Mercedes-Benz C-Class C250 (2014) Review


The Mercedes-Benz C-Class as you’d imagine is a major model for the Stuttgart based manufacturer. It has to be good, everything relies on the C-Class having a good reputation so they can churn out loads of them to all corners of the globe. It’s imperative to SA, where in East London they build the C-Class. You can tell the engineers and designers have thought hard about this car, who it appeals to and what that buyer wants. With continuous pressure from the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4, has Mercedes-Benz got this model right?

The Looks

Merc has been punching out some rather good looking models of late. I quite like the A-Class design, CLA and the new S-Class. They’re all attractive cars and the C-Class looks just like a miniature version of the S-Class. The front for me is the best angle, I’m in two minds as to whether I like the rear end though, the light cluster looks blobby and the rear quarter of the Benz looks short. It’s obviously not short, the new C-Class is nearly 10cm longer and weighs around 100kg less thanks to the use of aluminium in the build.

Tech Fest

If you go full steam ahead into the optional packages of the C-Class you’ll come across the most advanced driving systems currently available. Our particular C250 came specced with the Driving Assistance Package Plus, this particular package prides itself on making sure you don’t crash or in some cases don’t have to drive at all.

The Distronic Plus system which, automatically adjusts cruise control based on the distance to car ahead now has a built in Steer Control feature. This means that it will either automatically follow the lane markings ahead, steering on its own or follow the car ahead, again steering by itself. Don’t think you can take a nap whilst your C-Class drives along though, your hands have to be on the steering wheel or you get a nasty beep forcing you to return to the wheel.

Even if you try to take a nap with your hands on the wheel, Merc’s Attention Assist feature is standard and detects if you’re falling asleep, urging you to wake up via more beeps.

Some of the kit is truly impressive, the new heads-up display that beams information into the corner of the windshield is particularly high-res and very clear to see. There’s lane keeping assist and blind spot detectors as well as automatic headlamp control which, makes night time driving a breeze. Just slap the main beams on and the system does the rest, automatically adjusting for oncoming traffic and then returning to main beam.

What’s it like to Drive?

This is the key element where the Mercedes-Benz C-Class engineers have thought on the hardest. With the A-Class and CLA models designed for the sporty, young driver the C-Class has gone straight down the sophisticated route. The drive is supreme, it feels plush on the road, not excitable over bumps and there’s an aura of calm as you waft along. Road noise is not permitted to enter the cabin and only a slightest hint of an engine note is meant to pass into the occupants’ ear.

The C-Class has options to ramp up the handling and response from the gearbox but it just drives so smoothly you don’t need it to be sporty. A lot of vehicles in the segment have tried to be good at everything from sports car to comfortable cruiser, the new C-Class knows what it wants to be – a comfortable executive sedan that oozes quality. Job done.

The engine in our C250 is a 2-litre turbo petrol with 155 kW and 350 Nm. During our testing we were getting around 7l/100km and the reason I quote fuel economy first is because I never really felt the need to push the C-Class, it’s got grunt when you need it, but actually sounds gruff for a petrol unit. When you drive this engine together with the seven-speed automatic gearbox you find yourself driving it like a diesel. The torque pushes you along at low RPM and the ‘box shifts up before it hits 3 000 rpm most of the time. Like I may have mentioned above, it’s smooth and calm.

Cabin Fever

The C-Class has taken interiors to the next level, even though I’m not a fan of wood finish interiors. Obviously you don’t have to have wood, but ours did and it didn’t instantly turn me into a pensioner because you’re cocooned by a well-designed, swoopy dashboard and centre console. There’s a tablet-styled screen up top for multimedia, navigation and vehicle settings – all controlled through the centre-mounted dial. It’s a simple, clean, and easy to use design.

Verdict

The C-Class has pin-pointed its target market with German precision and accuracy. It knows what its drivers want and it has pandered to their requests. The result is the most refined and well-forged vehicle in the segment. It has the ability to be sporty but only as a gimmick, no doubt it will leave that forte to the chaps in the AMG department. For now you can drive around to business acquisitions in absolute comfort and stateliness.

Second Opinion

I knew the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was going to be good, but this good? It really is a remarkable piece of kit and while it may not be as dynamic as some of its rivals, it certainly supersedes them in terms of premium quality and feel.-David Taylor  

C-Class Pricing in South Africa

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class starts at R415 900 for the C180. The C250 starts at R502 600. Our test unit is estimated to cost around R600 000 with all of its extras.

2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C250 quick specs

Engine  2-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power  155 kW
Torque  350 Nm
Transmission  Seven-speed Automatic
Wheels  18-inch alloys
0-100km/h  6.6 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy  5.9l/100 km (claimed)

We like:
. Smooth ride
. Loads of safety and tech
. Interior

We dislike:
. Petrol sounds like a diesel

Also consider:
. Lexus IS
. BMW 3 Series

Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Race Car Teased in New Video

Lamborghini has released a teaser video for the upcoming track-only Huracan Super Trofeo ahead of its official debut on August 15 2014 at this year’s Pebble Beach weekend at the Quail.

The vehicle remains wrapped in army camouflage, yet shows its wider body kit with a huge rear wing and an aggressive diffuser. It also seems to have new vented fenders, a carbon fibre front splitter, as well as black wheels wrapped in racing slicks, and a stripped-out interior.

The Huracan Super Trofeo Race Car is set to replace the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo, and will be powered by the same V10 5.2-litre engine with 448 kW.

Expect more details once the Huracan Super Trofeo debuts on August 15 at The Quail in Monterey, California.

Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Race Car in action

BMW Deep Orange 4 Concept Revealed (Video)

In collaboration with the German manufacturer, students from Clemson University International Centre for Automotive Research have created a one-off BMW Deep Orange 4 Concept based on the X3.

A transformative concept

The concept is said to come with a new feature that adds a touch of practicality to a luxury vehicle. The car additionally has a sloped roofline and a new tailgate with a power retractable glass rear window which allows easy access to the luggage compartment.

BMW has said they do not expect high volumes from this model, and it will carry a heavier price tag than the X3. You can see more of the vehicle and its features in the video below.

*Pictured is the standard 2015  BMW X3.

Hennessey Venom F5 Aims for 465kph

In a two-headed race for top speed glory,  Hennessy is taking on the Bugatti Veyron for overall honours and bragging rights as the world’s fastest car. Hennessy now believes that with a few tweaks, its Venom F5 can hit 465kph, improving on the 435kph it managed in February this year.

Hennessey Venom F5 power specs

In order to achieve the claimed 465kph, the F5 – named after the most destructive of tornados, is going to have to deliver more power. The Hennessey team is aiming at 1044 kW from its 7-litre twin-turbo V8.

The Hennessey Venom F5 will also have to remain light, the current Venom has a kerb weight of 1 244 kg, but the F5 may come in a touch heavier after some aerodynamic aids are attached to it. They still hope to keep it under 1 300 kg though.

The Venom F5 doesn’t mess about with trick four-wheel drive systems or dual clutch gearboxes, it focuses purely on the more power, less weight philosophy of going fast. It’s rear-wheel drive and has a six-speed manual. If you want an auto, they’ll do you a single clutch paddle shift variant, but won’t be happy about it.

The guys at Hennessey also plan to make a production run of this Lotus Exige based hypercar. They’re hoping to push out over 30 cars to the public at an estimated cost of R12Million – before tax.

New Car Sales in South Africa for July 2014

South African new car sales for July 2014 reflected fair results against a backdrop of slow economic growth, strike action, rising inflation and increasing interest rates, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). Here is a basic summary of new car sales for July 2014.

New Car Sales Summary – July 2014

  • Aggregate new car sales at 57 670, down by 1.5% (891 vehicles) compared to July 2013
  • Exports down by 16.1% compared to July 2013
  • Passenger Car Sales at 39 838, down 1.5% compared to July 2013
  • Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales at 14 839, down 3.8% compared to July 2013

 

Top Selling Car Brands in South Arica

Brand  Units Sold  Market Share %
1. Toyota 11 347 19.8
2. Volkswagen South Africa 9 798 17.1
3. Ford Motor Company 6 660 11.6
4. General Motors South Africa 5 821 10.2
5. Nissan 3 824 6.7

 

Top Selling Car Models in South Africa

Model Units Sold
1.  VW Polo 3 330
2. Toyota Hilux (LCV) 3 117
3. VW Polo Vivo 2 887
4. Ford Ranger (LCV) 2 564
5. Toyota Corolla 2 134

Challenging market conditions will continue to affect the South African automotive sector for time to come and the domestic market is expected to decline in terms of volume, by about 5% compared to 2013. This decline will likely affect new car and light commercial sectors.

All figures provided by the Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA).

Production starts for Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard

Production has started for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard, an armoured version of the S-Class which will be widely used at diplomatic level to protect world leaders.

Protection at its best with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard

The S-Guard is built on a special production line at the S-Class facility in Sindelfingen, Germany, with specific S-Guard enhancements integrated at multiple stages throughout the production process.

It offers up to VR7 levels of protection against military weapons that travel twice as fast as bullets fired from a revolver. It can also withstand shrapnel coming from hand grenades as well as other similar types of explosives. The vehicle’s cabin has been wrapped in 5 cm thick steel plates and has a 10 cm thick windshield which weighs only 135 kg. The S-Class Guard additionally has a self-sealing fuel tank, and an alarm system.

In 2009, Mercedes-Benz launched a long-wheelbase version of the S-Guard, known as the Pullman Guard. This model is 45 cm longer than the standard model and also has a higher roof and taller rear window with a different rake.

Last year we got to see the company’s ML 500 Guard SUV at the Johannesburg International Motor Show. You can read more about that model here.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard is available at this time only in the S600 version and is said to be more expensive than the regular version S600. The model is currently available in the US, South African availability is yet to be confirmed.

New Mitsubishi Mirage to Break Into SA Market (Pricing Update)

Following its debut at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show, Mitsubishi’s all-new entry-level five-door Mirage hatchback is set to enter the South African market for the very first time in August 2014.

The new Mitsubishi Mirage will be entering a packed segment and will be going up against the likes of the Honda Brio, Hyundai i10, Renault Sandero, Suzuki Swift 1.2, Volkswagen Polo Vivo and the Ford Fiesta. That’s some stiff competition and while we’ll always look forward to new models, we think this vehicle is in for a tough time.

New Mitsubishi Mirage to tackle first and second time buyers’ markets

The new Mitsubishi Mirage is equipped with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control) petrol engine which is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Fuel consumption is rated at 4.9 litres/100 km and according to Mitsubishi, ‘this allows the Mirage to punch above its weight on the fuel efficiency front, and is acclaimed as the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid petrol vehicle available in the United States.’

Additionally the new Mirage will come with keyless entry, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-fluid distribution, two air bags and Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) impact-absorbing chassis. It will also come with a three-year or 100 000km warranty.

New Mitsubishi Mirage price in South Africa

Mitsubishi Mirage GL – R124 900

Mitsubishi Mirage GLX – R134 900

Mitsubishi Mirage GLS – R144 900

 

Porsche Cayman GTS Dominates a Go-kart Track (Video)

Ever heard the phrase ‘handles like a go-kart’? Well the Porsche Cayman GTS set out to prove just that when it headed to Northern Italy to test its car on the largest indoor go-kart track in Europe.

Whilst we often refer to smaller cars like the Mini Cooper or Renault Clio as ‘go-kart’ handlers, the Cayman GTS ticks a few of the right boxes. It’s extremely agile thanks to a low centre of gravity and trick sports suspension.  Even more so thanks to the sportier nature of the GTS over its lesser Cayman siblings.

As you’ll see in the video, the Porsche Cayman GTS handles the tight and twisty go-kart track with ease, even pulling off the odd tail slide.

The Porsche Cayman GTS sits right at the top of the Cayman lineup (until the R variant comes) with 250kW and 370Nm of torque from the naturally aspirated 3.4-litre boxer engine. It costs R998 000.

Click the links for more crazy car adverts and campaigns like the BMW DriftMob, and other cool car marketing videos.

Porsche Cayman GTS on a go-kart video

Lexus Teaming Up With will.i.am To Create Special Edition Lexus NX

Lexus and will.i.am are teaming up to create a 2015 Special Edition Lexus NX.

will.i.am to create striking Special Edition Lexus NX

Not much has been said about the model, but according to Lexus, this collaboration will encompass the worlds of music, design and technology, with will.i.am designing his own limited edition interpretation of the NX crossover.

The partnership will also see the singer star in a Striking Angles campaign that will help promote the model.

The project is said to also feature a short film that represents the synergy between innovation and technology, using visuals to bring to life will.i.am’s track Dreaming About the Future.

“Whatever I do, I want it to be striking. I want to innovate and revolutionize, and my partnership with Lexus on the Striking Angles campaign is no different. Inspired by our shared philosophy in design, we’ve been able to work together on a multi-faceted campaign that will challenge design conventions and fuel people’s imaginations,” said will.i.am.

The 2015 NX crossover was unveiled earlier this year, looking more refined from the concept version with a large corporate spindle grille flanked by slender headlights and strips of LED daytime running lights. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels on the standard model and larger 18-inch rims in the F SPORT derivative. For more details on this model, click here.

Details for a Honda S2000 Successor

The rumour mill is churning again with reports that Honda will attempt to resurrect the much loved Honda S2000. The front-engined rear drive sports car became a cult car for enthusiasts with its high revving (9000rpm) nature and rear-wheel drive handling.

Honda s2000 to return?

The latest reports seem to be quite specific about what’s planned for the S2000’s return. The most interesting report being that the new car could be mid-engined and rear-wheel drive, a drastic change from the original car. The shape has also been touted as a coupe, rather than the rag-top of old. The design of the new car could take much inspiration from the NSX concept that Honda has been working on for a while now.

Engine wise the new S2000 is most likely to employ a tuned-up version of the Civic Type R motor. Impressively, the figure doing the rounds is 272 kW from the four-cylinder 2-litre turbo. It will have some sort of electric assistance aiding initial acceleration. Expect a dual-clutch transmission instead of the fast, bolt shift manual of the old car.

Using chassis technology from the NSX will lead to extensive use of aluminium and carbon fibre in key areas, reducing the overall weight to around 1300kg.

There is no specific timeline for the new Honda S2000 yet and as we know, Honda likes to take its time on projects. In the meantime we can look forward to both the Civic Type R and Honda NSX making a statement in 2016.