India's Best Executive Luxury Sedan

The age old Mercedes Benz C-class now refreshed with a brand new CGI engine packs quite punch and the ideal car for almost all your motoring requirement; Well in India at least.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The three-pointed star has pretty much been at the fore front of technology and the latest CGI technology highlights just the same. The C-class has been around for quite some time now and seen many stages of evolution. However now with the infusion of CGI technology it is definitely in one of its best days. It receives a minor nip-tuck on the exterior but the as mentioned the real transformation has occurred beneath the hood.

Basically direct-injection turbocharged in Merc speak, the basic architecture of this CGI is not too different from the four-cylinder engine that it replaced. However the move from super charger to a turbo is. While power and torque have obviously been hiked, I think that the greatest gains have been in NVH and also the power delivery across the rev range. It just has to be the smoothest small engine ever from Mercedes-Benz in India. The 5-speed automatic transmission is a great ally for almost all your motoring requirements and in the Indian context it is more than adequate. On the diesel front there is the C250 CDI which with its 207 PS and 500 Nm is simply the torque of the town. 

Performance from both the engines is simply scintillating. The insides pretty much remain the same however, the C-class now gets more kit like powered co-passenger seats as well. Certain plastic bit which looked out of place in such a premium car have also been replaced. While there is decent legroom, really tall passengers could get a little cramped for space. Overall given the Avantgarde trim (only this top line offering to begin with) the cabin is plush but not extravagant though you do get a full complement of air bags all around, a fine audio deck which impresses with decent sound quality and an overall general feeling of solidity in that typically Teutonic well thought but matter-of-fact manner. On the driving front, the C now finally gets the engines to make the driving experience more vivid and hustling the new C is an absolute bundle of joy. The steering feels a tad light however there is ample chatter from it to place in the most places comfortably. And all this without loosing out on the magic carpet ride quality which is a hallmark of cars donning the three pointed star. The low profile tyres however need to be treaded with caution. Sharp ruts or bulging manhole covers could meant a slit tyre or a bent rim, and either could lighten your wallet considerably.

The new C is then nothing short of a slingshot for everyone to hit their targets with and that too without a whimper of protest. Add to that its turbine-like thrust and the way all this can be made to go around corners which is simply fantastic. Finally, it does seem that the three-pointed star has indeed hit the sweet spot with its smallest offering.

Quick Facts:

Engine: 1.8 Direct injection,inline 4

Power: 189PS@ 5600rpm

Torque: 285Nm @ 2400rpm

Transmission: 5-speed auto

Engine: 2.2 litre CDI, inline 4

Power: 207PS @4200rpm

Torque: 500Nm @1600rpm

Transmission: 5-speed auto

Engine: 2.5 litre, inline 4

Power: 207PS @6100rpm

Torque: 245Nm @2900rpm

Transmission: 7-speed auto

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 2760 mm

LxWxH: 4596 x 1770 x 1447 mm

Weight: 1540 - 1560 kg

Variants:

C-Class 200 CGI Avantgarde: ` 29.38 lakh

C-Class 250 CDI Avantgarde: ` 32.94 lakh

C-Class 250 Avantgarde: ` 35.68 lakh

C-Class 63 AMG: ` 97 lakh

Honourable Mentions

Audi A4

The Audi is definitely on a roll with the new A4. Offering a range of engines, right from economy diesels to the blatantly quick 3.2 FSI, there is an A4 for everyone. Great interiors and much more space than its predecessor and the competition make the Audi a great buy.

BMW 3-Series

The ultimate driving machine for the masses. The littlest beemer is also available with new engines amplifying the joy even further. BMW has even tweaked the suspension to make the ride quality plusher. If it’s pure driving pleasure you are looking at, look no further.