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Mercedes-Benz C230 sports coupe shines on the bottom line
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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MONT TREMBLANT, Quebec -- Hook a hard right through the wrap-around ramp leading into Autoroute 15, which heads north out of Montreal toward fir-clad mountains in Canada's French-flavored province of Quebec, and a new compact-class sport coupe from Mercedes-Benz hugs the tight curve in an aggressive manner that denotes a playful disposition.
Now throw the shifter stick up though six gears as a supercharger blows four-quart power to build speed on the multi-lane freeway.
We're quickly running lickety-split against the legal limit in a rush out of Montreal, with all signs in French directing us north toward St. Jovite and our destination at the ski park of Mont Tremblant. Time to settle into the firm bucket seat of a compact cockpit and assess all nuances of this latest sporty concept out of prolific designers from Germany's Mercedes-Benz.
The vehicle, constructed on a compact platform that also supports the Mercedes C Class sedans, conforms to the format of a hatchback coupe with two side doors, four wheels pushed to corners with scant overhangs, and a raked prow up front concealing the four-in-line engine capped by a supercharger that blows out the extra power.
In classic pose with the front-mounted engine directing all muscle toward rear drive wheels, this one floats by independent suspension and hunkers toward the pavement to strike an aggressive pose.
It's called C230 in the alphanumeric product nomenclature of Mercedes, as the C denotes a C Class vehicle and the three digits signify a 2.3-liter displacement for the four-cylinder engine.
Generating as much as 192 hp at 5500 rpm, the dual-cam plant is the same Mercedes engine that powers the SLK230 Kompressor convertible coupe, with "kompressor" translating from German to "supercharger" in English. Supercharging a relatively small engine like this maximizes the output without adding undue weight or mass.
The plant links to either a notchy six-speed manual transmission or the smooth Mercedes five-speed adaptable automatic 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 C230 include power rack and pinion steering for precise turning control, plus power-assisted disc brakes tied to anti-lock and traction control systems, even a sophisticated and computerized electronic device that stems lateral slippage of the wheels and maintains straight-line stability.
Also, the Mercedes innovation of Brake Assist is on hand, automatically deploying during a panic stop full-force braking effort to cut the emergency stopping distance almost in half.
And the full Mercedes complement of passive safety features scores as standard equipment. These protective elements begin with a strong framework of steel with front and rear crunch zones and reinforced bracing for side doors, pillars and roof. Then dual-stage frontal and side-door air bags are secreted in the cabin for both front seat riders, while air bag curtains mounted above side doors serve 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.
With so much sophisticated hardware on tap in the C230 as standard equipment plus the cachet of that tri-point Mercedes star decorating the forward grille, one might suspect that this new coupe carries a pricy bottom-line tag. That's not the case, however, because it enters the American market as a 2002 model priced aggressively against competing sport coupes from Japan.
The primary C230 issue with manual six-speed transmission lists for $24,950 and ranks as the lowest price in the Mercedes fleet.
Add the automatic five-speed transmission and oversized panorama sunroof plus power and memory controls for front seats and the bottom line still won't pass $28,000.
Line it with leather upholstery, a premium Bose sound system and six-disc CD changer and the tag lips over $30,000 to define the top end of the price range.
Why would Mercedes-Benz run head-to-head in price competition with Japanese automakers?
A simple answer comes out of a complex mix of new products cast off the C Class platform -- with two luxury sedans already on the market and a station wagon plus high-powered performance model in the pipeline. C230 marks the entry point to this line and a fresh opportunity for Mercedes to market vehicles to a younger audience.
The C230 offers all hallmarks of a precise and sophisticated Mercedes-Benz vehicle but also a playful spirit captured in a fun-to-drive package.
A wiggly closed-circuit race course cut from the forests near Mont Tremblant allows our tester C230 to show off that wily nature as we maneuver through off-camber curves, right-left-right chicanes and high-speed straights.
It acts nimble dancing in the chicanes, comes through all corners in the flat stance of a sportster, then kicks quickly to hot-lap pace when freed on the long chutes.
Returning to pit lane, we park our C230 to scrutinize its styling and strap into each seat to measure the good fit.
The face of the C230 compares directly to 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 center-pillar columns blend with dark window glass for the smooth appearance of a pillar-less roofline. Top rails arch over gracefully curving third pillars to the high-hiking hatchback tail, where triangular lamps repeat another styling cue taken from other Benz models.
A cabin with twin bucket seats up front and rear bench for two features cockpit styling and a dashboard that looks familiar in the manner of all Mercedes.
Front buckets feel firm and supportive with bolstered cushions that provide strong lateral support for sporty work. A center console holds the transmission lever and padded-top storage bin, with controls for sound and climate systems mounted on the center dash. Bold round analog instruments indicate engine and road speeds and fuel fill.
The C230 carries a long list of equipment, with options limited to the sunroof, upgraded audio and power controls, plus leather upholstery and a navigation system.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C230 Specs |
| Description: |
Compact 2-door sports coupe
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| Model Options: |
Compact 2-door sports coupe
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| Wheelbase: |
106.9 inches
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| Overall Length: |
171.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.3-L I4 SC
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| Transmission: |
Manual/6, Auto/5
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| Drive: |
Rear
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/BA/TCS/ESP
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ 4 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
M/6: 18/26 mpg
A/5: 20/26 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 24,950 to $ 32,000 |
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