Mercedes C220 CDI A/T Avantgarde

The all new mercedes C-Class has been unleashed in an all-out attack on the market leader, the BMW 3 Series. So far, the Merc has had to do with runner-up spot, or sometimes with third place after the Audi A6. But now, that may all be about to change.

The new C-Class looks like a small S Class, a very good thing indeed. The new 3 series looks like an old Datsun Cherry from the back, a very bad thing indeed. In fact the C-Class looks the way the BMW should look. The crease along the side of the C-Class gives it a quite sporty look, as if the wind eroded the crease into the car as it sped along.

Another reason for the possible change in fortunes is that the C-Class is much more of a driver's car now, where previously BMW owners would sneer that it was they who had the 'drivers cars'. The C-Class handles beautifully and responsively. The more cars I drive, the more I appreciate good handling.

I recently drove the new Mondeo, a truly landmark car in many, many ways and argued that it was as good if not better in the handling and roadholding department as many premium brands. I still maintain that. What the premium brands have in spades is the feeling they give you of being over-engineered. It’s as if they will have something left in reserve in a few years time that other cars won’t have.

The trouble is that if you buy a premium brand car you’ll never prove your argument as you’ll have passed it on well before it gets too old. Otherwise, if the years creep up on your Merc or BMW, the neighbours will start chattering that things mustn’t be going too well for you.

My test drive model was an automatic and during the hectic pre-Christmas traffic it was a pleasure to let the gearbox do all the work rather than my left foot. It had a considerable array of features that Mercedes take great pride in detailing for you, such as: gearbox agility control, flashing adaptive brake lights, ESP, a Brake Assist System, a multifunction steering wheel, interior illuminated door handles recesses, chrome-ringed fog lights and an electrically opening rear boot. It also had cruise control and speed-limiting control, which is easy to use and should be on more cars to force us to address our overspeeding.

The 2,148cc, 170bhp, fourcylinder engine effortlessly moves the car along. You can get a C320 CDI, but that’s only showing off - and penal to run with the new car taxes. You’ll all be very familiar with these additional costs soon, as they will have a major impact on the price of cars bought after July this year. It was a bit noisier that I expected and made a bit of a rattle when cold.

The ride in the C-Class was excellent. It creates the impression that it could go in an out of the worst pothole with only minor inconvenience to passengers. Despite working very hard to coset you, the suspension makes no noise. All the interior plastics and switches are first class, as you would expect of a Merc.

I can’t really find a fault with the car. Unless €60,691 is a 'fault' for a car that is only 93mm longer than a Ford Focus saloon. Perspective is one thing, perception is another, and with the C-Class it’s all about perception. For all the added history and engineering excellence you get with a Merc, €60k is a fair reflection of its value but and this is where objectivity wins over subjectivity, other models available at this price level include the Audi A6, the Volvo V70, the VW Touareg, the Land Rover Discovery and the idiosyncratic Citroen C6. You decide..

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www.mercedes.ie
RRP: €60,691

St. Patrick's CU Monthly Loan
Repayment per €1,000.
Rate = 6.5%
Tel: 01 632 5100 or 01 632 5125
3 Years = €30.64 4 Years = €23.71
5 Years = €19.56

Manufacturers Fuel
Consumption Figs:
Urban 9.2l/100km
Extra Urban 5.5l/100km
CO2 160g/km – Manual
CO2 175g/km – Manual