Hi
today we will test the 2016 Mercedes Benz C200 AMG
Turn the car on by the key
Push button is not available
the same traditional gear we saw since long time with MB
up is the R
push this button for P
down is the D & N
parking brake is down here
the design is completely new since a year or so
C class is not now the MB entry level
it is now coming after the A class and B class
they almost raised its category and you’ll notice it in this new shape which called W205
let us talk about MB history
started since 1886 and considered one of the most legendary cars globally
in 1926 they named it Mercedes Benz for the first time
as a cooperation between Mercedes & Benz
the company went through some issues and difficulties during the mid 90’s up to almost 2005
they suffered from quality and design issues
and that shifted people to choose BMW and Audi over the MB that was on top of all
but this fail did not came from nothing
there was a cooperation between MB and Chrysler and is up to now
they share designs and parts
and that might affected both, degraded MB but upgraded Chrysler
C class started 1993 replacing the 190
which is competing with BMW 3 series that introduced in 1975
In this category, the BMW 3 series is the benchmark that the other trying to come close to it not even exceeding
till now nobody exceeded its crown not Audi nor MB or other brands like lexus, cadillac, lincoln and so on
MB with this model, I can say it is now threatening the 3 Series with a new design and changes
driving experience become closer to BMW way but still the steering and suspension are better in the BMW
this new model is even bigger than its predecessor by 10cm long and 5cm wide
it looks like a mini S class specially with darker colors like our car today in black and red inside
this black/red combination gave it extra volume so it looks bigger
it has almost the same exterior and interior design of the new S class except the dash board which has the traditional look
which in my opinion better than the big screen odometer and gauges
the standard screen is bigger than the one in older model, but it has no Navigation even if it has the Navi button since the one with Navigation is bigger than this one
central console is very clean with some button which gave a luxury look
but driver will not feel comfortable when sun reflection occur in this big glossy area
interior design is amazing
let us talk now about the COMMAND system which controls the car
they add touch pad which is a good step but still the system is complicated
it is not the system you’ll know within 5 min or simplified as the BMW system
C200 and C250 have the same 4 cylinders 2.0 Turbo engine
C200 has 184 hp and 300 Nm torque
C250 has 211 hp and 350 Nm torque
power delivery is smooth and engine performance is above what you expect from 4 cylinder at least for me
it has 7 speed gear but not double clutch like the one in the A class
when you put the car in sport or sport + you’ll see the car jumping between shifts
some people like it and some are not but for me I do not like it
it shows a lack of power after the gear shifts
MB said the C200 acceleration from 0 -100 km within 7.3s but we will test and see if that is true
this model is lighter than its predecessor by 100 kg which is huge achievement
its weight as a bigger, luxury and as a brand is very coming in less than 1600 kg
you’ll notice the weight when driving though corner or braking or accelerating
you’ll also see the car is very stable and not rolling through corners like old models
MB have done great job with this model and people now considering this C class on their option list higher than before
even more than the E class since the C is bigger, wider, luxurious and powerful
feeling inside the car is very good, it is comfortable but not too much but sporty
our car today is the standard one with AMG kit
it has 19″ rims with 225 front and 255 rear tires
it has lower and harder suspension
also the outside looks is different with the AMG kit as well interior
it has aluminum trim combined with Piano wood which gave a very pleasant place to be in
steering feel is little bit lighter and less sensitive than the one in the A class
if the steering is very sensitive then you have to be very awake especially during high speeds
driving modes, eco and you’ll notice the steering become very light
comfort, sport, sport + and individual
they change engine and steering response and fuel economy
my favorite mode is sport, it keeps the car a life but will not keep gears to very high RPMs
you can change modes settings from the COMMAND system
models coming to GCC are C180, C200, C250 and C63 which would be a serious competitor to the M3
it has the same engine in the new GT AMG 4.0 Turbo V8
as we see different lines with BMW 3 series we will have the same with the C class now
starting with avantgarde then the luxury one called exclusive and the AMG one like our car
we can see all interior and exterior lighting are all LED
the modified interior lighting seen in S class is now available in the C class through COMMAND system
one of the best things you’ll notice is the quietness and noise isolation are extraordinary
no matter what is your speed
on highways and high speeds the car feels very stable, solid, under control
you’ll notice you are driving a bigger luxury car and you’ll enjoy it while traveling
I have the car for couple of days
I drove it in highways, small road, good and bad roads
the car is completely different than its predecessor
and it changed my opinion about MB generally
I can say it is now really competing with the 3 series
competitors are BMW 3 series and Audi A4
but now C class is threatening both of them now
pricing starts from 200,000 Dirhams or Saudi Riyals
and with some options it’ll be around 240-250k depending on what you want
options are quite expensive so it is easy to add 40-50k to have the normal needed options
MB Warranty is 3 years (2 years factory and 1 from local dealer) including everything open mileage
you can extend it two additional years but it not cover everything as electronic excluded
I hope you got enough benefits from this review
see next time with a sport car
Bye