Mercedes-Benz C 250 CDI Sport long term review first report

We love the solidity the old Mercs offered and the Mercedes-Benz C-class is a classic example of how that solidity is re-emerging. The C 250 CDI has just arrived in the Autocar India garage and I’ve been lucky to get my hands on it first. To truly appreciate everything the C 250 CDI’s German engineering stands for, you have to be on a road like the Mumbai-Pune expressway. At three-digit speeds, comfortably ensconced in the beautifully built cabin, you feel everything is right in your world.

It’s a feeling I’ve been getting a lot lately. Thrice actually, all on trips to Pune or Lonavala. This luxury saloon’s ability to cruise at high speeds all day long, its tank-like build quality and its rock-steady high-speed manners are a revelation after spending time in lesser cars. On high-speed roads, use the shift paddles to keep yourself in the engine’s strong mid-range, rev it to the redline to squeeze every horse for all its worth and you’ll soon forget that this is only a 2.2-litre diesel. Just be prepared for a bit of gruffness from the motor when you do.

Our car has the AMG pack, which includes adjustable dampers. Hit the Sport button and its whole character changes. The suspension feels firmer, the body movements tighter and the car steers and drives with much more precision. It’s now more fun around corners and, with 201bhp and 51kgm of twist on hand, the performance is pretty impressive too.