2003-2004 Mercedes Benz C320 4Matic

Pros :
- Sleek attractive styling.
- Smooth V6 engine.
- High speed stability.
- Safety features galore.
- Confidence of all-wheel-drive.

Cons :
- Leisurely acceleration.
- Dull interior detailing.
- Needs stiffer suspension to improve handling.
- Tight rear seat room.
- Higher price than direct competitors.

Interior :

---

---

Press Coverage :
The successful Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the safest car in its category, is reasserting its role as the technological leader in this market segment with the intelligent four-wheel drive system 4MATIC, a new generation of four-cylinder engines and other high-tech innovations. These top-class technologies open up new dimensions in safety, handling dynamics, comfort and driving pleasure. Since series production of the C-Class commenced around two years ago, more than 760 000 drivers worldwide have decided in favour of this Mercedes model series.
From autumn 2002 Mercedes-Benz is offering the permanent four-wheel drive system 4MATIC, which has proved its worth in the E-Class for a number of years, in the C-Class for the first time. By interacting perfectly with the standard Electronic Stability Program ESP® and the electronic traction control 4ETS the system helps the driver to master critical situations safely and confidently. In unfavour-able weather conditions such as ice, snow or wetness, and also when moving off and accelerating on poor road surfaces, the new C-Class 4MATIC models achieve even better traction and more dynamic handling.
At the same time 4ETS guarantees characteristic Mercedes ride comfort, as the system operates without the conventional differential locks which tend to compromise comfort and handling in other four-wheel drive cars. Instead 4ETS applies brake pressure to spinning wheels as required while directing the drive torque to the wheels with good traction. This electronic traction control thereby achieves the effect of three differential locks. A single-stage transfer case distributes the drive torque from the engine to the front and rear axles on a 40 : 60 basis.
Mercedes-Benz offers the innovative 4MATIC drive technology for the Estate versions of the V6 variants C 240 and C 320. The 4MATIC models are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission as standard. The results of current crash tests carried out in accordance with the European NCAP standard (New Car Assessment Programme) once again documents that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class provides the highest level of safety in its market segment. The Euro-NCAP organisation has therefore awarded the C-Class a five-star rating, the highest available in this test category. At present only two cars in the world have attained this exemplary result.
This confirms the value of the innovative safety concept behind the C-Class, which is in line with the latest Mercedes crash research findings and as such is tailored to providing the highest level of occupant protection geared to the realities of day-t-day- road traffic. The standard safety equipment of the C-Class includes adaptive airbags for driver and front passenger, which deploy in two stages according to the severity of the accident, side and windowbags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, automatic child seat recognition and now also a further developed "fix seatbelt" warning. The front-end structure of this Mercedes Saloon is designed with real-life rather than just simulated accidents in mind and features a three-stage system which comes into play in accordance with the severity of the collision. This ensures that the C-Class offers the best possible occupant safety in the event of collisions at medium speeds, which are particularly common.
Daimlerchrysler.com

---

---

History:
1994-2000 Mercedes Benz C280
2,799 cc / 194 hp / 195 lb-ft / 3316 lbs / 0-60 mph 7.6 sec.