With the impending release of the new C-Class Coupe – I look back over my time of ownership of a 2015 C220 Saloon, driving experiences with a C63 AMG and the new C-Class in general.
C-Class Coupe Overview:
You will get the choice of either the 170bhp C220, with a six-speed manual or 9G-Tronic nine-speed (yes – nine!) automatic gearbox and the C250, which produces 204bhp and comes with the 9G-Tronic gearbox as standard. Available in a Sport Trim or AMG with standard equipment including LED headlights and tail-lights; Active Park Assist; PARKTRONIC parking sensors; a reversing camera; 7-inch colour screen; Garmin navigation; electrically folding mirrors; and Collision Prevention Assist Plus automatic braking system.
The C300 model also features a sports exhaust system with switchable sound – fun fun fun.
Topping the range is the £61,000 Mercedes-AMG C63. With a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine and AMG 7-speed automatic gearbox, producing 476bhp – accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds.
The £66,910 Mercedes-AMG C63S produces 510bhp with 0 to 62 mph taking just 3.9 seconds.
Sadly I have not had the pleasure of driving it yet but for 6 months I did drive the C220 Saloon – a luxurious car, supremely comfortable, filled with some dazzling technology, safety features and easily capable of practically running 40+ miles to the gallon raising all the way to 60+ in its most economic setup.
For the best part, each model is a pretty good looking car too, significantly different from its predecessor. The front is stunning, especially during low light or at night with the LED lights on but I’m afraid I was a big fan of the previous incarnation and I miss the more aggressive look (as with the C63 further own in the post).
And speaking of the Saloon, in particular, I have a very serious concern – it immediately reminded me of a Rover25…! And I’ve not been able to get past this at all. Somewhat better with the AMG trim – that has a rear diffuser, slightly different front splitter, vents and AMG Alloy wheels (I later added these to mine) making the whole car look much sportier and balanced. But in its stock form, I just can’t help thinking of the Rover 25 when I see it – it kinda ruins the three-pointed star dreams.
Saloon models start at around £27,000 and for this, you do get an awful lot of car for your money. Mercedes must be ramping up the sales in the fleet market as I have seen an awful lot of these on the road this year which really only added to my frustration as you lose some of that exclusivity that you associate with driving around with that three-point star on your bonnet.
I drove the C220 170bhp model which sadly lacks Ooomph – Off the lights, it accelerates at a decent rate but then just stops, effortlessly slides you through the 7speed automatic gearbox which, for the record is lovely and smooth and reasonably intuitive. But this is my problem – it’s really quite boring and has no explosive attributes.
The car does have four settings – ranging from ECO to Sports+ which dictates how quickly the car responds when you put your foot down and in which gear it decides to put you in. In all modes, including Sports+ I found there to be a significant delay between hitting the accelerator and the power kicking in – the more economic the setting, the longer this delay is. I started wanting a manual car again.
C220 Saloon Technical:
BlueTEC
Powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 170 hp
0 to 62mph in 8.1 seconds.
Prices start at a little under £27,000 (the new coupe starts at £30,000)
I’ve always been a fan of rear-wheel drive, forced induction vehicles, naturally gravitating towards Japanese Manufacturers but I drove the C63 predecessor at Mercedes Benz World recently and it was this car alone that instigated my love affair with Mercedes. It had everything the C220 didn’t – and whilst I have been quite critical of the aesthetics, I don’t want to take anything away from the technology, comfort and quality of the interior – it is a stunning car to sit inside of.
And it all ends with this – the C-Class Coupe – hotly anticipated, expected to continue to the age-old battle for supremacy with BMW to snag the battle of the executive RWD and all-round a fabulous car.