First Drive Review
With the spectacular new Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart providing a sentimental backdrop, Mercedes-Benz launched its all-new 2008 C-class, its most significant new model launch since the S-class in 2005. While it may not have the same majestic presence as the 500K Special Roadster, the original Silver Arrow, or Stirling Moss' legendary #722 Mille-Miglia-winning 300SL, the new C is more important than any car in Germany in regards to the future viability of Mercedes-Benz as a brand. And? Well, based on what we've seen thus far of the new compact luxury sport sedan, the future of the Three-Pointed Star looks shiny indeed. Call it Mercedes' Cash Cow.
The C is Mercedes' best-selling model. And when the 2008 C-class goes on sale this summer in the U.S., it will be offered only as a sedan; in most other markets, it will be offered as a wagon and a sport coupe, too, though Mercedes-Benz confirmed that slow sales of the latter two models will keep them from entering our land. Too bad, because although we haven't had a chance to drive the car itself—at least not in real reality (we did play with it in virtual reality, however)—the all-new C-class promises the kind of refinement, quietness, comfort and performance heretofore unseen in the C-class, and we'd be happy with it in whatever bodystyle we could get it.
Perhaps the Most Researched, Developed and Tested Mercedes-Benz ever.
According to Mercedes-Benz, no vehicle in the company's 124-year history has undergone such extensive use of space-age computer modeling, ride/handling simulators and virtual reality coves as the new C-class. The unprecedented virtual testing of various aspects of the design, in addition to the vehicle hardware itself, helped advance the design to a very mature level long before the first prototype was built. This allowed more time for actual road testing, according to Mercedes-Benz. And from what we saw once the curtain was drawn, it resulted in a car with astounding refinement inside and out.
Two Forks in the Sport Sedan Fire
Significantly, the new C-class expands the previous generation's two-front approach to the entry-lux sedan war, in which luxury models were offered to the more conservative buyer, while "sport" models were dispatched to capture to the enthusiast crowd. In the past, however, the C-class "Sport" and "Luxury" models were only somewhat different, not really different. With the 2008 C-class, they're much more different.
The differences are clearly evident from head on. Luxury models continue Mercedes-Benz' long tradition of offering a multi-slat grille topped by a chrome Three-Pointed Star hood ornament; Sport sedans take on the tradition long held by M-B coupes of integrating the big Star within the grille itself. Front and rear bumper fascias, as well as side moldings and window tints are distinct, too. Inside, luxury models get a more traditional wood-and-leather interior treatment while the Sport models swap the dead trees for dead metal. All, however, will get a iDrive-like controller for ancillary systems, a la the S-class. Yes, it appears that those loathsome puck-n-screen-based audio/HVAC/nav systems are here to stay. *Sigh*
