Mercedes-Benz C63 2011 review

The small prestige sedan battlefield is about to be shaken up by Mercedes-Benz with its updated C-Class.  The German car maker is claiming more than 2000 new parts are beneath the facelifted exterior, as well as ten safety systems new to the C that have flowed down from the company's flagship S-Class.

While its home market has a wider choice of engines for the expanded model linee-up (now including the coupe), Australia will get three petrol - the 135kW/270Nm C200, the C250 with 150kW and 310Nm and (arriving later) the C300.

Value

The company says the current series has sold over one million units worldwide since its launch in March 2007.  Originally known as the 190, the C-Class has been on the Benz books since 1982 and has been sold to more than 8.5 million since then.

Pricing is yet be announced for Australia, but those in the prestige compact market can expect minimal price increases but offset by updgraded spec when the cars hit our shores mid-year.

Technology

Topping the list of in-car technology is a new telematics system that includes a larger display, Bluetooth phone and music link and internet access for the first time.  Benz has set up the system to tailor content for minimum distraction while moving, but when the car is stationary the internet or a Mercedes-Benz Online service is available.

The system also has a special destination search via Google Maps that can downloaded to the car.  Start stop is standard across the engine range bound for Australia, all of which are Blue Efficiency powerplants, helping (along with the seven-speed auto) the company to claim up 31 per cent better fuel consumption.

Around 70 percent of all the C-Class body panels are made from high-strength steel alloys; the sedan and the estate are both fitted with an aluminium bonnet, with the lighter alloy also used in the front fenders and in the doors.

Design

The front and rear have been updated, the most obvious aspect of that being new headights and tail lights (with LED running lights and indicators), with tweaks to the bumper profiles as well.

Much of the design overhaul has been focussed on the interior, which has high-grade leather and wood adorning the dashboard adopted from the E-Class - with the more cohesive integrated screen set-up and taken a step further in the right direction.

The two design and equipment lines - Elegance and Avantgarde - are more distinct, with the biggest tell-tale being the grille with raised "cross-hair" logo on the Elegance model's nose, while  the Avantgarde has the larger emblem mounted centrally in the front grille.

Safety

The new C-Class has seven airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control already, and now has an even longer list of active safety assistance systems using radar, camera and sensor technology.

The safety features list now includes Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Active Lane Keeping and Blind Spot Assist, Attention Assist driver alert, the Distronic Plus radar-equipped cruise control, Speed Limit Assist (which spots roadside speed signs), the Parktronic system and the Pre-Safe accident preparation system.

Driving

The first impression of the car is how quiet and refined it is, and we're driving the smaller diesel 250 CDI, which cruises at 110km/h with around 1500rpm on the tachometer.  Wind noise is only apparent because of gusty cross-winds, which were enough to topple a truck on the freeway.

Teamed witnh the seven speed auto the drivetrain was flexible and linear, easily climbing the steep mountain roads.  A drive in the V6 turbodiesel - which packs a 620Nm wallop - delivered a quiet drive, with in-gear acceleration that is awesome and unrelenting.

The Agility Control suspension system has been fine-tuned and the work was worthwhile, as the ride quality is more comfortable, but not at the expense of body control and handling, which were both crisp.

The steering is well-weighted and bites into the corners with a little more vigour than was expected.  The interior has a quality feel and the integrated screen and dashboard set-up looks far more cohesive, the only bugbear being the speed limit display system proving somewhat at odds with the Tenerife road signs on several occasions.

Verdict

A comprehensive and worthwhile update that puts the C-Class back in the fight. 79/100