Test drive Mercedes Benz C-class w203 2000-2004 sedan

Heirs of "Karl"

AEMGash versions of the latest Mercedes reminded us of a frantic Karl of three comrades of Remarque. Behind the standard appearance of cars, as it turned out, are hiding new hurricane characters, ready to manifest at the first request of the owner.

These three cars, modified in the Mercedes-AMG GmbH tuning studio, sedan and station wagon C 32 AMG (approximate production plan 3,500 pieces per year), as well as the SLK 32 AMG Roadster (2000 pieces per year). In Western Europe, they are already sold, and we have a curiosity so far. This fueled our interest.

The first we decided to test the class. This tightly shot down double sports car is not particularly different from the basic one. The lower bumper skirts underwent changes; Air intakes of a more aggressive appearance appeared in the front. An aerodynamic hitch on the thresholds looks a little different. We also noted the spoiler on the trunk lid, stylish alloy wheels and shiny nozzles on the muffler.

The salon is finished with the skin of two colors. In two tones, integrated seats, door panels, steering wheel and automatic control handle are also made. Dials of AMG style devices: white round -frame. The speedometer is digitized up to 300 km/h in a step of 30 km/h.

Inside the car is cramped. High and fat people will be uncomfortable here. The longitudinal movement of the seats is limited by the posterior wall of the cabin, the steering column has only one height adjustment. However, for the average person, the fitting of the workplace is not difficult for himself.

The V6 Kompressor and SLK 32 AMGs on the wings and trunk, the car seems to warn the retreating neighbors on the freeway: do not compete with me! By the way, the lack of such identification marks on the body of Karl (Mercedes-Benz 110/160s, 1926) and its rather simple view at one time amazed the owners of luxurious cars when three comrades were at ease on the highway.

If the discreet appearance does not give out a special forces fighter in SLK 32, then the roar of his reconfigured graduation system, on the contrary, instantly attracts attention. The baritone is heard even in the car.

The tuned SLK accelerates quickly and without jerks, despite the fact that its equipment includes an automatic, however, also from AMG. The gear shift occurs smoothly, with minimal delays. The SpeedShift function does not add special agility to the machine, but makes it possible to quickly stick a low gear when overtaking, and also brake to the engine.

In Kick-Down, when the entire power of the motor is required, a mechanical compressor enters the operation. This is expressed not only in slaughter dynamics, but also in a specific hiss emanating from the muffler. The increase in speed occurs so rapidly that you do not have time to adequately perceive it: it was just 120, and, on you, already 180 km/h.

On serpentines, the Rogster shows in the management some nervousness due to small mass, a sufficiently acute steering wheel and frantic power. But this is what gives the true pleasure of driving when you, as they say, roll up.

The mass of electronics (ABS, ESP, ASR, etc.) holds SLK 32 AMG under constant control, preventing it from leaving the given path. However, there is a magic key that turns off this whole set. True, in this case, the responsibility for what is happening completely lies on the driver.

The Mercedes-Benz C 32 AMGs are built in the same vein. The again minor external manifestations of tuning (a more expressive front spoiler with foglights, aerodynamic hitch on the thresholds, a massive rear spoiler, cool discs, nozzles for a silencer) and almost the same temperament as the Rodster.

The cabin has a leather finish. A sports image is created by different machines, seats and a machine gun handle. Dials on the instrument panel are black.

The larger free move of the driver’s chair and the presence of two adjustments of the steering column greatly facilitate the search for a comfortable position of the riders of almost any complexion. At the same time, the ergonomics of the driver's seat can be recognized as excellent.

Sitting at the wheel of a sedan, you immediately note its significant differences from the Rodster. The engine is not so aggressive. The machine seems more imposing, perhaps even a little roll. The nervousness when moving is completely absent from the car goes, as if along the rails.

Thus, the developers well thought out the consumer address of their new products. Those who love the active style of driving, on the verge of foul, are intended to the SLK Roadster, connoisseurs of comfort and practicality sedan and station wagon.

The extraordinary qualities of cars were achieved by AMG specialists primarily at the expense of the engine, by the way, a single for the entire trinity. The V6 3.2 engine did not immediately come on the C-Class of previous generations installed V8 engines (5.5 and 4.3 liters). However, the V6 has several advantages. It has a smaller mass, which has a beneficial effect on the weight of the car along the axes. It is compact, which is important in the accident (more space for deformed areas). In addition, the six contains the same technical innovations as the previous engines (double ignition, three valves per cylinder, etc.).

The power and torque were brought to the required level using a mechanical boost unit. True, instead of a rotary with a constant drive, a screw was used here, entering the operation at high loads (an electromagnetic coupling is built into the belt drive).

A boost unit, whose screws are covered with a tefloon to reduce noise, has excellent characteristics: the maximum rotation frequency of 20700 min-1, performance of 1200 kg of air per hour, a boost pressure of more than 1 bar, which is 30% higher than other similar systems.

The use of a tuned output and a leading air cooler also improved the engine. He develops 354 hp. at 6100 min-1. The maximum torque of 450 nm at 4400 min-1, and 90% of it is reached already at 2300 min-1 and persists up to 6100 min-1. Interestingly, the V6 3.2 AMG has the highest liter power (110 hp) among serial motors with mechanical booty belt.

In addition, the machines are equipped with a 5-speed adaptive automatic machine with the AMG SpeedShift function, which optimizes the transfers, speed and smoothness of the mechanisms.

The chassis and chassis were subjected to refinement. In particular, shock absorbers and springs with other characteristics are used. In front, stabilizers of the transverse stability of a larger diameter are installed. At the sedan and the station wagon, the clearance is reduced by 30 mm.

The use of more powerful brake mechanisms with ventilated disks of increased sizes was used to use 17-inch wheels with low-profile rubber (front 225/45R17, rear 245/40R17).

The appearance of tuning versions in the line of Mercedes-Benz models, such steps have been taken in Stuttgart repeatedly. This can also be considered the answer to the main competitor to the same court atelier BMW M GmbH of the advanced M3 and M Roadster.

Well, the answer is worthy. In any case, the consumer only wins from such manifestations of competition.

Technical characteristics MB C 32 AMG Sedan // MB C 32 AMG Estate // MB SLK 32 AMG Roadster

Body-4-door sedan // 5-door station wagon // 2-door relatives
Number of places, people. - 5 // 5 // 2
Equipped mass, kg - 1635 // 1695 // 1495
Complete mass, kg - 2115 // 2200 // 1755
Dimensions (length/width/height), mm - 4528/1728/1415 // 4528/1728/1415 // 4010/1712/1270
Base, mm - 2715 // 2715 // 2400
Maximum speed, km/h - 250
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s - 5.2 // 5.4 // 5.2
Fuel consumption for the NEDC cycle, l/100 km - 11.5 // 11.9 // 11,2
Engine:
- type - gasoline, V6, with mechanical boost
- working volume, cm3 - 3199
- Power, L.S. at MIN -1 - 354/6100
- torque, NM at min -1 - 450/4400
- power system - multi -point injection
Transmission - automatic, 5 -speed, with AMG SpeedShift function
Tire size (front/core) - 225/45R17/245/40R17
Wheel suspension:
- Front - independent, such as Mcpherson (Sedan and Estate), into double cross. lever. (Roadster)
- rear - independent, multi -link
Brakes (front/rear) - disk, ventilated, with perforation/disk, ventilated
Steering - rack with an amplifier

Text: Sergey Zhukov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [06/2001]