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Mercedes-Benz C Class sedans emerge with new high-tech style
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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FRANKFURT, Germany -- Running lickety-split at triple-digit autobahn speed on Germany's A66 with the skyscraper skyline of Frankfurt in our mirror and signs pointing toward the spa of Wiesbaden only a few kilometers ahead, we're snug in the bucket behind the wheel of the latest take on high-tech Teutonic automotive design.
The vehicle, prototype for a third generational treatment of the C Class compact sedan by Mercedes-Benz, sparkles in a sleek new skin that shields a stretched cockpit lined with touches of luxury and backed by sophisticated electronic controls for stability and safety, plus an enthused engine that scoots us down the fast track.
In particular, our C320 contains the 3.2-liter Mercedes V6 engine that also motivates the mid-size E320 sedan and sporty CLK and SLK coupes and convertibles.
Producing as much as 215 horsepower for the C320, the single-cam aluminum plant connects with a slick five-speed adaptable automatic transmission that brings selective clutch-less shifting through a flick of the stick, either left to downshift or right to upshift one gear at a time.
Noteworthy mechanical tools aboard the C320 include power rack and pinion steering for precise turning control, plus power-assisted disc brakes tied to anti-lock and traction control systems, even an electronic device to check lateral stability. Also, the Mercedes innovation of Brake Assist is on hand to automatically deploy during a panic stop full-force braking effort designed to cut the emergency stopping distance almost in half.
Shortly, we turn off the freeway to follow a blacktop route into the Taunus Mountains north of Frankfurt. Narrow roads restrict our pace, although strings of curves lacing through the hills quickly reveal for the new Mercedes an agile nature that marks a clear distinction from predecessor C Class cars.
It acts aggressive, even sporty, and maintains sure-footed control in flat-foot stance around keen corners.
Near Neu-Anspach at the Hessenpark museum, where a village collection of preserved timbered houses dates back three centuries, we trade the C320 for a C240 to sample a second V6 powertrain as well as an optional six-speed manual transmission, the first do-it-yourself shifter offered in a Mercedes sedan for North America since 1993.
This edition, the C240 Avantgarde -- which stateside amounts to the base C Class sedan with the manual stick and an optional sports package that tweaks up firmer suspension settings and attaches aero styling elements to bumpers and side rocker panels -- carries a single-cam 2.6-L V6 that attains 168 hp, with torque to 177 lb-ft.
The factor of driving fun shoots up exponentially with this C Class car, which we steer on a wiggly loop course through the mountains, playing out racy maneuvers around curves while running up and down the manual gearbox.
Back at the Hessenpark, we study styling and structure for the C Class pair and trace their evolution.
The concept of a smaller Mercedes sedan began publicly in 1983 with the modest 190 that debuted as a 1984 model and quickly earned the nickname of Baby Benz due to its petite size and pared prices. Ten years later, that baby grew up with the introduction of the 1994 C Class sedans that expanded in stature and strength. Improvements in powertrains and features from 1995 through 2000 elevated C Class models to the top of the sales charts, eventually accounting for some 1.6 million units representing a third of all Mercedes products sold around the world.
For the third C Class interpretation of 2001, Mercedes invested four years and $1.3 billion to develop from scratch new sedans enlarged in size and scope, effectively elevating C Class cars to full-fledged status in the Mercedes product line with all of the refinements and advanced hardware found on larger and more expensive models.
The new look of these compact cars actually compares directly to the top-of-the line Mercedes S Class sedans and elegant CL coupe variations.
In particular, the rakish face looks like a diminutive execution of the curvaceous larger models. A familiar horizontal grille marks the prow unmistakably as a Mercedes, but it's streamlined to match smooth lines sweeping rearward, then decorated with unusual articulated headlamps in twin figure-eight clusters capped by polycarbonate lenses.
At each side, blackened B-pillar columns blend with dark window glass for the smooth look of a pillar-less roofline.
Top rails arch over curving C-pillars to the high-deck tail, where triangular taillamps repeat another styling cue taken from other Benz models.
A strong new structure for the C Class measures only marginally longer than the predecessor but significantly so for space in the passenger compartment.
The interior features new designs for the instrument panel, a multi-functional steering wheel, front bucket seats and a rear three-person bench with leather upholstery now a standard luxury element, along with genuine wood trim, an automatic climate system and a stereo audio package.
Front buckets differ from previous hard seats because the bolstered cushions seem to envelop you in comfort, yet they still provide strong lateral support for sporty work.
For the C240, front seats use power controls to change seat height and backrest tilt, but retain manual controls for fore-aft movements and adjustments of the seat-bottom angle.
On the C320, all seat movements are controlled electrically, and there's a memory element included.
Bold rounded analog gauges in the instrument cluster indicate engine speed, road speed and fuel fill, while a multi-functional display screen centered within the speedometer adds information on call such as a readout from the odometer or trip odometer.
Safety elements inherent in C Class cars begin with a strong framework of steel with front and rear crunch zones and reinforced side bracing.
Dual frontal and side-door air bags are secreted in the cabin, as are air bag curtains mounted above side doors as additional protection for heads. Further, the front passenger seat contains the Mercedes BabySmart system that disables the passenger's side air bag when an infant seat is buckled aboard.
A dash-mounted navigation system ranks as an option in the C Class. It integrates a guidance system with Global Positioning Satellite reckoning and hands-free telephone and audio controls. The driver can converse verbally with the intelligent system and use it to control the audio system, dial phone numbers or figure out where to go.
Americanized editions of the C320 and C240 come ashore this fall and are expected to bring a price structure that reflects only minimal increases over previous versions, beginning around $33,000 for the C240.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320 Specs |
| Description: |
Compact luxury sedan
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| Model Options: |
Compact luxury sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
106.9 inches
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| Overall Length: |
178.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.6-L V6
SOHC 3.2-L V6
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| Transmission: |
2.6-L: Manual/5, Auto/5
3.2-L: Auto/5
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| Drive: |
Rear
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS/ESP
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ 2 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
3.2-L: 20/28 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 33,000 to $ 41,000 |
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