Return to Page 1: Introduction and Design

Driving Experience

The C 200 is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, and it now also gets 48V mild hybrid assistance via the integrated starter generator. It’s still not a true petrol-electric hybrid like, for example, a Toyota Harrier is, because mild hybrids only offer up electric assistance and cannot be driven at any time with electric power alone.

The additional power boost from the electric motor helps the car accelerate quickly when you really need to get going, and in combination with the engine punts the car from a standing start to 100km/h in a quoted 7.3 seconds. Low and mid range torque is strong and smooth, but we think that our very new sample has not yet been fully run-in because the engine had a slight metallic clatter that went away after it warmed up with about 15 minutes of driving.

The transmission may boast nine forward gear ratios driving the rear wheels, but in truth the car really needs to be at autobahn speed to see the ninth gear put to use. Even in the most relaxed high speed cruising state on the Singaporean expressway, the car topped out in eighth gear. You can pull the sequential paddle shifter to get to ninth gear but the engine speed drops so low that the car automatically changes back to eighth once speed drops a little or you lean on the accelerator.  

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The best fuel economy we got after a long, smooth highway run was 9.3L/100km, and in mixed urban use we got around 11.5L/100km. It’s far from the official claim of 6.8L/100km, though as the engine and transmission breaks in with use the car should be slightly more efficient, and you can also engage Efficiency mode to help you along.

The large 19-inch wheels and thin tyres give the C 200 a slightly choppy ride that could be interpreted as sporty, though there’s enough feedback dampening at the steering wheel to allow for a relaxed, luxurious drive. Clicking the driving dynamics selector on the dashboard to the most aggressive Sport+ setting does really make for a far more responsive drive with the engine revving a lot more responsively, but it’s a peaky setting that is quite unsuitable for urban roads.

There’s a proper sense of heft to the car in urban traffic, and it’s confident through fast corners as well. The C 200 has an advantage over the C 180; it has four wheel steering. It’s part of the reason why it costs so much more over the base model. If you’re in doubt whether the system is working, the centre screen has a display mode that shows exactly how many degrees each wheel is turned. It makes the car feel more agile at speed, and allows for parking in tight spaces more easily.

Yet, the transmission could do with being more decisive in the default Comfort driving mode. It holds on to the lower gears for longer than is necessary at low driving speeds, and does the occasional abrupt shift that used to be quite normal for such automatics in 2012 but we’re now in 2022.

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Competitors and Conclusion

Traditionally, the C 200’s arch-rival is the BMW 320i. Despite being launched with a list price of under S$300k in January 2022, rising COE prices have pushed the C 200 into S$310k territory as of mid April 2022. Its BMW rival is in similar price straits, but as it stands the new C-Class is the slightly bigger, and newer car. Our take is that as one would expect, the BMW 320i is the more dynamic, driving enthusiast’s car while the Mercedes-Benz C 200 is more insulated and feels quite different. 

Audi’s A4 has a chance to shine here – it’s quite a big cheaper, at least in terms of list price – and it strikes a great balance between the BMW and Merc and is great for daily driving, and proven to be efficient too, if petrol prices haunt you. Yet, there’s also the dark horse competitor in the form of the Lexus IS 300h. Smaller and slower than the C 200 but more efficient on fuel, it too has its share of fans. 

Still, Mercedes knows what its strengths are and plays to them: The C-Class is instantly recognisable as a Mercedes (since it looks so much like an S-Class), has a very dramatic, luxurious cabin with lots of legroom. It’s not the first choice for new Merc buyers, because of the price, but it’s still very much the sort of car you buy to show everyone you’ve made it.

Mercedes-Benz C 200 AMG Line

Drivetrain type	Petrol-electric mild hybrid
Engine	1,496cc, inline 4, turbocharged
Power	204hp at 5800-6100rpm
Torque	300Nm at 1800-4000rpm
Gearbox	9-speed automatic
Electric Motor	20hp/200Nm
Battery	Lithium Ion, unknown capacity
System Power	Not stated
System Torque	Not stated
0-100km/h	7.3 seconds
Top Speed	246km/h
Fuel Efficiency	6.8 L/100km
VES Band	B / Neutral
Agent	Cycle & Carriage
Price	S$310,888 with COE and VES
Availability	Now
Verdict	Mercedes-Benz fans will like what they see here, as it has very strong shrunk down S-Class vibes. AMG Line adds visual flair, and the C 200 has straightline speed, but it’s still more relaxed than sporty.

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