2001Mercedes-BenzC-ClassMercedes-Benz C-Class2001 Mercedes-Benz C320SedanSedanRWDGermanyEver expanding and improving its brood of stately vehicles, Mercedes gives the C-Class a complete overhaul for 2001. A choice of two new engines, increased safety features and sleeker sheetmetal tempt those who seek to gain a foothold into the exalted realms of Mercedes ownership.Solid construction, free scheduled maintenance, S-Class Jr. styling.Tight squeeze for backseat occupants, pricey for its segment.Ah, to be a Mercedes owner. More specifically, to be able to tell your friends that you've just bought a Mercedes; that is the stuff of which life is made. Unfortunately, your bank account is not yet plump enough to shell out the bucks for one of the big bad muthas. And, frankly, you kind of wish that a Mercedes had a more sporting attitude. Enter the all-new 2001 C-Class. Designed to appeal to the sport sedan crowd heretofore untapped by the three-pointed star, Mercedes offers the C-Class as a contender in the entry-level luxury sedan playing field. Motivating the C-Class is your choice of V6s -- the 2.4-liter with 168 horsepower, or a 3.2-liter with 215 horses. And, in an effort to further compete with its venerable statesmen, a six-speed manual tranny will be available for the very first time in a C-Class, but it is reserved for the C240. Those who prefer automatic gear changes will like the tranny on the C320, a five-speeder with TouchShift. It's standard on the 320 and optional on the 240. With an improved five-link rear suspension and a new rack-and-pinion steering system, it should be as pleasurable to go canyon carving in the C-Class as it is to show up at your high school reunion. Such luxurious features as dual climate control, steering wheel-mounted controls for and wood trim come standard on the C240. Step up to the C320 and receive a Bose stereo system, full power memory front seats and power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Options include a stand-alone navigation system and Cockpit Management and Data System (COMAND), the center console interface that controls the navigation system, the audio system and the cell phone, xenon headlamps, heated seats, a six-disc CD changer and a sport package that provides higher spring rates, tighter shock valving, a thicker stabilizer bar and larger tires. The jury's still out on whether or not we like the figure-eight headlamp design that reminds us of an amoeba splitting in two. But the new silhouette of the car, derivative of the S500 but with coupe-like looks, sculpted hood and triangular taillights deserves kudos. Mercedes went all out to ensure the safety of C-Class buyers. Turn signals in the side mirrors allow others to better spot you. Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that helps bring the car back in line if the system determines that the driver is losing control and four-wheel ABS (with bigger discs than previous versions to help stopping performance) assist drivers in avoiding unseemly situations. Even if you get into a collision, with dual front, four door-mounted side airbags as well as two side curtains ready to deploy, your cabin will be a veritable padded cell. Then you'll hear a concerned, helpful voice through Tele-Aid, which provides emergency services via the cell phone and GPS system. Yes, the C-Class is the runt of the Mercedes stable. But in its own excellent clique, composed of other Teutonic and Japanese playmates, such as the 3 Series, Audi A4 or the Lexus IS 300, it could very well hold its own. Audi A4BMW 3-SeriesLexus IS 300Volvo S40450,000450,000Unlimited450,0007.5 sec.110.81 ft.NA63.2 litersV6215 hp @ 5700 rpm221 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm178.3 in.68 in.55.2 in.3395 lbs.106.9 in.38.8 in.41.7 in.53.1 in.54.3 in.55.1 in.56 in.41.4 in.33 in.15.3 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested16.2 gal.19 mpg / 26 mpg308 mi. / 421 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$34,365$36,9507.35%$645N/A3% of the Total MSRPC240 (6M): 2.6L V6 SOHC SMPI 18-valve engine, (requires premium unleaded fuel); 6-speed OD manual transmission; HD battery; 90 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, traction control, 3.46 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; electronic stability control, front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 16.2 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers with body-colored rub strip, chrome bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding with chrome bodyside insert; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen auto on headlamps with daytime running lights, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heatedfolding outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, driver's auto-dimming outside mirror; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels; P205/55HR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts, residual heat recirculation; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 7 speakers, theft deterrent, window grid antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote hatch release; cell phone pre-wiring, 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, garage door opener, smokers' package, first aid kit, emergency S.O.S.; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip odometer; warning indicators include water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, lowwasher fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door mounted side airbags, overhead airbag; ignition disable, panic alarm, tracker system, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with front and rear 1-touch down function; heated jets variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 4-way power adjustment, 8-way adjustment, passenger's seat includes 4-way power adjustment, 8-way adjustment; rear bench seat with power adjustable headrests, center armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, genuine wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, genuinewood door panel insert, genuine wood console insert, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights, 2 door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, refrigerated/cooled box, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo light; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and chrome door handles.
C320 (5A) (in addition to or instead of C240 (6M) equipment): 3.2L V6 SOHC SMPI 18-valve engine; 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 115 amp alternator; driver's selectable multi-mode auto-manual transmission; 3.27 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; driver's power remote auto-dimming outside mirror, passenger's power remote with tilt down outside mirror; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 10 premium speakers; driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, passenger's seat includes 8-way power adjustment; memory on driver's and passenger's seats with 3 memory setting(s) includes settings for exterior mirrors, steering wheel and headrests.