Design Mercedes-Benz C300 4 matic
Under the hood now lives a detuned version of the C350’s direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 making 248 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque, gains of 20 and 30, respectively, over the previous C300’s 3.0-liter.
Mercedes’ seven-speed, torque-converter automatic transmission is standard, as is 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the latter only offered on this trim and accounting for about 150 of our example’s 3803 pounds. With our testing equipment aboard, the extra grunt helped spur the car to 60 mph in a respectable 6.2 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 14.8 at 97 mph.
We’ve yet to test a new 302-hp C350 sedan, but a comparable C350 4MATIC coupe ran the quarter in 14 flat and a lighter, 201-hp C250 sedan needed 15.2 seconds. (A 211-hp Audi A4 2.0T Quattro with 140 fewer pounds can do it in 14.9.)
The new thrones aren’t quite AMG material, but their thick bolsters and grippy upholstery hold you firmly in place during cornering, a task that the C300 does surprisingly well. Steering response is quick off-center but lacks the desired effort increase as you push the chassis deeper into a bend. Body motions are well controlled without an overly firm ride, and the car has a light, agile feel with ample grip.
Interior Mercedes-Benz C300 4 matic
Understeer kicks in at the limits of adhesion for safety, and the 4MATIC’s 45/55 front-to-rear torque split lends a stable rear-drive feel in most situations. Continental ContiSportContact 5 performance rubber helped the car cling to the skidpad at 0.87 g and stop from 70 mph to 0 in a solid 159 feet.
Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 cu in, 2996 cc
Power: 248 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 251 lb-ft @ 2700 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 108.7 in
Length: 180.8 in
Width: 69.7 in Height: 56.3 in
Curb weight: 3803 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.7 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 30.2 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.8 sec @ 97 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 132 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 159 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g
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