Mercedes-Benz C250CGI First Drive

FIRST THOUGHTS: Muscular-looking rather than svelte, the Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe is more of a cruiser than a sports car.

Pick just about any coupe you can think of and there’s a fair chance it’ll be a swoopy looking thing. Not so, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe; it’s all angles and sharp edges. Our particular focus will be on the C250 Coupe, which features a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mated to a seven-speed automatic. All up there are four motor-vators available in the C-Class Coupe range: one diesel and three petrol engines. The range kicks off at $58,900 for the C180 Coupe and extends to $154,800 for the range-topping C63 AMG; our review car, the C250 Coupe, lists for $69,900. And for that you get things like 18-inch alloys, leather interior, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, Dynamic Handling Package, and COMMAND APS with seven-inch colour screen, and featuring CD/DVD and internet and voice control, plus more.

What's it like?

We were fortunate enough to have sampled BMW’s new turbocharged four-cylinder engine only a week before this loan and, my, how different the two motors feel. The Merc’s 1.8-litre turbocharged fou-cylinder is down on capacity to the BMW’s engine, but with 150kW at 5500rpm and 310Nm from 2300rpm makes more power and torque (the BMW 520i makes 135kW and 270Nm).

Hung off the back of the engine is a seven-speed automatic, the BMW runs an eight-speed unit. And while the C250 Coupe feels sprightly enough, it doesn’t ever feel as grunty as the BMW’s four-cylinder engine. And that’s down to the fact the BMW delivers it torque earlier at 1250rpm, whereas the Benz is giving its 310Nm from 2300rpm.

That doesn’t seem like a massive difference but it’s enough to make the Benz feel, well, heavier. And it uses more fuel too, 7.0L/100km (against 6.4L/100km for the BMW), in terms of CO2 emissions, the C250 Coupe pumps out 163g/km (and that’s more than the BMW engine too). But enough comparing…

The C250 Coupe comes standard with 18-inch alloys and while it offers excellent body control and decent bump absorption (it errs on the side of firm rather than comfort), it isn’t particularly quiet. There’s wind noise from around the mirrors and road noise from the tyres. And while the steering is direct, the weighting is inconsistent and it’s lacking in feel.

Clamber in behind the wheel of the C250 Coupe and the first thing you realise is just how close everything feels. And by that I mean you feel like you’re one-size too big for the car. At just on six-feet tall I’m not the tallest member of our road test team, but my head was almost brushing the roof, which admittedly had the cost-optional panoramic glass sunroof. That said, there wouldn’t have been a lot of extra headroom had it not been there.

In terms of fit and finish and interior appointments, the C250 Coupe is right up there with the best of them. The materials chosen are first class and the motor trimmers have done an excellent job of fitting everything together seamlessly; there isn’t a single piece of scratchy plastic in sight. The layout of the dash, however, and the look is carried over from numerous other Merc models, is too fussy looking.

In the past, it’s been easy to criticise premium models for having options lists as long as your two arms and two legs stitched together. And while that’s still the case, Mercedes-Benz has worked hard to ensure you get reasonable bang for your buck. The C250 Coupe, thus, comes, as standard, with dual-zone climate control, powered front windows with obstruction sensor, steering wheel-mounted paddles, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, agility control suspension with selective damping system, auto headlights, through-loading with cargo restraints, leather interior, electric folding wing mirrors, privacy glass, and much more. In terms of safety, the C250 Coupe is well appointed with, ESP, ABS, and Acceleration Skid Control, as well as tyre pressure loss warning system, rear seat belt status indicator, side impact protection, and a crash responsive pedal cluster, plus more.

VERDICT: All up, the C250 Coupe is more of a cruiser than a sports car. Its engine isn’t quite as punchy as the numbers would suggest, and it’s chassis and steering isn’t quite as refined or lively as you’d expect. But, for the money, there are few coupes with as much presence.