2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2010 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassThe sleek baby-Benz!

By Charles Donaldson

Today’s economy has us making difficult decisions on how to balance out practicality, function, decent fuel economy, style and performance. As a real estate agent, your car is an extension of your office. It needs to be as comfortable if not more comfortable than the chairs you offer your clients. We want our vehicle to show that we are both successful and pragmatic. The days of toting around in big gas-hogs are over. The answer – the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The C-Class may represent Mercedes-Benz entry-level vehicle, but this is no striped down car or basic car. It has all the performance, handling and comfort you need just bundled in a small fuel efficient package. Mercedes-Benz redesigned the C-Class sedan two years in the image of its flagship S-Class. From the moment you position yourself behind the wheel, your senses are overwhelmed or overjoyed with a combination of luxury, sport and safety features.

For 2010 the C-Class is available in the following trims: C300 Sport Sedan ($34,475), C300 Luxury Sedan ($36,175), C300 4Matic Sport Sedan ($37,975), C300 4Matic Luxury Sedan ($38,175), C350 Sport Sedan ($40,625) and the high performance C63 AMG Sedan ($60,325). All prices include destination charges.

Since the C-Class was redesigned in 2009 there aren’t any significant changes for the 2010 model year. The 2009 makeover was extensive with the C-Class growing 3.7-inches in length and 1.7-inches in width. The sheet metal was all new and upgraded with sleek flowing lines and a more angular appearance. The front grille differs on the Sport and Luxury models adding to their individuality. The Sport models have a large star mounted in the center of the grille. The grille on the Luxury trims has the traditional Mercedes-Benz grille and hood ornament.

The interior is what you would expect from Mercedes-Benz, rich, comfortable and stylish. My test model was the C350 Sport Sedan with two-tone white and black interior trimmed in aluminum and black Birdseye maple wood. The SIRIUS Satellite radio system is neatly hid behind a panel at the top of the center console that opens with the push of a button. Some of the standard features on our model included power sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated 10-way power driver seat, 8-way power passenger seat, leather wrapped steering wheel, power title and telescoping steering column, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, and automatic headlamps with twilight sensor.

Performance comes in the form of three engines. The C300 is equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 228-hp, the C350 has a 3.5-liter V6 with 268-hp and the crown jewel AMG host a 6.2-liter V-8 pumping out 451 horses. The C300 Sport is the only model with a standard six-speed manual transmission. All other models come with a seven-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The AMG model takes the seven-speed automatic transmission to the next level with the AMG Speedshift Plus. The two 4Matic trims are All-Wheel drive while the other models are Rear-Wheel drive.

Room for improvement:

· Rear seat is a little bit tight

Cool Features:

· Rain-sensing intermittent wipers

· Bluetooth Connectivity

· Aluminum Shift Knob

Safety features are always abundant on a Mercedes-Benz. The C-Class is equipped with the following airbags: dual two-stage front, side-impact mounted in front seat backrest, dual front pelvic, head protection curtains and driver’s side knee. Other safety features include electronic stability program, anti-slip regulation, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist and active front head restraints.

In Summary – The 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact luxury sedan with flair, style, performance and comfort. It handles like a sports car, while feeling like you are sitting in your living room. The variety of C-Class trims takes you from sport to luxury to extreme sport luxury. In other words, there is something for everyone. Your clients will no longer dread the ride from house to house. In fact, they may ask you to take them to more homes. Bottom line, you will impress your clients!

Specifications

2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport Sedan

Base price: $40,625 as driven: $44,260 (with destination charges)

Engine: 3.5-Liter V6

Horsepower: 286 @ 6000 rpm

Torque: 258 pound-feet @ 2400 rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Drive: Rear-Wheel-Drive

Seating: 5-passenger

Turning circle: 35.6 feet

Cargo space: 12.4 cubic feet

Curb weight: 3615 pounds