Driving the Mercedes-Benz C-Class

MANILA, Philippines - So this is the first real luxury car I’ve test driven and written about. Admittedly, the experience was somewhat intimidating at the outset. I’ve never owned or had regular access to a car of this caliber and frankly, even if I do like nice, fancy things, I wasn’t sure if we’d be a fit.

The folks at CATS Motors Inc. were kind enough to lend me a C200 CGI Avantgarde in Periclase Green with black interiors and Sahara Beige seats. Mine all mine for a few days! To give the already sporty looking car an even more streamline feel, the Benz emblem is not standing but flat on the radiator and the five spoke alloy wheels add to the elegance.

The car’s interiors are equally sleek. Its media panel is neatly laid out and betrays the complex functions it is capable of. The C-Class has Bluetooth capabilities allowing you to synch the sound system with your phone. You can also choose to control music and media from the steering wheel or a handy knob on the driver’s right near the gear shift.

So what was it like to drive? Where do I start… the smoothness, the quiet, the precision, the softness and responsiveness of the pedals. Even my two year old could tell this was a special car. He got in, smoothed his little fingers across the luscious leather seats, smiled and declared, “Ahh… Mommy new car!” The spaciousness in the front and back made it hard to see the C-Class as part of the “compact sedan” segment.

The ride was exceptionally smooth. I’d go over a few potholes and barely feel a bounce. My husband even joked that the ride was so comfortable, hitting a pot hole was like getting a mild back massage. Seriously though, while I can’t put my finger on what specifically the C-Class’ X factor was, the prevailing thought in my head was “So this is what the big deal is about…”

Perhaps a few facts will help you see what I’m getting at. The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s best selling production series. Over a million units have been sold since 2007. What’s more, the C-Class was named by Europe’s biggest auto club (the ADAC) as the vehicle least susceptible to breakdowns among all the cars in its class.

Environmental compatibility is a big factor for me when I look at a car. The C-Class (and all the other Mercs sold by CATS) have BlueEFFICIENCY – a package of fuel saving technologies that reduce environmental impact. The CGI (Charged Gasoline Injection) Avantgarde I had at my disposal is even more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than its predecessor the Kompressor.

What’s most impressive perhaps are the numerous safety features of the Merc today. In 2002, the company introduced the PRE-SAFE System (early accident detection thanks to anticipatory occupant protection). The system ensures that the driver and front passenger’s seatbelts are at just the right tension to hold them in the most ideal position in the event of a collision thereby reducing head stress by as much as 30% and neck stress by about 40%. One of the newest features of the PRE-SAFE goes on to improve that. If for example, the driver fails to react in the seconds before an impending collision, the radar-based PRE-SAFE Brake activates the maximum braking pressure 0.6 seconds before what it now considers an unavoidable accident. This braking action can significantly reduce the severity of impact. Another safety function is when PRE-SAFE detects skidding or the driving brakes abruptly, the system automatically moves the front passenger seat into the most favorable position to be in when faced with accident conditions. What’s more, the side windows and sunroof close so no objects enter the vehicle and the windows and airbags can provide better support in case of impact or a roll over.

For drivers who prioritize the sportiness in a Mercedes-Benz, you can opt for the AMG package. This would give you racier details inside and out – including (though hardly limited to) a 6.2-liter V8 engine and eye catching side skirts. Among other improvements, the incoming C-Class units will have LED daytime driving lights.

The starting price for the C-Class is P2.98M for the C 180 CGI and P3.28M for the C 200 CGI.