Slick, smart C200 benefits a huge Western advantage
It’s been a while since we last tested a Mercedes-Benz, but even if it’s a pretty standard base model, this slick, smart C200 AMG Line more than adequately demonstrated the difference between the real thing and the pretenders. See we’ve been inundated with new world cars out of China and India, among others of late. So we have kinda become used to their standard.
Not that there’s very much wrong with that, but the way the world is singing their praises, you’d swear that those cars have the market by the balls. In price, perhaps. But it only took this bottom end Mercedes to shatter any crazy preconceptions that seem to have smoked and mirrored their way into the modern South African car market.
Clearly a chip off the old S-Class block, this C200 gives entry Benz buyers more than their fair share to ponder. With sharp E looks, S tech, comfort and style it backs it up impressive mild-hybrid efficiency and performance.
Clearly a chip off the S-Class block
Minimalist design makes no mistake that this is a Benz face. The sharp, if a touch Korean tail and bold shoulder bring a subtly aggressive tone to the adequate 4,751 mm long, 1,820 mm wide sled riding on a 25 mm longer 2,865 mm wheelbase. The stretch over the previous car benefits rear passenger room most.
You should however first step aboard, if you want to discover why C200 makes a mockery of any Oriental wannabe trying to pose as something similar. Plush materials cobbled together in a business class finish deliver a truly premium class cabin. Splendid finishes, fine leather and real stitching around seemingly floating screens take C’s Mercedes style next level.
The large high-resolution LCD infotainment screen hovers off the clean carbon wing style dash. It splits opinion. Some enjoy big screen. Others question if it’s all necessary. More senior drivers may even be overawed. The screen sits low in the car and the system logic can baffle even the most computer literate of drivers. But of most concern, these horrid touch things that replace them here, just cannot do what buttons do.
Step aboard to relish greatest C200 gains
One can also control it by ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX voice, via the touchscreen, or use the left stalk of the steering wheel. It’s disappointing touch sensitive surfaces are just as big a step backward versus the brilliant old buttons we once so raved about. All that said, most of the even more faux Chinese ‘rival’ cabin systems are beyond baffling.
Discreet, Sporty and Classic display styles and three Navigation, Assistance and Service modes help make the C-Class your own. Driver and passenger space is good front and rear. Four adults can travel at ease. A fifth man in the middle will survive a shorter drive. The adequate 455 litre boot is practical enough for most needs.
Speaking of spec, there remain a few aspects common to too many far more base-model (read Chinese) cars that are conspicuous by their absence in this million buck sled. Manual fore and aft adjustment on the otherwise power front seats, for instance. And then there’s access, being a sedan its more challenging that say getting in or out of a SUV.
150 kW turbo defies 1500 capacity
C200’s 150 kW 350 Nm turbo-petrol burbles to life courtesy of its 15 kW 200 Nm mild hybrid electric motor mounted in the nose of its 9G-Tronic ‘box that turns the rear axle. The sophisticated transmission swaps cogs invisibly as you drive. Never mind, the power unit defies its fifteen-hundred capacity.
Snick it to drive, pull away and you’re rewarded with a splendid smooth drive. Torquey and effortless, quiet and composed even under hard acceleration, it is magic carpet like. Our test beat Merc’s 7.3 to 100 km/h claims by half a second and we readily drove within the promised 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
Five Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual modes bring more choice. We fiddled a bit, but preferred softer Comfort for everyday driving. It’s a tad taut and a bit noisy on these low profile tyres, but that’s a trade-off for the ego. But it’s an awesome car to just cruise in.
C200 stars on quietness, comfort
Sport and Sport+ modes sharpen steering and throttle response and bring firmer suspension settings to noticeably improve dynamic performance. Not that it will trouble a 3 Series. The brakes lack a little feel and seem when you first tramp on them. That made us pump them for confidence. The steering could also be more communicative.
That said, the C200 stars on quietness and comfort and it’s still more than amply agile and fun to drive. A continuously adjustably damping sport suspension is an option if a more flamboyant driving is that important to you. Benz’ latest Driving Assistance Package can become a little overbearing, but you can override the lot easily enough.
Made right here in East London, this ‘Baby S’ Mercedes-Benz C200 punches well beyond its pay grade to deliver a massive South African success story. Better in many ways, yet maybe not quite as dynamic as a 320i, it has the A4, Giulia and the rest covered. And comparing a Chinese car to it makes C200 seem more like a Maybach. Yip, this entry Mercedes has that undeniable Benz touch of class. – Michele Lupini
Images & data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line
Engine: 150 kW 300 Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol I4
Drive: 9-speed automatic RWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h 3.05 sec
0-100 km/h: 6.84 sec
0-120 km/h: 9.21 sec
0-160 km/h: 16.59 sec
400m: 14.8 sec @ 152 km/h
80-120 km/h: 4.49 sec
120-160 km/h: 7.38 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 246 km/h
Fuel: 6.8 l/100 km
CO2: 152 g/km
Range: 970 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 100K/2y unl.
LIST PRICE: R1,011M
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