Mercedes-Benz C-Classes have often been regarded as the cheap seats in Hong Kong's luxury car world, the preserve of our skinflint rich and brand-slave wannabes. Not any more, because the German marque has given its entry-level best-seller a sleeker body and packed it with technology developed for bigger Benzes.
The new C-Classes are also 5.5cm longer than their predecessors, at 4.58 metres; 4.2cm wider at 1.77 metres; and with a wheelbase stretched by 4.5cm to 2.76 metres. The marque has also given the range's three models distinctive translucent 'eyelids' on their slanted, intelligent bi-xenon headlights. Dealer Zung Fu has imported two of the range's three styles: the Elegance, which has the Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet, and the Avantgarde, which has the bling of a three-louvred silver grille and a big star badge in the middle. The Elegance will look best in silver, grey or beige and remind sandwich-class Mazda8 owners who's the real king of the block in Taikoo Shing. The Avantgarde test car is flashier, however, and flaunts its chrome best in black, dark blue and a hitherto un-C-Class deep red.
The Avantgarde's interior is comfortable and airy with an electric panoramic roof (HK$6,500 extra, Zung Fu's website says) and a black and grey faux leather finish. If you're buying a black model, I recommend the Porsche-like brown leather finish. The new C-Class is a roomy ride, with 4cm more shoulder room at the front and lots of head and legroom front and back for four tall folk, despite claims in western countries that it's cramped at the back. The C-Class has similar front legroom and only 9mm less headroom than the E-Class.
The boot's also larger, at 474 litres, and the luggage yank seems kind on the back. The three-tube instrument panel is clear without reading glasses, and the centre dial shows radio frequency, time and speed information on a blue dial that defies the glare of daylight on a simple black dashboard. The finish of the upholstery and brightwork suggests that the C-Class is at last a 'real' Mercedes-Benz, not a wannabe's ride.
The C280 Avantgarde is also my drive of the year because it gives its owner as much face as an E-Class and a BMW 5-Series, and is such a pleasure to drive in Hong Kong. Newcomers to the marque might take a while to get used to the car's Keyless-Go (HK$8,500), starter-button and handbrake routines, but the car is as easy as the A-Class in Kowloon traffic, thanks to excellent all-round vision, generous mirrors, and plenty of poke for lane changes with a 231-brake-horsepower, 2,996cc V6 engine. The 7G-Tronic transmission is so smooth that we're soon chasing a Subaru WRX Sti in Kwun Tong and relishing the prospect of an open run to Tsing Yi.
On Route 3 the test car proves an excellent commute. The steering is responsive and there's plenty of push for the growl of overtaking - and little wind noise, thanks to cabin insulation improvements. The suspension is fine, but I don't notice the selective-damping improvements of its agility control in Lai King, or feel the claims of 10 per cent flatter cornering under Lion Rock. The steering wheel and brakes feel more BMW direct than its predecessor's, however. Parking is easy, too.
The Avantgarde's steering wheel also feels substantial - luxurious - for your money, with phone and audio controls within easy reach. The seats have firmer seat cushions, back air chambers and headrest angles. Their adjustment can take a while to set to the car's memory, but patience is rewarded with perhaps the most comfortable driving position outside the Lotus Exige S. You may have to take your eye off the road to adjust the air con or load a CD, but these are small gripes.