What drives it? A 2,996cc V6 engine and a seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission with new agility control selective damping on 205/55 R 16s (turning circle 10.84m).
How fast is it? It hits 100km/h in 7.2 seconds and tops at 246km/h, the manual says. The C350 hits 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
How safe is it? The C280 has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with bi-xenon headlamps with cleaning system, brake assist, electronic stability programme, front, rear, side and window airbags, Pre-safe (HK$4,000 extra) and more.
How thirsty is it? The four-door is said to drink 13.3 litres per 100km in town.
How clean is it? Good for a three-litre, at 219 grams of CO2 per km, the fug equivalent of 1.82 Smart ForTwos. Its TUV Award (see below) also boosts its green cred.
Available: The test car is HK$538,000. The standard C350 Elegance is HK$628,000, but we hear the larger models are being offered at HK$595,000 (with Comand APS) at Zung Fu in Causeway Bay (tel: 2895 7339); Hung Hom (2764 6919) and Taipa, Macau (tel: 853 2883 1283).