• First drive: Mercedes-Benz C200 CGI and C250 CGI









    A switch from supercharging to turbocharging brings more performance and lower fuel use for the better equipped new C200 CGI and C250 CGI.


    Mercedes-Benz has improved the breed of its C-Class volume-seller with the addition of two new four-cylinder petrol models to its line-up.

    Replacing the aged C200 Kompressor’s 1.8-litre supercharged four-cylinder is the C200 CGI and its higher-output C250 CGI sibling for a double-pronged attack.

    Both are available in sedan and wagon body styles (the wagon costs $1890 more) and come under the company’s “BlueEfficiency” marketing label of reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

    Priced from $57,900 (plus on-road and dealer costs), the C200 CGI sedan opens the range with an all-new direct-injection (hence the CGI acronym, which means charged gasoline injection) 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 135kW and 250Nm.

    A further stretch to $65,900 (plus on-road costs) for the C250 CGI sedan gets you a more flexible 150kW and 310Nm tune from the same engine as seen in the larger E-Class range.

    Both variants are meshed with the company’s familiar seven-speed automatic transmission as standard.

    During our comprehensive drive through twisty country back-roads and freeway stretches, we found the new base model to be more of an evolutionary – rather than revolutionary - improvement over its predecessor.

    The new C200 CGI delivers improved responsiveness and smoother running courtesy of the new engine.

    Where the old C200K needed an assertive right foot for meagre motivation, the C200 CGI’s quick-thinking transmission (now with two extra gears) smoothly selects the right ratio for the job while utilising the new engine’s extra 20Nm of torque from an earlier 1800rpm making for much-improved overtaking. The variable-vane turbocharger and more efficient direct-injection fuel-injection system can also take credit for this.

    According to Mercedes-Benz, the change of forced induction has brought improvements to efficiencies and general refinement.

    On paper, the figures also suggest a sum-of-all-parts story. While both are equal in displacement and peak power, the CGI betters the old Kompressor on fuel economy and CO2 emissions, going from 8.0L/100km to 7.3L/100km and 189g/km to 171g/km respectively.

    While the CGI felt solid and stable through most roads from its direct and communicative steering, some road irregularities and bumps are transmitted from its larger 17-inch alloy wheels, which are now fitted as standard.

    Also adding to the visual upgrade, the C200 CGI gets some Avantgarde trim pieces as standard, including the three-pointed star emblem incorporated in the grille (rather than above it on all but the sporty models).

    C-class buyers wishing to have the more traditional Mercedes grille now need to specify the Elegance package, which adds around $3600 to the price.

    The C250 CGI is new to the C-Class range and offers an additional 15kW of power and 40Nm of torque while returning 7.7L/100km and 180g/km of CO2.

    According to Mercedes-Benz, the C250 CGI is “... the result of customers seeking a little more from the dynamic and efficient C200 but without having to move up to a V6-powered model”. And for the first time, it represents a direct rival for BMW’s 323i and 325i vehicles.

    The C250 certainly looks the business with its bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, lower-profile tyres and aggressive AMG sports exterior styling to mimic the 6.2-litre V8 C63 AMG performance hero.

    Unfortunately however, it is this wheel and tyre combination that upsets ride quality and composure making occupants acutely aware of every road bump and irregularity.

    Buyers willing to look past this and the $8000 premium however, will be treated to the car’s shot-in-the-arm-like performance gains.

    Despite weighing an identical 1585kg, the C250 CGI will go from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds, or a noticeable 0.8 seconds quicker than its lesser sibling.

    On the road, the C250’s extra oomph is immediately felt and translates to simply getting the job done with less fuss – be it during an overtaking opportunity or climbing a hill with occupants onboard.
    Tuesday, May 4, 2010 laksh arora
     

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