Mercedes C-Class is now a natural respirator

[Toffeeman]

Anyone test driven before? and is 20K cheaper than the 325 ! Mercedes C230 Goes NA With 2.5 Litre V6 Engine & 7-Speed Gearbox Thursday, November 16, 2006 By YS Khong Kuala Lumpur, 14 November 2006 – DaimlerChrysler Malaysia launched the new model Mercedes-Benz C230 today, discarding the traditional supercharger for a new all aluminium, lightweight, naturally aspirated, V6, 2.5 litre Quad-cam engine. Exterior features are much the same as the current model, except for the V6 badge located on the left side of the vehicle, on the front fender.With 150kW (204 horsepower) available on tap, and 245Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, the V6 sprints from zero to 100 km/hr in 8.9 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 238 km/hr. The V6 configuration is a step forward towards smooth power delivery, and lower vibration from the engine. With experience gained from the larger V6 Mercedes engines, the C230 engine features variable valve timing and a two-stage induction system that lengthens the intake distance at low RPM for higher torque, and a shorter intake distance at high RPM for more power. An interesting feature is the 7-speed, 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, hitherto available only on the higher end models, that is now standard equipment in the C230 series. With three modes, C (comfort/Cruising), S (Sport) and M (Manual), the 7G-TRONIC offers not only smooth and almost seamless gearshifts, it allows for closer gear ratios and a higher speed in top gear. The end result is much improved fuel consumption, which is claimed at 9.3 to 9.6 litre per 100 kilometres.Suspension set-up remains the same, with three link Macpherson struts and coil springs at the front, and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Anti-dive and anti-squat geometry is built in. Brakes are ventilated discs at the front, and solid discs at the rear. ABS is of course standard, and they work with the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) to keep the car in line when drivers go beyond the limit. Stabilizers are fitted both to the front and rear.An additional variant, the Mercedes-Benz C 230 Avantgarde Sports Package offers more goodies. On top of the standard equipment, the C 230 Avantgarde Sports Package comes with sports suspension, perforated brake discs, front sports seats, and 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, there are mild differences, such as a 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel, a sports-style selector lever, and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs. “We are pleased to offer Malaysians, for the first time, locally assembled version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class with a V6 engine and 7G-TRONIC as part of its standard equipments. We strongly believe that this will bring more value to our existing and potential C-Class customers,” said Florian Mueller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.The Mercedes-Benz C 230 Avantgarde is priced at RM268,888 (on-the-road without insurance) while the Mercedes-Benz C230 Avantgarde Sports Package is priced at RM288,888 (on-the-road without insurance).=======

 

[wglee]

But compared to the old supercharged 1.8 litre C230K, the 6 cylinder NA C230's torque and 0-100km/h time are worse by 35Nm and 0.6 secs respectively.

And then there is also the issue of the all-new C-Class coming soon...

 

[safrul]

huh.... C230 only 1.8? no wonder they cannot speed.

But compared to the old supercharged 1.8 litre C230K, the 6 cylinder NA C230's torque and 0-100km/h time are down by 35Nm and 0.6 secs respectively.

And then there is also the issue of the all-new C-Class coming soon...

 

[E46Fanatic]

More horses than an E46 M54 2.5 ltr and same torque, but peak torque is way up in the rev range instead of @3500 rpms for the M54. No wonder the car is slower to the century by 0.6 secs than a E46 325i (5AT)!

Looks like the previous gen M54 BMW I6 is still more technologically advanced than Merc's latest 2.5 V6 C230.

 

[wglee]

huh.... C230 only 1.8? no wonder they cannot speed.

But it was one heck of a pumped-up 1.8: 193bhp and 280Nm!

So I guess it boils down to this: Power (C230K 1.8 4 cylinder supercharged) or Refinement (C230 2.5 V6 naturally-aspirated)?

 

[beemaro]

I think Merc' set up is different from BMW.

It is tuned for comfort unlike the latter more sporty set up.

 

[E46Fanatic]

I wonder if there was any major issues with the previous 1.8 ltr 230K engine which is why DC now replaces it with the 2.5 V6? It was a fine engine to drive, and cost wise would have been much cheaper to produce together with the C200k and C180Ks. Performance wise as well it out does the new 230 V6.

Also weight wise, the 1.8 230K should by significantly lighter than the 2.5 V6 giving it a more dynamic drive.

 

[3er]

Probably not. MB might be trying to make the package attractive to gain the last buyers of this generation's C Class before they follow suit with the new model in 2007. You know, like putting on every last option as standard equipment on the out going model. The only thing going for the 2.5L V6 version is the 7G-TRONIC gearbox and the smoother engine. The rest of the equipment list from the article above is the same as the C230 Kompressor (right down to the footpedals and 3-spoke steering wheel). Btw, the Kompressor is to die for. Imagine the nice strong torque at 70km/h when you want to overtake all the way up to some illegal speeds WITHOUT dropping a cog! Your other half wouldnt even know you're gunning it with the other car. No ear ache... Whoohoo!

 

[supergripen]

i'd take the TwinPulse over the V6 anytime..

small capacity hightech sweet revving force induction vs torqueless medium low capacity V6..u make the choice but for me the choice is very very obvious.

 

[supergripen]

huh.... C230 only 1.8? no wonder they cannot speed.

dude..u sure about that?? have u driven the 230K?? cuz if u have,u wouldn't say that its slow or 'cannot speed'.. the capacity of an engine is not a measure of its ability to carry huge speeds if it's equiped with forced induction technology.

 

[bindablitz]

The C230K pulls 192hp because it comes with Supercharger on the 1.8. It is no slouch.

 

[E28driver]

i'd take the TwinPulse over the V6 anytime..

small capacity hightech sweet revving force induction vs torqueless medium low capacity V6..u make the choice but for me the choice is very very obvious.

Tell me, do the Merc 4-cyl engines still sound like a washing machine?

 

[supergripen]

Tell me, do the Merc 4-cyl engines still sound like a washing machine?

dunno man..cuz compared to my boxer-4,the merc twinpulse makes no noise at all!! quite a feat..

 

[1+2=3]

I think Merc' set up is different from BMW.

It is tuned for comfort unlike the latter more sporty set up.

in the case of the new 2.5 N/A merc V6, it seems to be quite a sporty engine as well, with max torque at 5,500rpm.

i would say an engine that makes its peak torque at a lower rpm is more likely to be "comfortable".

 

[E46Fanatic]

in the case of the new 2.5 N/A merc V6, it seems to be quite a sporty engine as well, with max torque at 5,500rpm.

i would say an engine that makes its peak torque at a lower rpm is more likely to be "comfortable".

Most modern performance cars make torque at lower RPMs and maintain a flat torque curve for the most part of the RPM band. This makes it very drivable and faster than older gen performance engines which make power and the bulk of its torque on the high rev band. Maybe the "feeling" is sportier if all the grunt is made at the high rev range, but it doesn't mean its quicker

 

[1+2=3]

Most modern performance cars make torque at lower RPMs and maintain a flat torque curve for the most part of the RPM band. This makes it very drivable and faster than older gen performance engines which make power and the bulk of its torque on the high rev band. Maybe the "feeling" is sportier if all the grunt is made at the high rev range, but it doesn't mean its quicker

usually, to get a low down torque thats flat across the rpm band, you need either big CC, or forced induction.

smaller engined cars that make big hp still have to make do with higher revs... aka honda performance vtec engines.. it doesn't necesarilly mean the engine is old gen.

that old saying still holds true, "theres no replacement for displacement".

 

[supergripen]

usually, to get a low down torque thats flat across the rpm band, you need either big CC, or forced induction.


that old saying still holds true, "theres no replacement for displacement".

well,there is actually..its called 'forced induction'..

 

[dumeort]

fast and simple .... i would rather choose 325i.

 

[safri]

for the price, i would wait for the 2007 C-class..