Mercedes C-Class: Again 25

The world is growing, and not only people but also cars are accelerating in it. 25 years ago, the Mercedes 190 was the youngest model with the three-pointed star, which earned it the cute nickname "baby-Benz." However, over a quarter of a century, even more compact A and B-Classes, as well as the almost toy-like non-Mercedes – the Smart – have entered the market. Thus, the C-Class, whose prototype was the 190, had to move up a couple of steps, and now, presented to us in its fourth generation, it appears as a quite spacious family car. With some stretch, it can be classified as business class, and in terms of the number of options, the "baby-Benz" confidently outpaces many Japanese luxury models. For an additional cost, the Pre-Safe preventive safety system, the active Agility Control chassis, which can change the stiffness of the shock absorbers, as well as the car's response to the gas pedal and the steering wheel's reactive force, and so on, are provided. And as for the interior trim options and the choice of engines, it's better not to mention them – different grades of leather, exotic wood, in a word – Mercedes.

However, luxury is more for the S-Class; "C-Classes" are more often bought in fixed trim levels. And here, customers face disappointment. The huge-diameter steering wheel is made of simple plastic, which clearly does not match the car's status. It resembles Mercedes from 20-30 years ago, when power steering was a novelty. It seems the designers drew ideas from the flagship model, but after assessing the budget, they decided to make the steering wheel as simple as possible. The center console also looks just as plain – it seems borrowed from the Opel Astra and replicates its shape and plastic quality.

In the base version, the C-Class is equipped with an extremely simplified version of the Command interface system. The display, hidden behind a cover in the center of the front panel, only shows the operation of the audio system, whose control buttons are duplicated on the console. And only in expensive 6-cylinder models does the display have a more impressive size and resemble the full-fledged Command system known from the older models.

The Mercedes' sound insulation is still good. The only things that break into the cabin are road noise and engine noise after 4500 rpm. Despite the sharp body edges and huge mirrors, the driver and passengers of the C-Class are completely protected from aerodynamic noise. Even when the speed exceeds 200 km/h, you can easily converse in the cabin without straining your voice.

Externally, the proportions of the new "C" resemble the classic 190. But the swift side panels of the body reference the BMW 3 Series, and the rounded rear of the C-Class resembles a scaled-down CL coupe, which somewhat contrasts with the sharp-angled front end. The rear lights incorporate a clever ventilation system that creates downforce and allows the sedan to do without a spoiler, as well as reducing the soiling of the lights. It's just interesting what will happen when the narrow ventilation slots get clogged with dirt mixed with "Luzhkov's cocktail."

The C-Class is offered with two front-end design options. The classic version features a traditional radiator grille and a star-shaped hood ornament. Drivers preferring an active style are addressed by the Avangarde version with an aggressive grille and a large star in the style of the Mercedes coupe. There are no technical differences between the trim levels. After consulting with fellow journalists about which version is better, we couldn't reach a consensus. Externally, the Avangarde clearly looks better, but when sitting in the cabin, it's more pleasant to see the classic three-pointed star on the hood – without it, the C-Class doesn't seem like a Mercedes anymore. Probably, you'll have to agree to the garish "collective-farm tuning" and decorate the car with two stars…

Despite the controversial design and simple interior trim, Mercedes has made a significant step forward in terms of handling. The widened track and stiffer body have positively affected stability in corners. Stiffer shock absorbers eliminate the body roll in turns that plagued the previous C-Class. Overall, driving the car is now much more interesting; in this parameter, the Mercedes has started to resemble BMW, although the "3 Series" is still stiffer and sharper in its responses.

I managed to take a ride in cars with three different engines. The 185-horsepower supercharged engine of the C200 K version, as before, offers good traction across the entire rev range and, combined with the 5-speed automatic, is a quite optimal choice. The C280 with the 3.0-liter V6 engine is already a quite dynamic car, capable of competing with most cars on the road. But the most powerful one available on the Russian market, the C350, disappointed. No, the engine honestly delivers the claimed 272 hp, and the acceleration is accompanied by a pleasant bassy soundtrack. But the suspension of the top version turned out to be standard, and it struggles with the heavy engine and the 7-speed automatic. As a result, the C350 can't boast anything except acceleration dynamics, and in handling, it loses to the more modest versions. Enthusiasts who like to drive fast should still turn to BMW dealers or be patient and wait for autumn, when Mercedes with the adaptive Agility Control suspension will appear in Russia.

Already after the test ended, I managed to take a ride in a C-Class of the recently discontinued generation. Now that's a real Mercedes! The quality of finishing materials and the interior design are more interesting and better. The sound insulation is also excellent. Yes, it doesn't handle as dynamically, rolls more in corners, and isn't as precise at high speeds, but it has more polish and stateliness, for which Mercedes is so valued. And even despite all its driver-oriented ambitions, if I had an extra 30-35 thousand euros in my pocket right now, I would without a doubt spend them on the old C-Class, especially since dealers still have final models at quite attractive prices. Such a "C" confidently surpasses BMW and Audi in style and comfort and will delight with its swift lines and owl-eye headlights for at least another couple of years.

Text and photo: Leonid Pavlov.