Carry on Kompressor
C230 Sport Sedan decants a nicely aged whine

The German word "Kompressor" or supercharger first lent an aura of power, performance and prestige to the Mercedes-Benz brand as far back as the 1920s. Now it does so again.

The latest Benz to bear this evocative badge on its tail is the C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. While this entry-level Mercedes might not generate quite the same level of awe inspired by its legendary ancestors, it's still a pretty neat piece in its own right - and truth-be-known, quicker and faster than the non-racing versions of any of them.

The "kompressor" Mercedes that began the legend was the creation of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche (yes, that Porsche) who had joined the company in the early 1920s. You might remember it as the Model K of 1926, a tall and rather ungainly car powered by a 160 hp, 6.2-litre, supercharged 6-cylinder engine that gave it a top speed of about 150 km/h. A year later came the S followed by subsequent SS and SSK models of the 1930s - the cars that firmly fixed the kompressor into Mercedes-Benz folklore.

A more rakish yet elegant design, the S was powered by a 6.8-litre engine that, with the kompressor engaged (it kicked in when the gas pedal was floored), thumped out 180 hp. Other cars of the period were supercharged but the Mercedes, according to author Ralph Stein, employed a Roots-type blower that forced air through the engine's twin carbs (rather than drawing it through) "causing that beloved, ear-assaulting, scalp-lifting Mercedes scream."

The kompressor bolted to the 4-cylinder engine in our test C230 Sport Sedan only offers up a nicely muted whine by contrast. But it helps the 1.8-litre unit belt out 189 hp at 5,800 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 revs. Enough for anyone to get on with, particularly when delivered to the rear wheels through an efficient 5-speed automatic with manual shift feature (a 6-speed manual is also available).

The C230 Sport Sedan follows on the heels of the C230 Sport Coupe introduced last year. While offering virtually the same performance and handling, it combines this with 4-door practicality.

Unlike previous generations - rather stodgy in both styling and performance terms - I think this current generation of C-Class cars from Mercedes are little gems. The C230 sedan's overall length of 4526 mm falls just shy of a Toyota Corolla, but it has decidedly more presence, and weight - 1464 kg versus the Corolla's 1140 kg.

The styling, borrowed from the larger S-Class range, works well in scaled-down form here and the structural integrity that gives the big cars their solid feel seems somehow condensed into this smaller model. Our test car looked particularly elegant with its pale grey leather upholstery and blue-tint glass creating a quite startling effect in sunlight. The effect is almost like the C230 has somehow been lit from within as you approach the car.

The base C230 sedan is priced at $38,450 while the Sport Sedan lists at $41,500. Our tester, a 2003 model (few changes for 2004), came with automatic transmission ($1,500), sunroof ($1,960), heated seats ($720) and $890 worth of metallic paint, bringing the total outlay to $46,570.

What the additional gelt gets you over the base sedan is a racier aero-style lower body panel kit, monochromatic door handles and blacked-out grille slats. Inside there are sport seats and textured aluminum trim. You also get good looking, 17-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels shod with low profile 225/45ZR17 Continental tires and that neat blue-tint glass.

Nothing is outlandishly sporty, but enough to lend the car a certain flavour. Adding some real dash is the sport-tuned suspension (shocks with firmer damping and heftier anti-roll bars front and back), which works with those 17-inch wheels to give a tauter ride and improved response. Electronic Stability Control is also part of the package.

The sport seats are firmly comfortable yet supportive, allowing you to arrange yourself effectively in front of the instrument array (set in a deep cowl), steering wheel and pedals. A multi-function display in the speedometer, accessed from the steering wheel, provides a wide range of driving information, as well as a clock and outside temperature readout.

Audio and climate controls are located on an aluminum-finish centre stack that flows back into the console. Front and side curtain airbags are provided. I found the driver's side mirror to be an awkward shape and set at an odd angle.

The cabin is roomy enough for four (a wide central hump could make it awkward for a third person in the rear), with good overall headroom, and there's a deep, flat trunk with 430 litres of capacity. Equipment includes dual-zone climate control, power adjustable front seats, Smart Key (which allows you to lock and unlock doors and operate the power windows), heated seats, tilt/telescope wheel adjustment, cruise control and retractable cupholder.

This is a car with a comfortable cabin, is pleasing to the eye and touch and produces good stereo sounds. The climate control system also works well and highway noise levels are low.

A thoroughly enjoyable car with the goods to blow off some steam should the mood arise.

Immediate competition:
Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS 300, Volvo S60