The Drive Report: Mercedes-Benz C300 

The engine makes a solid 258hp of power and 400Nm of torque.

Somewhere between the upshift from third to fourth gear, it becomes apparent that the C300 is, at least for me, more pleasurable to drive than the C43 AMG or the GLC 43 AMG. Considerably so. For starters it isn’t as tightly wound as the M139 engine on the latter (this one’s designated the M254). Performance is delivered but in a more gratifying, gradual manner, holding the gears and delivering dollops of torque all the way till 6000 rpm. It’s enough to not make you miss the torquey nature of the C300d which the new C300 petrol replaces in light of stringent emission norms causing everyone to look at diesel motors with a jaundiced eye.

Thanks to the AMG line, the C300 looks a lot more sporty and purposeful.

The C300 is the range-topping, non-AMG C-Class in the country, powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. In another era, this would have been a standard fitment for a car this size, but since the entry-level C gets a slightly anaemic 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, the C300 is a welcome change of pace. Especially since it costs only Rs 7 lakh more than the C200. Bury the throttle and you’re instantly made aware that it’s well worth the extra money. Yes, it’s lower on torque by 150Nm compared to the outgoing C300d, but the C300 wastes no time in delivering thrills. This is the car the C-Class should have always been.

The all-important powertrain

The engine makes a solid 258hp of power and 400Nm of torque. It’s mated to a 9-speed gearbox that’s quick on the uptake, while utilising the paddle shifters allows for a greater level of control, as always. Even in Sport mode, the engine has a nice throaty growl which is amplified by going into Sport+. The engine note is comparatively somber, not bubbling with exuberance like an AMG and this grown-up attribute makes it much easier to live with, at least for those who like their cars a bit understated. There’s a gratifying linearity to the power delivery, which is a lot more manageable in the city. It’s easy on the senses – the kind of thing you look forward to after a long day at work.

The look

Thanks to the AMG line, the C300 looks a lot more sporty and purposeful. It’s got the whole AMG starter-kit, which includes side skirts, sportier bumpers, taller rims and a grille comprising many little stars. The cab rearward design of the C-Class with its short overhangs and muscular stance, really makes it one of the best looking sedans out there. On the inside, you get a faux carbon-fibre treatment, dual-tone seats with tan leather on the inside and of course, the standard four-spoke steering wheel with knobs to quickly shuffle through drive modes. There’s that ubiquitous, highly addictive 11.9-inch touchscreen showing everything in perfect hi-res finish including the footage from the 360-degree camera. It’s roomy, snug, and, with the powertrain combined, it’s all the sedan you really need.

The ride

By not giving it the full AMG treatment, Mercedes-Benz may have robbed it of a crackling exhaust note and a more exuberant personality but in the real world that only heightens this car’s appeal. For starters the suspension feels quite supple while still retaining adequate body control. For best results, calibrate the suspension to “Comfort” in the “Individual” setting, and keep the engine on the boil. The C300 is so fabulously poised with its rear-wheel drive setting, it's a much-needed reminder why no SUV will ever drive quite like a sedan.

That isn’t to say that it doesn’t have adequate ground-clearance. It managed to clear all the speed breakers without scraping the bumper even once. And the 18-inch wheels ensured that ride comfort remains optimal at all points. The C300 treads a very fine line between sporty and sophisticated. It’s genius lies in how effortlessly it does this. To the point that a lot of its carefully studied mannerisms, its well-weighted steering and its overall balance appear to be second nature. It spoils you for other cars. It’s an exercise in practiced constraint, and that’s often what differentiates a good car from a great one. This is the latter.

Verdict

Look, there’s little point in lamenting the absence of the fabulous C300d. In a hypothetical line-up, are you likely to pick this over the diesel? Perhaps not. But other than the boisterousness of the former’s diesel engine, there’s very little here that makes it seem like a lesser car. It’s a perfectly calibrated daily driving machine that will make you want to be at the wheel at all times. In an age of increasing electrification, it’s a timely reminder as to just why even a relatively modest petrol sedan can deliver petrolhead bliss.