2001 Mercedes Benz C-Class

The Last Vestige Of The 'Baby Benz' Disappears With New Design

By Bob Storck, with contributions
By Hugo Becker

PRICE RANGE: $30,000-38,000 PRICING AND OPTIONS

ENGINE: 2.6 liter, 168 hp V6 or 3.2 liter, 215 hp V6

FUEL ECONOMY: MPG (city/hwy) - n/a

SAFETY FEATURES: Airbags - Driver and passenger, plus front and rear side and head curtain; ABS; standard Tele Aid system; smart seat belts, child seat tethers, and BabySmart child seat options

Audio Review 2001 Mercedes-Benz Product Line, featuring the new C Class, SLK 320, CL 500, CL 600, CLK 55 AMG, ML 55 AMG and the E 55 AMG.
By Sandra Kinsler , Brian Leshon and Michael Binstock

IMPRESSION: The C-Redesign has more room, power, styling and performance. The only problem that Mercedes Benz will have is how to keep their loyal buyers in the pricier E-Class.

If there is any color that complements silver it is a deep green, and a whole barrage of sleek shimmering Teutonic arrows flashing through the Northwest woods cannot help but capture attention - and envy.

"Betcha these cost over sixty" a rest stop observer opines, which draws a delighted correction from the Mercedes staffer. Even with the difference in the Canadian dollar, a new, well-equipped entry level Benz is well under $40k, even with a heavy hand on the option list.

Mercedes-Benz has completely redesigned and re-engineered the C-Class for 2001. The only carryover items from the old C-Class are the three-pointed star on the hood and the lug nuts.

The only people who are likely to find fault with the C-Class styling are current E-Class buyers who may resent the sleek lines of their more affordable junior relative. It is apparent that a lot of super-luxury S and CL line styling found its way into the base model of the US lineup, and there is more to follow.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, the company will be adding different body styles to the line including a wagon and a coupe. At the Paris show, they even showed us a sports coupe -- with a hatchback. And there is bound to be a replacement for the killer AMG C43.

In terms of style and concept, the C-Class has a personality all its own. It is pitched at young customers who want a car that is strong on emotion and distinctive in design. The powerful proportions give the new model a distinctly sporty look. At the same time the characteristic ribbed Mercedes radiator grille with the centrally positioned star and the eye-catching ellipsoid front headlamps clearly identify the model as a member of the Mercedes family.