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VOLUME SELLERS HAVE a way of hogging the limelight so much that its same model siblings are sometimes almost forgotten. As the Mercedes-Benz C 200 Kompressor continues to race up the sales charts, more powerful variants like the C 280 can become something of an insider secret.
It is still a C-Class to a bystander, but fans of the three pointed star know that it is much, much more fun to drive.
The Mercedes-Benz C 280 is the second most powerful of the four C-Class variants available (not counting the upcoming C 63 AMG) here. It is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 that produces 231bhp, enough to launch the sedan from 0 to 100km/h in just 7.2 seconds.
That's quick enough to classify the C 280 as a true sports sedan and not just another pretender. The best part is, like almost all German cars, there is very little on the outside that hints at the power within.
Well except maybe for the twin tailpipes, which is found on all V6 engined C-Classes.
A seven-speed automatic gearbox comes standard on the C 280, up from the five-speed unit found in the C 200 Kompressor. The agility control package that is found across the entire C-Class range is also found here. It features adaptive suspension damping at each wheel that automatically adjusts to the prevailing road conditions and the driver's driving style.
The interior remains largely identical to the other C-Class variants, but local cars will come fitted with a dedicated iPod adapter. The trouble with it is that the iPod playlist is only displayed on the driver side multi-function display, in the centre of the speedometer, and controllable only via the steering wheel mounted buttons.
The console mounted control dial is bypassed when the iPod is hooked up, which means that the front passenger has no way of safely operating the music player.
The greatest tangible benefit of the C 280 over the smaller engined C-Classes is its well balanced sense of power and agility. A very flat powerband and seven well-spaced gear ratios means that overtaking at highway speeds is an effortless affair. The smooth V6 engine never feels strained at anytime and retains its composure all the way to its redline. For a more involving drive, you can shift through the gears sequentially by using the gear lever.
It feels like the most well balanced of the C-Class variants, carving up corners with supreme precision and delivering power with authority whenever you need it.
With an average fuel economy figure of 9.6 litres per 100km, it does guzzle a fair bit more fuel than the C 200 Kompressor (which returns 8.4 litres per 100km), but it does offer a much better drive.
It also costs a fair bit of money than the cheaper C 200 Kompressor, and cosmetically they both look almost the same. But if you want the most well balanced and better driving C-Class, this is it.
BMW 325i (A) $178,800 with COE
Slightly slower and also cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz C 280, but the BMW 325i makes up for it with outstanding handling dynamics. Quite possibly the best driving sedan in this price bracket, and the inline six cylinder engine is super smooth. It could do with more rear leg room though.
2,996cc V6
231bhp at 6,000rpm
300Nm at 2,500 - 5,000rpm
7-speed automatic
244km/h
7.2 seconds
$191,888 with COE
3 years / 100,000km
Cycle & Carriage Industries
6298-1818
PLUSES Outstanding refinement, good chassis dynamics and a grunty engine
MINUSES slightly bland interior for such a high specification car
VERDICT The most dynamic of the C-Class variants and the one that real drivers will be going for
It is still a C-Class to a bystander, but fans of the three pointed star know that it is much, much more fun to drive.
The Mercedes-Benz C 280 is the second most powerful of the four C-Class variants available (not counting the upcoming C 63 AMG) here. It is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 that produces 231bhp, enough to launch the sedan from 0 to 100km/h in just 7.2 seconds.
That's quick enough to classify the C 280 as a true sports sedan and not just another pretender. The best part is, like almost all German cars, there is very little on the outside that hints at the power within.
Well except maybe for the twin tailpipes, which is found on all V6 engined C-Classes.
A seven-speed automatic gearbox comes standard on the C 280, up from the five-speed unit found in the C 200 Kompressor. The agility control package that is found across the entire C-Class range is also found here. It features adaptive suspension damping at each wheel that automatically adjusts to the prevailing road conditions and the driver's driving style.
The interior remains largely identical to the other C-Class variants, but local cars will come fitted with a dedicated iPod adapter. The trouble with it is that the iPod playlist is only displayed on the driver side multi-function display, in the centre of the speedometer, and controllable only via the steering wheel mounted buttons.
The console mounted control dial is bypassed when the iPod is hooked up, which means that the front passenger has no way of safely operating the music player.
The greatest tangible benefit of the C 280 over the smaller engined C-Classes is its well balanced sense of power and agility. A very flat powerband and seven well-spaced gear ratios means that overtaking at highway speeds is an effortless affair. The smooth V6 engine never feels strained at anytime and retains its composure all the way to its redline. For a more involving drive, you can shift through the gears sequentially by using the gear lever.
It feels like the most well balanced of the C-Class variants, carving up corners with supreme precision and delivering power with authority whenever you need it.
With an average fuel economy figure of 9.6 litres per 100km, it does guzzle a fair bit more fuel than the C 200 Kompressor (which returns 8.4 litres per 100km), but it does offer a much better drive.
It also costs a fair bit of money than the cheaper C 200 Kompressor, and cosmetically they both look almost the same. But if you want the most well balanced and better driving C-Class, this is it.
BMW 325i (A) $178,800 with COE
Slightly slower and also cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz C 280, but the BMW 325i makes up for it with outstanding handling dynamics. Quite possibly the best driving sedan in this price bracket, and the inline six cylinder engine is super smooth. It could do with more rear leg room though.
2,996cc V6
231bhp at 6,000rpm
300Nm at 2,500 - 5,000rpm
7-speed automatic
244km/h
7.2 seconds
$191,888 with COE
3 years / 100,000km
Cycle & Carriage Industries
6298-1818
PLUSES Outstanding refinement, good chassis dynamics and a grunty engine
MINUSES slightly bland interior for such a high specification car
VERDICT The most dynamic of the C-Class variants and the one that real drivers will be going for
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