Mercedes-Benz C250 and C250 Bluetec 2014 Review

The arrival of a new generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class is always a much anticipated event. This time around the challenge is tougher than ever, given the high regarded in which the W204 was held.

But Benz hasn’t mucked around; the latest C-Class rides on a new architecture, grows in size, has a totally revamped interior and exterior, and ups the value more than it increases the price. Among the models at launch it’s the 250 petrol and diesel models that will attract the most customers and attract our attention here.

No, the new W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is not a car that is going to reset the defined boundaries of the automobile world as we know it. But in terms of addressing weaknesses, building on strengths and doing an all-round job thoroughly well, the latest generation of the car upon which the Mercedes-Benz brand is fundamentally built is very impressive.

The first four-cylinder W205 offerings will be in dealerships from August 23, with a regular flow of additions for the rest of this year and into 2015 including a hybrid, estates, the twin-turbo V8 C63 AMG and, potentially, V6 4MATICs (all-wheel drives) late next year.

Benz is confident the new C-Class will continue the car’s reign atop the luxury sales pile and drive it toward a new sales record in Australia. The company has declared supply will not be an issue, as sourcing for this generation reverts to South Africa from Germany – although the cars arriving initially are German-built.

Elsewhere you’ll find a comparison of the entry-level C200, the most popular model in the range, up against its keenest rival, the BMW 320i. We’ve also published a thorough wrap-up of C-Class W205 pricing and specification.

What’s we’re concentrating on here is a first drive review of the mid-level C250 petrol-turbo and C250 Bluetec turbo-diesel. These cars are at the core of the C-Class line-up, traditionally selling more examples combined than the C200 does alone.

That may change with the new generation, an upswing in C200 value and the arrival of a diesel 200 with a new 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine in March 2015. But in the foreseeable future the C-Class with 250 on the rump will be the one exiting Benz dealers most often.

If history is anything to go by the more popular of the two will be the petrol, which now produces 155kW and 350Nm (up from 150/310 in the old 1.8 t-p), averages 6.0L/100km and emits 138g CO2/km.

The numbers for the carry-over 2.1-litre turbo-diesel (which Benz insists on calling a 2.2) are 150kW, 500Nm, 4.5L/100km and 116g CO2/km.

Zero to 100km/h acceleration is identical for both at 6.6 seconds. Both cars drive their rear wheels via Benz’s seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission.

Obviously, another key figure is price, both climbing $1000 over their predecessors. The petrol clocks in at $68,900 and the diesel at $70,400.

Benz claims that is more than offset by an increase in standard equipment valued between $6000-7000. Apart from the engine, the two 250s spec up identically with the same nine airbags, leather trim, sat-nav, dual-zone climate control and so on.

The most important new items are a whole heap of new safety aids that trickle straight down from the E and new S-Class, including the autonomous ability to follow lane markings, brake for traffic and pedestrians and follow the vehicle ahead at speeds up to 60km/h.

Speaking of the S-Class, there is no doubt the new C-Class takes its exterior inspiration from the Benz’s limo. Styling is a subjective thing, but the new and more ostentatious look combined with a significant (95mm) lengthening and 40mm widening does give this car a lot more presence than its more conservative W204 predecessor.

We’re betting this new look is going to woo a bunch of customers.

As is the interior! W204 was dated inside pretty much from launch, but the new C-Class has been dramatically overhauled. Even the standard interior in piano black, polished aluminium and metal-look, with that large media screen attached to the dashboard, has massive presence and a real feeling of luxury.

Some of it seems fussy, like the extended, partial tubes over the two instrument dials.

Some of it also takes a little while to get used to, notably the gearshifter that’s followed the recent Benz trend and migrated to the steering column. With so many stalks behind the steering wheel you may indicate when you mean to select a gear and vice-versa. But it’s something you will get used to.

The positive pay-off for the removal of the console-mounted gearlever is more storage space including a massive centre lidded bin.

If you’re sitting in the back-seat you might feel a bit tight for space though. Despite being longer and wider, the new C-Class still doesn’t feel as spacious as some rivals. A 180cm passenger sitting behind a 180cm driver will feel hemmed in, if not squashed. Option the panoramic sunroof and headroom becomes an issue too.

Speaking of options, there is no shortage of them. Benz has grouped the majority into five packs (Vision, Comand Seat Comfort, AMG and Exclusive) but the good things is you don’t need to tick any boxes to get a decently equipped car. The days of pauper pack 180Es are long gone!

The W205 is based on a new rear/all-wheel drive aluminium-intensive architecture that is both lighter and stiffer than its predecessor. It will spread through much of the Benz range from C-Class up, including the GLK medium SUV that arrives here in late 2015 or early 2016.

The C250s come standard with a passive suspension system dubbed Agility Control that uses a variable rate damper to adapt to different road conditions and speeds.

As part of a $3490 AMG pack you can option a 15mm lower sportier version of that four-link front and five-link rear suspension system. This pack also brings with it a sports version of the Direct Steer electro-mechanical rack and pinion steering system.

For a further $2490 you can option Airmatic air springs. These allow driver adjustment of the damping through Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes in what is called Agility Select.

The standard car does not adjust suspension, but does change drivetrain through Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes. The steering is adjusted through comfort and sport. A well-overdue Audi-style Individual mode allows drivers to shop across the various tunes to set up their preferred Agility Select driving behaviour.

The vast majority of buyers are not expected to take up the Airmatic option and our sampling at this week’s launch of cars on a mix of suspension options on some quite challenging Yarra Valley roads suggests that won’t be an issue.

The standard set-up strives to deliver the same delicate ride/handling balance the W204 achieved and made a cornerstone of its appeal.

On the whole it succeeds, but there are situations such as lateral road breaks and mid-corner holes where the reaction feels a little sharp and the rear rebound a little powerful. The quality of the secondary ride was also affected a little by the stiff, narrow sidewalls of the standard 19-inch run-flat tyres.

Perhaps surprisingly, the 115kg heavier Bluetec (1595kg kerb weight) also felt to have a slightly more comfort-oriented tuned than the C250 petrol. It floated a little over crests and ridges at speed, but was also a little more relaxed when the pace slowed.

Airmatic takes the edge off the passive suspension’s nibbles in Comfort mode, but add the AMG suspension tune and wind up to Sport and Sport+ and things get pretty firm. The Sport Direct Steer also weighs up from the standard system’s perfectly acceptable tune.

Pushing hard, the C250s don’t seem have quite the sporting keenness of their BMW 3 Series equivalents – if that 3 is running the excellent adaptive M suspension anyway.

But they are still confidence-inspiring and a keen enough drive for most of us, while providing an incredibly high level of cabin noise damping the 3 can’t match. Hybrids running in EV mode aside, the C250 petrol to our ears sets a new standard for interior hush in the class. There’s possibly a nice engine note there, but it’s not easy to judge as it’s so distant.

Nor is there vibration or any sense of coarseness from the M274 engine, which is a relatively new design that shares close technical ties with the M270 in the Benz family of front-drivers led by the A-class.

It’s zesty, reasonably strong and overcomes a torque deficit compared to its diesel compatriot with a happy desire to rev hard and quickly, aided by the substantial intuition of the transmission. The auto box can change character substantially depending on which Agility Select mode you’ve opted for, or if you are changing manually via the flappy paddles.

The OM651 diesel is an older, known quantity. It is also noisier, slower to rev and cuts off sooner. It is strong, it is economical, but it is the secondary choice when it comes to refinement and driver appeal. That it’s slightly more expensive to buy might sway the equation that little bit further toward the petrol version.

In either case, it’s hard to imagine any one stepping out of the old C250 and driving this car and not being impressed. A very good car made even better.

2014 Mercedes-Benz C250/C250 Bluetec:
Price: $68,900/$70,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol/2.1-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 155kW/350Nm 150kW/500Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km 4.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 138g/km 116g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (NCAP)

Also consider:
>> BMW 328i/d
>> Audi A4 2.0 TFSI/TDI
>> Lexus IS300h