good music) A4, you still save about 120 thousand rubles.
   
Mercedes-Benz multimedia center with a DVD player and navigation costs 4700, about 30,000 rubles more expensive than a similar audio system. In addition, he does not know many roads even in the Moscow region. Let's say on the site of the Solntsevo there is a dark forest
The fact that in the C-grade of a special series there is a full spare, very correct
 
In addition, planned maintenance will cost the owner of the C-class is about twice as expensive. And although the interservice interval in both cases is 15,000 km, the fourth is not at all necessary to take place once a year as Tsechen.
    
We decided:
This is a surprise, so the surprise we did not expect that someone from rivals would easily furnish another. Still, each retinue from the highest quality engineers, advanced technologies and a clear understanding of the task: an expensive car for a very demanding buyer. Nevertheless, the C-class was surprised, having received in the end just a firm four (average score 4.0). Driving a car wonderful, we can even agree with his price, take a small and uncomfortable trunk. But with inaccurate places and very mediocre noise insulation, engineers from Stuttgart need to be urgently done.
Actually, on the error of the rival Audi (4.3) and won. No diluted feelings of Quality and Quality, which gives the car from Ingolstadt, determined its advantage. Yes, the fourth suspension is harsh, but it is unlikely that such a fee for hardly the ideal handling can be considered overestimated.

Andrei Koltun, photo Maxim Potcharov

 

 

A source: Journal Buy Auto [09/2008]