FOUR generations and 25 years later, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has grown up and if it had parents, they would certainly have good reason to feel proud. The new C-Class is bigger, wider and taller than the model it replaces, and comes with a bigger boot. Best of all, almost everything has been improved, including the quality and handling.

The C-Class began with the 190E, Merc's first compact model. When its immediate successor, the first to be named the C-Class, was unveiled in 1993, crowds here jammed the hotel where it was launched, and delivery time stretched to nine months. This time around, the waiting period is much saner but the same buzz is palpable - almost 200 units have been booked so far.

It is easy to understand why. First, the traditional criticisms of the old car have been rectified - rear head and leg room are excellent and there is even a pair of rear air-con vents. Most of the materials used in the car are very good, although one or two bits of plastic still look cheap. But the equipment level is high. A controller knob and five-inch colour display come standard for the operation of the hi-fi, Bluetooth telephone system and optional navigation.

The car is available in either Elegance or Avantgarde trim, with the most noticeable difference between the two variants being the location of the three-pointed star on the nose, plus the usual twist in chrome and paint finishes.

The current entry-level C-Class is the C200 Kompressor. It features the same supercharged 1.8-litre engine but power and torque have been upgraded.

The new C200K now has 184 hp - up 28 horses, or close to what the old C230K used to have - while the new C180 Kompressor, due in September, will pack the same punch as the old C200K (the new C180K will be $15,000 cheaper though, with less features).

With the power hike and an extra 10 Newton-metres of torque, the C200 now feels a lot more responsive.

But it is the way the C200 handles that clearly makes this the most impressive C-Class to date. The new, smaller and snazzier four-spoke steering wheel hints at its revamped dynamics. The steering is sharper and more accurate - a trend noticed in recent Mercedes-Benz models - and the suspension more confident.

The latter is somewhat stiffer than in the old car but the ride comfort is still good, and enhanced by the improved sound insulation.

The traditional Merc blend of comfort and handling is still there but the new C-Class has been tuned for more sporty behaviour, resulting in superb body control at higher speeds.

It may be the entry sedan model but the C200 is certainly worthy of aspiring to. It looks great, is well-made and drives even better than before. Even the fact that it looks like a small S-Class is an asset and not something to be ashamed of.

Engine: 1,796cc supercharged
Gearbox: 5-speed automatic transmission
Max power: 184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max torque: 250 Nm @ 2,800-5,000 rpm
0-100 kmh: 8.8 secs
Top speed: 230 kmh
Price: $156,888 (with COE)
Distributor: Cycle & Carriage,
tel: 6866-1888