To be a range-leader at Mercedes-Benz requires a very special car - this is certainly the case with the C 320 CDI.
With its 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, stunning styling, sumptuous interior and world-class engineering, the C 320 CDI stamps a claim to be ranked at the very top of the totem pole.
What You Get
Mercedes-Benz handed Car Showroom a C320 CDI loaded with extras including the Avantgarde and AMG packs plus Advanced Agility Control (automatically adapting shock absorbers).
Dimensionally the biggest C-Class yet, the current model is still gloriously proportioned and the C 320 CDI delivers - especially with our AMG-kitted test car sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels - instant 'cred' on the street.
Under The Hood
The 3.0-litre V6 CDI engine joins the C-Class lineup alongside the C 200 Kompressor, C 220 four-cylinder turbo-diesel and C 280 V6 petrol. It is also fitted to the GL-Class SUV.
Performance is stunning with maximum power of 165kW and that glorious 510Nm of torque delivered from as low as 1600 rpm. Zero to 100 km/h is achieved in only 6.9 seconds - that's only marginally slower than Ford's high performance FPV Falcon V8.
A third-generation common rail design, fuel is delivered at high pressure - up to 1600 bar. This means optimized fuel economy and low emissions.
According to M-Benz, the C 320 CDI's combined cycle fuel economy is 7.4l/100kms and the CO2 emissions are 195 g/km.
The Interior
'Benz says most customers still select silver for an exterior color and charcoal for the interior. However our test car was painted in metallic Carneol Red and the interior was a gorgeous Sahara Beige (cream) leather.
While the males at Car Showroom loved the excellent sculptured seats and thick, leather wrapped steering wheel, the females were in love with the interior color palette. We would definitely be ordering that interior if we were buying a C 320 CDI.
The increased overall dimensions of the current C-Class have delivered extra interior space - for example front shoulder room has grown by 40mm compared to the previous model. The excellent rear seat provides adequate rear legroom.
Instrumentation is nicely laid-out and features silver-colored bezels, black dial faces, white markings and orange needles - typically high-standard Mercedes-Benz.
As usual, the stylish Mercedes-Benz interior is a mixture of classic style and modern technology. We liked the center-mounted flip-up screen for the satellite navigation and audio which can be operated easily by driver or front seat passenger and hidden from prying eyes when parked.
The multimedia system is called COMAND APS and includes a music server with a four-gigabyte memory, a six-disc changer, a DVD player for video and audio and the LINGUATRONIC voice control system for selecting radio stations or entries in the telephone directory.
Safety remains a Mercedes hallmark with eight airbags (including two large window bags which extend between the A and C-pillars in a side impact) and NECK-PRO front head restraints which move to cushion driver and front passenger heads.
Exterior & Styling
The C 320 CDI looks sharp. Its pronounced wedge shape, three horizontal front grille louvers and large Mercedes star are a thoroughly modern execution which is a radical departure from the normal 'Benz front end treatment.
Striking sculpturing of the wheel arches blend with the curving rear end to deliver a very contemporary, distinctive and prestigious style.
Our test car was completed by the optional Vision Pack, AMG kit (including stunning 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear aprons plus side skirts), Active Bi-Xenon headlights and Panoramic Sunroof (effectively two sunroofs - for front and rear).
While previous generations of the C-Class may have been criticized for looking a tad bland, that definitely isn't the case with the current range.
On The Road
Powerful and refined, agile and comfortable, the C 320 CDI delivers everything you'd expect of the latest Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.
And that glorious V6 turbo-diesel delivers more than just grunt - extensive use of lightweight materials, such as an aluminium crankcase, means this 165kW/510Nm stormer tips the scales at just 208 kgs which helps with chassis balance and ride/handling characteristics. The power-to-weight ratio is just 0.83 kW/kg.
The Agility Control adaptive shock absorbers provide a comfortable ride around town and by detecting a more dynamic driving style on twisty roads, switch to a firmer damping force for sharper high speed handling.
Over our mountain test route the C 320 CDI was nothing short of superb - pin-sharp cornering and instant throttle response delivering that 510Nm via the quick-shifting 7G-TRONIC auto. Mercedes' engineers delivered a six percent improvement in steering response in this C-Class compared to its predecessor - we'll take their word on that.
Challenges
Well it's a quibble really but operation of the 'Benz cruise control system remains fiddly.
Verdict
Without a doubt, one of the world's best. Those few remaining dinosaurs who think a high performance sedan and diesel engine are incompatible really should drive the C 320 CDI.
This car is a show of strength from Mercedes-Benz. In these tough economic times with big name automotive brands crumbling, the German giant is flexing its muscles.
The Competition
Requiring $95K-plus to get a C 320 CDI in your garage, Benz's diesel beauty goes head-to-head with the BMW 330d and Audi A6 2.7TDI.
Thumbs-up:
Gorgeous styling; beautiful interior; performance
Thumbs-down:
Stalk-mounted cruise control operation
