Mercedes-Benz C-class
If someone gave you $30,000 and told you to go buy either a Ford or a Mercedes-Benz, would you wonder about the catch? Believe it or not, if you've always hankered after one of the world's most prestigious cars, you can purchase an elegant Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan for less than the price of a workaday Ford Limited Explorer sport/utility.
Aside from an affordable price, the Mercedes-Benz heritage of superb engineering, conservative styling, and top-notch quality is bringing the midsize Mercedes-Benz C-class four-door passenger car series close to becoming the company's best-selling model in its 111-year history. The one-millionth Mercedes-Benz C-class car rolled off the assembly line in Stuttgart, Germany, this year, almost four years after it debuted at the end of 1993 as a 1994 model. Within 12 months of its introduction, the Mercedes-Benz C-class had won eight awards in North America.
"Price is obviously a big part of its success," said Fred Heiler, manager of product public relations for Mercedes-Benz, based in Montvale, N.J., "but there is also a huge market out there looking for a competent, quality sedan. The Mercedes-Benz C-class models are great value for the money."
Only midway through its product cycle (the manufacturer redesigns its models every eight years) Mercedes' two bread-and-butter Mercedes-Benz C-class sedans, the C230 and the C280, have very few cosmetic changes for 1998. They include a slightly restyled trunk lid and grille, and sportier looking wheel designs, with styling cues from the powerful $51,925 AMG C36 super sedan. Introduced three years ago as a limited-production model, the C36 will be phased out for 1998, although a few 1997 models are still available, according to Mr. Heiler.
This year, the $30,450 C230 replaced the base C220 model, upgrading its engine from a 2.2-liter, four cylinder to a 2.3-liter version. The $35,400 C280 has a 2.8-liter, six-cylinder engine. These prices are expected to remain the same for the 1998 models. This year also saw all Mercedes-Benz C-class models switch to an electronic five-speed automatic transmission from a four-speed unit, which the 1998 models carry over.
Designed to adapt to shifting driving conditions and to your own driving style, the new transmission was originally only available on Mercedes-Benz's $80,000 V-12-powered SL and $63,000 models, but they've worked their way down to the plain folks' economy car line, the Mercedes-Benz C-class, as standard equipment.
If you can spring for a trip to Germany to pick out exterior and interior colors and fabrics, Mercedes-Benz will welcome you to its spiffy design center. Like shopping in one of Europe's most elegant haute couture boutiques, a visit to the center envelopes you in richly hued textiles, and brilliantly colored liquid crystal paints with a wet look change your Mercedes from blue to green in fractions of a second. Eighteen supple leathers from emerald-green to poppy red and midnight black can be combined with wood veneers and inlays in three different grains and 10 color shades.
Salespeople spread out samples for your approval, covering the floor with sheets of leathers and fabrics. The newest, most popular trend from the design center is high-tech carbon, a textured material used for exterior and interior trim. While the exotic design center dresses up Mercedes-Benz's new SLK sports car to best effect (even down to decorative, contrasting stitching), Mercedes-Benz C-class buyers can still create their personal made-to-measure Mercedes from all the colors, trims and fabrics available.
If you plan to take delivery of your car in Germany, Mercedes-Benz has a generous offer: two free nights at a nearby hotel in Stuttgart, a two-hour factory tour, taxi fare from the hotel to the Mercedes-Benz plant, and discounts on air fares. If you order your car in the United States from your local dealer for European delivery, you also get free insurance while in Europe, shipment of the car home (takes about a month) and close to a 5 percent less-than-normal retail price.
The Washington Times
September 12, 1997
Amadio, Jill