Classy with a "K"

MANILA, Philippines – At first blush, “Kompressor” might sound like a farm implement or a fancy kitchen appliance, but in fact it refers to one of Mercedes’ most satisfying technologies. It’s German for “supercharger”, referring to a belt-driven turbine that boosts intake air to the engine for added power.

Unlike turbochargers that rely on exhaust gases, and which suffer from “turbo lag” in varying degrees, a supercharger gets to work from the get-go. Thus, with the C200 an otherwise modest displacement of 2-liters for an inline-4 design produces a fairly impressive 184 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, and 25 kg-m of torque from 3,500 to 5,000 rpm. That’s the kind of output a few 2.5-liter engines would be happy to produce, but with the C200 it’s proof of how fine engineering can make the most out of a small displacement.

Step on the gas and the C200 will make buyers think twice about splurging for its more powerful and more expensive sibling, the 231-HP C280. The C200 steps off the line with the urgency of a modern CRDi turbodiesel. There’s the sensation of a lot of torque pushing the car forward even from idle, and even with several passengers on board. Acceleration is strong and fluid, a gratifying surge of power as the transmission smoothly shifts through the gears.

There’s a lot of low-end torque even below the 3,500-5,500 plateau, making the C200 an ideal car for the typical urban-highway road warrior who needs to constantly accelerate and scoot through openings in traffic. It’s only past 130kph that the limits of the drivetrain begin to be felt. At that point, there’s no hiding the small displacement as the car steadily – rather than speedily – gains speed. Then again, how many people frequently need to go faster than the usual? As it is, the C200 gives a great balance of power and fuel efficiency. A light foot can give back 8 to 8.5 kpl in city/highway driving. One thing with that transmission though: in “C”-mode it’s too lethargic, shifting too late and too slow. We kept it in “S”-mode most of the time. And working through the gears and over the engine range, the supercharged four makes a raspy, muscular note that’s full of character even if it’s not the satiny smoothness of your usual 6-cylinder.

As great as the drivetrain is, it would be a moot point if the rest of the car wasn’t up to snuff. Fortunately, the current generation is a slam dunk, and light years ahead of its staid predecessors. The chiseled, muscular form has the right mix of testosterone and sophistication. Paired with the “Avantgarde” package of 45-series, 17-inch wheels, dual tailpipes, and proprietary tri-star grille minus the hood ornament, it generates positive comments everywhere for its youthful, brash look. The interior is just as good with rich-feeling plastics, leather, and silver trim, with an instrument panel that’s probably the best in class with its watch-like analog dials and inset digital screen.

Dynamically, Mercedes was aiming for a “grand touring” feeling with the car rather than an out-and-out sports sedan like the BMW 3-Series, and most of it works rather well. The suspension is tuned more for comfort than extreme road hugging, and it generally works well enough. Body roll, acceleration squat, and brake dive feel modest from the driver’s seat, the car giving just the right amount of feedback to stop a real-world owner from pushing his nearly 3 Million buck car over the threshold of insanity. The brakes could do with a little less urgency though. Even at crawling speeds, a light tap on the pedal stops the car Right Now, making passengers dizzy and sometimes annoyed. Then again, at 150 kph, they give you absolute confidence that you can slow down just before the radar trap comes up.

Finally, the fat, low-profile tires do have a lot of grip, but less sports-inclined buyers might want to get the “Elegance” package instead with its 55-series tires. Over rough pavement, the 45-series tires transmit a lot of road rumble through the cabin. The thin sidewalls also give a hard ride, detracting from the otherwise softly-tuned suspension.

Still, there’s no denying that the C200, especially in “Avantgarde” trim is one of the most desirable sedans in its price range. It’s fully loaded with the usual luxury and safety stuff like electronic stability, airbags galore, and onboard “COMAND” computer, but at its heart it’s an excellent compromise between performance and traditional luxury. With that supercharged drivetrain, it delivers pseudo sports sedan character wrapped in a very fetching body, and backed up by the reputation and prestige of the tri-star emblem.

THE GOOD

• Slam dunk styling.

• Punchy, satisfying, supercharged drivetrain.

• Disciplined, pseudo-sporty chassis.

THE BAD

• Grabby brake feel.

• Low-profile tires feel harsh at times.

 THE VERDICT

• A great compromise between luxury car sensibility and sports sedan urgency.