Improved, But Nothing Radical
by Jim McCauley (30 Jun 2004)

Four years after its launch, Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the C-Class with more leading edge technology, higher equipment levels and styling refinements. Maintaining the saloon, estate and Sports Coupé ranges, all models benefit from new bumpers, radiator grille and headlamp units - look for the three-bar grille to spot one quickly.

Replacing a benchmark model poses its own problems - if it's working well, why change it? - so Mercedes has played safe and retained the main ingredients. The new C-Class is more a toned-up version of the original, rather than a brand new model, and the range is strengthened rather than changed.

The advantage of this strategy is that all three body styles are being launched within two months of each other, unlike the 12-month wait for the estate and Sports Coupé after the original launch.

Engine choice is one of the strengths of the range, with a new four-cylinder petrol unit in the C 230 joining the established line-up. The diesel range comprises two four-cylinder units of 2.2-litre capacities and a 2.7-litre five-cylinder unit, with power outputs of 122, 150 and 170bhp. All are turbocharged, but the advantage of a diesel is its mid-range torque, and more impressively these figures read 199, 250 and 294lb/ft.

The petrol range offers four choices - three supercharged four-cylinder Kompressor units and a normally aspirated V6, with power outputs ranging from 143 to 218bhp. Six-speed manual transmissions are standard across the ranges.

At launch I decided to go for two diverse models - few manufacturers bring along the smallest-engined model when introducing a new car, and can a diesel also masquerade as a sporting coupé?

The range-opening C 180K saloon is powered by the 1796cc four-cylinder 16-valve supercharged engine, producing 143bhp. Driving through the six-speed manual transmission, the car is particularly active from 2200rpm, forward progress helped by the sweet, short-throw change.

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