Mercedes-Benz C 300d, Track Test

When the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class reached our shores earlier this year, I was not particularly impressed by it. But this feeling lasted only momentarily until I laid my eyes on the top dog of the range – the diesel-powered C 300d. Unlike the C 200 and 220d variants that leave the factory floor in Mercedes’ rather plain-jane trim, the 300d sports a much more tasteful AMG Line trim, which makes it one suave-looking sedan. And once you hop in, the excitement is only dialled up a notch, as you find yourself in a bespoke interior headlined by the brand’s all-new twin-spoke AMG steering wheel. This C-Class is widely regarded as the ‘baby S-Class’, and nothing justifies this statement more than its interior, which looks and feels very similar to that of its elder sibling.

When I drove the C 300d a few months ago, I was mighty impressed by its 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid diesel engine. While this engine also powers the C 220d, in the 300d, it produces a healthy 261bhp and 550Nm of torque. The 9-speed auto gearbox does a pretty good job of handling and transmitting all this power effectively to the rear wheels, and the result is a properly quick sedan that sticks to the tarmac like glue. Its factory-spec Pirelli rubber offers a good balance between grip and absorbing bumps. However, for the sake of mentioning a con or two, the C 300d does not feel the most refined, largely due to the engine, which becomes fairly vocal when pushed hard.  Another aspect that detracts from the overall experience is the car’s remarkably low ground clearance. While of no consequence on the track, it certainly makes life a wee bit difficult in everyday conditions. It definitely takes some good presence of mind to keep that AMG bumper lip scratch-free.

And now the biggest blow – the price. Yes, at ₹61 lakh (ex-showroom), the C 300d is as demanding as the BMW 5 Series! So, is it really worth nearly three-quarters of a crore? Well, it is a tough one to answer, for sure.

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