In a class of their own

WITH APRIL 2001 just six months away, SIAM (the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) and many of its members are concerned about the floodgates being opened to imports of cheap second-hand vehicles particularly from Japan. However, little attention has been paid to the possibility that significant numbers of new cars (and perhaps two wheelers) might also be imported. At the top end of the market the numbers will not be large, but the choice will be wide. Motoring Matters looks at some medium sized `family cars' that are in a class of their own.

BMW

The BMW seems to personify a marque (a word that they prefer to brand) that almost means sports saloon or at least that is what their advertising would like us to believe! Driving their cars (is that too plebian a word?), one realises that this is no idle boast. I had the pleasure of driving an X5 4.4i and a 330i on a twisting, undulating road recently and, while never pushing either to the limits of their abilities, saw what reserves of road holding, ride, safety and power they had.

The X5 is a four wheel drive, Sports Activity Vehicle, in BMW terminology. It has Dynamic Stability Control which controls under- and over-steer while cornering on virtually any surface, Automatic Differential Braking, and, uniquely, Hill Descent Control which allows a safe and controlled descent down steep and uneven slopes. While its performance is car-like and totally unlike that of the truck based SUVs that are its main competition, it is not really a saloon. The 5 and 7 series BMWs are really luxury cars which cannot match the performance of the 3 or the X5. On the other hand, the M and Z series are not really family saloons.

The 3 series BMWs are available as 2 and 4 wheel drive saloons, coupes, convertibles, wagons (touring, in BMW lingo) and in a compact version which is a shortened cross between the saloon and the coupe. The four and six cylinder engines range from 1.9 to 3 litre petrol versions and 2 to 3 litre common-rail diesels and are mated to 5 speed manual or automatic gearboxes, the latter with Steptronic `manual' control. The cars are just under 4500 mm long and are very eco friendly with the 320d emitting just 152 grammes of CO2 per kilometre. Available optional packages include heated (or cooled) seats, sun (and moon!) roofs, head lamp washers and even ultrasonic parking aids for those who need help while reversing.

All BMWs today have Double VANOS which steplessly varies valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts to take full advantage of the engine's torque, fuel efficiency and emission control capabilities. In particular, VANOS enhances low end torque, smoothness and efficiency. The aforementioned Dynamic Stability Control and antilock braking are standard across the range.

All said and done, however, if one were to describe the saloon, BMW's words - ``style, refinement and dynamics'' seem to be an understatement while those should be the primary factors to consider while buying a Bimmer, but don't buy one if you're not going to drive it!

Mercedes Benz

The Mercedes should really be called DaimlerChrysler today as a result of its 1999 merger with Chrysler of the U.S., but has not yet been afflicted with the relatively down market image of the latter and continues to bask in luxury. Whether the recent part acquisition of Mitsubishi will change this remains to be seen, but Mitsubishi's more ``sporting'' image may rub off on it. The introduction of the new C-Class marks a step in that direction, although its development began at least four years before the Mitsubishi connection.

In Mercedes speak: ``We have created a completely new C. A car that reflects a new driver. A more complex driver. Someone who expects more from life. More connection with the road, and with the planet. We make the new C-Class for an individual whose intention is clear.''

``Drive like it matters. The 2001 C-Class is a rush. A blur. It's the purest essence of a European sport sedan, with the autobahn and Alpine switchbacks in its blood. At cruising speeds, the new C is an ideal travelling companion. And when at last you come to the corkscrews and hairpins, it transforms into an asphalt athlete - all power and advanced handling technology and an eager willingness to untangle any ribbon of highway.''

Why have I quoted this at length? Remarkably, because all this is largely true and not mere advertising hype. BMW (or Audi and Alfa Romeo, for that matter) would of course justifiably disagree with the claim ``It's the purest expression of a European sports sedan''!

Mercedes realised that enthroned though it was in profitable luxury, it was loosing out in the market for younger buyers who often saw it as a car for the middle aged and older fuddy duddies. Secondly, if it lost a significant share of the small and medium sized luxury car market, the stringent environmental regulations on the horizon both in the U.S. and in Europe could prove disastrous. Its first step to address both problems was with the quirky, but innovative, A-Class aimed at a small niche market and the second, the rapid development of the new C The short period (about 4 years) that it took to develop the C, has meant lower costs to Mercedes and they appear to have used this to price the car competitively and almost directly at their great German competitor.

The new C is remarkably similar to the 3 series BMW in size being only about 50mm longer. Both are also unique (is that an oxymoron?) in sticking to a front engine, rear drive layout for most of their range. This design has obvious handling advantages at the expense of packaging and space efficiency. The introduction of traction control and anti-lock brakes has negated most of the disadvantages of the layout to the extent that it might often be better than even four wheel drive.

The C comes with both diesel and petrol engines ranging in capacity from 2 to 3.2 litres and with 6 speed manual and 5 speed automatic gear boxes, the latter with `manual' Touch Shift. Its biggest diesel is presently a common rail 5 cylinder, while the larger petrol engines are compact V6s instead of the intrinsically smooth inline sixes that BMW continues to stick with. The sporty 200 Kompressor has an interestingly supercharged, rather than turbocharged, engine.

The C is fitted with similar standard and optional features to the 3 series, but is also available with a hands-free voice recognition system to control both a cellular telephone and the audio system.

Driving the 225hp, 330i BMW and the 215hp, C-Class 3.2, one is struck by their similarities rather than the differences. Which one do I think is better? Wait for the surprising answer in the next Motoring Matters which describes some more cars to drool over.

I will say now, though, that the new C is better than its overrated brother, the four year old, `new' E Class. Although the new S Class rides slightly, and only very slightly, better thanks to its new air suspension, the C has less wind noise and is much less affected by strong cross winds. Mercedes India has probably made a mistake by introducing the S Class instead of the elegant and aerodynamic C.

C. Manmohan Reddy

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