First Drive

Mercedes C200 CGI (Old)

The C-class is the first to get Merc's latest direct-injection turbo-petrol motor. How good is it?

Jul 19, 2010
DETAILS
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That subtle CGI (Charged Gasoline Injection) badge on the bootlid gives it away. It means this C-class is the first Benz in India to get Stuttgart’s new range of direct-injection turbo-petrol engines. It replaces the C200 K, is more powerful, has more torque, is smoother, drinks less fuel and does less damage to the environment than the old supercharged engine. Sounds like a dream? We’re about to find out. 

 
At 1796cc, the volume of this engine is exactly identical to the C200 K’s, but with 186bhp and 29kgm, it makes 6bhp and 4.5kgm of torque more than the C200 K. And, if you need further proof that direct injection is the way to go, this little 1.8-litre motor makes more torque than even the range-topping 2.5-litre V6 motor in the C250.
 
This broad band of torque is evident the moment you select ‘D’ and tap the throttle. Power delivery, though not as linear initially as the supercharged motor, feels strong, and once the turbo kicks in at about 2500rpm, you can’t stop smiling. The C-class feels effortless on the highway thanks to the wide torque band and once past that miniscule bit of lag, it’s just one long turbo-induced surge till it starts running out of breath at 190kph. 
 
The C200 CGI achieves peak torque at 2400rpm (1100rpm lower than the C200 K’s torque peak) and makes it all the way to 4000rpm, making it feel vastly more effortless to drive than its predecessor. Like most turbo motors, it’s got a particularly strong mid-range and pulls hard till its 6250rpm redline. Flex your right foot enough and it’ll hit 100kph from rest in 8.4 seconds, but it’s the swift and unruffled way the engine pushes the ‘C’ to 180kph that makes it so fitting in a Mercedes-Benz.
 
The five-speed gearbox that comes with this Merc, for the most part, does a decent job, but when you want to drive it enthusiastically, it sometimes refuses to downshift, or upshift as quickly as you would expect. You have to coax gearshifts out of it by lifting off the throttle and this can spoil the fun.
 
Also, this car has a BlueEfficiency badge on its flanks, but there’s not much fuel-saving tech offered in Indian cars. Elsewhere, the C200 CGI with the six-speed manual gearbox gets a start-stop function, low-rolling resistance tyres, smaller mirrors and a power-steering pump that disengages when it is not needed.
 
As for fuel efficiency, on our tests, the CGI did seem to work its magic. We got 8.3kpl in the city and 11.5kpl on the highway, which is a noted improvement over the 7kpl and 10kpl that the C200 K gave us in the city and the highway respectively.
 
The rest is the same. You still get that supremely level and composed ride whatever speed you are doing, and that typical Merc cabin hush that’s only accentuated by the quieter engine. You also get that high-quality, well-built interior and decent amounts of interior space. It’s well-equipped, especially on safety features – it’s got Merc’s Pre-Safe and Neck-Pro system, eight airbags and adaptive brakes. 
 
Our test car came in Elegance trim, which gets partially powered front seats, the terrible left-side rear-view mirror and a COMAND system that only commands the audio system. But the only trim you can buy now is the top-of-the-line Avantgarde trim, which means you get the sportier grille, wider tyres, two-zone climate control, leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, six-CD changer, fully powered seats and the anti-theft warning system. 
 
The C200 CGI in this Avantgarde trim costs Rs 29.62 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is not a whole lot more than the Rs 29.13 lakh Merc was asking for the C200 K Elegance. It is Rs 1.6 lakh more than the BMW 320i which has less equipment. Mercedes will offer the cheaper Elegance and Classic trim in a few months.
 
Verdict
 
The C-class has always been a good performer but this new engine adds that extra bit of punch. The potent direct-injection turbo-petrol complements the C-class’ brilliant dynamics and makes it a much more appealing car to drive, putting it into the BMW 3-series’ territory. It comes loaded with safety features and though some functions are missing, it is a very well-rounded car. Merc’s latest tech also helps improve its fuel efficiency and this is an added bonus. It is without doubt the sweetest petrol C-class you can buy. 

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price Rs 29.62lakh (ex-showrrom Delhi)

Engine

Fuel Petrol
Installation Front, longitudinal
Bore/stroke 82.0/85.0mm
Power 186bhp @ 5600rpm
Torque 29kgm @ 2400-4000rpm
Power to weight 120.77 bhp per tonne

Transmission

Type Rear-wheel drive
Gearbox 5-speed auto

Chassis & Body

Construction Four-door saloon
Weight 1540kg
Tyres 225/45 R17
Spare Full size

Suspension

Front Independent, MacPherson struts axle with coil springs
Rear Independent, multi-link coil springs

Steering

Type of power assist Hydraulic

Brakes

Front Ventilated discs
Rear Ventilated discs
Anti-lock Yes

Braking

80-0 kph 26.58m

Economy

City 8.3kpl
Highway 11.5kpl
Tank size 66litres
See more about:  mercedesbenz cclass

Mercedes C200 CGI (Old)

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