Mercedes-Benz

When Mercedes-Benz India Ltd started its operations in Pune, it set the standard for automotive excellence here. Out of all the auto companies setting up units here, Mercedes has come closest to matching international quality even though its does a pure assembly job with very low levels of local content.

The Mercedes C-class comes with four petrol engine options and three diesel variants abroad. But in India, the Merc comes with the entry-level engines — the C180 representing the petrol range and the C200 CDI representing the diesel version.

The C180 has a two-litre, four-cylinder engine displacing 1998cc, with four valves per cylinder activated by double overhead cams and operating with a 10.6:1 compression ratio, producing a maximum of 122bhp at 5300rpm power and 178Nm of maximum torque at 4000rpm.

Timing gears with special rubber coating help reduce engine noise. Air ducts and the intake manifolds have also been worked on for noise reduction. Hence the purring sound when the Merc moves.

The electronic engine management system perfects the interaction of the engine, transmission and various stability programmes. This device is responsible for passing the appropriate settings onto the throttle, ignition and fuel injection systems. The car meets the strict exhaust norms of the European EU-4 directive and the American ULEV regulations.

The C200 CDI is powered by the four-cylinder diesel engine, displacing 2148cc. The C 200 CDI produces a maximum of 114bhp at 4200rpm and maximum torque of 250Nm from 2300 to 2600rpm.

The diesel engine of the C-class meets the emission norms set by the EU 3 directive.
Both the C-class vehicles come with a six-speed manual transmission. Regarding add-on and comfort features no one can quite match the Merc.

In all the variants apart from features like automatic climate control other outstanding features include a six-stack CD changer in the glove compartment, automatic heater with air re-circulation switch, exterior temperature display, pollen filter, front fog lamps and a single rear fog lamp, head insulating glass, leather seats with perforated centre seat panels, MB 10 cc radio, radio antenna in the rear window, remote trunk lid control and Speedtronic with cruise control.

Some standout safety features present in the versions include adaptive front airbags, automatic child-safety seat detection, central locking with crash sensor, Elcode locking system, front passenger seat occupancy detection, inertia reel seat belts for all three rear passengers, rear head resistance for all three seats, side-bags in the front doors, sump shield, sun visor with illuminated vanity mirror and window airbags. Apart from this the E240 variant is equipped with a computer as well.

Mercedes S, E, class:

Technical specifications

On road prices

Mercedes S 320-L

Mercedes E-240

E-220 CDI

Mercedes C180:

Technical specifications

C 180 Elegance

CDI-180 Classic

C 200 CDI variants:

Technical specifications

C 200CDI Elegance

Mercedes CD 200 Classic