FROM EXECUTIVE MILK
FROM EXECUTIVE MILK
FLOAT TO FAST FLIER
QUALITY, refinement and comfort – attributes which most people associate with a Mercedes Benz. And, in the case of the C-class estate, you can now add performance to the list, following Mercs introduction of two fire-breathing V6 petrol engines.
One is a 2.8-litre unit for the C280. The other, in the case of our C240 test car (in Classic specification), is yes, youve guessed it, 2.4-litre unit. The latter replaces the 2.3-litre four-pot – and what a transformation! It has dragged the C-class from being an executive milk float to a bit of a flyer.
And one could be forgiven for wondering why Mercedes has persevered with a large capacity four for so many years, when other makers have taken the smoother, more refined straight-six route. Whatever the logic in the German boardroom, the result was well worth the wait.
Technology abounds on this engine. Aiming for more power, more torque, lower emissions and using less fuel, Mercs engineers have put together three valves a cylinder and twin spark plugs in virtually an all-aluminium package.
All this translates into 170hp and maximum torque available over a healthy 3000-5000rpm band – in short, it drives as well as these figures suggest.
And coupled to an electronically controlled five-speed auto box, the C240 is silky smooth to drive once things have warmed up and got under way.
When cold, though, its a slightly different matter. The transmission holds gears longer to force on a faster warm-up process, which does make driving a little erratic. And Merc designers still havent got round to fitting adjustable steering columns – its not a bad driving position, but it could be much better.
Verdict: V6 motor makes the C240 a more competent rival to BMWs new super-smooth 5-series. No doubting the C-classs pedigree, but its £28,570 price tag is an altogether different issue for the basic spec C240 Classic model.
Theres fire under the bonnet too, in the shape of a 2.4-litre 170hp petrol V6. It gives 0-60 in just over 10 seconds and a highly illegal 134mph top speed.
MERCEDESDATA
Model: C240 Classic estate
Price: £28,570
Engine: 170hp 2.4-litre, 18-valve V6 petrol
Top speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 10.1secs
Test fuel consumption: 26.7mpg
Insurance group: 13.