But the three-door-well, the three-door has no competitors in the premium-hatchback segment That vehicle should be competitive with the Acura TSX, Saab 9-3, and Audi A4. Mercedes does offer this new 1.8-liter in a version of the C-class sedan, meaning, you know, with a trunk. Maybe if the company had called it a C230 hatchback, we wouldn't keep expecting it to drive like a "sports coupe." Its shifter hasn't improved it's still plasticky and slow to engage anew gear. This is, indeed, a good thing if you're in the market for a comforting companion on long commutes. So zealous was Mercedes in exorcizing the flatulence of the old motor that this new one makes almost no noise at all. The 1.8-liter, which will be the base engine of an all-new SLK beginning next summer, is smooth and linear in operation, with no apparent hills or valleys in the surprisingly robust torque curve. Worse, it sounded as if it had an acute and chronic case of gastrointestinal distress. Higher in the rev range, the 2.3 was rough. The previous engine felt weak at low revs, despite its power advantage and greater displacement.
2005 mercedes c230 kompressor specs manual#
On the other hand, the new motor allows the hatch to go another four or five miles on each gallon of gas, depending on whether you get the six-speed manual or the $1325 optional five-speed automatic.Įven better, with this engine the C230 is, if not exactly transformed, at least a more pleasant thing to use. This is not something most owners-the majority of whom we don't anticipate will go bracket drag racing-need worry about. Try as you might, the engine will not rev above 4000 rpm with the clutch pedal in. We attribute this, in part, to an engine-management system that will not allow for abusive standing starts. Indeed, the sprint to 60 mph for the 1.8-liter 2003 model is an unremarkable 8.1 seconds-more than a half-second slower than the 2002 model. The new 1.8-liter engine makes 189 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 192 pound-feet at 3500 rpm. The old 2.3-liter-still the base engine in the SLK hardtop roadster for 2003-makes 192 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 200 pound-feet of torque at 2500 rpm. It's down about a half-liter of displacement compared with the old engine, and it makes less peak horsepower and torque. On paper, this engine would seem to be a step backward for Mercedes. And unlike the ideal progression of slowest to fastest sports car I experienced on track with Porsche, the reason I decided to talk about this experience within a Mercedes-Benz review in the first place, I started out with the C55 and followed up with the C230 Kompressor Mercedes-Benz's most basic ride.For the 2003 model of the C230, Mercedes has largely addressed our engine complaint with an all-new 1.8-liter, all-aluminum supercharged four-cylinder. But I covered an AMG product last week, the compact C55.
2005 mercedes c230 kompressor specs series#
In the all-powerful department is its series of AMG sports cars, starting with the SLK55 AMG, then the SL55 AMG, and finally the SL65 AMG. The Boxster-fighting SLK, followed up by the Tiptronic-equipped 911 Cabriolet-competitive SL 500. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)
well, at least after getting out of the C55. After all, the rival German manufacturer produces its own collection of sports cars starting withįrom an acceleration point of view, the C230 is a bit disappointing. Of course, Mercedes would have something to say about my all-powerful comment. Finishing off the ideal sports car progression was the pièce de résistance, a gorgeous, all-powerful Carrera GT. After that I did an autocross course in the new 911 Carrera S coupe, followed up by a run in the droptop version back on the race track. Track with the completely new Porsche Boxster, before moving up to a Tiptronic-equipped 911 Cabriolet. Last week I had a Mercedes-Benz C55 to test drive, this week it is the other end of the spectrum with the C230. Priorities of a More Practical Kind I was on the road course next to the California Speedway, in Fontana last week, living out a car enthusiasts dream.
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