Mercedes Benz C 250 AMG Dynamic
The new Mercedes C-Class is classier, more comfortable and even cheaper to run than the old model.”
Think of the new Mercedes C-Class as a mini version of the top-of-the-range Mercedes S-Class and you’ll not go far wrong. Mercedes has given the car a luxurious interior, lots of clever equipment. As a small executive saloon, the C-Class competes with models such as the BMW 3 Series.
The C-Class is fitted with a choice of one 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol engine. Diesels are currently not available in Thailand.The range will soon be joined by a petrol-electric hybrid or diesel-electric hybrid. The 2.0-litre petrol engine in the C250 petrol returns 16.9 km/l and emissions of 136g/km. The fast C300 diesel-electric hybrid, should deliver up to 72mpg.
Interior is relaxing and quiet. The interior in the new Mercedes C-Class is one of the car's best features. Fit and finish is excellent and the design looks smart, too. Getting comfortable behind the wheel is easy thanks to reach and rake adjustment on the steering wheel, and height adjustment on the driver's seat. The car is extremely quiet to travel in, but that does have the negative effect of making the diesel engines sound noisier than they should do in a car like this.
Boot space is up, but some might find the rear seats tight. Mercedes has made the new C-Class longer and wider than the car it replaces. Space up front is excellent, and we also found the pedals are not as offset as they were in the old model. Leg and shoulder room in the back should also be fine for most adults, but the C-Class sloping roofline eat into rear-seat headroom. For more leg and head in the back take a look at the BMW 3 Series GT.
Boot space is also up 5 litres from the old model to give 480 litres in total. As with most saloons, the Mercedes suffers from a high load lip, which you’ll have to lift heavy items over. The boot opening is large, but not as big as that offered by the BMW 3 Series GT, which also offer much more room for cargo.
Storage spaces include door bins and a number of useful cubby holes in the dashboard.
The C-Class should be reliable and very safe. The C-Class uses engines that are already employed across the Mercedes range, therefore they should be tried, tested and free from problems.
All Mercedes C-Class model come with a huge assortment of safety features. With all those safety features, it is no surprise that the C-Class got the maximum five stars when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP.
C-Class is quick and economical. Mercedes has managed to make the C-Class 100kg lighter than the old model. As a result, it now feels more agile in the corners and more enjoyable to drive. Drivers can also choose between four modes - Comfort, Eco, Sport and Sport+. They make the car more comfortable or sportier to drive, depending on your mood.
In all settings the steering is linear and accurate, but the best weighting is in Comfort, except at low speeds where the Direct Steer system changes its ratio so you end up swooping into side turnings like an 18-year-old hooligan until you get used to it. The brakes are nicely judged, too, with firm initial bite and progressive feel to the pedal so you can stop gently at all speeds.
Go for the C250 petrol and 0-100 km/hour takes 6.6 seconds with the faster seven-speed automatic gearbox. In the future, the C-Class will be available with the C300 hybrid, which will be even faster. A performance orientated AMG model is also planned, which will give the C-Class near-supercar performance.
Conclusion:
Extremely efficient, but quite expensive to buy. The Mercedes may have a high asking price, but it does come with plenty of equipment including a leather interior, dual-zone climate control and a seven-inch TFT display. This AMG Line model also get 18-inch alloy wheels, an AMG body kit, LED headlights, lowered suspension, sat-nav, chrome exterior trim, sports suspension, a sports steering wheel, and a leather finish on the top of the dashboard.
Mercedes has added lots more equipment to lure in new buyers, so spec-for-spec, the new model is actually better value than before. This is especially true when you consider that Mercedes claims improvements to the engines mean it’s also up to 20 per cent more fuel-efficient.
Test drives: Auto Express Fast Lane Daily AutoCar In German Mercedes Benz C 300 Bluetec Hybrid
Think of the new Mercedes C-Class as a mini version of the top-of-the-range Mercedes S-Class and you’ll not go far wrong. Mercedes has given the car a luxurious interior, lots of clever equipment. As a small executive saloon, the C-Class competes with models such as the BMW 3 Series.
The C-Class is fitted with a choice of one 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol engine. Diesels are currently not available in Thailand.The range will soon be joined by a petrol-electric hybrid or diesel-electric hybrid. The 2.0-litre petrol engine in the C250 petrol returns 16.9 km/l and emissions of 136g/km. The fast C300 diesel-electric hybrid, should deliver up to 72mpg.
Interior is relaxing and quiet. The interior in the new Mercedes C-Class is one of the car's best features. Fit and finish is excellent and the design looks smart, too. Getting comfortable behind the wheel is easy thanks to reach and rake adjustment on the steering wheel, and height adjustment on the driver's seat. The car is extremely quiet to travel in, but that does have the negative effect of making the diesel engines sound noisier than they should do in a car like this.
Boot space is up, but some might find the rear seats tight. Mercedes has made the new C-Class longer and wider than the car it replaces. Space up front is excellent, and we also found the pedals are not as offset as they were in the old model. Leg and shoulder room in the back should also be fine for most adults, but the C-Class sloping roofline eat into rear-seat headroom. For more leg and head in the back take a look at the BMW 3 Series GT.
Boot space is also up 5 litres from the old model to give 480 litres in total. As with most saloons, the Mercedes suffers from a high load lip, which you’ll have to lift heavy items over. The boot opening is large, but not as big as that offered by the BMW 3 Series GT, which also offer much more room for cargo.
Storage spaces include door bins and a number of useful cubby holes in the dashboard.
The C-Class should be reliable and very safe. The C-Class uses engines that are already employed across the Mercedes range, therefore they should be tried, tested and free from problems.
All Mercedes C-Class model come with a huge assortment of safety features. With all those safety features, it is no surprise that the C-Class got the maximum five stars when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP.
C-Class is quick and economical. Mercedes has managed to make the C-Class 100kg lighter than the old model. As a result, it now feels more agile in the corners and more enjoyable to drive. Drivers can also choose between four modes - Comfort, Eco, Sport and Sport+. They make the car more comfortable or sportier to drive, depending on your mood.
In all settings the steering is linear and accurate, but the best weighting is in Comfort, except at low speeds where the Direct Steer system changes its ratio so you end up swooping into side turnings like an 18-year-old hooligan until you get used to it. The brakes are nicely judged, too, with firm initial bite and progressive feel to the pedal so you can stop gently at all speeds.
Go for the C250 petrol and 0-100 km/hour takes 6.6 seconds with the faster seven-speed automatic gearbox. In the future, the C-Class will be available with the C300 hybrid, which will be even faster. A performance orientated AMG model is also planned, which will give the C-Class near-supercar performance.
Conclusion:
Extremely efficient, but quite expensive to buy. The Mercedes may have a high asking price, but it does come with plenty of equipment including a leather interior, dual-zone climate control and a seven-inch TFT display. This AMG Line model also get 18-inch alloy wheels, an AMG body kit, LED headlights, lowered suspension, sat-nav, chrome exterior trim, sports suspension, a sports steering wheel, and a leather finish on the top of the dashboard.
Mercedes has added lots more equipment to lure in new buyers, so spec-for-spec, the new model is actually better value than before. This is especially true when you consider that Mercedes claims improvements to the engines mean it’s also up to 20 per cent more fuel-efficient.
Test drives: Auto Express Fast Lane Daily AutoCar In German Mercedes Benz C 300 Bluetec Hybrid
Standard equipment for the Mercedes Benz C 250 AMG Dynamic in Thailand
Drive system and suspension
7G-TRONIC PLUS, incl. DIRECT SELECT selector lever and steering wheel shift paddles
AGILITY SELECT switch lets you select particularly comfortable, sporty, efficient – or fully customised – handling characteristics with a simple finger tap. Parameters such as the characteristics of the engine, transmission, suspension and steering system are adapted in line with the selected drive mode.
Sports suspension with lowered ride height
Direct-Steer system with speed-sensitive power assist and variable steering ratio
ECO start/stop function
ASSYST service interval indicator
KEYLESS-GO start function
Safety
ADAPTIVE BRAKE with Hill-Start Assist, priming function and brake drying in wet conditions
Airbags for driver and front passenger with enhanced adaptive qualities for front-passenger airbag
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
ATTENTION ASSIST
Brake wear warning for front-axle brakes shown as text message and warning lamp in the display
Crash-responsive pedals
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
Side window airbags
Active Parking Assist, including PARKTRONIC
LED High Performance headlamps. In addition to their distinctive visual appeal, the LED high-performance headlamps boost night-time driving safety thanks to broad light distribution, a daylight-simulating colour temperature, and low energy consumption.
Windscreen with rain sensor
Both exterior mirrors are electrically folding. For improved vision and visibility the exterior mirror on the driver's side and the interior mirror automatically dim continuously.
Exterior
Four power windows with one-touch control and automatic re-opening function
One-sweep wiper function for front windscreen wipers
Electronic immobiliser
Central locking system with interior switch, automatic locking and crash sensors
Interior
Stowage compartment with a 12V socket in the centre console in place of ashtray, illuminated
Folding armrest for driver and front passenger, with compartment
Outside temperature display
Bottle holder
Spectacles compartment in overhead control unit
Front door sill panels with "Mercedes-Benz" lettering
Status display for rear seat belts in instrument cluster
3-seat rear seat bench
Luggage net at side of luggage compartment
Glove compartment
THERMATIC automatic climate control with 2 climate zones
3-spoke multifunction steering wheel
Ambient lighting in 3 colours
Power front passenger seat with memory function
Leather upholstery
Upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather
Seat belts, crystal grey
TEMPOMAT cruise control with variable SPEEDTRONIC speed limiter and HOLD function
Trip computer in multifunction display with current consumption indicator
3-point seat belts
Sun visors with vanity mirror
Equipment packages
KEYLESS-GO Comfort package
Audio 20 CD with touchpad, navigation, radio, dual tuner and CD player also allows mobile devices to be networked via Bluetooth®.
Metallic paintwork
Sliding glass sunroof, electric, with automatic rain-closing (raised position), re-opening function and PRE-SAFE® closing
Drive system and suspension
7G-TRONIC PLUS, incl. DIRECT SELECT selector lever and steering wheel shift paddles
AGILITY SELECT switch lets you select particularly comfortable, sporty, efficient – or fully customised – handling characteristics with a simple finger tap. Parameters such as the characteristics of the engine, transmission, suspension and steering system are adapted in line with the selected drive mode.
Sports suspension with lowered ride height
Direct-Steer system with speed-sensitive power assist and variable steering ratio
ECO start/stop function
ASSYST service interval indicator
KEYLESS-GO start function
Safety
ADAPTIVE BRAKE with Hill-Start Assist, priming function and brake drying in wet conditions
Airbags for driver and front passenger with enhanced adaptive qualities for front-passenger airbag
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
ATTENTION ASSIST
Brake wear warning for front-axle brakes shown as text message and warning lamp in the display
Crash-responsive pedals
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
Side window airbags
Active Parking Assist, including PARKTRONIC
LED High Performance headlamps. In addition to their distinctive visual appeal, the LED high-performance headlamps boost night-time driving safety thanks to broad light distribution, a daylight-simulating colour temperature, and low energy consumption.
Windscreen with rain sensor
Both exterior mirrors are electrically folding. For improved vision and visibility the exterior mirror on the driver's side and the interior mirror automatically dim continuously.
Exterior
Four power windows with one-touch control and automatic re-opening function
One-sweep wiper function for front windscreen wipers
Electronic immobiliser
Central locking system with interior switch, automatic locking and crash sensors
Interior
Stowage compartment with a 12V socket in the centre console in place of ashtray, illuminated
Folding armrest for driver and front passenger, with compartment
Outside temperature display
Bottle holder
Spectacles compartment in overhead control unit
Front door sill panels with "Mercedes-Benz" lettering
Status display for rear seat belts in instrument cluster
3-seat rear seat bench
Luggage net at side of luggage compartment
Glove compartment
THERMATIC automatic climate control with 2 climate zones
3-spoke multifunction steering wheel
Ambient lighting in 3 colours
Power front passenger seat with memory function
Leather upholstery
Upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather
Seat belts, crystal grey
TEMPOMAT cruise control with variable SPEEDTRONIC speed limiter and HOLD function
Trip computer in multifunction display with current consumption indicator
3-point seat belts
Sun visors with vanity mirror
Equipment packages
KEYLESS-GO Comfort package
Audio 20 CD with touchpad, navigation, radio, dual tuner and CD player also allows mobile devices to be networked via Bluetooth®.
Metallic paintwork
Sliding glass sunroof, electric, with automatic rain-closing (raised position), re-opening function and PRE-SAFE® closing