More powerful 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350

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<TABLE class=ImageBox><TBODY><TR><TD class=Caption>The C350 Sport Edition comes standard with a six-speed manual, while the seven-speed auto is optional.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
2006 Mercedes-Benz C350

Punching it Up: Bigger engine makes top-of-line C-Class a real gas


2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C350
ON SALE: June
BASE PRICE: $38,000 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 3.5-liter, 268-hp, 258-lb-ft V6; rwd, seven-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3410 lbs (est.)
0 TO 60 MPH: 6.1 seconds (mfr.)

The C-Class is the smallest sedan Mercedes-Benz sells in the United States (for now) but its also the biggest seller, so an argument could be made that its the most important vehicle in the portfolio. Mercedes sold 69,251 C-Class models last year in the States, accounting for 31 percent of the 221,610 vehicles sold here wearing the three-pointed star.

If you need more evidence, consider that the C-Class was all-new just four years ago, had an exterior freshening along with changes in suspension and steering last year and this year the car gets a serious powertrain upgrade. The top of the line models are now fitted with the companys new 3.5-liter V6 and a new seven-speed automatic transmission.

The C350 will replace the C320 and will be available in Sport and Luxury trims. A standard seven-speed automatic transmission comes in the Luxury model while the 4Matic, awd version comes with a five-speed auto. The Sport package comes standard with a six-speed manual, while the seven-speed auto is optional.

The 3.5-liter V6 is same unit we first saw in the SLK released last year (AW, March 29, 2004). The engine uses variable cam timing for the 24 intake and exhaust valves, improving efficiency significantly from the 3.2-liter unit it replaces. While no official EPA figures are yet available, M-B says fuel efficiency is increased 12 percent despite the bigger displacement and improved output. The engine uses the latest in metallurgy, with the crankcase and cylinder heads made of aluminum; the pistons are iron-coated aluminum with steel connecting rods; and the cylinder liners are aluminum-silicone lined. The weight saving from conventional cast-iron liners is more than one pound per cylinder.

From this springs an engine producing 268 hp at 6000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 2400 to 5000 rpm. This output is up from 215 hp at 5700 rpm and 229 lb-ft at 3000 to 4600 revs. On our test drive, this stronger pulling power was quickly evident, and much appreciated. The old C320 sedan never felt slow, but you wouldnt confuse it with a sports car either. That line seems to be blurring.

A 0 to 62 mph sprint takes just 6.4 seconds, 1.3 seconds quicker than the previous model. And because of the wide powerband, Mercedes says the seven-speed automatic-equipped C350 takes just 6.1 seconds to get from 35 to 75 mph. The automatic, outfitted with the latest electronics, quickly downshifts to keep the engine in the sweet spot, better utilizing all the available power. Steering-wheel-mounted shift buttons allow you to make your own gear changes, snapping them off nearly as quickly as you can press the buttons.

To ensure smooth operation, the engine has a balancer shaft running between the cylinder banks and rotating at the same speed but in the opposite direction of the forged crankshaft. Time was spent tuning the engines sounds by using a woven nylon materialrather than a smooth plasticfor the intake manifold (it absorbs sound, greatly reducing intake noise). Engineers also managed to give the exhaust note a pleasing performance rumble; not quite a muscle-car V8 sound, but a potent, satisfying noise nonetheless.

Prices for the new models will be released closer to the on-sale date in late June or early July, but Mercedes officials say prices should be similar to the outgoing models. More horsepower, greater torque and better fuel economy, at about the same price. Theres a formula anyone can appreciate.

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101894