Mercedes-Benz | Brief Test of Three Mercedes-Benz Eco-Friendly Cars (3)

Mercedes-Benz Blue Efficiency Models

Brief Test of Three Mercedes-Benz Eco-Friendly Cars (3)

Mercedes-BenzJapan is steadily introducing a succession of eco-friendly models under the banner of "Blue Efficiency." These include clean diesels, hybrids, and small, lightweight engines. Among them, the E250CGI Blue Efficiency Avantgarde was the first imported car to be certified for the eco-car tax reduction program.

Text by Fumio OgawaPhotos by Junki Kono

Mercedes-Benz C250 Blue Efficiency
— Ease of Use is Its Forte

The C250 Blue Efficiency is equipped with the same 204ps 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbo engine as the E250CGI Blue Efficiency Avantgarde, fitted into the C-Class body. Two models, a sedan and a station wagon, were launched simultaneously. Positioned between the existing C200 Kompressor and C300, it carries a price tag of 5.67 million yen, bridging the gap between the C200 Kompressor (4.40-4.92 million yen) and the C300 Avantgarde (6.30 million yen) for the sedan.

The model I drove this time was the C250 Blue Efficiency Station Wagon Avantgarde (5.87 million yen). As the new E-Class station wagon is not yet available, this car offers a weight advantage of 200kg compared to its sedan counterpart. The existing E250 Station Wagon Avantgarde (equipped with a 2.5-liter V6 engine) weighs 1,800kg. In contrast, the C250 Blue Efficiency Station Wagon Avantgarde, with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, weighs 1,550kg, showing a significant difference in weight.

Good Acceleration and High Quietness

A relatively light body combined with a powerful engine is akin to a golden combination in automobiles, and the C250 Blue Efficiency Station Wagon Avantgarde delivers an energetic performance. Its acceleration is good, and its quietness is also notably high. While it might be a personal preference, its slightly SUV-like styling, with a somewhat tall profile, is also dynamic and appealing. Coupled with its relatively compact exterior dimensions of 4,660mm in length, ease of use is the hallmark of this car.

However, having just driven the E-Class, I found the plasticky interior and the subtle vibrations felt through the soles of my feet to be a bit distracting. I believe that simply using leather for the steering wheel, for instance, would significantly improve the impression. Frankly, for a car priced close to 6 million yen, I feel it could offer a greater sense of class, especially when compared to its rivals.

In conclusion, if one has the financial means, the E250CGI Blue Efficiency Avantgarde currently stands out within the Blue Efficiency lineup as the most enjoyable and functional model to drive, making it a worthy consideration for anyone in the market for a car.