Now you C me
It’s really funny how our preferences change – and how we can diametrically change our likes and dislikes. Shoulder pads and big hair are cases in point. Gosh how I loved those.
Precisely the opposite was true of the old C-Class. I know that it’s one of the most successful cars on the planet; in its 32-year history this car has garnered fans all over the planet. But it just didn’t do it for me. Until now that is.
So why have I changed my mind? For a long, long, long list of reasons.
The first is rather shallow, I guess: the car just looks so damn good; I love the fact that it looks luxurious yet purposeful. I first saw the new C-Class in the metal at the world launch in Marseille last week (it comes to South Africa at the end of May) and I was truly blown away. It’s almost as though the designers have taken the S-Class – which, as we all know, is a phenomenal car in all departments – and put it on a diet. Unlike those emaciated supermodels who end up looking like grasshoppers, the C-Class has emerged looking truly delectable. Incidentally, the diet was not too extreme; the latest C-Class is bigger than its predecessor – we did not fail to notice this as we manoeuvred its bulk through some obscenely tight roads in Marseilles.
Another reason why I’m giving the new C-Class the Clarke stamp of approval is the fact that this car appears to have dissociative identity disorder (that’s the new name for multiple personality disorder, lest you’re wondering). Depending on the angle at which you view the new C-Class, it takes on a whole new personality. The design is really interesting.
The next reason also relates to looks – but inside the car this time. Irrespective of the interior that is selected (there are four), the feel and finish is top-notch. Once again, it’s very reminiscent of the S-Class. It doesn’t look like a new C-Class; it looks and feels like a completely new car. The optional Comand navigation system is definitely worth a mention; it comes with a mouse and you navigate with a flick of your hand (like an iPad). It’s awfully smart. I’m not mad about the Touchpad: I would prefer it to be better integrated into the centre. But that’s such a tiny little concern and, much like those horrible shoulder pads, it is functional.
The optional air suspension is also definitely worth a mention; the C-Class is the first car in its segment to be available with this feature. It’s no gimmick; choose the “comfort” setting and you feel as though you’re embarking on a magic carpet ride (“eco” is available for the bunny huggers; “sport plus” is there for the girl racers).
In typical Mercedes-Benz tradition, the car is available with a bevy of safety features (no fewer than two dozen). We performed some pretty insane manoeuvres on a test track, and these features saved us from massive embarrassment every single time.
The new C-Class comes with a range of highly efficient engines but, of course, you would also expect that from Mercedes-Benz. We will be getting the C180, C200, C220 BlueTec and the C250 at the end of May and they will be priced from R415 900. More models will follow in 2015 and 2016 (including, woohoo, AMG derivatives).
So there you have it: the new C-Class in a nutshell.
I want one.
– Charleen Clarke