The Super Cars
Mercedes has officially announced the addition of a biturbo direct-injection inline-four-cylinder engine to its lineup that will supply the C250 with 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque in the entry-level Benz. A 228-horspower, 221-pound-foot V-6 will be in the C300 4matic and the range topping C350 will get a new 300-horspower, 273-pound-foot, direct-injection V6. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is headed to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show for its public debut, but before that happens and thanks to a broken embargo in Europe, we've got photos of the new C-Class ahead of its official reveal. Changes to the exterior of the car are extremely minor, limited almost entirely to the front and rear fascias. The front fascia receives a new headlight treatment, with a two-tiered design nearly identical to those seen on the new CL. The grille is slightly reshaped as are the lower air intakes, the fenders flares look to have been reduced, and the rear bumper is slightly lower.
New, modern wheels complete the exterior revisions. The interior of the 2012 C-Class is an entirely different story as it has been thoroughly redesigned. It now features the same angular design theme being applied across Mercedes' lineup and now found in the S-, CLS-, E-, and CL-Classes. The new C-Class features inverted vents compared to the rest of the lineup. The big news though is that the navigation unit is no longer a pop-up unit, but is rather built right into the dash and nestled under a sun-shielding hood. Mercedes also updated the center console with modern aluminum-look controls. The same aluminum-look is used for new, 3-D surrounds on the instrument cluster rather than the simple, 2-D surrounds on the outgoing car. The steering wheel and its controls have also been updated, and dare we say it, actually look like a more upscale version of those found on a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. New, classy trim accents complete the changes to the 2012 C-Class' interior. As for powertrains, details on the U.S.-spec car have yet to be released, but expect very few changes apart from direct-injection for the basic C-Class models. The outrageous C63 AMG however, is likely to get Mercedes' new twin-turbocharged, direct-injected, 5.5-liter V-8 that's currently finding its way into all "-63" badged AMG models. We'll know exact U.S.-powertrain specifications shortly.
Part of that is down to the downsized four-cylinder engine, granted, but even compared with the identically endowed Cupra, the BMW feels a little too sensible for its own good. The steering is accurate but not brimming with feel, though the standard X2鈥檚 squat stance means body control is good. The ride, while compliant enough in Comfort, is likely to be far too stiff for UK roads in Sport, however. The Ateca feels more fluid, and sounds fruitier, too; the X2鈥檚 exhaust noise is arguably more authentic, but closer to the standard SUV鈥檚 than anything from the brand鈥檚 wide-ranging M division. The same is true of the M35i鈥檚 styling. The only clues to this car鈥檚 firepower are the Cerium Grey inserts for the grille, air inlets and mirror caps. There鈥檚 a set of similarly-specced 20-inch wheels, while the larger exhausts are painted in the same shade of grey. Look really closely and you鈥檒l notice the new M rear spoiler, too.
Remove the badges, though, and you鈥檒l need to be a true anorak to separate the M Performance model from its lesser siblings. Take a look inside and the differences are even harder to spot. There鈥檚 a set of new M Sport seats, M Sport seat belts and a new aluminium foot rest. But that鈥檚 your lot. Engine and drivetrain aside, it鈥檚 hard to fathom where your cold hard cash is being spent; the X2 M35i costs 拢6,060 more than an xDrive20i M Sport. That鈥檚 even more apparent when you consider that 20i model boasts the same M Sport bodykit, LED lights, and iDrive infotainment system, as well as a similarly supportive set of heated sports seats. So its rivals are cheaper to buy, better equipped and more engaging to drive, but does the BMW offer any advantages when it comes to packaging and practicality? Not quite. Despite its raised body, the X2 is no more versatile than your average family hatchback. The 470-litre boot is a decent size, but the cabin feels cramped thanks to the thick C-pillars and sloping roofline. The Cupra trumps it here once again.
