Mercedes-Benz C-Class C180
$193,888 including COE
Engine: 1,595cc, 4-cylinder in-line 16-valve, turbocharged
Power/torque: 156bhp/250Nm
Fuel consumption: 6.7l/100km
0 to 100kph: 8.5 seconds
Top speed: 226kph
The C-Class has been known for being a bit traditional and old-fashioned, and attracting mainly older Merc drivers. So, for Mercedes-Benz, it represents a great opportunity to show just how much it is changing with its sportier and trendier-looking cars. The sloping roofline of the C180 is enough on its own to demonstrate how far the C-Class has evolved. While the shape is bold and athletic, the interior is pretty snazzy too. Not only does it look very modern inside, there are plenty of new safety systems alongside some sleek-looking controls and a new media screen. When you first get into the driver’s seat, the exterior lighting is the first thing you will notice, particularly if the colour has been set to vivid purple, as my test-drive car had. It is quick and easy to change the colour using the shiny black dial on the centre console. Shiny black is predominant throughout the cabin and it looks good. There are also some new materials that are being used for the first time in the C-Class, such as open-pore brown walnut and anthracite oak. Steering wheels are not usually noteworthy enough to write about, but the one on the C180 is. Not only is it chunky and easy to grip but it also has a healthy display of buttons and knobs in all the right places. This is not always the case with automakers, but Mercedes-Benz has got this one right. I can say the same for the C180’s performance too. Under the bonnet may be a modest 1.6-litre engine, but it is turbocharged to give you 156bhp and 250Nm of torque, and it feels pretty quick off the blocks. Power comes via the rear wheels, while a new 9G-TRONIC transmission glides up and down the gears with military precision. While having a sizeable dollop of power when you need it is always welcome, I can’t imagine your average C-Class owner being the sort who wants to beat everyone at the traffic lights. Even with a new generation of younger drivers, the C-Class is still all about sophistication and luxury, which brings out the best in road manners. While I may have driven the C180 faster than the average C-Class owner, this was only to test out what it can do on the open road. So, I guess the 8.5 seconds it takes to get you from 0 to 100kph is not really important. What is more important is the quality of the ride. There is an Agility Control Suspension feature that makes the car feel more planted to the road and more responsive to different surfaces.