Mercedes-Benz C230 Elegance

06-10-2007 14:19

Mercedes-Benz C230 Elegance - In today’s society where everyone seem to be banging on about down sizing their car, save the planet, be more ‘green’, the last car you therefore would consider, is probably a Mercedes as it conjures up thoughts of high CO2 and fuel consumption figures.

But this is a myth and has just been dispelled as the new Mercedes Benz C-Class is the first car in its market segment to be awarded an Envoimental Certificate for it envoirmentally focussed developments, highlighting areas such as 6% savings at the petrol pumps than its predecessor, 90% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, 86% reduction in hydrocarbons and the use of materials in its design and construction that have low energy requirements and good recycling characteristics.

So, now the guilt has gone, lets indulge ourselves in the attributes of this stunning new C-Class that comes with three trims, SE, Elegance and Sport plus a series of petrol or diesel engines, focusing on the C 230 mated to the Elegance trim.

And elegance is the operative word in the case of this car with deliciously stunning looks exclusive to the Mercedes clan.

For the first time in the Mercedes Saloon history, the radiator grille has been used as a distinguishing feature to clarify the models so in the case of the Elegance, there are three chrome highlights on the grille and comes with the bonnet mounted Mercedes star.

This long bonnet stretches out to meet the large light clusters then drops into the colour coded bumper with integrated fog lights. To profile and the sculptured lines ooze more elegance as does the colour coded door handles, body protection strips and electrically heated and folded door mirrors while the large alloy wheels cements it muscular stance. The rear, by comparison is less subtle with only the Mercedes logo giving the name of the game away.

The new C-Class is longer and wider than its predecessor meaning there is more room inside not just for occupants, but all those luxury toys such as full black leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front heated seats, height adjustment steering wheel with cruise control and full Bluetooth technology remote controls on the wheel.

Additionally, there are individual driver and passenger climate control switches plus a fantastic CD audio player cleverly hidden from view, with the dial commander to change stations, navigation or telephone safely, positioned to the left of the driver by the gearbox.

The COMMAND provides voice operation, a music register, hard disk drive navigation and an integrated DVD changer. That means this C-Class doubles up beautifully as the luxury family car if you have to go down that road. Hence storage solutions include a lockable air conditioned two tied glove box, secret compartments in the arm rest, as well as door pockets and the children will be grateful for the extendable pockets behind the front seats along with the central rear armrest that pulls down to revel a hidden box and two pop out drinks holders.

So having dumped them at the school amid dagger looks from jealous mothers, its off to the shops and with the C- Class’s abundant boot space, plenty of room for the weakly shop and more. Thanks to the powered tailgate opening you are not standing there getting all harassed as you hang onto the trolley whist fumbling to open the boot and with the internal boot release, you can also get some obliging chap to simply load your car up with your new purchases.