Test drive Mercedes C 200 Kompressor: a strong trump card
Mercedes has launched an all-new generation of one of the two most important models in its range, the C-Class. Enough reason to really look at the C 200 Kompressor under a magnifying glass to reveal all its strengths and weaknesses. Special model testing carried out by all publications under the name auto motor und sport.
So far, no production Mercedes sedan has looked like this. Whoever orders the new C-Class in a sporty version of the Avantgarde receives a radiator grille, which until now has only been the privilege of owners of roadsters and coupes of the brand with a three-pointed star.
Excellent handling, but also great comfort
The mostly positive feedback from the public suggests that the car's designers did a really good job. The 17-inch wheels with 45mm tires in the Avantgarde version remain small, and the suspension has not changed compared to other modifications of the model. Adaptive suspension is also available for the sporty version of the C-Class, which is part of an almost endless list of accessories. The test car was fitted with a standard suspension that was approved by the car and sports car during the first test drive of the model and provided an almost perfect compromise between sporty handling and smooth driving comfort.
The impressions listed so far have been fully confirmed after thousands of kilometers traveled during tests in various conditions. The 17-inch wheels with low-profile tires restrict the undercarriage a little to smooth out bumps, but overall, the C-Class, which is typical of the Mercedes brand, offers excellent overall comfort. For people with particularly high demands and knowledge in this area, overcoming short bumps at very low speeds may be a softer solution, another very small drawback is that at full load and high speed on the highway, lateral irregularities lead to incomplete filtered vertical body movements. But to notice these small details, you need to have the sensitivity of the famous princess and the pea, because the C-Class, despite these small comments, deserves to be called the most comfortable representative of the middle class.
This is how the trip is real pleasure.
In the overall picture from the car, we see a sporty-elegant limousine offering great opportunities to overcome long journeys. “This is how a person arrives at their destination refreshed,” as one of the mottos of the Mercedes designers used to say, which deserves to be used in the case of the new C-Class. In order to be able to explain the good mood in which each of the representatives of the group publications participated in the testing, it is necessary to mention a few more factors.
For example, for the excellent handling of the C-class - the car passed all tests of behavior on the road with decent results, and the feeling of safety is maintained even when reaching the limit mode. The steering system provides impeccable feedback to the road, making it easy to follow the perfect turnline thanks to the huge suspension reserves - not only excellent passive safety, but also real driving pleasure.
There is even a reduction in fuel consumption promised by the manufacturer. Especially with reasonable out-of-town driving, figures below eight liters per 100 kilometers can be achieved without any problems. However, when you go full throttle on a free highway, the consumption easily rises to around 13 percent. As you know, Mercedes is already running out of time for four-cylinder gasoline engines with a mechanical compressor. State-of-the-art turbocharged engines are under development that will provide both even better power ratings and significantly lower fuel consumption. So even with a remarkably good car like the new C-Class, there is still room for improvement. In fact, what the C 200 lacks to get the most power possible is the six-cylinder engine. Therefore, the C 350 modification can boast of the highest rating for its class ...
Text: Goetz Lairer, Boyan Boshnakov
Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert
Evaluation
Compressor Mercedes C 200 avant-garde
The new C-Class is a truly impressive achievement - the car is extremely comfortable and safe, which does not prevent him from giving him great driving pleasure. In addition, solidity and functionality are also at an excellent level. The only major drawback of the C 200 Kompressor is its engine, which is neither particularly dynamic nor impressive in terms of fuel economy.
technical details
| Compressor Mercedes C 200 avant-garde | |
|---|---|
| Working volume | - |
| Power | 135 kW (184 hp) |
| Maximum torque | - |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 9,2 with |
| Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h | 37 m |
| full speed | 230 km / h |
| Average consumption fuel in the test | 11,4 l / 100 km |
| Base Price | - |
