2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - First Drive
The traditional Mercedes-Benz customer should not be disappointed. The C-Class is well put together. The leather on the seats seems pretty classy. The bodyshell has been designed to pass more than 100 separate in-house crash tests. Even the driver's knees get a dedicated airbag. If a C-Class driver is forced to stand on the brakes from a speed in excess of 30 mph, the brake lights will flash, as an extra warning to those behind. The options list features many wonderful things, like the COMAND voice-activated satellite navigation or the sweet-sounding Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system. And if all the badges were removed, you'd still be able to tell which company made this car. One might accuse the designers of phoning in their work from a Caribbean resort, but they probably had a somewhat conservative brief to start with.
Maybe it's one of those cars that gets better the more time you spend with it, but from a driver's point of view, the C-Class might still be considered a work in progress. At least it provides an excellent platform for AMG to start applying its manic magic. Our spies tell of a heavily disguised V8-powered C63 circling the Nrburgring.
2008 Mercedes-Benz C350
*Layoutlongitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine
3.5-liter V6, dohc, 24-valve
Transmission
Seven-speed automatic
Suspension
Coil-spring struts with two-piece control arms (f), five-link with coil springs (r)
Brakes
Four-channel system with ABS and Brake Assist, ventilated discs
Dimensions
Length x Width x Height (in.): 182 x 69.7 x 57Wheelbase: 108.7 in.Curb Weight: 3615 lb
Performance
Peak Power: 268 bhp @ 6000 rpmPeak Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm0-60 mph: 6.3 secs.Top Speed: 130 mph (limited)
Why we love it: It's a Benz-how bad can it be?
Why we don't: Preaches to the converted
The Price Tag: $37,000 (est.)
A quick chat with Peter Pfeiffer, senior vice president of design, DaimlerChrysler
What was your intention with this model?We had three key words: sporty, elegant and sovereign. We wanted to have a typical Mercedes-Benz face, but also to express self-confidence. So, for the first time, we decided to give the C-Class two characters. One that is more classic and one that is sportier, like the SL.
Did the latest S-Class influence this design?We have a new design language with the current S-Class-taut, sharp lines that intersect with clear surfaces. So in this respect, the C-Class is typical Mercedes, but it also has its own character.
How do you achieve this?Over all the models, there should be about two to five percent that is Mercedes, while other details should be innovative, to provide a clear differentiation.
Are you concerned about repeating the 'Russian doll' approach to design that BMW once had?We know about BMW. We know about Audi. We are going our own way.