10 minute read
Motoring
Styling of latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class copies its premium S-Class sibling 2022 MERCEDES-BENZ C 200
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been around in Australia since 1993 and has consistently been the company’s biggest selling model, at least until the last few years when overtaken by a number of SUV variants.
C-Class comes in three body styles: coupe, convertible and sedan each with the choice of 1.5-litre (C 200) or 2.0-litre (C 300) engines. Note that only the sedan versions have been given an upgrade at this time, the two-doors will arrive next year as will high-performance C43 and C63 AMG models.
Our test car was a fullyoptioned C 200 sedan.
STYLING
The latest Merc C-Class sedan follows similar lines as its large S-Class sibling with similar coupe-like profle and scalable lines. A long bonnet and shorter front overhang highlights this sleek appearance.
The oval grille features a single horizontal bar with the iconic threepointed star in the centre of the grille. In a clever piece of design, the grille infll comprises hundreds of tiny matching stars.
Both the C 200 and C 300 have the AMG Line kit and body styling ftted as standard as well as 19-inch fve-spoke AMG alloy wheels
There are ten colour choices, nine of them being $2500 metallic options.
Styling features with the optional Vision Package include a dualpane panoramic sunroof
INTERIOR
The interior of the C-Class inherits a number of design features from the S-Class and it brings a real premium look that hasn’t been there in previous models.
The 2022 upgrade C-Class sedan gets a longer wheelbase than the previous model which converts into extra rear seat legroom.
You can store your user preferences and log into the car using a fngerprint scanner which allows multiple drivers to preset their seat position and cabin set up confgured as soon as they activate their profle.
Boot capacity is 475 litres expandable with the rear seatbacks folded. This can be done without entering the car via small levers on either side of the boot’s interior.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Mercedes C 200 is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol engine with outputs of 150 kW and 300 Nm of torque from a very handy 1800 rpm linked with a 48-volt mild- hybrid (MHEV) starter-generator that sits between the electric motor and nine-speed G-Tronic automatic transmission.
The C 300 has a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol MHEV that generates 190 kW and 400 Nm.
SAFETY
Standard safety features in the C 200 include 10 airbags, including pelvic and thorax bags for the driver and front passenger; enhanced ABS brakes with hold and brake drying functions; autonomous emergency braking; adaptive cruise control; electronic stability program with acceleration skid control; active bonnet; lane keeping assist; blind spot monitoring; active distance assist; active parking assist; front and rear parking sensors; extended run-fat tyres; hill start assist; speed limit assist; and tyre pressure monitoring.
The optional Driving Assistance Plus package adds active blind spot assist; active brake assist; cross traffc
alert; active distance assist; active emergency stop assist; lane change assist; steering assist; stop-and-go assist; evasive steering assist; and traffc sign recognition.
INFOTAINMENT
Unlike the E 350 that we drove recently which uses a wide, narrow infotainment screen, the C 200 takes a different approach with a 11.9inch portrait tablet-like high-defnition touchscreen occupying most of the depth of the dashboard.
The new C-Class gets the latest version of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) with nice large tabs
The second screen is a fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster that can be customised in a variety of ways.
Both the screens can be adjusted via small controls in the twin-spoke steering wheel while the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command system proves a third, even safer, way
of operating controls.
Other features include premium satellite navigation with live traffc updates, parked vehicle locator; smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; DAB+ digital radio; and emergency calling.
There are two USB-C ports in the centre console and another at the bottom of the dashboard next to the wireless smartphone charging pad. None in the rear.
DRIVING
The coupe-like roofine is likely to make entry and exit a bit awkward for taller occupants but once ensconced the front seats are large, supportive and comfortable. By necessity the driving position was lower than we prefer but that’s normal in passenger cars of this ilk.
There’s good rear leg and headroom for four adults without any compromise required from those in the front
seats. The centre rear seat is really only suitable for children. Again, this is pretty well the norm for cars of this size.
We loved the tabletstyle infotainment screen, positioned in the centre and slightly angled towards, and within easy reach of the driver.
Our test car came with the optional head-up display but the number of features occupied far more of the windscreen than we liked.
One of the most impressive features of the C 200 is its fuel consumption. Listed at 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres, we averaged 7.1 L/100 km during our test and even managed 6.0 L/100km on our 100 km return trip from Gosford to Sydney.
The nine-speed automatic shifted smoothly at all times with steering wheelmounted paddles there if needed.
The feel of the brake pedal changes as you switch from regeneration mode to friction (normal) braking. During our testing we gradually became used to the feel.
While the C-Class isn’t designed as a sports machine you can set it up in sporty mode for more spirited driving.
Handling is precise and the car responds nicely to inputs through the steering wheel.
SUMMING UP
Mercedes-Benz has tackled the tricky task of packing the luxury of its large S-Class into the mid-sized C-Class and done a pretty good job of it. It has come at a cost though, with the new C 200 priced at just under $80,000 before options and onroad costs.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
C 200 1.5-litre turbopetrol four-door sedan: $78,000 C 300 2.0-litre turbopetrol four-door sedan: $90,400 Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for drive-away prices.
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.496 litres Confguration: Four cylinders in line Maximum Power: 150 kW @ 5800 rpm Maximum Torque: 300 Nm @ 1800 rpm Fuel Type: Premium unleaded petrol Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.9 L/100km CO2 Emissions: 157 g/ km
DRIVELINE: Ninespeed automatic
Limited edition Triton Sport has standout looks TRITON RECEIVES A BOOSTER SHOT
By CHRIS RILEY
Mitsubishi has decided to give its Triton range a booster shot with the addition of a Sport Edition.
Limited to 400 examples, it’s priced from $56,440 plus onroads. It slots between the GLS Deluxe Double Cab Pick-Up ($54,940)
and GSR Double Cab Pick-Up ($56,940).
The range tops out at $64,640 for the GSR Double Cab Pick-Up, ftted with Tan Orange Interior and Roll Top Tonneau Pack.
Based on the GLS Deluxe, the Sport Edition adds black exterior trims, red exterior accents and specifc decals -- but not much else from what we can see.
It treads a welltrodden path because back in 2017 there was an earlier Sports Edition also based on the GLS, plus a couple of similarly spec’d black editions since then.
This one is available in white or black, the it features a dark theme throughout, contrasting the chrome dynamic shield badging with black exterior trims.
Red accents are applied to the skid plate, side steps and rear section, while bonnet and tailgate decals complete a truly unique exterior appearance.
Inside, the seats are upholstered in black leather with red stitching to complete
the Sport Edition theme.
Production of the 23MY Triton range commences in September 2022 with frst arrivals expected in dealerships from December.
Triton continues to perform well for Mitsubishi and is currently ranked fve in the list of top 10 selling vehicles.
“We are very proud of Triton’s market performance throughout 2022,” Mitsubishi’s Shaun Westcott said. “As part of continually evolving our product offer, we now welcome the new, limitedproduction Triton Sport Edition to Australia.
All Triton Sport Editions are confgured as Dual Cab Pick Ups with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4x4 drivetrain with rear diff lock.
Being based on the highly-appointed GLS Deluxe grade, the Triton Sport Edition is only available with the six-speed automatic transmission.
The refreshed range sees the return of the factory-ftted SDA1 audio system to Triton GLX-R and GLS model grades, thanks to improved component supply conditions (presumably the Sport Edition too)
This integrated system features a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as two USB points and a HDMI port to support multiple connections.
Keen drivers will love the new limited edition i30 N Drive-N hot hatch N DRIVE-N – HYUNDAI’S GOT YOUR NUMBER
By CHRIS RILEY
There’s just one thing better than the Hyundai i30 N and that’s an i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition.
Revealed earlier this year, the numbered limited edition hot shot has just gone on sale priced from $53,200. Just 180 of the cars will be offered in Australia, numbers 620 through to 799 -- of only 800
worldwide.
Drive-N builds on the i30 N Premium with Sunroof variant with special styling updates that include a red-accented interior, Alcantara fnishes, 19inch bronze forged alloy wheels, exclusive decals and blacked out Hyundai badging.
Inside, vehicles are ftted with an exclusive centre mounted plaque featuring individualised global numbering out of 800 and geographic coordinates to the Hyundai Motor Company Europe Test Centre at the legendary Nürburgring. i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition features the 206kW ‘fat power’ tuned engine, which ensures high responsiveness and improved acceleration for even more fun on the road or on the racetrack.
Flat power provides more torque and power at lower RPM, thus utilising more of the engine’s potential in everyday driving situations.
The engine maintains maximum torque of 392Nm between 2100
and 4700 rpm, and achieves maximum power at 6000 rpm. This improves acceleration in the mid- and highspeed range and delivers a consistently high performance.
As with enhanced 2021 i30 N, the N DCT version of i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition features three N performance functions for an even sportier experience: N Power Shift, N Grin Shift, and N Track Sense Shift.
N Grin Shift (NGS) releases maximum power of the engine and transmission for 20 seconds - performance that is sure to bring a grin to the driver’s face.
Of the 180 cars headed our way, 30 per cent are expected to come with 8-speed DCT and 30 per cent with a 6-speed manual. And approximately 70 per cent will come in new Serenity White Pearl, while 30 per cent will be Phantom Black Pearl. i30 N Drive-N is ftted with a Manual Speed Limit Assist (MSLA) system. Drivers can activate MSLA by long holding the cruise control button on the steering wheel and set a speed using the speed toggle.
When the set speed is reached, i30 N will limit engine power to prevent the driver from exceeding their set limit. If the speed is exceeded, a warning chime will play to prompt the driver to slow down.
Exclusive to Drive-N, Alcantara replaces leather and covers the steering wheel, gear lever, armrest, and handbrake.
Performance blue accents decorating the interior are replaced with red accents. This applies to the seat belts in the front and rear, the steering wheel N buttons, the inserts and stitching of the N Light Seats with its new pattern.
The i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition also has exclusive foor mats with distinct design details.
Each Drive-N comes standard with a welcome box and showcases the set of keys and a special Drive-N keyring. i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition manual is priced from $53,200 while the DCT auto is priced from $56,200.
