C is for Classy, C is for Charisma and C is for Competitive. As we’re going to be discussing modern cars, a few more Cs are probably appropriate to associate with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel range: Computerised, Connected and Carbon.

The C-Class range is known as the “Baby Benz” range, as these aren’t enormous vehicles. This hasn’t stopped them from being enormously popular, however. Three body styles are available in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel range: Estate (that’s a station wagon), Sedan and Coupé. However, there is quite a selection of diesel-powered engines matched up with the body styles. There are also three diesel engines available for the Sedan: the 200d (1.6 L displacement), the 250d (2.1 litre) and the 300h (2.1 litres – a diesel hybrid that combines the same engine as the 250 d model with an electric motor, making this a diesel hybrid). The Estate comes with the 200d and the 250d. The Coupé gets the 250 d under its very classically tailored hood. Overseas, apparently, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel range of engines is even wider – as if these options weren’t enough to choose from and keep us happy.

If you’re taking the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel Sedan or Estate for a spin, then what will the different engines be able to do for you? If you opt for the smaller 200d, which is a direct injection turbocharged unit, then you have 100 kW of power on tap; with the 250d, you have 150 kW. That’s the twin turbochargers in the 250d talking.  We are talking about diesel engines here, and we all know that even if diesels don’t have the same power as petrol units, they have more torque. A lot more torque. Even the smallest offering in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel lineup, the 200d, has a juicy 320 Nm of torque at its maximum. The 250d, on the other hand, has a very impressive 500 Nm available.  Oddly enough, if you look at the combined fuel consumption figures, the two engines have the same fuel economy, although (naturally), the 300 h beats them both in this department with hybrid diesel technology. If you are concerned about carbon emissions, like a number of us are these days, then you may be surprised to learn that the larger 250d has the lower figure, 116 g/km to the 200d’s 119 g/km (and both are eclipsed by the hybrid’s 105 g/km). The Eco stop/start function also helps keep the emissions and fuel consumption down.

The engines are what set the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel range apart. However, although a car is nothing without an engine, a car has to be more than just an engine if it’s going to be competitive and actually cut the mustard with car buyers. It has to be good to drive and it has to be comfortable enough for everyone riding inside it, drivers and passengers. So do all the models in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel range have what it takes?

Let’s start with comfort. The place where comfort begins is where the rubber hits the road and what’s immediately above that. Above the wheels (18-inch alloys in the 200d models and 19 inches in the 250 d and 300 h models for all body styles), you’ll find a very innovative suspension system, featuring Mercedes’ Agility Control, which adapts the damping automatically to how you’re driving. If you’re clipping along at a fair pace, the suspension will stiffen for better stability and comfort so your passengers don’t get thrown around so much (you’ve got the multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters for the 7-MATIC automatic transmission to hold onto). You can also select the Sports Suspension driving mode via Agility Select if you choose – this is one of five possible driving modes.

That’s not all that it takes to make your passengers comfortable. Seating also counts. In all of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel models, you’ll find electrically adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar support and very tasteful trim, with either fabric (200d) or leather (250 d and 300 h) as standard in the Estate and Sedan and leather as standard in the Coupé. The other key comfort features inside the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel models include the dual-zone climate control system and the ambient lighting, which has three colours and five dimming levels possible.

Things are made easy for the driver with keyless entry and engine start (250 d, 300 h and coupé), as well as the comprehensive range of driver aids. These include the active parking assistance, the cruise control with variable speed limiting, the parking sensors front and rear, the speed-sensitive steering, the ESP with acceleration skid control and the very comprehensive braking system. The brakes don’t just have brake assistance; they also have the HOLD function (which keeps the car stopped at the lights so you don’t have to hold your foot down on the brake pedal all the time), hill start assistance and automatic brake drying if you’ve been through the wet.

It is pretty standard in most cars in the 2010 decade to have a multifunction display screen that handles the audio system and loads of information. Naturally, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel have this feature: a 7-inch colour display panel with touchpad control. All the bells and whistles on the technical front are there: Garmin navigation, USB input, Bluetooth integration with audio streaming and iPod/iPhone integration – and a 12-V power socket so you can charge your phone or device where your playlist is stored.

This is barely scratching the surface when it comes to all the technological and practical features found in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel range. Some of them it would take several hours of driving around to discover – possibly weeks. The big decision for most people who have decided that they want the blend of Mercedes tradition and a diesel engine comes down to the body style. Do you want the extra load space of the estate, the curvy styling of the coupé or the simplicity of the sedan? Your family members may probably make the decision for you: if you’ve got a large dog, the estate will be the best choice. If you have growing children, then maybe the coupé will have to wait. However, no matter which version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel range you choose, the styling is very smooth and dynamic looking – and has been designed to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. The estate, very pleasingly, doesn’t just look like someone’s grabbed the sedan and stuck a bit extra on; the styling has integrity while still having the C-Class sleekness.

Current model series include:

• Mercedes-Benz C 200 d Estate
• Mercedes-Benz C 200 d Sedan
• Mercedes-Benz C 250 d Estate
• Mercedes-Benz C 250 d Sedan
• Mercedes-Benz C 250 d Coupé
• Mercedes-Benz C 300 h Sedan
• Mercedes-Benz C 300 h Estate

For any more information on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Mercedes-Benz dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!