Sportier C-Class Sedan Is Larger but Still Agile
Lower. Longer. Wider. And just plain meaner.
That’s how venerable luxury carmaker Mercedes characterizes its sportier, fourth-gen C-Class. Slide over BMW and Cadillac. Cue the Led Zeppelin music.
“It’s certainly much more aggressive — there are styling cues taken from the new S-Class — and it’s larger than its predecessors in every dimension,” says Mercedes spokesman Gregory O’Shea. “It’s agile. It grips the road.”
To that end Nicolas Cage was allowed — but not paid — to pilot one in the movie “National Treasure: Book of Secrets.”
“There was a very exciting chase scene in the streets of London,” O’Shea says.
The car has come a ways from its humble beginnings as the “Baby Benz” in 1982.
“Absolutely it’s become our No. 1 seller,” O’Shea says. “It’s for customers who want a smaller vehicle, for women and people buying their first Mercedes — it’s certainly a gateway product.”
Not to mention a more affordable German luxury sedan for these difficult, uncertain economic times. Starting at $32,425, complete with sexy AMG body cladding, a sport suspension and six-speed manual transmission, it’s rated 18 miles per gallon city and 26 highway.
One catch.
If driving a Mercedes equates to having the prestigious 3-pointed star atop its hood, think again.
“We’ve put the star into the grill,” O’Shea says. “This is the first time a four-door sedan has had that. In the past we’ve reserved that for coupes and convertibles.”
To reach Hearne Christopher, columnist, call 816-234-4441, or email hchristopher@kcstar.com.
