Selwyn Times: November 21, 2018

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday November 21 2018 27
Motoring
• By Ross Kiddie
VEHICLE SALES figures in the
last three months show a definite
trend towards smaller vehicles
and those with small fuel efficient
engines. That’s no surprise, rising
fuel costs always have an effect on
what we choose to buy.
It’s no surprise either that
Mercedes-Benz have joined the
revolution towards fuel efficiency.
That’s been a long-term programme
from this high profile
German luxury car maker, but it
seems even more relevant today
that the company’s most successful
model is now available in
hybrid form here.
Well, let’s get this straight, the
Merc C200 isn’t your traditional
hybrid, it doesn’t have an electric
motor helping provide drive
alongside an internal combustion
engine.
The C200 is classed as a mild
hybrid and, put simply, it has a
turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
engine that provides drive to
the rear wheels. Where the hybrid
element comes in is through a
48v electrical network named EQ
Boost, it adds around 10kW of
stored energy distributed at the
point where the turbocharger is
working up to full boost on acceleration,
that helps the engine
reach its optimum rev pattern
quickly through the nine-speed
MERCEDES-BENZ C200: Motorsport-inspired technology.
gearshift process. There are also
fuel saving and gliding modes
which recuperates electrical
energy.
In effect, you don’t know any
of this is taking place, there are
no special techniques needed
to drive the new C200, it is still
traditional in most aspects.
The C200 joins a heavily upgraded
model line-up for 2019.
While the exterior shape hasn’t
been altered greatly, there are a
lot of enhancements inside the
car and an increased amount of
technology for safety, as well as
comfort and convenience. Column
space doesn’t allow for comprehensive
detailing, but the most
visual change is the new display
graphics – fully digitised. It can
be configured into three different
themes, classic, sport and progressive.
They work beside a raft
of varying drive modes which the
driver can select at will depending
upon the type of journey, driving
style and road configurations.
The C200 is a clever car, and
if you are thinking in the first
instance that just 1497cc doesn’t
seem enough, you had better
think again, the engine is rated
with 135kW and 280Nm, and
it is one of the smoothest fourpot
drivelines you’ll ever get to
encounter.
A lot of that is to do with the areas
where power is developed. As
mentioned, the EQ Boost system
fills in the gaps where power is
building up, and with peak power
arriving at just 5800rpm, and
maximum torque spreading from
3000rpm to 4000rpm, there is no
point where request to throttle
• Price – Mercedes-Benz
C200, $73,900
• Dimensions – Length,
4686mm; width,
1810mm; height, 1430mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
rear-wheel-drive,
1497cc, 135kW, 280Nm,
nine-speed automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 7.7sec
• Fuel usage – 6.4l/100km
pressure doesn’t arrive.
Acceleration is strong, and
you would expect that from
Mercedes-Benz. It claims a 7.7sec
standstill to 100km/h time, and
an 80km/h to 120km/h time of
6sec is also achievable. The C-
Class in this form isn’t blisteringly
fast, but it is quick enough, and it
gobbles up highway kilometres effortlessly;
its balance and poise is
remarkable, and as you drive you
feel so much part of the car.
It also has remarkable fuel usage
figures. Mercedes-Benz claims
a 6.4-litre per 100km (44mpg)
combined cycle figure; the test
car constantly listed close to that,
and at 100km/h the trip computer
readout sits around 4l/100km
(70mpg) with the engine turning
over at just 1500rpm in top gear.
If you analyse the technical
aspects of these figures and
Local
News
Now
Hybrid with a difference from Mercedes-Benz
sMaLL effOrt,
big resuLts!
With high quality performance and easy operation,
Husqvarna lawn tractors bring versatility and
performance to your outdoor work. A wide range of
attachments and a built-in choice of cutting methods
allow you to decide which combination best suits
your garden. Ideal for efficient lawn care and various
tasks around your house and land.
ts242
For those with bigger blocks looking for more power.
Pedal-operated transmission, cruise control
and automatic diff lock for
superior traction.
$4,999
was $5,299
saVe $300
ts348
Fire rages, homes at risk
combine them with the brilliance
of the vehicle as a whole, the
C-Class is a seriously special car.
Well, at the price it has to be, the
C200 sedan lists at $73,900 and
the evaluation car was carrying
around $5000 of extras. Take into
account you can get this driveline
in an estate (station wagon),
which adds $3000.
Rear-wheel-drive always signifies
an involving driving experience,
and the C200 is true to that.
There is a secure feel to the road
and that, along with steering that
is decisive, adds to accuracy when
presented with a quick corner or
two.
I took the evaluation car on
a route running parallel to the
Selwyn River. There aren’t a lot of
corners on those roads but there
are a few tricky sections which
I’ve tracked down over the years.
The C200 enjoys the twists and
challenges, it feels taut and firmly
planted.
Another year rolls around
and the Mercedes-Benz motorsport
team has clinched both
the formula one driver’s and
manufacturer’s title. The formula
one car uses hybrid technology
not dissimilar to how the hybrid
system works in the C200. It’s
that technology trickling down
though motorsport that makes
many of the cars we drive today
so special.
Powerful tractor delivering top class performance
and cut quality with ClearCut fabricated deck
and automatic diff lock for
superior traction.
$6,999
was $7,499
saVe $500
ts138 LaWn traCtOr
$3,699
was $3,999
saVe $300
User-friendly lawn tractor with foot-pedal operation, side ejection cutting deck and
powerful engine to tackle smaller blocks.
tC238
Premium mid-range lawn tractor with 220L
integrated rear collector, and powerful
V-twin engine.
$5,999
was $6,299
saVe $300
extend yOur
Warranty
WitH genuine
HusqVarna OiL!
Husqvarna aims to provide you with total
satisfaction with product performance,
reliability and safety. With this in mind,
Husqvarna offers a 5 year Domestic
Warranty * period when you buy genuine
Husqvarna oil with your new Husqvarna
products. * Terms and Conditions apply.
1000 days interest free *
*
don’t wait any longer, you could get the Husqvarna you want today with nO interest for 1000 days.
available instore only until 31/12/18. Minimum spend $3,999 and over. Lending criteria, fees, $50 annual
account fee, $55 establishment fee or $35 advance fee. t&C’s apply. see instore for more details.
SHANDS HuSqvArna
706 Main South Road | Phone 03 349 8955
www.shandsoutdoorpower.co.nz