C300 HYBRID DOES IT
Mercedes-Benz has extended its diesel-electric tech to the C-class in both saloon and estate forms. Punters of the BMW 320d can be prepared to sway
What’s new?
After launching the latest C-class in Thailand with two petrol engines to choose from, Mercedes-Benz has added a third choice in the guise of a diesel.
And it isn’t any ordinary oil-burner. As its badge suggests, the C300 Bluetec Hybrid gets the same diesel-electric hybrid as those used in its bigger brothers — the E300 and S300 Bluetec Hybrid.
The C300 is being sold at 3.19 million baht, while another 200,000 baht gets you the Estate version, as tested here.
As in the cases of the E- and S-classes, Mercedes claims the C300 to be the most fuel-efficient car in its class. The 231hp 2.1-litre hybrid does 25kpl (23.8kpl for the slightly heavier Estate).
What’s cool?
With that hybrid drivetrain already making a strong performance in the E-class, you don’t need to wonder how it fares in the smaller and lighter C-class.
Whether you are driving in the city or upcountry, the C300 has heady reserves of pulling power thanks to the standard 500Nm of torque as well as the extra assistance from the electric motor, when available.
The fuel economy claim is possible when cruising gently on the highway, meaning that the C300 has set a new benchmark in its class for rivals to beat. BMW surely can’t be content anymore with the 320d’s 184hp non-hybrid 2.0-litre diesel-turbo engine, which yields a lower 22.3kpl.
One particularly nice thing about the C300 in Estate form is how Mercedes has managed to blend a reasonably stylish appearance with a practical boot, which can be increased by easily folding the rear seats via electric buttons.
While the C300 Estate’s suspension has generally been tuned for comfort, driving enthusiasts who find the steering too light (but pleasantly direct) can always use the so-called Agility Control driving mode to make it heavier in feel (as well as increasing the responsiveness of the engine).
And when you engage into Sport mode, the C300 becomes more rewarding to drive since there’s more than enough power from the diesel to exploit the driving dynamics of the rear-drive chassis.
Other good points are the already known: good high-speed stability and a well-made cabin filled with quality-feeling plastics, leather and finish.
What’s not?
Punchy the diesel may be, but torque doesn’t feel evenly spread throughout the engine’s operable speed range. You can especially note this around town, driving where there’s a noticeable amount of turbo lag — despite the fact that this OM651-coded diesel is propelled by two turbos. And just like in the petrol-powered C180 and C250 saloons we tested last year, the C300 has a knobbly secondary ride over rutted tarmac.
This truly shows that the C-class has been developed for grade-A road surfaces in Germany.
Buy or bye?
After our third outing with the latest generation C-class, it’s quite clear that the C300 Bluetec Hybrid is the most desirable variant so far available in Thailand.
Though it’s not perfect, the C300 is both exceptionally frugal and punchy to not only make the C-class good to drive but probably even more capable than the 320d from arch-rival BMW.
Sure, the 320d is nearly 300,000 baht cheaper than the C300, but there’s much to like about the Merc’s newfound performance capabilities derived from the diesel-electric hybrid — something that could not necessarily be said about the C180 or C250 petrol siblings.
So for the first time, 320d punters now have a good reason to be swayed to the C300 if they don’t mind the price premium it carries.
And for a little more money, you can also enjoy the practicality merits of the Estate model.
The choice is yours.