Proof, Mercedes C220d Mild hybrid: the champion of long distances

Proof, Mercedes C220d Mild hybrid

The design of the latest cars produced by Mercedes certainly has a high famility feeling, reducing the differences between the various models more and more in the eyes of consumers and therefore adopting increasingly clear and precise stylistic features; the new C-class has in fact become much more elegant and equipped than the model it replaces, the interiors have been totally revised and are able to convincingly modernize a classic and functional passenger compartment that was beginning to show signs of its years.

Even the older sister S-Class has been taken as a reference and this C-Class manages to amaze from every point of view, as soon as you enter the passenger compartment you are immediately pervaded by a feeling of modernity and quality that Mercedes has refined over the years , all combined with innovative technological solutions that project this car directly into the future.

This version replaces the previous one marketed in 2014 and, from a stylistic point of view, takes up the dictates introduced by the rest of the range with the more mature Class E and Class S; from a design point of view, the front remains sober but sporty and is characterized by slender and soft lines to favor aerodynamics. The rear has instead changed more than the previous version, going to resemble the little sister CLA more; overall it is an elegant and well-proportioned car, especially in dark colors.

Federicovecchio.com Federicovecchio.com Inside the cockpit is where you realize the most important news, you are immediately greeted by a huge 11.9-inch central display, inclined and oriented 6 ° towards the driver from whom multiple functions of the car are controlled; in front of the driver we also find the customizable digital dashboard initially seen on the S-Class. The latest generation MBUX system, then, manages to integrate all the systems in an excellent way, allowing a real dialogue with the car to perform functions such as modifying the temperature, enter destinations or even find the first aid kit inside the vehicle. The only flaw, in our opinion, is the too robotic setting of the infotainment voice which makes everything less fluid than it could be.

The touch controls on the steering wheel are intuitive and well positioned and the interface in the panel in front of the driver can be customized in many ways to be able to meet the various needs of the driver; the technological part is therefore customizable in multiple configurations totally different from each other according to the driving style you prefer.

Federicovecchio.com Federicovecchio.com The real star of this test, however, is the propeller; the car we tested was the C220d, a 2.0 turbodiesel Mild hybrid capable of exceptional performance and low fuel consumption.

The engine is the latest version produced by Mercedes and is equipped with a mild hybrid system capable of adding 20 hp to the 200 already produced by the heat engine, managing to guarantee a declared consumption in the WLTP cycle of 5.1 l / 100 km which, however, in our tests turned out to be even lower, managing to record 4.5 l / 100 km using it with Cruise control on the motorway at 130 km / h and reaching 4.8 l / 100 km in mixed use. The presence of 220 hp in total ensures that you have the power needed to overtake in any condition and - on German motorways - allow a high cruising speed without tiring the engine itself thanks to the excellent 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Although diesel engines are rapidly disappearing over the horizon, such an engine can only guarantee 133 g / km of emissions but above all over 1,000 km with a single tank; journeys of this kind are science fiction for the petrol, hybrid or electric cars we are used to now and that is why we believe that there will always be a market for this kind of car even if - it must be admitted - it will be increasingly reduced due to the restrictive anti-pollution laws. The tested version was equipped with numerous options including the AMG Line Interior package, the multifunction steering wheel in Nappa leather, the Premium package, pedestrian protection and other minor additions such as the AMG floor mats and the comfort Package.

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