BIKERS ADVENTURE GROUP MALAYSIA

kennylee · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 348 Location: Cheras

Mercedes has released the new generation C-class, W204. It replaces the W203, which sold over 2 million copies since year 2000. At the first glance, you must be shocked by its conservative design, especially the sportier Avantgarde model which gets a different grille . It can be even described as "unremarkable", "dull" or "ugly". In my eyes, the square front bumper does not fit well into the sleeker body. The thin C-pillars might benefit visibility, but it no longer delivers a solidity feel associated with all the previous C-class, 190 and simply all Mercedes saloons. If we cover the grille, I suppose most people won't be able to tell which brand it is. Mercedes seems loosing its magic of designing distinctive and characterful cars...

Mechanically, the new C-class seems to be a logical evolution from the last generation. It grows 55mm longer to 4581mm, 42mm wider to 1770mm, with a 45mm stretch to the wheelbase for a total of 2760mm. It offers a little bit more rear legroom, but the biggest gain is shoulder room - 40mm more up front and 20mm more at the rear. Boot volume is up by 20 liters to 475 liters. Drag coefficient is unchanged at 0.27 (for the entry-level C180K), although larger frontal area should generate slightly more drag.

To improve crash safety, 70 percent of the monocoque is now made of high-strength steel. Among which 20% are even ultra-high-strength steel. The chassis is slightly stiffer, with torsional rigidity increased by 13 percent. Nevertheless, the chassis is 8 kg lighter than before, thanks to the wider use of aluminum parts, such as front fenders, door modules, front end crash boxes and cross member. This also shifts more weight away from the front axle, meaning the weight distribution improves from the old car's 53.2: 46.8 to 52.5: 47.5, again for the entry-level C180K. That said, it still can't match BMW 3-Series.

Mercedes admitted the basic suspension geometry is carried over from the last generation. This consists of 3-link MacPherson strut suspensions up front and 5-link suspensions at the rear. What's new is the addition of continuously adaptive dampers, which should improve ride comfort and body control. Drivers can select between "Comfort" and "Sport" mode for the damping program. These modes also alter the throttle response and, in case of automatic transmission, the point of gearshift. The speed-sensitive, variable centering rack and pinion steering has reduced ratio to give faster response to delight keen drivers.

Engines are mostly old ones, and rather outdated compare with BMW's - for example, they are lack of direct injection. The 1.8-liter engines of C180K and C200K still employ a supercharger instead of turbocharger. They produce 156hp and 184hp respectively. The 2.2-liter turbo diesel of C200CDI and C220CDI produce 136hp and 170hp respectively.

All V6 engines are unchanged - the 2.5-liter C230 produces 204hp; the 3.0-liter C280 produces 231hp; the 3.5-liter C350 produces 272hp. The latter is also the only one equipped with 7G-Tronic gearbox, while other models have 6-speed manual as standard.