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All
Grown Up Baby Benz
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2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport |
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by Alain Gayot |
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| In
short: A luxurious compact sport
sedan. |
Not
only does the brand with the three pointed stars have a
winner with rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton on the Formula
One circuit, but we think the new C-Class deserves a podium,
too. On a recent drive through the majestic back roads of
Portland,
Oregon, whether on straights along the Columbia River,
bends during ascension of volcanoes or in city traffic,
the new generation Mercedes-Benz C300 behaved like a true
charmer. It certainly seduced us, the drivers, passengers
and curious onlookers.
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As
if the previous
generation were not captivating enough,
especially with attractive financing terms, this fourth
edition is sure to capture a wide audience and deliver
some sales records for the brand in the process. What’s
new, you may ask? In a nutshell, much more for the money.
The entry level car is actually playing catch-up to the
company’s
flagship, the S-Class.
Its design is more in line with the big car, with sporty
and dynamic looks. It is larger (4 inches longer) and therefore
more roomy all-around than its predecessor. The C300 is quite
a satisfying car as is, offering more value, safety (see
sidebar), room, features and dynamic behavior. Also,
in these days of environmental consciousness,
it will deliver more power and use the same amount of gasoline
(or less) than the outgoing version.
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Our “Sport” tester
had some AMG-inspired dynamic components. We’re talking
mega-wheels (optional 18 inch), a three-prong steering
wheel, a sport braking system, dual exhaust, body styling
and a huge integrated star logo in the three-louvered grille. The
interior was black leather with aluminum trim finish and
the exterior had a redoubtable flashy red that contrasted
nicely with the snows of Mt.
Hood. It is also 15 millimeters
lower than the classic car. There is a manual option, but
our 7-speed automatic gave us a good feel. We noticed the
huge exterior mirrors, and rear passengers will appreciate
all that extra space, especially with an upgraded hydro-mechanical
rear suspension. Let’s not forget the convenient
Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climatic control with
charcoal filter, power sunroof, 8-way power front seats
with lumbar support and the relatively user-friendly central
controller for clutter reduction, which all come as standard
equipment. In the audio department you will do fine
with the standard equipment but it might not be bad to
treat yourself to the Multimedia Package. For an
extra $2,700, you get COMAND Navigation featuring a 7-inch
power retractable screen with attractive graphics, a 30
GB hard drive, in-dash 6-disc DVD-Changer (yes,
you can watch movies in the parking lot, or if you’ve
been banned from the living room), 450-watt Harman Kardon
LOGIC7 surround sound system with 12 speakers, PCMCIA slot
and voice control.
For those addicted to the ever-present all-wheel drive
option, rest assured that the 4-Matic will be offered.
And yes, there is a beefier V6 with 40hp more if you really
have to have it.
| Improved
Safety Features |
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70%
of the car is built with high-strength/ultra-strength
steel
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Six
airbags
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Adaptive
Braking System
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Active
Safety (ESP, ABS, BAS)
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Active
front head restraints
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“With
its exceptionally balanced driving characteristics,
the fourth generation of the C-Class embodies a new
culture of driving in the compact premium car segment.
This allows us to offer our customers the most versatile
and effortless superior C-Class ever – and in
not just one, but two attractive outfits.” -
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Head of the Mercedes Car Group |
Warranty/Service:
Four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty, four-year/50,000-mile
drivetrain, four-year/50,000-mile rust, 3,000-mile maintenance,
unlimited-mile roadside assistance
QUICK
SHEET |
Base Price: $31,975/As Tested: $40,265 |
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Technical
Specifications
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Vehicle
type: four-door, five passenger sedan
Engine: 90-degree V6
Horsepower: 228 SAE @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 221 lb-ft @ 2700-5000 rpm
Curb weight: 3,421
Wheelbase: 108.7
Length/Width/Height:
182.3/69.7/56.9
Turning circle: 35.6 ft.
Brakes: four-wheel vented disc
with ABS and power-assist
Suspension: independent front and rear
with sport shocks and springs |
Safety: two
stage front air bags, side and curtain air
bags, active front head restraints, structural
side impact protection, ASR traction control
0-60
mph: 7.1 seconds
Top Speed: 130 mph
EPA City: TBA
EPA Highway: TBA
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Check
out other Mercedes-Benz models
See
all of our Automobile Reviews
Visit
the Mercedes-Benz website
Photography:
AlphaMedia
PJW061807 |
(Updated:
07/07/08 SCV) |
