2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class road and track test

When you think Mercedes-Benz, you probably don't think track car unless Lewis Hamilton comes to mind? No, most people, in North America at least, where F1 and DTM (German touring car) are not so popular, don't associate the two. But to discount the driving prowess of the German automaker's cars would be unwise, because along with top-tier luxury and unquestionable style, three pointed star cars were meant to be driven. This is especially true of the new C-Class, and earlier this year at Monterey, California's Laguna Seca Raceway and surrounding area, it became crystal clear to me how truly capable this little luxury car is.
Mercedes-Benz' US division thankfully loaned me three C-Class models, starting with the cost-effective and highly efficient C300, followed up by a particularly lovely C350, and capped off with an almost overwhelmingly captivating C63 AMG. Which did I like best? Well, the answer might surprise you.

While I'm a big fan of Mercedes' C63 and will soon sing its praises loudly, it's somewhat irrelevant compared to the two models that the majority of C-Class owners will bring home to momma. And these two models, the C300 and C350, are so wonderfully entertaining and so holistically complete that this six-time BMW owner has been seriously considering his loyalties.

It's not that the 3 has somehow lost its youthful vigor. It's still a great car to drive, but the C has caught up in driving dynamics and left the little bucktooth Bimmer in the dust when it comes to styling, outside and in. Yes, I know I'm going to get some flak for this one, BMW faithful being so diehard loyal to their brand, and especially the iconic 3, but the Merc offers a sense of occasion that the BMW lacks. The detailing of the grille and front fascia overall is exquisite, the graceful sheetmetal from front to back, the high-quality cabin so tastefully designed that only the Audi A4 and possibly Cadillac's new CTS rivals it for a general sense of well-being, not to mention passenger oohs and aahs. The C, no matter the trim, is a thoroughly satisfying car.

As a backgrounder, the three models available to me for road and track testing in Monterey don't even cover half of what Mercedes makes available. A total of seven complete the C-Class lineup in Canada (five in the US), starting with the ultra-frugal, Canada-only C230 ($35,800) and its all-wheel drive companion, the C230 4Matic ($39,500). While rear-drive is standard, 4Matic AWD is available in C300 ($41,200, RWD; $44,900, AWD) and C350 ($48,200, RWD; $50,400, AWD) trims too, while the C63 AMG ($63,500) is rear drive only. C230 models get a 201hp 2.5L V6 with 181 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed manual gearbox in base trim or optional seven-speed auto, with the AWD model only getting the autobox. The C300 gets the same transmissions standard and optional, although its engine is bumped up to 3.0L and output commensurately at 228hp and 221 lb-ft. The C350 gets a 268hp 3.5L with 258 lb-ft of torque and only comes with the seven-speed auto, while the 451hp C63, with its 443 lb-ft of torque, is seven-speed auto-only, although the transmission has been set up by AMG.

The seven-speed automatic makes the most of every engine, hardly needed in the C63 with its gobs of torque, but much appreciated in the C300. Its short intervals maximize engine output, optimizing available power without forcing maximum revs in order to enjoy quick acceleration, this in-turn optimizing fuel economy. It's a quick shifting unit too, and wonderfully smooth.

On the road I noticed little difference between the C300 and C350. Certainly the latter car had a little more power and therefore a bit more jump off the line, but not enough to justify the extra $7,000 investment in engine alone. Truly, compared to its class competitors, the C350's 3.5L is a bit on the weak side, not even breaking 270hp, whereas its competitors almost entirely crest the 300hp mark with some even venturing over 330hp. Of course, in this class it's not all about power, a testament to the C's strong sales despite its more moderate output.

What surprised me most was the car's wonderful grip and balance, noticeable on the road but beyond obvious on the track. Laguna Seca is no lightweight road course and therefore it will shake out the bugs in a car pretty quickly. The little Mercedes, from the more basic C300 right up to the top-line C63, is a true performer, the least-most deftly managing double-apex off-camber corners, fast-paced transitional moves from right to left and right again, hard braking prior to 90+degree corners, and everything else that could be thrown at it with grace and composure. And it took to the famed corkscrew with total confidence, plunging downward in gleeful pleasure while maintaining its line perfectly at a much faster pace than some sports cars I tested the same day. The C350 took everything up a notch, but again not a night and day experience, while the C63 is otherworldly, its power devastating, adhesion and correlating road manners unfathomable for such a solid, substantial four-door sedan.

Mercedes offers a Sport Package to enhance the C's style and driving dynamics, now standard on C300 models, that includes a sport grille with integrated star, AMG front and rear aprons and side skirts, 17-inch rims, a tuned suspension, upgraded brake calipers, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, and stainless steel pedals, while RWD C300s can also get the Dynamic Handling Package, standard on the C350, which lets the driver set up damping, steering, throttle response and gear change speeds from comfort to sporting levels. Other 2009 model year upgrades include an optional harmon/kardon Logic7 surround sound audio system that's clear and sharp yet warm and rich, while the COMAND APS infotainment system is relatively easy to use as far as these types of user interfaces are concerned. A rearview mirror compass is now standard too, a handy item, while burl walnut wood trim is available across the range. Pretty well everything else is carryover, being that the C was totally updated last year, and this is just fine with me, as I reiterate, it sits atop the pack as one of the segment's best.

A few standard C230 items that deserve mention include dual-zone automatic climate control, hill-start assist, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, two-stage rain-sensing wipers, heated windshield washer system, eight-way power front seats, Artico leather upholstery, SmartKey proximity sensing keyless entry, and the requisite M-B first-aid kit. Move up to the C300 and 17-inch wheels get added, a standard sport suspension, six-CD/MP3 audio, AMG styling package, bi-Xenon headlamps with washers and cornering lights, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, heated front seats, split-folding rear seats, standard glossy burl walnut trim, the three-spoke sport steering wheel, and a power sunroof. C350s get 18-inch alloy alloys, three-zone automatic climate control, electronic compass, the harmon/kardon stereo, Sirius satellite radio, ten-way power seats with three-position memory, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and a garage door opener. RWD C350s add the Dynamic Handling Package plus wheel-mounted shift paddles. And lastly, the C63 comes standard with 18-inch AMG rims, an AMG sport suspension, AMG Nappa leather upholstery, plus really cool black bird's-eye maple trim, but the climate control system goes down to dual-zone and top-tier harmon/kardon audio system is optional. Other options that can be added on just about any C include a navigation system, powered rear window sunshade and a panoramic glass sunroof.