From Capable to Rip-Roaring
A number of sport sedans offer base engines that accelerate enough but fall short of the effortless passing power expected of a luxury car. Such is the case with the C300. Encumbered by an extra 210 pounds versus rear-drive models, our test car's 228-horsepower V-6 moved out with adequate thrust. Pushed hard, the seven-speed automatic dispenses quick upshifts, and the engine emits a satisfying exhaust growl as the tach needle swings right.
The drivetrain's two driver-selectable modes, Comfort and Sport, alter accelerator sensitivity and automatic transmission shift patterns. Even in its Sport mode, the transmission isn't eager to kick down, so passing power is modest. But the engine offers good balance: I loaded up enough weight to simulate three adult passengers plus baggage, and the C300 didn't strain. The BMW 328i and Lexus IS 250 deliver peakier power with lackluster oomph starting out. (As base engines go, the Audi A4's turbo four-cylinder has the group beat.)
Several editors observed some accelerator lag, even in Sport mode. I noticed some, but it's not as pronounced as in some Mercedes with the automaker's 5.5-liter V-8. That king-sized V-8 makes up for the lag with effortless power, however; the C300's V-6 … not so much.
Stepping up to the C350 gets you a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, while the C63 AMG has a 451-hp V-8. A performance package with revised engine calibrations bumps that up to 481 hp. Both the V-8 and 3.5-liter V-6 pack a stronger punch — Mercedes says the C63 can hit 60 mph in just over 4 seconds — but neither will be easy to come by. Of the thousands of C-Class sedans in Cars.com's national new-car inventory, just 5 percent are C350s or C63s. Both cars come with automatics; the C300 Sport also offers a six-speed manual.
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Important safety notes
ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long,
monotonous journeys such as on freeways
and interstate highways. It is active in the
range between 50 mph (80 km/h) and
112 mph (180 km/h).
If ATTENTIO ...
Introduction
You can connect one external video source to
each of the displays of the Rear Seat
Entertainment System (AUX display) and also
one external video source to the rear-seat
CD/DVD drive (AUX driv ...
Problems with the seat heating
The seat heating has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
Switch off e ...