Although we have driven each and every permutation of
the C-Class over the past few months, our focus for this
test report is the new Coupe. The figures on the specifications
page (192 horsepower and 200 pounds-feet of torque) don't
sound all that exciting, but the power put out by this tried,
tested and improved supercharged engine is impressive; it
starts producing peak torque at about 2000
rpm and stays at 200 pounds-feet all the way to 5000 rpm.
With the adaptive five-speed automatic transmission, that
means 0-60 mph times of just over 7 seconds, more than enough
accelera-tion to please most entry-level luxury customers.
The supercharged, intercooled four-cylinder engine makes
pleasantly mechanical sounds and exhaust sounds (as opposed
to noises), and it looks like mechanical sculpture under
the hood. The supercharger is nearly transparent in its
operation. We really enjoyed using the Touch Shift automatic,
which shifts instantly up or down with a single sideways
flick of the shifter and, if held in the downshift position
for more than one second, computer-selects the best gear
for the driving situation, shifting down as many as three
gears before you know it. It's adaptive, which means, if
you drive it gently, it will upshift more quickly and reward
you with excellent mileage (rated at 29 mph highway); if
you're constantly on the throttle, it will learn that you
like to drive quickly and will hold itself in each gear
for quicker acceleration performance.
The substantial weight of the C230 Sports Coupe shows
up in the handling, where it feels a little bit heavy on
its feet, compared to a BMW, but certainly better than almost
anything domestic. The rack-and-pinion power steering, the
sports seats, and the beefy steering wheel make you feel
like you're in command, and if you start to lose your command
of the situation, the standard ESP stability control system
will put things right in a trice. The standard tilt and
telescope steering
column provides an extra measure of adjustability that some
cars in this class don't even offer. The tires are modestly
sized Michelins, P205/55R-16, but they are relatively grippy
and they are very quiet at highway speeds. A 17-inch wheel-and-tire
package will be added to the option list later. All in all,
really good fun to drive, and boy, did we get looks from
other drivers. This thing really makes a fashion statement.
Mercedes-Benz puts as much effort into its braking systems
as some makers put into their whole cars, and it shows immediately
in the driving. The coupe uses large 11.8-inch front disc
brakes and 11.4-inch rear brakes with electronic brake force
distribution that senses when you are having a panic attack,
provides extra braking, and then switches automatically
into ABS mode if conditions warrant. The brakes are progressive
in pedal feel, and enormously powerful in bad situations.
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Once a driver learns how to use the steering-wheel-mounted
controls for the driver information, audio and telephone
systems, there's even more driving fun to be had, with up
to 50 information and programming functions available at
the touch of a couple of buttons.
