Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz India swapped the top-of-the-line C300d with the C300, thereby marking the replacement of the brilliant OM654 2.0-litre oil-burner with the high-strung M254 2.0-liter turbo-petrol mill. The change was necessitated from the fast-growing shift towards petrol from the stickier fuel. So, buyers now choose between the relatively vanilla 1.5-litre turbo-petrol-equipped C200 and the hotter C300 that comes with a handful of AMG bits. A rendezvous with a Patagonia Red C300 helped us understand the hotter specimen.
Hotter, Inside and Out!
The advent of the C300 coincided with the launch of the mid-cycle refresh. But the go-faster version brings more to the table than the regular set of updates. The front bumper is bolder and so are the stunning 18-inch rims. An AMG badge along with the star-studded grille, side skirts and a sportier stance round up the more dynamic look.
Inside, there’s plenty of faux carbon fibre, and the new steering wheel feels better to hold. The quality of materials is befitting of a sedan wearing the coveted three-pointed star. But it’s the high-resolution 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment and the customisable ambient lighting that takes the cake. The equipment list is as exhaustive as it gets, with plenty of goodies like a dual-pane sunroof, digital lights, Burmester 3D surround sound system and ADAS thrown into the mix.
Also Read: Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 SUV Test Drive Review – Luxury, Electrified
Fun but Not Loud
Before we get down to our driving experience, let’s have a look at some numbers. The erstwhile C300d belted out 265 hp and 550 Nm. Meanwhile, the tamer C200 offers 201 hp and 300 Nm. The petrol-sipping C300 outputs 258 hp and 400 Nm. While a significant update from its 1.5-litre-equipped sibling, there’s a sizeable discrepancy in the torque figures between the new model and its diesel-powered predecessor. But on the move, there’s little that separates the two versions. There’s ample punch, right from the get-go. The C300 flies off to 100 km/h from a standstill in less than 7 seconds – while not a patch on the rather bonkers C63 AMG, that’s still some serious performance for an executive luxury sedan. The rev-happy motor is a refined performer, which, coupled with the excellent 9-speed transmission, impresses with its velvet smooth nature. There are no bangs and crackles but dial in the Sport+ exhaust setting and the healthy exhaust note serves as music to the ears.
But what’s a more powerful motor without the suspension settings to complement those extra ponies? This is right where the Mercedes-Benz C300 strikes a great balance between sporty handling and ride comfort. Of course, the electronic aids enable you to choose the right settings to go with your mood, but all in all, you’ll enjoy every moment of pushing this RWD car hard into the corners. Sure, there’s a hint of a body roll but the steering is responsive and feels well-weighed for an EPS. All this while, the occupants will appreciate the plush ride. More importantly, the C300 doesn’t sit as low as the C300d, which means there won’t be as many episodes of underbelly scrapping on the speed humps.
To C or Not to C?
Priced at Rs 69 lakh (ex-showroom), the C300 costs over Rs 7 lakh more than C200. Meanwhile, the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine 330Li M Sport starts at less than Rs 61 lakh (ex-showroom). But what would actually create confusion is the BMW M340i X Drive priced at Rs 72.90, ex-showroom. While the 330 Li comes across as a more practical offering that even makes for an excellent chauffeur driven sedan, the madder M340i is arguably more fun. But all said and done, the C300 should make sense for any performance enthusiast who swears by the much revered three-pointed star. Undoubtedly, the C300 feels as posh as any other C Class but offers the right dose of performance to take on its Bavarian adversary.
Also Read: 2024 Kia Carnival Limousine Review – Raises the Bar, and How!
Photos: Akshay Sharma
