In the Metal: 
Without meaning to get drawn into nationalistic stereotypes there is a touch of the mullet about the looks of the all-new C-Class. With a clearly S-Class inspired front-end and hints of the CLA grafted on at the back, it is certainly a case of business up front and party out back. It is an imposing car, befitting of one that wears the tri-pointed star, and while some commented on the stubby boot lid not sitting well with the overall look, to us it is a cohesive design that brings a touch of sportiness to the model, bridging the gap between the 'new generation' Mercedes models (A-Class, CLA and GLA) and traditional cars like the E- and S-Class.
Not only does the C-Class bridge that gap but it is also the single best-selling model for the Stuttgart firm with 8.5 million cars sold since the iconic 190-series in 1982, so there was pressure on the designers to get things right from the off. It's a touch bigger than before, both inside and out, yet thanks to extensive use of aluminium in the body the new car is 100kg lighter than the one it replaces.
The interior of our high-spec test cars featured every optional extra like heated and cooled seats, heads up display and the fragrance system from the S-Class, but looking past these it is clear that the cabin design pushes the C-Class ahead of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 in the ambiance stakes. The front of the cockpit is built around a new, single-piece (on automatic models) centre console that runs, unbroken from the seven-inch colour display atop the dashboard right down past the rotary controller. It has the effect of giving front seat occupants more elbow room but also cocooning the driver in their own personal space.
As usual the rotary dial controls all the functions on the colour screen including DAB radio, Bluetooth telephony and internet access should it be paired with an internet-enabled phone, but the new C-Class also has a touchpad located in the shroud that responds to touch gestures and provides haptic feedback in the same way a smartphone does. Quite why Mercedes-Benz felt the need to fit both the rotary dial and touchpad remains unclear but both are intuitive to use and the choice between the two will likely come down to driver preference.
Opt for the Comand Online System (a £1,495 option on Sport and AMG Line cars) and the colour screen grows to 8.4 inches and a hard disk drive based satellite navigation is added (the cheaper Gamin system is SD card based) with 3D mapping, a suite of Mercedes-Benz apps including Tune-In internet radio and Facebook access as well as the ability to enable a WLAN hotspot so passengers can enjoy the internet too.
Driving it:
Comparisons to the BMW 3 Series are inevitable so let's deal with them early - the C-Class is not as dynamic or engaging as its Bavarian rival, but the gap has narrowed. It does actually possess a more soothing, cosseting ride than either of its main rivals and while the C 220 diesel tested here was on optional AirMatic air suspension we did have the opportunity to test a standard variant and it was just as impressive.
The steering, while electrically assisted, does provide a good level of feedback through the fingers allowing you to make the most of the chassis underneath. There is a precision and fluidity to the way the new car drives that was missing before and while the BMW is ultimately more entertaining buyers of the new car will not feel short-changed.
When the C-Class arrives in June the C 220 BlueTec is expected to be the top seller. Its 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine is essentially the same unit as used in the CLA, just flipped through 90 degrees to work on a rear-wheel drive application. With 170hp and 400Nm on tap it is brisk - or at least it is when you take control of gearchanges for yourself via the paddles, which you can only do in AMG Line specification cars. Leave the seven-speed 7G Tronic transmission to do its own thing and there is a hesitancy to shift down when you might expect, meaning you press the throttle into the kick-down area at the bottom. The result is the engine revs higher than you would like, and it's not a particularly pleasant noise.
This is especially evident in Eco and Comfort modes that come with the new Agility Select switch, as the transmission holds on to gears in the name of efficiency, but flick the controller over to Sport or Sport+ modes and it does get somewhat better. The downside is a change in the damping levels (when fitted with Airmatic damping anyway) that robs the car of some of its smoothness. Best to select the Individual setting and play around with the parameters for engine and gearbox, steering, throttle and dampers until you find the one that best suits. Or stick to the standard suspension.
What you get for your Money:
Prices for the new model begin at £26,855 for a C 200 petrol model, but the C 220 BlueTec, which is expected to be the top seller, will set you back £29,365. The new prices represent a £395 increase over the outgoing model, but they boast more equipment as standard. Three trim levels will be available - SE, Sport and AMG Line - and all cars are equipped with alloy wheels, leather interior, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, that seven-inch colour display and a new ZF-developed six-speed manual transmission should you wish - though most buyers are expected to pay the premium for the 7G Tronic automatic.
Sport specification is £1,995 more expensive but bumps the alloy wheels size from 16- to 17 inches, adds heated sports seats up front, Garmin satellite navigation, LED headlights, lowered comfort suspension and Parktronic with Active Park Assist. AMG Line is a further £1,495 and again receives a bump in wheel size, up to 18 inches, as well as adding unique body styling, sports suspension and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters (auto only).
