Love In C Minor

Why 250D and not a gasoline powered Benz, you may ask. I had the choice, so to say. But the moment I knew that the same five cylinder 2500 cc 20 valve motor that powers the E 250D lies tucked beneath the smaller monocoque of its C class sibling, there were no second thoughts. This machine the most fuel efficient , and one of the most potent of all Mercedes oil burners is a technological marvel. If today I am a diesel buff, I owe it to this 20 valver unit.

While the C class is a smaller car, it weighs almost the same as the E class W 124 shaped Mercedes. Besides, the more affordable C 250D delivers everything that the E 250 D could. So if you happen to be looking for an imported Mercedes, and the S class is on hold till that elusive export order comes through, then it is time you went in for a long term rental C meister with the diesel logo.

 

But why make such a transparent sales pitch? Why put yourself over the line? Frankly, with the Merc C minor, it was love at first sight.

Attraction

Classy Mercedes lines grab you first, luring you into its smooth, statuesque beauty. Remember, while the Indian built E class dates back to the last generation of mid-sized Mercedes saloons, the C class got revamped recently. Therefore, the design trends from Mercedes that may go well into the next century are available in this segment. The Mercedes star sits pretty on the bonnet, at a fair distance from the most identifiable of grills in autodom. The front end has a more accentuated slant with the headlamp cluster that reminds one more of cut glass artifacts than standard lighting equipment. The rear end sports a raised line boot and tail lamps reminiscent of the mighty Jaguars of yesteryears. In fact, after the new C class was unveiled, many a new car from Nippon have hurriedly adopted its theme, the most obvious copycats being the 1996 Honda Prelude and the Mitsubishi Lancer. A single colour theme is preferred in the C class against the twin tones of the larger saloons.

Temptation

The C class was conceived to get young buyers to flock the Mercedes showrooms, the idea being that these buyers will grow older and buy bigger and more expensive Mercedes Benz saloons, coupes or sports cars. But surprisingly, it was the older folk who went in for the sporty little Merc that came for small change, besides having the obvious advantage of its smaller size. Suddenly Mercedes found itself losing cash that would have been splashed on their bigger cars. But C class made up for it with volumes that were unthinkable for the grey heads at the Stuttgart headquarters.

The C class clearly symbolises youth. The interior trims offered in this class of automobiles seem to imbibe this ethos. The C class can be ordered in Classic, Elegance, Espirit and Sport trims. And you get some of the best mix of fabric/leather from bold checks to leather that still smells for cladding the interior.

The car is fairly well-appointed too, and has all the instrumentation that is available to its bigger brethren. SRS (supplementary restraining system), or airbags, in simpler terms, come standard for the driver and the front passenger.

The back-lit grey facia with orange pointers is easy on the eye. Instrumentation includes a speedo that is calibrated to 240 kmph, a tachometer, temp and fuel gauges, along with the assorted idiot lights and digital information. Softened curves of the facia blend well into the gear tunnel. A leg-operated handbrake from the days of yore, however, shares space with practical, ergonomical, yet old fashioned switches and knobs.

Seduction

The test car came with automatic transmission that uses a asymmetrical shift gate pattern that is foolproof in its operation. The diesel motor still carries that faint burble just after it is cranked to life, but goes down to some infinitesimally low decibel level difficult for human ears to fathom. Slide that gear knob into Drive, and stand on a perfectly weighed and positioned pedal. The 250D, though it has lost some of its performance edge due to the auto-stick involved, accelerates with determination. There is very little that you have to do, except guide the car. Zero to sixty is achieved in six seconds, and a 100 kph run in a stupendous 10 seconds! With the glass wound up, it is impossible to feel the elements. This is a diesel rocket if you want it to be. And it can be as forgiving as the girl next door even in dense city traffic. This car turns, as well as moves. The perfectly weighed and articulated steering wheel can spoil the best of drivers. Lock-to-lock U turns become the norm rather than the exception, with the baby Merc obeying with alarming regularity.

The motor peaks easily at just about 5000 rpm delivering all the 113 horses. The claimed top speed of 190 kmph is easily achievable. The test car came shod with some of the worlds best rubber from Pirelli. Assisted by a firm suspension setup, this car can provide some of the best kinetic entertainment this side of true blooded sports cars. And to think of it, it drinks dirt cheap diesel! My kind of fun indeed.

Consummation

Just like Value Jet, this is a great value-for-money Mercedes. Operating costs can be as low as some of the big two wheelers! The C 250D consumes one litre of diesel to traverse 12 km, besides requiring a much lower initial investment compared to its E class equivalent an alluring prospect for fleet operators. The big advantage is that the blueprint diesel motor, as seen in the E 250D, can be easily serviced by Mercedes dealers in India. Procuring spare parts wont be a hazard either. The downside is the slightly lower interior room by Merc standards, that is. But this C meister gives everything else that one would expect from the famed three pointed star.

As for me, I stand smitten. The small Merc was all that was required to convince me that I have a great job, notwithstanding driving some mundane cars in between!