The Star: March 16, 2017

50
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Thursday March 16 2017
Driven
The Star
Mercedes-Benz cabriolet for fun in the sun
• By Ross Kiddie
OVER THE years I’ve been guilty
of heavily criticising Canterbury’s
changeable climate.
I make no apology for that,
the ‘four seasons in one day’
temperatures that we get here can
be frustrating.
Take last weekend when I was
driving Mercedes-Benz’s C200
cabriolet, the weather was so foul
I barely had any opportunity to
drive with the roof lowered, only
briefly experiencing open-air
motoring.
However, in spite of our fickle
weather, sales of convertibles here
don’t seem to be waning. Those
who I know that own a convertible
enjoy them even though
there are just a few glorious days
in a year when driving with the
top open really suits.
The C200 convertible is part of
a wide-ranging C-Class line-up.
It arrives here in three variations,
well I should say three different
engine options. There’s a hearty
4-litre, 375kW V8, a 3-litre,
270kW V6 and the turbocharged
2-litre, four-cylinder which is the
subject of this evaluation. All are
petrol-fuelled.
The 1991cc turbo engine
is the same as that which I’ve
experienced many times in the
Mercedes-Benz line-up, and it is
characterised by its healthy power
outputs (135kW and 300Nm) and
smooth operating manner. It is
harnessed to a nine-speed automatic
transmission, the combination
is reactive, power flows freely
and response to driver input is
constantly encouraging.
That is something that I’ve
come to enjoy with this engine,
it is wholeheartedly honest and
works with freedom through the
transmission.
Even though it is far from being
the most powerful configuration
(280kW in AMG form), it
is a mainstream engine which
punches way above its weight.
Its performance figures are testament
to that, the car will accelerate
to 100km/h from a standstill
in 8.2sec and it will make an
overtaking manoeuvre in 5.1sec
(80km/h to 120km/h).
These figures provide the driver
with a satisfying feel. At the same
time the C200 doesn’t gobble fuel
unnecessarily, Mercedes-Benz
claims a 6.8-litre per 100km
(42mpg) combined cycle average.
That sits well with the 8.8l/100km
(33mpg) figure constantly sitting
on the test car’s fuel usage readout.
The C200 also has a variety of
drive options that the driver can
choose to suit his/her style, all are
self-explanatory – eco, comfort,
sport, sport plus, or you can load
in your own preferred protocols.
Personally, I preferred the standard
sport setting, it still allows the
engine freedom without being
overly flighty such as it is when in
sport plus setting.
I took the test car through
the flowing scenic route of State
Highway 72 branching off near
Hororata and enjoyed the C200
MERCEDES-BENZ C200 CABRIOLET:
The roof raises and lowers with a
simple flick of a switch.
cabriolet’s quiet motion of speed,
sound is well isolated, and you can’t
always say that about convertibles,
it travels with grace and dignity.
It also feels rigid in the body,
the lack of a solid roof doesn’t
affect the strength of the structure.
The C200 feels taut and
firmly planted, a lot of the latter
has to do with the quality of the
rubber; huge, sport specification
Continental tyres (225/45 and
245/40 x 18in) have unyielding
grip along with positive feedback.
Steering feel is light rather than
firm, but that matters little, it is
directional and it responds positively
to cornering pressure.
While its driving dynamics sit
well with the convertible’s look,
it’s best remembered that in this
form (and the coupe) it is only
a four-seater, there are only two
seat belts in the rear, if you want
• Price – Mercedes-Benz
C200 cabriolet, $94,790
• Dimensions – Length,
4686mm; width, 1810mm;
height, 1409mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
rear-wheel-drive,
1991cc, 135kW, 300Nm,
nine-speed automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 8.2sec
• Fuel usage –6.8l/100km
a C-Class and seat five you’ll have
to choose between the sedan or
the wagon.
The C200 convertible lands
here at $89,900, the test car was
carrying a few extra bits and
pieces which raised the price to
$94,790. And that is something
a C200 buyer will need to appreciate,
there are a multitude of
specification enhancements and
buying choices that can personalise
or enhance the car. Even in
standard form it is well-equipped
and, of course, the roof raises and
lowers with the flick of a button.
While the C200 cabriolet will
be far from Mercedes-Benz’s biggest
seller, it is there to keep sales
rolling along, the German brand
is experiencing boom times down
under.
Fletch,
Vaughan
+ Megan
Weekdays 6am - 10am
zmonline.com
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