The C180k represents a surprisingly affordable way to get yourself into Mercedes brilliant C Class.
For little more that the cost of an upspec Mondeo the supercharged c180k offers build quality that you thought had been ironed out for good by corporate bean counters. It’s Mercedes back to its best.
The trouble with building a whole lot of down home quality into a car is that quality tends to weigh a lot. When you are dealing with the base petrol engine in the range, this usually equals a receipe that will have rice pudding skins and wet paper bags the length and breadth of the country resolutely unmolested.
After all 1796cc isn’t a big capacity for an engine to move this vehicle right. You would thing so buy you would be reckoning with the out the Kompressor super charger that plumps power up to a very healthy 156 bhp.
This means that the C180k will zip off the line and through 60mph in a entirely respectable 9.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 139mph.
There are three trim levels offered in c180k guise with two very different themes. Go for the Classic or Elegance models and there is a very conservati ve look, with a traditional Mercedes grille and three-pointed star standing atop the bonnet.
The Mercedes C-Class is a big improvement on its predecessor. What is so encouraging about this car is that , in many respects, it has gone back to basics in offering what customers really want.
Car:Mercedes C180k range
Price:£22,965 -£23,860 on the road