Mercedes C-Class

The C300d has a claimed fuel efficiency of 20.37kmpl and yet can do 0-100kmph in 5.7 secs. It has plenty of grunts and the car feels like it has a big V6 under the hood. Tap the throttle and the twin-turbo diesel can build up speeds rapidly.

The Mercedes C-class has been the stepping stone to the Merc range for a long time and it’s not surprising why it always had the baby Merc tag linked to it. Yes, nowadays, there are smaller models like the A-class and GLA that allow you to have the Merc badge but to really drive and feel like a Mercedes, you have to get a C-class. This new one is supposedly so good that Mercedes has decided to call it the Baby S-class. But is it, really?

For one, the styling is very similar. The C-class has always been styled to mimic the S-class and this new W206 is even more so. The sides and rear are so similar, especially around the wedge-shaped tail lamp area. The front end is different for the C300d AMG line model we are driving, and it looks all the more aggressive for it. The inverted front grille and the sleeker headlamps are a big departure from the lastgen. The classic rear wheel drive sedan proportions are well encapsulated even in the standard model, but the body kit on this adds a lot of sportiness. The wheels are 18 inches and have a thicker lip that reduces their inner diameter.