EDMUNDS.COM 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C32 AMG
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Prodigious power, predictable handling and a sharp-looking interior make this one of the most satisfying sport sedans on the market.
Pros
Powerful supercharged V6, numerous high-end features, stable handling, still comfortable despite its sporting intentions.
Cons
No manual transmission available, no standard CD player, not even a real spare tire.
What''s New for 2004
Mercedes'' road-burning sport sedan sees no changes this year.
Overview
Introduction:
AMG. Those three letters are as revered by auto enthusiasts as ERA or RBI are by baseball fanatics. But what do they stand for and what are they doing affixed to various Mercedes-Benz vehicles?The first two letters stand for the names of the founders: Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, and the last letter signifies where the company was born: Grossaspach, Germany, back in 1967. What Mr. A and Mr. M did was modify Mercedes-Benz automobiles for better performance, be it for road use or racing, in which they were heavily involved. As the years went on, AMG became known as a premier tuner of Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and eventually offered interior and exterior modifications, such as custom instruments, steering wheels and seats, as well as ground effects, spoilers and wheels. The company did such a great job that Mercedes-Benz brought it in-house in 1990, and as a result, AMG now has its own high-performance skunk works, similar to rival BMW''s "M" division. There is now an AMG version of nearly every Benz model, from the C-Class'' C32 to the CL-Class'' CL55, and they all feature powerful engines, agile suspensions and subtle accents inside and out to set them apart from their more common brethren. At around $51,000, the C32 is the least expensive AMG product. Order a couple of options, and the C32 ends up being a mid-to-upper-$50Ks sport sedan. This isn''t exactly a bargain four-door, but with a supercharged V6 engine and handling that''s as sharp as many sports cars, it doesn''t seem so steep once you''re behind the wheel. Between its stunning performance, sedan practicality and the cachet of its three-pointed-star pedigree, the C32 is more than just your average sport sedan.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door C32 AMG comes in just one well-equipped trim level. Standard features include a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch wheels and tires, 10-way power sport seats, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, metallic cabin trim, a revised instrument panel (compared to the regular C-Class), dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker Bose stereo with a cassette player and a sunroof. Options include a glovebox-mounted CD changer, a navigation system, bi-xenon headlights and an integrated Motorola cell phone.
Powertrains and Performance:
The C32 AMG packs a supercharged version of Mercedes'' 3.2-liter V6 that puts 349 horses and 332 pound-feet of torque at the driver''s disposal. An AMG-tweaked five-speed automatic transmission is the sole gearbox choice. Dubbed SpeedShift, this automatic is so quick and smart that most drivers won''t miss a manual tranny, especially in rush-hour traffic. With the 0-to-60 mph dash coming in at around 5 seconds and a top speed that''s electronically limited to 155 mph, those who need speed should be more than happy with the C32. Braking ability is impressive as well, with stops from 60 mph coming in at less than 120 feet.
Safety:
In addition to expected safety features, such as four-wheel antilock disc brakes and three-point seatbelts with tension limiters for all occupants, the C32 boasts stability control and eight airbags. In government crash tests, the C-Class earned four stars (out of five) for frontal impacts and a full five stars in side impacts. The IIHS gave the C-Class a "Good" rating (the highest possible) and named it a "Best Pick" overall.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Cabin materials are generally first-rate, with pleasingly textured, soft-touch surfaces all around. A pair of 10-way adjustable sport seats hold the pilot and co-pilot snugly, while a choice of single-tone or two-tone upholstery, metallic accents and unique instrument faces give the C32 its own look inside.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Simply put, the C32 is a blast to drive. The instantaneous power from the supercharged V6 makes for rapid acceleration at nearly any speed, and the tightly wound suspension is well up to the task of getting the power to the ground. As capable as it is in corners, it''s not a car that will beat you up on your morning commute. Overall, the C32 is an outstanding combination of dazzling performance and everyday drivability.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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