The Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDi is a feature packed smooth operator (From Hereford Times)

The Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDi is a feature packed smooth operator

7:00am Saturday 24th September 2011 in Road Tests

BEING more environmentallyminded once meant making big sacrifices but now manufacturers can produce engines with low emissions together with excellent performance figures and fuel consumption.

Mercedes-Benz, for instance, has made great strides along this route and a shining example is the new C-Class with its Blue Efficiency diesel motors.

The C 220 with a manual gearbox can boast a CO2 figure as low as 117 (g/km) which is quite an achievement. And these reductions in carbon emissions were obtained not by a single breakthrough but using the latest state-of-the ar t technolo g y to apply adaptations to the vehicle.

Stop/star t technolo g y is also used and this automatically switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill to save fuel.

The C220 also shows that eco cars don’t have to be small.

The C-Class has come in for a comprehensive make-over, retaining the best features of the previous model but at the same time is safer with better build quality, improved equipment and lower running costs.

The four-door saloon prices go from £25,515 to £32,015 which are not cheap but the cars are worth the cash if your budget with run to them and there are good residuals when the time comes to trade in.

The 220 Blue Efficiency Sport with its four-cylinder 2143cc diesel unit is proving a popular choice. It sips a gallon of derv every 58.9 miles and the performance is equally impressive with a top speed of 143mph and a 0- 62mph time of 8.1 seconds from its 170bhp motor.

These figures are obtained with the silky-smooth seven-speed automatic transmission model with cruise control and star t/stop technolo g y which works exceptionally well on the automatic.

The six-speed manual come as standard but the automatic transmission is an option at £1,500.

Actually, the manual model with its start/stop system fares a little better than the automatic with a combined fuel return of 64.2mpg, lower CO2 figures and slightly quicker acceleration up through the gears.

On the road the athletic-looking Sport model mixes quality and refinement with sharp driving dynamics.

The suspension is lowered by 15mm and the hydraulic power steering is tuned to allow better communication for the press-on driver. As a result the car feels more agile but the trade off is a firm ride.

The motor can certainly show rivals a clean pair of heels. It pulls strongly up through the gears and its broad spread of power makes for rapid and safe overtaking and comfortable high speed cruising on the open road or motorway.

The Sport handles impeccably and the body is ke pt well in check through the bends, helped by the agility control suspension with its adaptive damping.

The big brakes – ventilated discs at the front and rear – are first-rate, too, and are more than man enough for the job.

Despite the tautness of the suspension the car rides comfortably and quietly and copes well with uneven road surfaces.

With plenty of seat adjustment and height and reach adjustment of the steering column, the driver can arrive at a good driving position in the plush sports seats – an important factor on long trips.

Being wider and longer than the previous generation car, there is plenty of room in the cabin and in the rear where there is ample leg and shoulder space. And the boot is big enough to hold the family luggage, having a capacity of 475 litres.

What does really impress is the interior. The cabin exudes class and the dash layout and optional leather upholstery will please the most fastidious owners.

While there is a list of standard equipment as long as your arm, there are also plenty of options, including a top-bracket media interface, sat-nav, DAB digital radio, heated seats and metallic paint.

FACTS

Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDi Blue Efficiency saloon Sport 2.2-litre seven-speed auto.

Price: £30,980 (on the road).

Top speed: 143mph.

0-62mph: 8.1 seconds.

Fuel: 58.9 mpg (combined figure).

C02 emissions (g/km): 136.

Verdict: Impressive fuel returns, low emissions, superb build quality, classy interior.