C-Class New C class first drive by Autoexpress (includes new pics of the car!)

[Vivaki]

Looks hot in black!




"Sport mode transforms the car’s character, though, with the dampers stiffening, making the Merc even more focused. Throttle response is more eager, the steering weights up and offers greater feedback, and body movement is virtually eliminated.

The setting also improves the auto box; it snaps through its ratios faster and holds on to gears to provide more engine braking. The C-Class is a big step up over the previous car – now, it can give the BMW 3-Series a run for its money in terms of driver appeal. Yet at the same time, long trips won’t leave occupants tired.


So it doesn’t matter whether you prefer the comfort-biased or sporty model – either way, we think the new C-Class is guaranteed to be a big hit"

Check the rest of the pics and article at:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/207412/mercedes_cclass.html

 

[ree]

This car looks so fantastic in black...and then the AMG-Package... What a great car...

 

[GrimReaper]

Honestly, other than the rear and a couple of minor detailing inside the interior, there isn't one thing I don't like about this car. It's just very visually appealing to me and it fits to a T what I would want in a compact saloon.

 

[ree]

This car looks absolutely stunning in black and with the AMG-Package - it's great! I can't wait to see the C-Class in reality!

edit: sorry...I thought, that my first post wasn't posted...

 

[Centurion]

It really looks like a mini S-class in the second picture. To bad it does 0-100km/h a whole second slower than 330d and cost 2 thousand pounds more too.

 

[Vivaki]

It really looks like a mini S-class in the second picture. To bad it does 0-100km/h a whole second slower than 330d and cost 2 thousand pounds more too.

I think AE have got the figure for the 0-100km/h wrong as the MB UK website has it at 6.8 seconds (same as the 330d) and dont forget the price is an estimate...

 

[DC_insider]

To bad it does 0-100km/h a whole second slower than 330d

It doesn't. There are some incorrect figures going around (and I think in the original press release). The 0-100km/h time is the same as the old model - 6.9s.

 

[Centurion]

I think AE have got the figure for the 0-100km/h wrong as the MB UK website has it at 6.8 seconds (same as the 330d) and dont forget the price is an estimate...

Thank god I was wrong.

 

[Zafiro]

I wonder what it takes to give a car 5 stars in rating

 

[Zafiro]

I dont like the comfort model , the sport version looks so much better with that AMG-kit. Also the sportmodel improve the handling and is a sportier drive than the comfort model. So Avantgarde over Elegance anyday. But of course I pick a 3-series with M-kit over both but thats a different story

 

[GrimReaper]

I wonder what it takes to give a car 5 stars in rating

Have a prancing horse as your symbol?

j/k

 

[LaArtist]

wow man damn those are some hot pics.. and this is the first test i belive, as they have their own pics

 

[NarutoRamen]

I really like this car and I do believe that it is a good alternative to the 3er. I think this is the first time where I would actually consider the C an actual rival to the 3er.

 

[Pagani]

The result of the C trying to imitate the S is drastically different in this newest generation. The C actually manages to carve a stylistic persona of its own!

 

[wltsm]

From the pic of the rear and side of the car, it looks very similar to the S class!

Although because of that new pedestrian legisaltion, the front of the car looks way too upright! Hopefully it will look better in the flesh!

 

[Cashmere]

I must say, the C class design has certainly leaped forward in an unimaginable way...... im loving the new look, its beautiful and im pretty sure the 3 series is going to be under serious pressure after reading that write up.

Great work MB.....

 

[///K]

Looking at those photos, i really like the C class now. Especially the back, it grew on me. However, ill still take a stock 3 series over the c class.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Edmunds just posted a full review as well:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=119950

I presume they attended the same press event AutoExpress did for their write-up.

"The BMW 3 Series has long been the big player in this market segment, with 120,180 sales in the U.S. last year. In comparison, the C-Class sold just 50,187 examples last year, just a bit more than the 49,862 Audi A4s that found a home in America in 2006.

For the small group of hard-core Mercedes enthusiasts who were hoping for a true 3 Series fighter, this C-Class isn't it. You can't get a manual transmission with the big engine, the stability control doesn't turn off and the performance-oriented suspension package won't be available until the 2009 model year.

Of course, all this will remain largely irrelevant for the vast majority of Mercedes-Benz C-Class buyers. You're typically interested in a sport sedan with a luxury feel, and comfort, features and style are more important than quick transitions between the corners. Your Highway to Hell is the average morning commute, not a twisting back road in the hills of Spain. And for this kind of duty, the C350 Sport is every bit the equal to BMW's best."

 

[audi_rudy]

looks very nice in those pictures, sporty but grown up at the same time. Great Job MB

 

[Pagani]

with this C class, MB has yet another success in their hands (the other being the highly successful S). Great job--boy did they learn the lesson of the last 7 years.