Ain't love grand? Rediscovering the Mercedes-Benz C180

MANILA, Philippines - Several years back, The Philippine STAR broke the story on the arrival of the car that would bring Mercedes-Benz back into the luxury car market game here in the country. That car was the C-Class. And the writer who wrote that story was yours truly.

We gushed about the car then. We had argued, being at that time the only Filipino to have driven the car, that the ground breaking C-Class, with its schizophrenic character (drive it hard, drive it smooth – the car would adjust to you), would bring CATS Motors right back into prominence. Fast forward today, a few years after that exclusive story had been published. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class continues to be one of the proud brand’s best sellers – and it continues to be a car that many aspire for.

What’s not to love? Aside from the gorgeous angles, the C-Class is blessed with features any car nut would salivate over. Recently, our friends from CATS Motors got us reacquainted with the base variant C, the C180. Despite its modest 1796cc engine displacement, the car churns out a respectable 156 horses, which is more than adequate to propel the car around the traffic-infested streets of Metro Manila. This is no doubt made possible by the healthy 230Nm of toque made available at the relatively low 2,800-4,600rpm range.

Ah, but as with any Mercedes-Benz model, the engine’s performance is merely part of what makes the entire experience memorable. A ridiculous array of driving, safety and comfort features makes one wonder if the base model nomenclature is even apt for this car. Ever heard of a 7-GTRONIC 7-speed transmission made available in a base model before? How about 17-inch 5-twin spoke allow wheels? How about the whole alphabet of safety features from ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) all the way to an ESP (Electronic Stability Program)? Our arguments for the car’s desirability could go on and on. But we’ll simplify things and say straight up that merely sitting inside the Mercedes-Benz C180 can make one feel like a million bucks.

The intangibles that go along with driving around in a brand new Mercedes-Benz model cannot be quantified, of course. Bumps and potholes seem less obtrusive to the car’s passengers. Fellow motorists seem more careful around the car. And you, of course, tend to be much more confident that the car will deliver on its promise of a comfortable and safe ride. As aspirational vehicles go, few come close to delivering the whole package the way a Mercedes-Benz does.

The Mercedes-Benz C180’s roughly P3 million price tag might be a bit of a stretch for the average motorist, but we were told by the good people at CATS Motors that the car can actually be won by just about anyone who’s a client of Eastwest Bank. Via the Dream Big, Win Big raffle promo, anyone who saves up in, invests with, uses an Eastwest Bank credit card, pays his or her bills via the bank’s services or avails of a loan from the bank can have a chance to own the car. Which is great news for people like me who actually have an account in the bank!

Years ago, I wrote about a car that would change a storied brand’s fortunes and make it reach greater heights. I haven’t stopped dreaming about owning the said car since. Now, just by saving up, I have a chance at keeping it in my garage for more than just a weekend test drive. This re-acquaintance thing is making me not just nostalgic, but also hopeful. Ah love… Ain’t it grand?